Submission Formats for Project 4

Initial Project Proposal: Empathize and Define

Due Wednesday, 12 November at noon

Each group should do a short write up identifying:

1. The organization you plan to work on behalf of,
2. Your main contact there,
3. The issue(s) that would benefit from user-responsive design,
4. The people who would be benefiting from the design and
5. Include links to relevant background on your organization, its mission, and their outstanding needs.

If you are not 100% sure if your idea is a workable one, feel free to do two write ups to choose from.

As is now usual, lay your proposal out in a designerly way with a relevant descriptive title and subtitle, headings, and present your ideas neatly in words and images.


Project Research: Ideate

Due Wednesday, 19 November at noon

Each group will do a near-complete draft of their Case Study, including:

Process -- i.e. adopting the 7 mindsets and applying the 5 modes set out in the dSchool documents

Methods -- set out the ones you chose from the Bootleg Bootcamp document, but likely to include:

• Assuming a Beginner's Mindset
• User-Camera Study
• Interview with Empathy
• [Exploration of] Extreme Users

Findings -- Based on the application of your methods create a "Composite Character Profile" for those you will serve through your design (elsewhere these are sometimes called "Personas")

Design Brief -- What are the parameters for your prototype design project? In other words, what are you trying to accomplish through your design? You may find it useful to apply the "Impose Constraints" method (on page 32 of the Bootcamp Bootleg document to help here).

Document your project research in words, images and, if appropriate, video and present in a designerly PDF. 


Prototype Design and Rationale: Prototype and Test 
Due Wednesday, 3 December at noon

Starting with your Design Brief, set out the steps you followed in developing and testing your prototype with your client/group

You can use the "Prototyping for Empathy," "Prototype to Test," "Testing with Users,""User-Driven Prototyping," "Shooting Video," and "Video Editing" methods from Bootcamp Bootleg, pp. 33 - 35, 38, 42 - 43.

Show the evolution of your prototypes, the rationale for them, the response from testing with users, and the iterations as your understanding of client needs improves through the prototyping process.

Document your design evolution in words, images and, if appropriate, video and present in a designerly PDF.


Final Project Submission
Due Wednesday, 10 December at noon

Each member of the group should submit the same designerly PDF addresses all of the elements set out in the Project 4 Brief.

The Overview addresses the aim of your user-centered design project holistically. The Background section sets out the context in which your project takes place. The Conclusion sets out the success of your prototyping exercise in clarifying and meeting a specific need of your client group.

Each individual group member should also submit their evaluations of your fellow team members and a reflection paper on this project specifically, and also on what you've learned during the course of this semester. Reflect on the skills and understandings you've developed and their relevance for you in your future career.