Innovate: SMC Student Showcase Experience
In the UX 2 | Fall 2022 course, our team addressed the challenge posed by SMC stakeholders Sheila and Kiersten to organize a design event. The proposed solution involved creating a budget-friendly Instagram page to serve as the main event hub, successfully capturing stakeholder interest and prompting further improvements to enhance its effectiveness.
Academic Project
Role
UX Researcher, Interviewer, UX Designer, Prototyping
Team Members
Paul Sharpee
Avital Treigerman
Tiara Seeney
Avital Treigerman
Tiara Seeney
Duration
Fall Semester 2022
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Project Challenge
Problem
Insight
Solution
2. Research Methods
Stakeholder Kickoff
Informed Design
Customer Journey Map
3. Concept Development + Prototypes
Informed Design Inspiration
Customer Journey Map Insights
4. Final Results
Qualitative Impact
What Worked
What Didn't
Results and Next Steps
5. Reflections
Presentation Experience
Essential Skills Learned
Working in a Group
Project Development Over Time
Interview Gathering Insights
01 PROJECT CHALLENGE
Problem
Stakeholders aim to celebrate student work, reach out to the industry, and attract high school students to enroll in SMC. The marketing team's (our team) challenge is to efficiently provide event information on a budget and target the desired audience.
Stakeholders aim to celebrate student work, reach out to the industry, and attract high school students to enroll in SMC. The marketing team's (our team) challenge is to efficiently provide event information on a budget and target the desired audience.
Insight
Research revealed a common problem—attendees struggle to find necessary information about the event. Their concerns include parking details, event participants, benefits, event location, and timing.
Research revealed a common problem—attendees struggle to find necessary information about the event. Their concerns include parking details, event participants, benefits, event location, and timing.
Solution
Proposed an Instagram page as a budget-friendly, all-in-one solution. The page would cover stakeholder goals by promoting student work, announcing event details, listing participants, and providing links to relevant information.
Proposed an Instagram page as a budget-friendly, all-in-one solution. The page would cover stakeholder goals by promoting student work, announcing event details, listing participants, and providing links to relevant information.
02 RESEARCH METHODS
Stakeholder Kickoff:
Engaged with Sheila and Kiersten, identifying their key priorities—engagement, return to SMC, and generating interest (Sheila) and exclusivity, student engagement, and awareness of resources (Kiersten).
Informed Design:
Adopted informed design principles to enhance knowledge and skills before proposing solutions. Found inspiration in an event-focused Instagram page that effectively communicated information.
Customer Journey Map:
Mapped the customer journey to visualize the event, identify areas of improvement, and brainstorm budget-friendly solutions.
03 CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT + PROTOTYPES
Prototype:
Developed an Instagram prototype based on SMC's theme and branding. Positive stakeholder feedback led to approval and a decision to move forward with the Instagram page as the main event hub.
Personal Insights:
Prototyping is a powerful tool to convey ideas.
Functional prototypes build confidence in both parties.
Prototyping aids in visualizing the final product without significant budget investment.
04 FINAL RESULTS
Qualitatively:
The project made a difference by capturing stakeholder interest, meeting their criteria, and showcasing value.
The project made a difference by capturing stakeholder interest, meeting their criteria, and showcasing value.
What Worked:
Stakeholders were invested in the idea of using Instagram as the main event hub.
Stakeholders were invested in the idea of using Instagram as the main event hub.
What Didn't:
Feedback indicated too many ideas; stakeholders suggested focusing on a single marketing tagline.
Feedback indicated too many ideas; stakeholders suggested focusing on a single marketing tagline.
Results:
Decision to proceed with Instagram as the main hub with planned improvements and adjustments.
Decision to proceed with Instagram as the main hub with planned improvements and adjustments.
05 REFLECTIONS
I discovered the importance of having additional participants during interview sessions, providing backup options for information and diverse perspectives. This became crucial as scheduling limitations affected participant availability.
Moreover, I gained valuable insights into conducting effective interviews for project information. I developed skills in crafting concise and meaningful questions, enhancing the overall interview process.
Additionally, I recognized the significance of understanding the interviewee's background. Implementing pre-interview questions, such as inquiring about their day or profession, proved essential in building rapport, easing tension, and ensuring a more comfortable and insightful conversation. This approach greatly contributed to understanding the interviewees' perspectives and enhancing the overall flow of the interview.
Key Learnings:
Presenting to a live audience.
The importance of staying calm during presentations.
Essential presentation skills in the working industry.
Collaboration within a group of designers.
Project development within time constraints.
Importance of having extra participants for interviews.
Proper interview techniques for project-related information.
Understanding interviewees to create a comfortable environment.
The importance of staying calm during presentations.
Essential presentation skills in the working industry.
Collaboration within a group of designers.
Project development within time constraints.
Importance of having extra participants for interviews.
Proper interview techniques for project-related information.
Understanding interviewees to create a comfortable environment.
06 APPENDIX
Stakeholder Meeting Notes
Personal Mood Chart Excercise
Interviewing Prep Notes
UX Interview Practice Notes
Interview notes Student 1
