3. FINAL PROJECT
Intro
Product Name: Study Buddy
Platform: Physical product (Pen) + mobile application
Goal: an app to improve your time management study habits and to maintain all your
notes in one central location, alongside a multifunctional pen tied to the app that
uploads all your verbal or handwritten notes and scanned information into the app
Features:
● Pen with interchangeable tips that allows for normal writing,
scanning/uploading/highlighting physical text, and digital interaction with the app;
pen can record audio and upload it to app; syncs with bluetooth to give timer
warnings and status updates during use or to playback notes
● Mobile app with study timer, note archives, and study aids
○ Study timer allows users to create a sequence of custom timers for
different subjects that alerts when to study and when to break
○ Note archives are divided into user-created topics and store all notes the
user has recorded, written, or uploaded for that topic
○ Study aids are provided in the form of games, quizzes, and flashcards;
and are created by the information stored in the user’s notes
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ASSIGNMENT #5 - DESIGN CHALLENGE
Brainstorming
PROBLEMS
● Time Management
● Social Interaction
● Confidence
● Self-Discipline
● Organization
● Stress
QUESTIONS
Elementary school/high school:
1. What were the best learning moments for you?
○ School assembly
○ Topics were fun
○ Teacher engagement
○ Liked when teacher lectured
○ Freedom with assignment vs following rules
○ Hands on experience
2. How were you taught?
○ Being talked at
○ Lectures
○ Teacher stands in front/talks
○ Board diagrams and good student tips
○ Reading off the powerpoint
3. How was your classroom setup?
○ Rows of desks
○ Occasionally groups of desks
○ Big wooden tables (2 person table)
○ Desks in circle
○ Event style
○ Rows
4. What were your worst learning moments? Why?
○ Teacher not engaged or negative
○ Teachers we can’t understand
○ When teachers made fun of you
○ Public shaming
○ Teacher favoritism
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College:
5. What has been academically challenging to you?
○ Discipline of doing work when you are not forced
○ Pressure knowing if this is right
○ Limited classes at appropriate times
○ Sleep schedule
○ Figuring out which classes/professors to choose
6. What are the best learning moments for you?
○ Quizzes where you show up and get points
○ Projects where you get positive feedback
○ Collaboration
○ Interesting topics
○ Teachers that are already in the profession they are teaching about, they help
answering specific questions
○ Teachers are passionate
○ Hand-on labs
7. What are the worst learning moments?
○ No worst learning moments yet
○ Losing data
○ When teacher is not into it
○ One teacher cancelled class because no one bought her book
○ When things aren’t explained enough
○ Long commute for pointless class time
8. What other challenges do you face that might influence your learning?
○ Roommate troubles
○ Commuting
○ Schedule school/sleep
○ Funding
○ Stress
○ Work/Life/School balance
Framework:
9. Networked Society - What is a networked society?
○ Connected
○ Social Groups/Different Platforms
○ Resources, People
○ Constant Accessibility
10. What skills does one need to be successful in a networked society?
○ Time Management/Resource Management
○ Open
○ Present to societal/worldly issues
○ Professionalism
○ Accountability
6. FINAL PROJECT
11. List some of those skills. How do your skills align with these skills?
○ Don’t have good time management
○ Needs improvement
○ Loose cannon
Final Project Questions
12. What were the skills sets you brought with you when you came to Columbia?
○ Ability to interact with people online
○ Know what interaction means
○ Determination
○ Goals
○ People skills
13. What skill(s) were you lacking?
○ Social skills
○ Time/resource management
○ Discipline
○ Knowledge
○ Resources
14. What could have been done in your earlier education to have gained these skills?
○ Gone to different school
○ Validation from teachers that care
○ Low stress environments
○ Immersiveness
○ More group oriented projects in high school
○ More engaged
15. What can be done now to gain these skills or compensate for not having them?
○ Get out of your comfort zone
○ Practice to get more confidence
○ Speech
○ Social Skills
13. FINAL PROJECT
ASSIGNMENT #6.1 - ANALYSIS
Group 1: Eric Lovelock, Daniel Park, Kristen Gogol
OVERVIEW
The product we chose to analize is called Coffee Shop Game via
http://www.hoodamath.com/games/coffeeshopgame.html (an update to the classic Lemonade
Stand game) which teaches organizational, time-management (7, 14, or 21 days to make
money), inventory control, and how to make money. The user gets transformed into an
entrepreneur. Many tasks involve buying ingredients, creating recipes, and setting the price.
The goal is to sell coffee to customers who seem to like different kinds of coffee. There is also
weather to factor in the equation. The music is quite playful and the game turns out to be very
addicting. The shapes have rounded corners making the game inviting. The controls are easy to
maneuver with just a swipe of the mouse or a click of the button, the options pop up quickly and
choices are made expeditiously. As this is a game for all ages, the bright colors add to its
enticing appeal. Customers provide clues to your success or failure with icons that float over
their heads. So you can adjust your recipe or price based on this important and useful
information to hopefully increase sales and reputation. They have different “levels” of customers
(the old grandmother, the busy working woman on a cell phone, business man reading a
newspaper, the average Joe, the woman taking her dog for a walk, the hipster with an ipod, and
I believe I even saw a Pope!) with different levels of tastes. I believe it is impossible to please
them all.
RUBRIC
Excellent Adequate Inadequate
Functionality X
Consistency X
Appeal X
FUNCTIONALITY:
Because it does exactly what it needs to do without being overcomplicated. Does not appear too
daunting nor too simple. The lessons aren’t rigid or linear but highly flexible since the variables
that cause a game-over is solely dependent on the player’s choices.
CONSISTENCY:
Does the same thing every single time. The only change is the temperature from day-to-day.
Something playable and re-playable, like a science. It isn't just individual-based but
14. FINAL PROJECT
audience-based. This is important because most things that are proven to work are things that
can be redone again and again.
APPEAL:
This is an educational game. It’s not trying to be fun. It’s trying to be smart. Since it is a game,
the core principles are replayable to a mass audience while still teaching them with unique
player-based variables and decisions. The player can learn from their mistake, not the “game’s”
mistakes. It is ultimately self-teaching.
INTERACTIVITY
1- PARTICIPANT-CENTERED:
The game itself requires player interaction in order to proceed, not in the typical sense however
(in which the player directly controls the movements of a character across a game world).
Instead, the participation takes place in budgeting and resource management, as well as
properly assessing different variables. The player has a set amount of Money, and must use it
wisely in order to keep their Coffee Shop in business. Beyond buying the products for the actual
coffee, the player must compose a recipe dictating the amount of each ingredient goes in each
served cup, as well as the price each cup is sold for (These variables are also connected, as the
more the player charges for each cup, the more ingredients the customers expect).
The temperature and price mechanic interplay well with each other. Each day has a randomly
assigned temperature, and that directly affects how much the customers will pay for your
product, as well as how much they expect it to have. A recipe on a warm day may garner praise,
but then suddenly be the subject of derision as the weather goes south and the price goes up.
This requires the player to be constantly vigilant of the forecast for the next day, and adjust not
only their pricing, but the recipe as well. Coupled with the limited resources, this can create a
legitimate challenge.
2- ENGAGING:
The game is very well designed and laid out so that it’s easy to pick up on the spot and
understand what’s going on. From the sleek menu design to the cartoonish art style, everything
is designed so that it’s both visually pleasing, and simple to understand. Even when it’s showing
Data such as Reputation, Sales and Ingredients on one graph, it’s very sleekly set up. Even the
design of the menu’s are based around the central Coffee theme, using desaturated browns and
tans, emulating coffee beans.
The actual game (Where you watch the success of the coffee stand) follows a similar theme.
The characters and environment is distinctly cartoony, and full of simple, lighter colors that are
very easy on the eyes. The environments change based on the weather (Lighter, with
blossoming plants for hot days, Cool with blue tints for more chilled days, and downright snowey
for the coldest temperatures). The Price adjustor, time and temperature all sit in the top corners
of the screen, allowing accessibility without distracting from the focal point of the screen.
15. FINAL PROJECT
3- DYNAMIC:
The game does fall somewhat in its dynamism. The game is more or less the same every time,
only real variations being in the Temperature of the days (Which is random each time) and the
events which can happen after a day (Such as, “Your sugar has been infested by ants, you lose
x%”). While both of these do add a certain replayability, overall the game is really meant to be
played more than one successful time. It is fair to note however that replayability wasn’t
intended in the creation of the game, as it’s meant to teach business management and
organization, the point is to play until you can beat it, and then be done.
A few ways that the developers could have boosted over replayability and Dynamism is by
maybe adding more variables, or more locations. Maybe different NPC’s like different mixtures
(as it stands, almost all of the customers have the same standards) and you have to adjust the
recipe accordingly in order to sell more coffee. Another interesting feature would be different
locations that offer new experiences/difficulty. A warmer location would force tighter budgeting
and recipe creation, which could further improve the skills the game teaches. Finally, maybe
more products could be added to increase gameplay depth, such as Iced Coffee or Tea,
allowing the player to have more audience, at the cost of more budgeting and resource
management.
4- RESPONSIVE:
The game is very responsive in that all the players choices have immediate and impactful
consequences. Whether it’s neglecting to purchase a larger portion of an ingredient, changing
the recipe slightly, or even adjusting the sales price midday, everything you do is noticed and
given a response, whether positive or negative. The customers are all very expressive, each
with unique animations that sets them apart at a glance. Furthermore, their facial expressions
as they walk, drink, think, and react are all very memorable and funny. You know immediately if
they like your coffee or not, and without any question. Whether they jump up and smile, or
sometimes outright vomit, it’s always evident if you’ve done something right or wrong.
The only real issue with responsiveness is the thought bubble system, which requires the player
to quickly hover the mouse over a bubble from an NPC if they need clarification as to the
meaning of the action. When the player is already busy monitoring sales and adjusting prices, it
becomes difficult to keep with with thoughts in the crowd of people that buy the coffee.
16. FINAL PROJECT
Assignment #6.2: Analysis
Group 2: Justin Carpenter, Jamie Woods, Brady Drobny
Overview
“Study Timer Lite” by VRDA STUDIOS is an application for phones that is designed to
help increase your productivity during study sessions by allowing you to set specific time
allotments for studying, followed by short breaks. It’s a simple app with no extra features outside
of setting the ‘Study’ and ‘Break’ timers. This works in its favor, though: it’s very easy to begin
immediately using, and isn’t confusing.
The app’s top bar allows you to create and save topics with preset timers. In the center
of the screen, consuming the majority of the space, are the timers themselves. This is in
keeping with the concept of visual hierarchy, since these timers are what the app’s user will care
about most, and their size and prominence make them the very first thing the user will notice
when launching the app.
At the bottom of the screen are the play, pause and rewind buttons. There are only 2
buttons present at a time, and they’re large enough that they’re second on the list of noticed
interface elements in the app’s visual hierarchy. The buttons also obey common concepts of
what certain colors mean. The ‘Play’ button is green, indicating forward progress, while the
‘Pause’ button that replaces the ‘Play’ button while the timer’s running is instead orange, and
the ‘Rewind’ or ‘Reset’ button is a starkly different blue that isn’t used anywhere else in the app.
The immediate visual recognition of the app could probably be improved by changing the
‘Pause’ button to red, however it’s a pretty simple app overall so it’s not a necessary change to
keep it from being confusing.
Rubric
Excellent Adequate Inadequate
Functionality X
Consistency X
Appeal X
Functionality is what the app is intended to accomplish and how its various features
reach or expand on that goal. While this app serves its primary purpose of letting you set
consistent study and break times, it doesn’t have any extra features to help make sure you
maximize your productivity, such as letting you review past study sessions to see how well
different study or break times work for you.
17. FINAL PROJECT
Consistency is a combination of how little or how much the interface changes as you
utilize its various elements, and also how much variance there is in the accomplishment of the
app’s goal. This app’s interface is highly consistent and there’s little to no change from one
usage of it to the next.
Appeal is how well the app can grab your interest upon first using it, and how enjoyable
it is to interact with the interface. The app’s super simple interface does a good job of increasing
its immediate appeal, however its limited features mean you’ll lose interest over time with the
small amount of interface elements available.
Interactivity
1. Participant-centered means that the product requires action from the users. The app we are
analyzing does not require any other participants besides the initial user. The user’s
participation is dependant solely on their own will to participate. The goal is that the clock will
motivate the user to study harder and look forward to breaks. Though this app is not
participant-centered I think that this is a positive thing because it is not designed to be. The
participation of the user is minimal and simple which is a positive thing for the app. More
participation might be beneficial for the product to serve other functions, such as a note taking
or a quiz.
2. An engaging product is something that keeps users interested and invested in continuing to
use the product. It completely wraps up the user in their activity and makes them want to
continue. It keeps pulling the user in and wanting them to come back again and again. This app
does not really qualify as an engaging product. It barely meets this in the sense that the user
may want to try and race to “beat the clock” or is alerted when the timer goes off and MUST
engage to stop it, but that is all. It is not something that makes the user want to return for any
particular reason; more so than any other timer product. The more options a product has, the
more chances there are for the user to engage. Since this app only has one function there is not
much for the user to do.
3. A dynamic product should have a wide range of purposes and functions. It means that the
product should be versatile and have a lot to offer the users. It should keep multiple types of
users in mind and cater to each of them. This app does not have many dynamic functions
because it’s only function is to time the user based on study times and breaks. The most
dynamic features of this app is that you can change the times for studying and breaking, and
label the timers different things such as “math” and “reading book x”. I would say that this app is
not very dynamic and if it were it might be more useful to a wider audience.
18. FINAL PROJECT
4. To be considered a responsive product there should be multiple call and reply
options. The product should have several opportunities for the user to input their goals
or information and have that affect the results. It should also change with all of the user
input so that it can be altered and formed to suite each user. It is a product that does not
simply sit idly by while being used but one that continuously reacts to what the user
wants. This app does not hold up to be very responsive. When used with its default, the
user must only start the time and then sit back and wait for it to end. There is not much
for it to respond to. The user can change simple things like to etime amount or titles, but
that is not so much responsive as it is organized, it is not information that changes the
experience in anyway. If there were a few more features, like; at least a way to change
the layout/style and maybe a quiz or vocabulary sections, then it would have the option
to be a much more responsive product.
19. FINAL PROJECT
ASSIGNMENT #7 - USABILITY TEST REPORT
SHORT USABILITY TEST REPORT
Date of Report: November 10, 2016
Date of Test: 11/5/16 - 11/9/16
Location of Test: Chicago, IL
Prepared for: Mr. Unluata
Prepared by: Eric Lovelock, Justin Carpenter, Brady Drobny, Jamie Woods,
Daniel Park, Kristen Gogol
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Pomodoro is a 25-minute cycle followed by a 5-minute break. After the fourth
Pomodoro, you’ll take a 15-minute break. Some Pomodoro applications follow this
method rigidly, while others allow you to customize the application and change timing
sessions or breaks. Our topic or “problem” we chose to solve was self-discipline tied
with time-management. The Pomodoro method is created to help increase productivity.
We feel using the application will also increase self-discipline while helping the user
achieve better time-management skills. We have selected a variety of users to test this
method, with an emphasis on students. Our testing was done in the user’s choice of
location and with two different types of settings.
Scenario One: 5 minute study session using the app in silence.
Scenario Two: 5 minute study session with distractions (music, tv, children, people)
using the app.
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METHODOLOGY
Who We Tested
Student
Yes 7
No 5
TOTAL (participants) 12
Age
18 to 24 5
25 to 34 5
35 to 44 1
45+ 1
TOTAL (participants) 12
Worker
Yes 10
No 2
TOTAL (participants) 12
Gender
Male 7
Female 5
TOTAL (participants) 12
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2- WHAT PARTICIPANTS DID
Alayna chose to work on school work both with and without children present in
the comfort of her own home. Her timed intervals were 25 minutes of work with a 5
minute break. She filled out the questionnaire online via Facebook Instant Messenger.
Eric chose to clean his studio with and without media distractions. He filled out
the questionnaire online via Facebook Instant Messenger.
Lauren chose to fold laundry with distractions and to fill out tax forms without
distractions. She filled out the questionnaire and sent online via yahoo mail and
Facebook Instant Messenger.
Kyle chose to do at-home work with media distractions for 10 minutes. He filled
out the questionnaire online via messenger.
Scott chose to work on Excel spreadsheets for 10 minutes without media
distractions, and 10 minutes with distractions, with a 5 minute break between. He filled
out the questionnaire online via messenger.
Jack chose to catch up on a school reading assignment that required reading
and taking notes on the material. He read for 10 minutes, took a 5 minute break, then
read for 10 more, this time with distractions.
3- WHAT DATA WE COLLECTED
Lauren, Eric and Alayna were frustrated with the process of looking for a
Pomodoro application that was universal. Once they got the application chosen and
working on their phones, everything else was smooth sailing. While Eric found the
application he chose to be basic, Alayna seemed to really like the application she chose
and even mentioned she would consider mentioning the application to a colleague.
Lauren felt her application needed no improvements. She loved the app and found it
motivating yet distracting while making her anxious at times.
Scott and Kyle both found the Pomodoro timer to be basic and limited in
functionality. Scott found that it helped him stay focused and avoid any distractions, and
appreciated that it let him set multiple custom timers.
22. FINAL PROJECT
MAJOR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Major issues –
● Not able to find universal app between android or ios
● Basic FREE version not enticing while user annoyed with ads for paid upgrades
● Avoid making the application too basic
● Lack of features, such as custom sounds
● Difficulty adjusting time settings
Solutions –
● Make an application universal across all platforms
● Make the application FREE
● Add options for different subjects
● Keep a record or log of time worked on client projects for billing
● Make the product easy to use and understand
● Make it have the ability to personalize (change colors, add tones to it for
notifications)
● Easy navigation
● User friendly
● Make the application easier to use and adjust based on personal needs
23. FINAL PROJECT
DETAILED FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Introductory Questions & Tasks
Questions Responses
What is your name? ● Eric,
● Alayna,
● Lauren
● Alex
● James
● Kyle
● Scott
● Donn
● Jack
● Molly
● Bryce
● Andrew
What is your age? ● 44
● 34
● 29
● 20
● 31
● 34
● 59
● 21
● 22
Are you a student? ● No (5)
● Yes (7)
What is the highest level of education you
have completed?
● High School (6)
● BA (4)
Do you work? ● Yes, Part-time (4)
● Yes, Full-Time (5)
● No (2)
What are some obstacles you find while
studying/working?
● Time management,
● Distractions or not enough time in the
day.
● Deadlines and outside distractions living
in a house with many people.
● Wandering Mind (Not staying on task)
● Distractions (People Talking, background
noises)
● Staying on task
● Using time efficiently
● Too much work. Constant interruptions
prevent me from completing my work.
Can't focus on completing longer projects
due to immediate demands for small
efforts, quick responses and coordination.
● Poor Internet/Distractions
● Struggle to focus while studying. Self
Discipline and Distractions.
24. FINAL PROJECT
● Hard to get started on work and stay
focused on the work.
● Short attention span
How frequently do you get off task? ● Not much.
● It depends,
● About 50/50.
● Once every 10-15 min
● I don’t (Only in cases that require my
attention elsewhere)
● Often
● Rarely
● Constantly
● Pretty Frequently
● Fairly Often
● Every 10 - 20 minutes
● All the time
How long are your typical study/work
sessions?
● 4-8 hours
● Work is 10 hours per day 4 days per
week and typical study session is 3-4
hours per day.
● Depends on work schedule and school
course load. Work schedule varies
between 3 to 16 hours. Study session
averages 20-25 hours per week.
● 5 hours (Class studies)
● 30 hours a week (15 used for research)
● 8 hours (work)
● 1-2 hours
● 2 hours
● 30 minutes
● 1-2 hours
● 2-4 hours depending
● Depends on assignment/work schedule,
usually less than an hour
Do you find yourself studying in distracting
environments?
● Yes, I have kids that are distracting and
when I study at work, the phone ringing
and clients coming in become a
distraction.
● Yes, I am rarely ever completely alone.
There is always someone around, or tv
noise, or video-games, or guests.
● Not really, I study in the library when I
really need to focus
● Yes, Team-oriented industry requires
constant contact with groups of people.
Never alone
● Yes, depends on situation
● Yes (x2)
● No (x3)
25. FINAL PROJECT
Do you wish you had more time to study? ● Yes.
● I wish I had 8 more hours everyday to
accomplish everything I needed to do.
● No, I have always had an adequate
amount needed to study.
● I have enough time.
● Yes.
● Yes
● Yes
● Not really
● I feel like if I had it I wouldn’t use it to
study
● Yes more time would be nice.
● No, I don’t need more time I just need to
focus.
● No
Application downloaded ● Pomodoro Watch: Focus Timer & Task by
Andrii Zborovskyi.
● Pomodoro Timer TapTM..
● Marinara Timer
● Pomodoro Timer
● Pomodoro Timer
● Focus Booster
● Pomodoro Timer
● Pomodoro TImer
● Pomodoro Timer
● Pomodoro
Application downloaded to ● iPhone.
● LG G4 (android).
● iPhone.
● PC
● PC
● Windows 10 Desktop
● Android
● Iphone
● Iphone
● Iphone
26. FINAL PROJECT
Scenario 1
Scenario One: 5 minute study session using the app in silence.
Number of participants 12
Percent successful 100%
Findings Recommendations
3 participants completed the task with ease
by using the Pomodoro application within
time specified while completing a task
(cleaning room, doing homework, folding
laundry, fill out tax forms).
3 participants completed their
studies/research fully and came to the
conclusion that the app successfully made
him more focused on the task at hand due to
the timer reminding the subject that it isn’t
time to lose focus yet.
6 participant completed their
studies/research fully and came to the
conclusion that the app isn’t a necessity
when work conditions are optimal (No noise,
no distractions, silent workspace, no time
limit/deadline pressure)
Create a universal app (ios, android, web)
Make the app FREE
Avoid making the app too basic
Add option for different subjects
Keep a record or log of time worked on client
projects for billing
Make the product easy to use and understand
Make it have the ability to personalize (change
colors, add tones to it for notifications)
Easy navigation
User friendly
Add features such as custom sounds
27. FINAL PROJECT
Scenario 2
Scenario Two: 5 minute study session with distractions(music, tv, children, people) using the app.
Number of participants 12
Percent successful 100%
Findings Recommendations
4 participants completed the task with ease
by using the Pomodoro application within
time specified while completing a task
(cleaning room, doing homework, folding
laundry, fill out tax forms).
8 participant completed their
studies/research fully and came to the
conclusion that the app was useful during
stressful study environments. It was a good
indicator/reminder to pay no attention to
exterior stimuli until the timer was over. The
app gave the subjects a “reason” to stay on
task.
Create a universal app (ios, android, web)
Make the app FREE
Avoid making the app too basic
Add option for different subjects
Keep a record or log of time worked on client
projects for billing
Make the product easy to use and understand
Make it have the ability to personalize (change
colors, add tones to it for notifications)
Easy navigation
User friendly
Keep it visually simple (a visual design to prevent it
from being visually distracting to the subject using
it)
28. FINAL PROJECT
Exit Questions/User Impressions
Questions Responses
What activity did you perform with distraction? ● School work with kids around 25 minute
study session with 5 minute break.
● Cleaning Room.
● Folding Laundry.
● School work/research for 20 minutes
(5min break) with a group of friends
hanging out and making noise.
● At-home work
● Excel spreadsheets
● Answering email
● Doing required reading
● Homework with television in
background.
● Read with tv playing.
● Group activity to build teamwork
What activity did you perform without
distraction?
● School work 25 minute study session
with 5 minute break.
● Cleaning Room.
● Filling out tax forms.
● School work/research for 20 minutes
(5min break)
● Excel spreadsheets
● Creating release calendar for 2017
● Doing required reading
● Homework
● Homework
● Group activity to build teamwork
What were your first impressions with the
application?
● Basic.
● I thought it was a typical timer.
● I thought it was stylish and very simple
interface to use. Straight to the point and
easy to navigate. I liked the color
scheme and design. I liked how quickly I
was able to navigate and see a log of
my progress.
● Simple, with no anticipated helpfulness
● Basic, but functional
● Helpful with staying focused
● I liked it. I was surprised when the 25
minute was up and I needed to take a
break.
● Standard, but somewhat unintuitive
● Simple and easy to use
● Minimal and basic
● Bare bones
29. FINAL PROJECT
Do you find this product useful, why or why
not?
● No it was basic.
● I find it useful because the phone does
not have to stay lit to use it and you can
set breaks for yourself. It will notify you
when your time is up.
● I did find this product useful. It was a
great reminder of how I was managing
my time and how many things I could
accomplish in that time.
● It’s only useful when in stressful work
conditions. But even then I don’t really
need it since I always find a way to finish
my work/studies.
● It’s not a necessity.
● Somewhat, it serves its purpose
● Yes, it’s good for staying on track
● Yes, forces me to take a break and to
focus on one thing until completed
● No, it’s not needed in order to complete
my work
● No, I could see how it would be but it
didn’t help me with self discipline.
● No, I still found myself getting distracted
just as much with the app.
● No, it didn’t offer anything I needed
After using this product, would you recommend
this to a friend? Why or why not?
● No, not much features.
● I would definitely recommend it to a
friend because I believe that it can be a
useful handy study tool.
● Yes, I would definitely recommend this
product to a friend. I never used this
before and found it to be very
motivating.
● No, it’s not required.
● Yes, if they need a simple timer
● Yes
● The technique, yes; the app, no. I like
the small timer, but I don't like having to
create an account and sign in to modify
my settings.
● No
● No it just isn’t useful.
● No it did not help me.
● Nope
How would you describe the product in one or
more words?
● Basic. I believe the product is user
friendly and simple.
● Useful or “handy-dandy”
● Not a necessity
● Simple
● Simple
● Time management aid
30. FINAL PROJECT
● Provides an unobtrusive desktop timer
to support using the Pomodoro
technique.
● Simple and unnecessary
● Clever but useless
● Basic.
● Dumb
Have you ever used this, or a similar product
before? What was it called?
● No (x8)
● Never used this app before.
● No, I have never used this product
before.
● A watch
● A clock
If you have used a similar product in the past,
how would you compare or rate the two?
● N/A.
● I have used other apps before and I like
this one better because I don’t have to
keep the screen on which can be a
distraction.
● I have not used this product before, so I
cannot compare it with another.
● I guess the difference between this app
and other time-telling devices is that the
app is geared to “your” task, and gives
you designated “break times”.
● N/A
● N/A
● N/A
● N/A
● N/A
How would you use this product for studying? ● Use timer to switch subjects.
● I also like how you can change some of
the features instead of it being just a
timer.
● I would use it in order to stay focused
and on time with deadlines. It would help
with writing long papers.
● Keeps me focused and on task. Time
management is something I really need.
● I don’t think I would.
● To keep track of how long I spend
studying
● For staying on track
● For timing myself so I know when to
start/stop
● As a stopwatch.
● Like a clock.
● I wouldn’t
31. FINAL PROJECT
How would you use this product for work? ● Use timer to switch subjects or to keep
record of time worked on client projects
for billing.
● I honestly would not have any use for it
at work.
● For work I need to write lengthy reports
after each shift, similar to filling out this
questionnaire or writing a paper.
● N/A
● Maybe measure my research time so I
don’t go over or under.
● As a normal cooking timer
● To time breaks or short work sessions
● To see if it will help me focus and be
more productive. I would use it
throughout the day whenever I am
working at my desk.
● To keep myself on task
● For discipline.
● Like a clock.
On a scale from 1 to 10, how do you rate the
product (1 worst, 10 best)
● 5.
● I don’t have many apps to compare it to
but I would give it a 9.
● 6.
● 7
● 4
● 5
● 6
● 6
● 5
● 4
● 5
Why did you give the product this score? ● Basic.
● I give it this score because I am sure
there are other apps out there that may
do more but I liked it way better than the
app that comes standard on my phone.
● I rated the product a 6 because I feel like
I could work with it or without it. I would
have given it a 5 for that reason alone,
but I gave it a 6 because it actually did
motivate me to be more productive.
● 7 because I think it can be very helpful
for people who get off task easily or
aren’t good at time management.
● 4 because the app doesn’t do anything
that a hardworking individual can’t do by
themselves.
● 5 because it serves its basic purpose
● 6 because it’s helpful but doesn’t have
many features
● Didn't like the registration, but the
desktop timer is nice, clean, easy to use.
32. FINAL PROJECT
● 4
● It was basic
● I found it to be useless
● It lacked any notable functions to
differentiate it from simpler, more
intuitive products
What did you like best about the product? ● Nothing.
● I like that I can change the features, set
different rest times and change the
different tunes for the notifications.
● I liked how easy it was to use. It was
very straight forward.
● Its simplicity, I don’t like when help-apps
are too convoluted with a million
settings.
● N/A
● N/A
● The ability to add custom timers
● Sits on desktop. Automatically starts
timing break and next pomodoro
● Nothing
● It was a basic app
● Nothing
● The layout was pleasant.
● N/A
What did you like least about the product? ● It had basic features for free level.
Everything else was paid upgrade.
● While the timing motivated me to be
more productive, towards the end of the
sessions I ran into a problem.
● I found that when the time was almost
out for a session it would cause me to
become anxious and I would lose focus.
● Nothing, I thought the app did exactly
what it was supposed to do.
● N/A
● Inability to make custom sounds
● Each timer you make has a popup that
makes it take longer than it should to
create
● Having to create an account and my
setting being stored on line.
● How difficult it was to manage in
comparison to what it actually does
● Poor handling and user interface
● The app wasn’t useful for me.
● I just don’t think the app is necessary.
How easy is this product to use? ● On a scale...7.
● The product is extremely user friendly.
33. FINAL PROJECT
● Very easy. I was able to start using the
product within minutes of downloading.
● 10/10 IGN
● More complicated than looking at my
watch
● 9
● 6
● VERY easy
● 7.5
● Easy
● easy enough
● Much much harder than it needed to be
Which feature(s) are most important to you?
What feature(s) could you not live without?
● A log, and label times.
● I would feel that the ability to navigate
any app is probably the most important
feature.
● There were two features I found the be
most important: alarm setting the log
which recorded my history as far as time
spent working and time spent on breaks.
I could not live without the alarm feature
and choice of alarm.
● Recorded time history was the most
important
● Its simplicity. Not needing a manual to
figure it out
● Custom sounds
● Multiple timers queued up at once
● Always on desktop, auto start / stop
● I could live without the aesthetic
● The usability of the interface.
● I really don’t know.
● I’m not sure, it doesn’t really have
anything too groundbreaking
Which feature(s) are least important to you? ● Paid features.
● If users become difficult with the app
then they may choose to search for
something else that they can figure out
more easily.
● There weren’t many features to choose
from, so nothing sticks out as least
important. It’s a very simple application.
● Paid features. I don’t like paying for
something that is initially freely given.
● The history
● The continuous ticking option - really,
people would use that?
● The look and feel, I’d rather it work
properly
● An ad free pro version
● The daily statistics
If you could change anything about the product
what would it be and why?
● Make it free.
34. FINAL PROJECT
● I would maybe like the ability to
personalize it, maybe change the colors
or even add my own tones to it for the
notifications. Because the phone screen
turned off, I quickly forgot that I was
being timed so it did not affect my study
habits at all.
● There is nothing I would change about
the product.
● Maybe add some more features
● I would change nothing.
● Add custom sounds
● Add more features
● Just make it download and I can use it
● More features
● I wouldn’t change anything
● Nothing. It serves it’s purpose
Did knowing you were being timed change your
study/work habits?
● No.
● It did not change my study habits at all.
● Yes, at the beginning of each work
session, it was motivating and
distracting.
● Alot, it made distractions a conscious
waste of time instead of becoming
sucked into them on accident otherwise.
● No.
● No
● Yes, was more focused on task
● I forgot about the timer when I was
working, but it reminded me to take a
break. I also remembered it when I
thought of switching to another task, but
stayed on task due to the technique.
● No
● No
● Unfortunately not
● Not really
Do you think being timed was beneficial to your
studying/work session?
● If you need help with time management.
● Yes I do.
● Yes, it really helps with distractions
● I’m always timed, I don’t think having an
app remind me helps in any way.
● Not really, didn’t change much
● Yes, stayed on task
● Not sure
● No
● No
Outside of studying/working, how else would
you use this product?
● Cooking, different activities with child.
● I would use it to time my kids when I
sent them to clean their rooms. I might
also use it to time them during their
school work.
35. FINAL PROJECT
● I would use this product for when I am
completing tasks such as organizing my
things for a sale or a move, or any other
time I am organizing a lot of belongings
at one time. I could see myself using it
for doing laundry. Any monotonous task.
● Working out, or possibly games that
require timing with children.
● Cooking
● N/A
● Maybe for cooking or as a reminder
● I wouldn’t.
● N/A
● I don’t think I would use it at all
regardless of what I was doing
What features would you like to see
incorporated in this product?
● A log, label times.
● Any other features I would incorporate?
None that I can think of at this time.
● Maybe a default timer with default times
that measure from “casual - hardworking
expert” or something.
● Custom sounds
● Make it easier to create multiple timers
● Multiple timers, easier interface, custom
settings
● Nothing
● N/A
● More functions
Were there any interface elements that you
found confusing?
● No (x10)
● It was difficult to use, but not confusing
If you were to describe this product to a
colleague in a sentence or two, what would you
say?
● It was basic and not free.
● If I were to describe it to a friend or a
colleague, I would have to say that this
app is very convenient and easy to use.
● This product is easy to use and it will
help you manage time well and stay
focused.
● If you really need to get something done
seriously. This is a great app.
● I wouldn’t.
● Very simple
● Time management aid
● A dime a dozen, there’s a million other
apps out there like it
● A timer for work and studying.
● A stopwatch.
● It’s exactly what you think it’d be
36. FINAL PROJECT
Do you have any other final comments,
questions, or suggestions?
● No further questions or comments. I am
glad that I was able to learn about this
useful application. I hope that the idea of
using it will grow on me in the future.
● This product makes it so simple to just
set and forget, which makes me more
inclined to use it for managing my time
when competing tasks.
User impressions by participant
Participant No. Like best? Like least? Improvements
1 Nothing Basic Features More features & free
2 Feature options Ability to personalize
3 Easy to use Timing a distraction Nothing
4 Simplicity Paid features none, does what it
does
5 N/A Paid features needs more than just a
timer. Give me a
reason to really use it.
6 N/A No custom sounds More customization
7 Multiple timers Lack of features More features
8 Auto start/stop Ticking noise Make it a download
9 Simple premise Interface Improve interface
10 Simplicity Functionality None
11 Interface Usefulness None
12 N/A The actual app Everything
37. FINAL PROJECT
ASSIGNMENT #8 - SKETCHES
ORIGINAL IDEA SKETCHES
Left to right: Stylus to scan and organize notes from textbooks, Timer app to help keep you on
track of studying and breaks
38. FINAL PROJECT
ITERATION SKETCHES
Kristen Gogol
● Top Left - pen showing
mic, record & playback,
vibrates when study time
or break is up, laser
pointer, light to write in
dark, highlighter/scanner
capabilities, add a light
for battery usage.
● Top Right - Pomodoro
Timer (phone vibrates
with pen when time is
up).
● Bottom Left - Notes with
date/time, subjects, and
other features at bottom
of device.
● Bottom Right - Flash
Car.
● Top Left - Laser Pointer
App (change colors from
red, blue, green, yellow,
or white).
● Top Right - Team/Study
Group Communication
similar to Slack. Share
notes, cloud file storage,
chat/conference, test
each other collaboration,
share notes, etc.
● Bottom Left - Study
Music.
● Bottom Right - Progress
reports that tracks study
time and performance.
● Top Left - Learning
games.
● Top Right - Testing
center.
● Bottom Left - Features.
Notes:
● Recording bar
● Social Aspect
● Share
● Light Indicators
● Low Battery
● Recording
● Connect to Siri
● Live edit/note taking
● Undo button
● Log
● Flash card
● Features
● Headphone
39. FINAL PROJECT
Justin Carpenter
● Top - Switchable pen
tips, kept in separate
container
● Bottom - Voice log
archive that can be
edited, and shows which
portions of the log have
audio present
● Top left - Timer with
categories and custom
timer sequences
● Top right - When timer
ends, pen vibrates to let
the user know
● Bottom - Two separate
flashlight attachments at
different points on the
pen
● Top - Pen can be used
to delete, highlight, or
modify the recorded
digital text
● Bottom - Pen keeps
track of all text written
while studying and
uploads it for you at end
of study session
40. FINAL PROJECT
Jamie Woods
● Options screen to select what to
do once you are on the
subject/task screen. *Include a
share/connect options to make it
social.
● Quiz screen to show different
types of games/quizzes
● Ability to connect to
bluetooth/headphones. Can play
back notes or have a “review”
feature where you can listen to
notes on the way to class to study
if you cannot read.
● Home screen idea. Make
sure to include an
options button to include
ways to customize or
change settings
● Indicator line to see
where not recording is
actively happening
● Pen has bluetooth
capabilities. Can connect
to app to verbally let
user know different
needs. Can replay note,
will let user know how
much time is left in
current cycle, can
indicate battery level.
● Options to add, edit, or delete
notes while live voice recording.
● LED indicator light on button to
show different warnings. Can
flash red when recording?
● Timer screen to show study
cycles. *Can connect to music
program. Pen can let user know
remaining time.
● Use pen to handwrite notes in app
that will be changed to text format
for easier editing.
41. FINAL PROJECT
Daniel Park
-Directional Microphone/App Pen
-Rubber Grip and mic rest
-Smaller directional Microphone
-Light/laser attachment
-App Pen with multiple options
-App specific
-Highlighting, Notes, and delete
functions
-Pen tip switching mechanism
from lead, ink, and back to app
42. FINAL PROJECT
Brady Drobny
● #1 Concept for pen with
features and functions
for buttons
● #2 App layout concept
for home screen
● #3 Charging dock
concept for pen
● #4 App layout concept
exploring different
functions.
● #1 Similar pen concept
with different design.
● #2 App layout exploring
different types of timers
● #3 Simplified pen look
with same pen functions.
● #1 Another app layout
displaying study goals
on timer screen
● #2 Notes page of app
with timer at the bottom
● #3 Pen design similar to
the rest.
43. FINAL PROJECT
Eric Lovelock
● Concept #1, The pen at this
stage was a lot more orthodox,
sporting one interchangeable
screw end and 3 buttons, as
well as a wheel to
increase/decrease length
● Concept #2, at this stage the
pen gained the microphone, an
EZ grip section and the buttons
became covered in pop open
case to prevent accidental
● Concept #4, This part was
experimenting with the idea
of making the pen functional
in both an electronic and
physical setting, initially
going for the idea of a
removable cap, before
eventually gearing towards a
two sided approach which
allowed one physical and
one digital tip. Although the
● Concept #7, this sketch got closer
to the final concept for the
stand/cap holder, with this
iteration having an opening in the
bottom in order to store the pen.
● Concept #8, Finally these ideas
led to a Flip version (two sided)
which was very close to the final
design we’ve worked on, this
design incorporating changing
caps and customizability. The
44. FINAL PROJECT
usage.
● Concept #3, at this stage the
pen’s battery slot and
microphone were changed in
position, but this idea was
ultimately scrapped.
physical tip would eventually
be dropped, the two sided
idea eventually led to the
final design.
● Concept #5, This interaction
moved towards a larger pen
cap that would go over the
digital cap, allowing for
physical usage and digital
usage. The large cap idea
was interesting, but
ultimately made smaller for
convenience. This was also
one of the first ideas to
incorporate the holder.
● Concept #6, this idea took
the cap idea and the holder
idea a step further,
incorporating a stand that
the caps hung on, but this
idea ended up seeming too
clunky and unintuitive that it
was dropped.
physical nature of the item would
be changed to fit a digital format,
leading to the final idea.
● Concept #9, this idea was almost
the final concept, except it took
the bigger cap idea from earlier
and adapted it into the flip sided
format. The larger caps were
intended to hide a real pen, which
ended up being clunky and
un-useful, so the idea was
dropped.
● Concept #10, the final concept of
the small base that had
interchangeable pieces allowing
for heavy customization, this was
the concept that ended up being
used in making a physical
prototype.
48. FINAL PROJECT
Justin Carpenter
● The main timer page which is used to
study within allotted time segments
● This page is reached when clicking “ADD
NEW TIMER” and allows you to create and
customise timers
Jamie Woods
● Help screen accessible from Home screen. Can access this screen to find answers or contact
company with questions.
49. FINAL PROJECT
Daniel Park
● Customizable home
screen that is the first
page to appear upon
app startup
Brady Drobny
Topics for info Math topic selected
presenting options
Text Notes option selected
presenting the different text
notes
50. FINAL PROJECT
Voice recordings organized by
name/date
Scanned information organized Notes in notepad format
Playing back an audio recording Scanned information displayed in
order of when scanned
Creating a new text notes
51. FINAL PROJECT
Creating a new recording Creating a new Topic
Eric Lovelock
● Pen and Pen Holder built
from household
materials. The pen
holder houses the pen
and 3-4 interchangeable
caps.
● Pen’s caps can be
interchanged easily,
changing functionality
(proposed idea are a
digital writing tool, a
highlighter/scanner, a
light, etc.)
● Up to 2 caps can be
attached at any time,
one on either end,
allowing for heavily
customized usage.
52. FINAL PROJECT
ASSIGNMENT #10 - USER TESTING 2
Prototype Usability Test Report
Date of Report: 12/1/16
Date of Test: 11/21/16 - 11/30/16
Location of Test: Chicago, IL
Prepared for: Mr. Unluata
Prepared by: Jamie Woods, Justin Carpenter, Brady Drobny, Eric Lovelock,
Daniel Park, Kristen Gogol
Executive Summary
We will be conducting a test of our product prototype, Study Buddy, that is designed to help users
be more efficient, have a better success rate, and be more organized while studying. Our product is a
combination of a stylus and application that has multiple ways to record notes and use them to study. The
stylus can be used to scan text from books, write notes on a tablet, or record lectures. The notes can then
be organized in the app and used as flashcards, quizzes, and reviews to study. There is a timing feature to
keep users on task and social features where users can connect with friends to share quiz scores or notes.
We will be testing our users in a location of their choice that is a typical study location for them.
Scenario One: Record a new voice note.
Scenario Two: Create a new timer.
53. FINAL PROJECT
Methodology
Who We Tested
STUDENT
Yes 7
No 5
TOTAL (participants) 12
AGE
18 to 24 5
25 to 34 4
35 to 44 2
45+ 1
TOTAL (participants) 12
WORKER
Yes 10
No 2
TOTAL (participants) 12
GENDER
Male 7
Female 5
TOTAL (participants) 12
54. FINAL PROJECT
2- What Participants Did
One user started working with the facilitator at 6:46pm on 11/20/16 and ended
the project at 8:34pm. There were some hiccups starting the app and facilitator realized
there was missing data in the link originally sent. Once new link was sent, the user was
able to finish analyzing the product and answer questions within 12 minutes. She
submitted her answers via Yahoo email.
A few users completed reviewing the app and answering the questions in less
than 20 minutes and sent responses to questions via messenger programs. It appeared
there was confusion about how the pen tied into the app and what scanning meant to
the user for they referenced scanning bar codes.
Most users were briefed on the untestable features of the app and then tasked
with performing the two scenarios. They took about 15 to 20 minutes of exploring the
app and sharing comments/feedback over either voice or messenger programs.
3- What Data We Collected
The app is trusted and never before been used. Without the pen prototype there
seems to be confusion about what the app does in regards to texting notes. The
application is user friendly. Flashcards are deemed an important feature. The
application is fast and convenient. Texting notes viewed as time consuming. Would not
consider connecting socially with this product.
Would like to see the application be a free download. Again the app is trusted
and confusing. The app seemed basic, nothing new about it. Would prefer to see more
time-management options. Would also like to see labelling times, a log, and history
saved. Surprisingly would also like to be able to link socially with this product.
There was confusion about the layout and navigation, mainly the starting page.
Once they were utilizing a specific feature (such as topics) navigation was less
confusing and they began to understand the functionality and features.
55. FINAL PROJECT
Major Findings and Recommendations
Major issues
● Prototype was confusing
● User didn’t know how to change the home screen
● Confused over the concept of scanning notes related with scanning bar codes
● Nothing flashy, very basic
● Needs more time-management options
● Could use labelling times, a log, and history saved
● Home screen navigation labels were confusing
● Too busy, prefer cleaner design
Solutions
● Make the buttons less confusing and more noticeable
● The application idea can be useful, fast and convenient
● The flashcard feature is the most important feature
● Keep the application simple and user friendly
● Make the app free
● Product is trustworthy
● Rename/reposition home screen buttons
● Get rid of home screen background images, make all layouts match
56. FINAL PROJECT
Detailed Findings and Recommendations
Introductory Questions & Tasks
Questions Responses
What is your name? ● Alayna
● Eric
● Kyle
● Scott
● Eric
● Donna
● Alex
● James
● Alex
● Samantha
● Bryce
● Molly
What is your age? ● 34
● 44
● 29
● 34
● 26
● 59
● 21
● 34
● 20
● 21
● 22
● 21
In the past six months, what were some
obstacles you found while studying or
working?
● Kids, work and school make it difficult to
study.
● Time management of multiple projects.
● Staying on task
● Using time efficiently
● I have found it difficult to focus -especially
on tasks on the computer
● Procrastination. Doing everything except
what I am supposed to do.
● Being able to work with the school
assigned pieces
● Not getting distracted
● Staying on task
● Focusing
57. FINAL PROJECT
In the past 30 days, how frequently do you
find yourself getting off task?
● Every weekend off task
● Once a week
● Quite often
● Rarely
● Approximately every 30-60 minutes
● Very
● Only when I can
● All the time
● Semi-Often, it depends on what I’m
working on
How long are your typical study/work
sessions?
● 4-6hrs
● 8 hours
● 1-2 hours
● It often takes me all day or multiple days
to complete an assignment, or to study.
Generally I try to dedicate 3-6 hours to a
particular subject in a day.
● 2 hours
● 3 Hours
● 5-6 Hours
● 2-3 hours
● 4 hours
Do you find yourself studying in distracting
environments?
● Typical study sessions are good away
from home. Less distractions.
● Yes.
● Yes
● Yes
● All environments are distracting to me.
Home, school, library.
● Kind of.
● Not really
● Yes, family home
● Yes, my Roommates are very distracting
● Not really
Do you wish you had more time to study? ● I wish I had 8 more hours in a day to
sleep, not study.
● Yes
● Yes
● Yes
● Yes
● No
● yes
● Not needed
● I probably wouldn’t use it
● Yes
58. FINAL PROJECT
Scenario 1
The user will record a new voice recording.
Number of participants 12
Percent successful 75%
Findings Recommendations
● 4 participants completed the
task with ease.
● 8 participants needed prompting
or had significant difficult
completing the task
● Change the graphic on the main
screen. It is a bit busy for the app.
● Texting notes into an app is a little
time consuming.
● Basic application
● Needs more time-management
options
● Could use labelling times, a log, and
history saved
● Rename the navigation buttons so
they’re more clear about what leads
where
● I have similar thoughts about the
other buttons on the home screen. I
did not know what topics would do.
When I tapped on it, I understood
what topics meant (I might suggest
“subjects” instead). However, once
clicking on the subject, I was again
surprised by what I found. I did not
expect to find all of these note taking
and study tools when I clicked on the
topics button.
● Just a little bit more customization
would be nice
● Make the buttons on the app a little
easier to read from afar
● The app itself is a bit overcrowded at
time, maybe streamlining a bit could
help.
59. FINAL PROJECT
Scenario 2
The user will create a new timer.
Number of participants 12
Percent successful 80%
Findings Recommendations
● 2 participant was very
interested in the idea of a pen
that ties into an application that
helps one study.
● 1 participant was not that
impressed with the idea of a
pen that tied into an app that
iPhone already had apps that
did similar tasks
● 4 participants found it very
simple to navigate and create a
new timer
● 5 participate found it slightly
confusing at first
● Recording the lecture and taking pics
of the flashcards are a great tool to
use.
● I would use a note playback feature.
● It would be excellent because you can
scan notes from your book and not
have to leave highlight marks in your
book if you want to resell it.
● Being able to set up multiple timers in
a row is very helpful
● When I first open the app, I wasn’t
really sure about what it was for, or
what it could do. The green start/stop
button, did help me choose a button to
click on first, but I did not intuitively
know what that button do or where it
would take me. It might have been
clearer if it was just called “timer”.
● I appreciate that the settings and help
are easy to find, but I feel like those
two buttons and also “more” could be
combined into one button/menu
● The product itself is an interesting idea
but personally don’t feel the “need” for
it
● I don’t really think I need ANOTHER
timer
● The multiple timers are nice, but the
whole timer idea has been done to
death
60. FINAL PROJECT
Exit Questions/User Impressions
Summary of user impressions
Questions Responses
What were your first impressions with the
application?
● First impression was good
● Easy to use
● A little confusing
● Lots of features
● The graphic design, button layout, and
navigation feels a little ‘90s.
● I like the home screen. Simple choices, easy
to find what you want. Ability to choose
background is great.
● Good, nothing super impressive. It did what it
was meant for.
● Plain
● It seems to have a lot of good features, but it
isn’t the most easy to use immediately
● It worked for what it needed to be
To what extent do you trust or distrust this
product? (I strongly distrust - I strongly
trust this product)
● I trust the app
● I trust
● Trust
● Trust
● I sort of distrust the product. Mostly because
of the really dated graphic design, and the
fact that if I know I want to do a specific task,
I don’t know how to start/get to that task from
the home screen.
● I trust it.
● Trust it
● Trust it
● I trust it
● Eh, I trust it, but that doesn’t mean I’m not
wary
The application caused me to feel lost and
confused. (agree/disagree)
● A little confusing with the actual prototype
and not the actual app
● Agree
● Agree
● Somewhat agree
● Agree.
● Disagree. I found it easy to understand.
● Kind of Agree
● Disagree, the app is simple
● 50/50, it had some nice moments, such as
the home screen, but some confusing
moments as well, such as managing multiple
timers
● Disagree
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Do you find this product useful, why or why
not?
● I feel that it can be useful
● It's ok. Nothing too special
● Yes, because of the timers
● Yes, it has a lot of features
● Yes. These are all very useful and important
tools for studying. I am a little surprised to
see so many of them in one app. Typically
there would be an individual app for each
function.
● Yes, very useful. All study tools in one place.
I can use the timer to stay focused, take
notes or make voice notes to review later.
Flashcards - genius.
● Yes, I often study when I’m super busy or in
hectic environments. This app would help
alot.
● Not really, I don’t need an app to study or do
my work
● The Pen idea seemed very interesting, but
the app could use some work.
● Yes
● Yes
After using this product, would you
recommend this to a friend? Why or why
not?
● Not really. Nothing new about it.
● If they needed a study aid
● Yes, for studying or archiving notes
● I might recommend this to a friend when it is
completed. It seems to have great
functionality, but some of the interface could
use a little love.
● Yes, definitely. Because one app does all
these study help things.
● No, I’m sure they have their own way of
studying.
● No, I think “if I don’t need it, why would they”
● Yes, but it would depend on the price of the
product
● Sure, why not?
How would you describe the product in
one or more words?
● App pretty straight forward
● Basic
● Good studying tool
● Timer and note keeper
● Every study tool you need, in one app.
● Study tool suite.
● Simple but useful
● Simple
● Interesting, it has potential
● Good
● Effective
● Useful
Have you ever used this, or a similar
product before? What was it called?
● App used to help you study better
● The iPhone app.
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● No
● No
● I have never used this app. Similar apps that
I like which have some of this functionality
are OneNote, Flashcards [+] for iOS,
Clockwork Tomato for Android, and 30/30 for
iOS
● No.
● No
● No
● No
● Sort of, I’ve used a few different apps that do
similar things, but not usually all at once
● No
● No
If you have used a similar product in the
past, how would you compare or rate the
two?
● I have never used an app like it
● Easy to use. Free.
● N/A
● N/A
● I have never used and app that did all of this.
But the other apps I listed generally did their
specific task better than any other app could.
It is difficult to say how this app will perform.
● This one had more features, but that’s not
necessarily a good thing
How would you use this product for
studying?
● I would use the flashcard feature the most
because it is fast and convenient
● Divide up time between subjects.
● Setting up timers for studying
● To record notes and keep track of time
● Recording required information, and also to
set up timers.
● I would use every function here. Timers,
Music, Scanning, Note taking, and flashcards
are all essential tools for note taking and
studying. I would use it in class and at
home. I would keep it open all the time. It
feels like the functionality is geared toward
finding information in a book and then
studying from it.
● Timer, notes, flashcards.
● It does a lot of stuff
● I really like the idea of the pen scanner, but I
don’t see how I’d use it now that many
textbooks are available online
● I like the concept of having all my types of
notes in one location so I would use it to refer
to notes.
On a scale from 1 to 10, how do you rate
the product (1 worst, 10 best)
● I would give this app an 8
● 7
● 6
● 7
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● 7
● 8
● 8
● 5
● 7.5
● 7
● 6
● 8
Why did you give the product this score? ● Again, I would rate it an 8 because texting
notes into an app is a little time consuming.
Using a laptop is more beneficial. Recording
the lecture and taking pics of the flashcards
are a great tool to use.
● Basic but nice designs.
● It has a lot of features but is confusing
● Good for studying/note taking
● Great functionality, a little confusing to use.
● I found almost all of the functions useful and
can't think of anything else it should do.
● It does what it does. and It’s useful too.
● It’s an app but not one I need
● It’s got a lot of potential, but doesn’t take
advantage of a lot of it
● It does what it needs to, but not perfectly
● It’s a good idea but needs work
● It’s a useful app but not very usable
What did you like best about the product? ● Important features are that it is simple and
user friendly
● Nothing really.
● The timers
● It keeps all your notes neatly organized
● Lots of tools and settings.
● Simple but powerful.
● Usefulness
● The multi-uses
● How simple it is
What did you like least about the product? ● Not much options to help with time
management or something.
● Confusing interface
● Graphic design, button names
● The logs are on the timer page. I would make
them a separate function.
● Lack of clarity on some button names.
● The occasional clutter
● How basic it can be
How easy is this product to use? ● Simple and user friendly
● It was ok. 7.
● It’s easy once you get used to it
● Somewhat
● Easy
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● Easy
● Somewhat easy
● Very easy.
● Mildly
● It can get a little hard to take in at times
Which feature(s) are most important to
you? What feature(s) could you not live
without?
● I would not be without the flashcards.
Extremely important for test taking.
● Labeling times. A log and or History saved.
Free.
● The timers
● Note archives
● Most of the key features I would keep.
Everything from the “start/stop”, “help”, and
“topics” menus.
● Timer, notes, flash cards.
● Flashcards, definitely
● Some way to easily maneuver between
menus
Which feature(s) are least important to
you?
● Not sure about least important features
● ???
● Voice recording
● Study games
● I probably don’t need anything from the
“more” or “settings” menus.
● Flashlight/pointer. But I think they might be
useful.
● The light tool
● The voice recording
If you could change anything about the
product what would it be and why?
● I would change the graphic on the main
screen. It is a bit busy for the app.
● More free options that help the consumer. I
don't know. That's what is fun about some
apps, they introduce a new concept.
● Change the home screen to be more clear
● I would like to see the home page take you
right to the most important function(s) of the
app. When the app opens, go right to the
timer, or right to taking a voice note, or to a
very clear page of buttons to start the task I
want to start. The other menus, options, etc,
could be tucked into one small menu button
in the corner. The most important functions
should not have to be looked for.
● Maybe streamline and simplify the menu
designs
Outside of studying, how else would you
use this product?
● I could possibly use the app to help my kids
with their school work.
● Cooking, kids, games.
● Cooking
● Cooking/Baking
● Can't think of any other use.
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● Baking
● Nothing, maybe working out?
● I could use it to track thoughts or remember
things
● I don’t think of anyway, my phone does a lot
of the stuff it does
What features would you like to see
incorporated in this product?
● I would like a timer added and Word and
Powerpoint. This way I could time my
speeches or reports
● Linked to social media, more innovative free
options.
● Options to prevent the device from locking
● Grade calculator.
● Friends list of some kind to share notes etc.
● Some sort of “Study Group” function to
collaborate with other classmates
● Maybe some way to edit the app itself so that
the parts I use most often are easiest to
access on the fly
Were there any interface elements that
you found confusing?
● No. (X4)
● The home screen (X3)
If you were to describe this product to a
friend in a sentence or two, what would
you say?
● I would tell my friend that there is a new app
that is user friendly to help with study skills
● It's a timer.
● A study aid with timers
● This is an app designed to do everything you
need while studying.
● Everything you need to make studying more
productive.
● It’s simple and if you need it, it works
● It’s not the worst thing to have when you
need it
Imagine there is a pen that goes along with
this application. What would you like to see
the pen be able to do with the app?
● If I had a pen, that would make the note
taking process easier
● Good question.
● Take handwritten notes, as if the phone is a
little note pad, and record audio
simultaneously that links (in time) to those
hand-written notes.
● Hand written notes.
● What do you mean?
● Custom Notes
● Not sure what you mean by a “Pen”
● That would make the notes easier, definitely
Imagine this pen can scan books
electronically to your device. Would you
find this a useful feature? Why or why not?
● It would be excellent because you can scan
notes from your book and not have to leave
highlight marks in your book if you want to
resell it.
● No. Don't they have a free Barcode app that
uses the camera on the phone that scans all
bar codes?
● Yes, as long as it works without hassle
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● Yes. Scanning is a great way to collect
information quickly
● Then I could capture the highlights to review
later without having to type them in.
● Yes
● Yes, if there are no glitches or have an
annoying process.
● That sounds really cool, I’d use it, definitely.
● Yes, absolutely
Anything else you would like to be able to
do with scanning capabilities?
● Scan an image and find it on google.
● Maybe automatically search phrases or
images online?
● No (X5)
Imagine this pen can record a classroom
lecture and playback for future review.
Would you find this a useful feature? Why
or why not?
● Recording a lecture in class is always useful
● Doesn't your phone record audio?
● I wouldn’t use it
● Sounds useful
● Yes, especially if it can link notes taken to
the exact time of the audio recording.
● Oh, yes, please. That way I could review and
make notes again later.
● Yes great! Ez
● Sure, so long as the sound quality is good
● Yes, but my phone can already do that
● Yes
Anything else you would like to be able to
do with recording capabilities?
● No (X7)
● Bookmark locations in the recording. That
way I could study the marked sections.
● A good sound system
If there was a note playback feature would
you use it?
● I would use a note playback feature
● No.
● No
● Yes
● Yes
● Yes, I assumed I would be able to play my
notes later.
● Yes
● Yes
● Yes
● Yes
Would you like to connect to social media
to share scores and notes?
● I would never connect my school work or
studies with my social media. I am 34 years
old and most of my friends are out of school.
May be an interest for those who are at the
school age level.
● Yes.
● No (X4)
● Yes
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● Yes, notes would be useful, scores seem
pointless
● Yes
● Yes
Do you have any other final comments,
questions, or suggestions?
● No final comments
● No other feedback
● It’s going to be a great app! This took
significantly longer that 15-20 minutes to test
and answer adequately. More like an hour.
● n/a
● no
User impressions by participant
Participant No. Like best? Like least? Improvements
1 Flashcard/convenient Time consuming notes Change busy graphic
on main screen
2 Nothing Needs more
time-management
options
Labelling times, log,
history saved, free.
3 Timers Confusing home
screen
Rename/reposition
buttons
4 Note recording Moving between
menus
Improved navigation
5 Everything from the
“start/stop”, “help”,
and “topics” menus
Navigation and
anything from the
“more” or “settings”
menus
Simpler home screen.
Rename and
rearrange buttons
Options to prevent the
device from locking
6 Timer, notes, flash
cards
Flashlight/pointer Grade calculator
7 Recorder Too simple Add more features
8 Timer App’s viability The app doesn’t really
do anything wrong.
Just that it isn’t for me
9 Notes Section Usability Cleaner looking.
10 Pen Idea Timer Change graphic on
home page
Prototype formatted and presented in Pop App:
https://popapp.in/w/projects/582e730e85e937ba56eed586/preview/5830bac6c40c0c8470d32bc
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ASSIGNMENT #11 - FINAL PROTOTYPE
Flowchart
70. FINAL PROJECT
In the early stages of brainstorming for our initial product concept, we individually
had several different ideas that we liked but they were just in our heads. The first hurdle
was getting those ideas onto paper so that everyone could have a shared
understanding of each other's thoughts. Once we did that we realized we had too many
great ideas, but we couldn’t feasibly implement them all into a single product. We
discussed, critiqued, and narrowed down everyone's initial content and chose the few
we all agreed would be best to pursue. After we had our main proposal decided on, we
had to more specifically choose what the key features would be and cut out the excess.
We initially had lots of extraneous features for our prototype that it seemed like it would
not hurt to include them; such as, a flashlight, laser pointer, and vibrating features for
the pen, as well as study games, quizzes, and flashcards for the app, but they were
ultimately unnecessary and didn’t help us with the prototyping process. Our testing
period revealed that our first series of prototypes had a few issues; we still had features
that proved to be noise and there were complications with the user experience of the
app itself. We took out even more features; like customizable settings and timer logs,
that we previously thought would enhance the experience but after testing discovered it
cluttered the true direction of our product. We also reformatted some aspects of the
app’s interface to make more sense for its users. There was too much assumption from
our part because we were familiar with all the features and knew the app well, but did
not account for our testers never having interacted with the product and this resulted in
them not understanding what some of the button names were supposed to represent.
The prototyping process also revealed a lot about how important the navigation of the
app is. When we originally planned out the navigation on paper, we did not consider the
importance of consistency. For our final prototype we relabeled the button names,
reorganized the home screen, relocated some navigation elements, and updated user
interface items to make it less complicated. Overall the UX testing process simplified
our product into a positive direction. Users had a clearer understanding of the product
and its purpose; and our product had more focus on the basics rather than emphasising
too much on pointless add-ons. In the end, we created a simple, clean, and superior
product than what we had before the UX process. This project was successful at
revealing the importance of testing, refining, prototyping, and redesigning.
