Fall 2007 |
MiTalk Prototype (Optimized for Firefox)
Overview
MiTalk, a product of the University of Michigan, is a university-wide initiative that seeks to provide students online mental health resources and education. As part of a semester-long project, a group of students, the MiTalkers, sought to understand, evaluate, and ultimately recommend solutions for the mental health education modules component of MiTalk.
Project Goals
- Identify and understand the unique user groups of the product.
- Develop a model that ensures the privacy and trust of the user.
- Create an interface that facilitates administrative needs such as tracking completion, user demographics, and feedback.
Solutions
To view the complete project, visit the MiTalkers website (optimized for Firefox.)
- Through contextual inquiries we identified three archetypes: students, student leaders, and administrators. For each of these user groups, we developed personas and scenarios, which highlight their unique needs and goals.
- Pulling from the data collected during contextual inquiries, we identified the key functions of the website.
- Through brainstorming sessions we developed lo-fi prototypes and an information architecture for the website.
- Building on our understanding of the product, we designed and produced a hi-fi protoype using Javascript, XHTML, and CSS.
- Utilizing the hi-fi prototype, we developed and conducted several usability tests with each of the three identified user groups.
- From each of the processes above, we concluded by presenting our findings and recommendations to the client. The deliverables provided by our project are actively being used in the development of the MiTalk website.
Tools and Methods
- Contextual Inquiry
- Personas and Scenarios
- Lo-Fi Protoype
- Hi-Fi Prototype
- Comparative Evaluation
- Usabiity Testing
- Affinity Walkthrough
- Information Flow Diagram
- XHTML, CSS, and Javascript
Screenshots
Overview
During the Fall of 2006, I collaborated with reference librarians at the University of Michigan’s Shapiro Undergraduate Library to research, evaluate, and make recommendations on implementing an online “ready reference” tool for students. To gain better insight into the functions and services of the reference desk, I shadowed reference staff, completed online training, and ask questions to staff and students about how they viewed reference materials and services. Pairing this information with that learned through visual analysis, heuristic evaluation, and comparative evaluation, I concluded by making a number of recommendations on what essential components are required to implement a successful online reference tool. Additionally, I produced a hi-fi prototype of how the reference tool could be structured and integrated into the existing website.
Key findings from this study are available in a brief summary.
Tools and Methods
- Online and On-site Research.
- Visual Analysis
- Heuristic Evaluation
- Comparative Evaluation
- Hi-fi Prototype
Overview
Over the past two summers I have worked at the Archives of Michigan on a few different projects. One of which, the Untitled Prison Project, warrants it’s own entry.
Additionally, I have worked to digitize portions of the Doug Elbinger photographic collection. Elbinger has photographed politicians, artists, musicians, and events in the state of Michigan for nearly four decades. Currently, selections of his work are scheduled to be featured in an exhibit on Michigan politics, which is set to coincide with the 2008 Presidential elections. In managing this collection, I produced digital contact sheets, high resolution scans and derivatives of selected works, applied metadata, and created a naming convention and management scheme.
Lastly, I customized the design interface of the Archives digital collections website. The website is built on the CONTENTdm content management system platform, which is largely PHP and database driven. In order to provide a more unique experience as well as represent the personality and value of the Archives, I created an interface that incorporated aspects of the Archives collection while maintaining the infrastructure and functionality provided by CONTENTdm.
Screenshots
Fall 2006 to Spring 2007 |
www.ipl.org
Overview
The Internet Public Library (IPL) is an online public service providing research and reference tools on nearly every conceivable subject. The website offers targeted content for teens and children through separate portals, Teenspace and Kidspace, respectively. I collaborated with the IPL team to update Kidspace education modules, conduct an analysis of the global website, and create and present design concepts for a renewed interface and improved user experience.
Project Goals
- Develop a more cohesive taxonomy, site architecture, and global navigation.
- Strengthen the IPL brand and provide distinct identities for Kidspace and Teenspace.
- Create a cleaner and more appealing aesthetic.
- Update markup and styling to conform with best practices and allow for more efficient maintenance.
Deliverables
- Conducted a comparative evaluation of similar sites in terms of aesthetics, functionality, and usability.
- Evaluated existing taxonomy and site architecture and provided potential solutions and recommendations for further consideration.
- Developed distinct, branded identities for the IPL, Kidspace, and Teenspace.
- Created design concepts for each of the three main sections that offered a global navigation, consistent page layout and aesthetic, and improved section-level navigation.
Screenshots
Overview
Jenn Harp is a SAG actress based in Los Angeles, California. I worked with Jenn in 2006 to produce a website promoting her work as an actress as well as providing online access to her résumé and headshots for casting directors and talent agencies. The website also allows Jenn the opportunity to share news and events through a personalized blog.
Screenshots
