This was an accompaniment to the web based system I designed as an on-the-go alternative. It has most of the functionality as its web based counterpart however the look is based for a more mobile-friendly design. The app was based off an original design and therefore does not mimic the design of the newer web based system. This project allowed me to explore the most important aspects of the user's experience within our products and make sure that it flowed easily. I followed this design from conception all the way to development.
This is the web based CMS that I designed for internal clientele to be able to add content connected to an app. This system had the ability to create and schedule a variety of posts (text/blog, video, image, and audio) and live streams, curate the posts into albums called collections, the ability to manage users on the app, and connect the posts to other social media. The following images show its workflow.
This is a user-generated data app that features venue information, showtimes, cast/member information, reviews, ticket purchases, and even shows restaurants nearby your venue. This was a school project that turned my love of design into a direction for my career. Though rough around the edges, this project combined pre-planning, research, wire-framing and design. It fueled my design to pursue User Interface and User Experience as a focus.
Starting Out
The idea of creating an app was very new to me. Given the parameters that the app was to be used in the entertainment capacity, I asked myself, “what would I want (as a consumer) from an app that directs a tourist in NYC?” Then I went silent for a bit to think... “Eureka! I’ve got it!!” Okay, so maybe I didn’t say that at all. Though I did start to write a list of all the things I wished it could do... my laundry, breakfast in bed, marathon Netflix without me having to reassure it that, YES, it’s been over 4 hours and YES, I’m still watching ST:Voyager, PLAY THE NEXT EPISODE. Then I thought of seeing something: plays, musicals, bands, comedies, movie filming, shows in general. Something to find a variety of shows (in every sense of the word), where, when, and who’s in it. I had my idea, now to start.
User Needs
The client will need to be able to easily navigate a variety of uses while sorting through information that is categorized by interests. The main goal of the app is to direct users to the best venue for their specific needs. The application will also be able to inform the user of venues or shows they might not have previously known about. A go-to solution for those seeking entertainment, this app will be able to assist people who are familiar with the New York area as well as those who are not.
Target Audience
The Venue will be marketed toward two different targets. One will be white women with college degrees between the ages of 35 and 50. The other is Asian males, also college educated, between the ages of 21 and 30. The two markets are varied due to the activities involved. Since the two are so different it is important to make usability and clarity high priorities.
Client’s Needs and Goals
The client will need to have a variety of uses easily navigable and lots of information broken up into different interests. The main goal of the app is primarily to direct users to the best venue for their specific needs. The application will also address the issues that may arise from not knowing a venue or a show. It will be a go to solution for most entertainment.
Functionality
Since the application is a hub for all major venues in Manhattan it is important to have all locations and as many venues as possible. The application will allow the user to:
Find venues
Get directions
Find times and dates of shows
Get spotlights and news
Show bios and awards
Read reviews
Randomization feature
Link to social media
Save favorites (venues, performers, reminders, etc.)
Listen to clips of music
Purchase tickets
Win tickets at discounted prices
Ring the bell, school’s back in, break it down
Organizing is probably the most satisfying part of design because it allows the design to serve its purpose. Making the screens also cleared up any gaps in my initial plans. It was one of the most time consuming parts of the entire project. I spent considerable time downloading apps of all sorts to research navigation, search functions, how items are organized, and screen orientations. When running through the screens, it was essential that the wireframes showed depth, clarity, and intuitiveness. The screens shown are primary screens in the user’s process.
Beta Testing I
My biggest fear of the entire project was offering the app to my target market and having the design inhibit their ability to maneuver through each part of the app with ease. At the outset of testing, I told participants that this app doesn’t truly function as the screens are just pictures and not all buttons work.
The test was to see if the users could successfully find Alex Sharp’s awards. I told them he was in a popular show on Broadway. This was the proper route to find the information.
Find the show under “Popular”
Follow to the cast screen under “Who”
Push Alex Sharp name
Scroll to “Awards”
Click “Awards”
Results I
The participants did surprisingly well. Two of the participants wanted to do a search, which I explained wouldn’t actually work since it’s a picture, but I loved that they had immediately forgotten it wasn’t a real application. Overall, the participants found it with little extraneous clicking.
In this test, I found that the app hotspots were a little small and there were a few animations that were inconsistent. I switched from a flip to a push left for the inner screens which seemed to please the users after additional testing.
Beta Testing II
The test was to see if the users could easily find the band ‘Brand New’ and allow the user to add the band to their favorites. This can be done in two ways:
Find the show under “Featured Spotlight”
See “Upcoming Events”
Cick the favorite button
OR
Scroll to “Venues” under “Popular”
Click on “Bowery Ballroom”
Find “Brand New” and add to favorites
Results II
This test didn’t go as well as I had wanted. Users couldn’t find the band as easily because it was under the featured spotlight venue and testers didn’t scroll down far enough to find the venue. Each user eventually found the band after a bit of searching (good thing the app isn’t too lengthy) and “liking” the band seemed simple.
As a result, I built out the search function and allowed the user to find it off of the name. Since it is built of images instead of code, I simply added it to the “Trending Searches”.
I tested this functionality of the new screens and the users were able to find them much more easily and the “favoriting” was as swift as before.
Since the app is for a variety of shows, the information varies. For bands it would have discography, for a show it would have ticket information, for an actor it would have their stage productions.
Not sure what to see? Shake to find something.
Nomad is a fictitious travel magazine I designed. It features advertisement campaigns and layout design. The target market for this magazine is college educated 25-45 year olds with a penchant for travel. The audience wants to travel exotically but on a budget. They go for experiences with photo opportunities. The magazine gives advice to stay on budget, where to go, what to see, and where to eat.
