project 1 :: conceptual design :: moving from research to ideas & solutions

the next few class sessions will focus on translating your knowledge of the audience into online (and offline?) activities that will support and enhance their sense of community. it's important to look beyond now-generic web 2.0 functions such as photo-sharing and identify activities that connect people with people and the physical world with the virtual. consider current AND hypothetical technologies and tools for data collecting, especially as they relate to the real world. stay focused on activities and develop processes that allow that action to happen. the online tools you design should flow from those activities and processes. use the skills you've learned in previous classes to sketch out scenarios of how users will move through your system (sketching, storyboarding, diagraming) and how that system will be arranged and presented (sitemapping/wireframing).

a good way to start could be listing requirements based on need next to possible tasks/scenarios to meet those needs, i.e.:

the swimmer

need: a new workout to improve butterfly stroke:
solution: community uploads categorized workouts, swimmer searches butterfly improvement, downloads chosen workout to (waterproof!) iPhone

need: check personal stats and improvement
solution: swim goggle attachment collects speed and positioning data over time, transmitting real-time to site where it's analyzed and presented and diagrammatic data over time, allowing comparison to other members

need: workout buddy
solution: swimmer calls up iPhone app, collected user data online is read and compared to swimmer capabilities and other interested users show up on iPhone area map.

need: competition
solution: swimmer can join the competition area and sign up for "races". goggle attachment monitors position and stop and start times, allowing swimmers in 2 different places at different times to compete.

homework, due monday 9.14

• final poster refinements.
• based on the community reading, brainstorm/list what online activities might reinforce a sense of membership, allow for the reciprocal exertion of influence, fulfill their stated needs, and create a shared emotional connection. what can users do at your web space? what can users do in the real world that the online community can use to improve or offer new services?