Background
You will be developing a system of two integrated apps for an existing profession or life situation. Your app will function slightly differently on each device where it runs, but it is only required to run on two platforms (phone and tablet, tablet and desktop, or desktop and phone). This assignment explores how people use technology to work together and how to design interface systems that can be applied to different platforms.
Brainstorming and Decision
I currently work at a dance studio, and I see a huge need for an app that would allow for the studio/teachers and parents to collaborate of sorts. We have quite a few apps and avenues to record and deliver information. Having one app that allows for information to be delivered to the parents, attendance to be taken, absences to be recorded/excused, costumes ordered, etc.. I'm excited to get going on this! The two audiences for this app will be the Admin Staff/Teachers and Parents of the dancers.
Research
Competitors
Jack Rabbit is a great tool for dance studios in keeping accurate records of their dancers. This application keeps track of all business sides of things including, but not limited to retention rate, payments, registration, time clock, etc. It also has the "Class Management" aspect that manages a weekly calendar, skill tracking, and attendance.
What Jack Rabbit is missing is the parent's side of it all. It doesn't allow for communication between studio and family. The parents aren't able to track progress like the teachers can, most studios use far too many sources to get information out that the families never know where to look for the needed information. There needs to be a solution to bring everything together. One place for both sides to get what they need.
Audiences & Personas
Instructor/Admin Staff
Scenarios
1: You need to be keeping your students' progress records up to date. Use the app to check off accomplishments of each of your dancers.
2: You need to order costumes for the upcoming recital. Use the app to record your student's measurements.
3: You have an important announcement about the upcoming recital that each family needs to know. Use the app to publish this announcement.
Parent/Student
Scenarios
1: You are looking to check in on your child's progress in class. Use the app to view your child's progress and achievements so far.
2: Costumes have been ordered for your dancer. Use the app to make a payment for those costumes.
3: An important announcement was just put out by the studio. Use the app to read the announcement.
Initial Sketching
Each of the sketches below feature 3 variations of the most prominent screens for each scenario. They feature a variety in shape, design, and function. As I sketched, I had more ideas come to me and I felt that the functionality of the designs began to morph into something really great!
Instructor/Admin Sketches
Parent/Student Sketches
Refined Sketches
Tablet - Admin/Teacher
Scenario 1: You need to be keeping your students' progress records up to date. Use the app to check off accomplishments of each of your dancers.
Scenario 2: You need to order costumes for the upcoming recital. Use the app to record your student's measurements.
Scenario 3: You have an important announcement about the upcoming recital that each family needs to know. Use the app to publish this announcement.
Smart Phone - Parent/Student
Scenario 1: You are looking to check in on your child's progress in class. Use the app to view your child's progress and achievements so far.
Scenario 2: Costumes have been ordered for your dancer. Use the app to make a payment for those costumes.
Scenario 3: An important announcement was just put out by the studio. Use the app to read the announcement.
User Testing
My husband was able to do some user testing for me, and he did well in following the scenarios. By doing this testing, it helped me to see where there were gaps in my designs, and what needs further fine tuning. Overall, I think it was a success. I think that the in between flow from start to finish in the scenarios can be improved, and I look forward to fixing this with my wireframe work this week!
Wireframes
Tablet - Admin/Teacher
Picture 1: Dashboard
Picture 2: Class Selection
Picture 3: Messaging Dashboard
Picture 4: Awarding Progress
Picture 5: Capturing Measurements
Smart Phone - Parent/Student
Picture 1: Dashboard
Picture 2: Menu Pop Slide out
Picture 3: Progress Awards
Picture 4: Message from the teacher
Picture 5: Payment Dashboard
Picture 6: Make a payment
Picture 7: Message Dashboard
Picture 8: Individual message
User Testing
As always my husband was willing to do some user testing for me, and he did well in following the scenarios. By doing this testing, it helped me see where there was lacking in flow and what was working. Overall, I think it was a success.
Refined Designs
Smart Phone - Parent/Student
I added typography that I feel is simple and readable, but also make everything flow a lot better. I feel that by adding the typography and other elements, the app is coming together, and I look forward to seeing what it grows into!
