I have definitely learned a lot more about designing for apps and mobile during this brief. I have written my dissertation on apps, but haven't actually designed one before so this was a chance to put what I've learnt into practice. I found the process quite hard at first because I wasn't sure what things to include on it, such as how the interface and interactions work. Through looking at different apps, using them and designing wireframes for this project I feel a lot more comfortable designing them now and I feel I was able to create something that was realistic for this project that I like. I have never created digital wireframes before either, so this was a new process which I will continue to do as I found it helped make the digitising process a lot smoother.
I feel I developed my branding skills as well because I really thought about what problems needed to be solved, and how to reflect this in the brand and service. I also felt I capitalised on this in the presentation which isn't something I've really done before and I feel that made the presentation stronger. I did find it hard to think of a name for the brand, and I feel this could have been better but I was also working to a short timescale.
2. What approaches to/methods of design production have you developed and how have they informed your design development process?
I did a lot of sketches for this project which isn't something I usually do. This is because I was unsure of the content to include in the app, the sizing and proportions of what things would be and generally what they look like. I felt this helped me a lot in making the app consistent across all of the pages as well.
I also did wireframes for the first time which was a really big help when it came to digitising the layout. I found it was easier for me to concentrate on the layout firstly, and then add colour and illustrations once this was nailed. I felt doing this had the most impact on making the project an easier process for me.
3. What strengths can you identify in your work and how have/will you capitalise on these?
I feel I am good at designing for screen and this is the strongest part of this project. I find it quite natural to design for web and felt it was appropriate to use in this project. I think it will make a good portfolio piece to show that. To capitalise on this I think I can do an animation for it to bring it to life and show how it would work more.
4. What weaknesses can you identify in your work and how will you address these in the future?
Thinking of a brand name is something that I have always found hard and is a weakness in my work. The only way I can address this is just to keep practising I think, but it isn't something I am good at.
5. Identify five things that you will do differently next time and what do you expect to gain from doing these?
- Animation - I think it would have been good to do an animation to show how the app works, but I didn't do this for two reasons. Firstly, I didn't have enough time and secondly I didn't know how to add animation into a presentation so I thought there's no point doing it. For next time I can give myself more time and ask Mike what's the best way to add it in.
- Range - I focussed heavily on the app when there are other aspects to the brand I could have looked at as well to create a coherent and well rounded brand.
- Name/Logo - The brand name and logo wasn't as strong as it could have been so this is something I need to improve on
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