Evaluation

The degree project 'Study up' is an application for Mac OS devices,

The purpose of this app project is to help university students relieve academic procrastination. The final project outcome is a link to the interactive prototype made by Axure RP10, and a promotional poster with a QR code, which is also suitable for flyers and website advertising. This prototype link can be opened by mac and windows system computers or iPad devices. It is not recommended to open it on mobile phones. Because the original intention of the design is to try not to let users be Cell phone interruption. This project is highly related to interactive art design and digital media art. It requires all the skills I learned about digital media art through the digital media art course, visual design, and interaction design. 

Compared with other procrastination apps and task-management apps on the market, similar application interfaces on the market cannot attract users, so I have to remodel this point. To highlight my application, it must be visually and functionally richer, which is more suitable for the needs of college students. There are too many single functions, and there is much similar mobile software, and there are few computer applications.

For example

 'Forest'app

Strengths: It proposes the abstract concept of shifting attention from mobile phones to interesting games. 

Weaknesses: It would be better if they could have the ability to add natural background sounds. Also, the function is relatively single, easy to be distracted.

‘Focus Matrix’app

Function: In Focus Matrix, the purpose is to place your items in one of four categories. The purpose of this is to make it easier to distinguish the correct priority.

Advantages: simple functional design and clear purpose

Weaknesses: too many functions and interfaces are single, not enough to attract the user target

One advantage of this project is that it takes into account the troubles of most people. I have positioned the crowd in the scope of college students. Research shows that "nearly 50% of people have long-term procrastination and procrastination problems are serious, and procrastination behavior is also common in student groups. " Therefore, I plan through this project to help people who have the same problems as myself and solve problems. my artifacts will resonate with many users. And college students basically use electronic products, so increase the frequency of use of this application. another success point from this project is that In the middle of the design project, I followed the methodology in the research in the later stage, and it really effectively alleviated my procrastination.

Another advantage is that I am familiar with Adobe Photoshop and illustration, so I didn’t waste too much time on the guide page illustration in the app. Also, the style of my design is the advantage of the overall effect, it is in line with the focus and pleasure elements suitable for the target audience. I avoid using anxious red because the too tight colour will cause users to close the application, so I used orange-red colour and cute emoji in the emergency task option.

Although my interface design was successful in the project, there were problems in the development stages. At the beginning of the design, my ideas have always been around mobile applications, but after my continuous online survey and research, I think it is more reasonable to design the app on the computer side than on the mobile side. Because of the difference in the layout of mobile applications and computer desktop applications, my draft will be redesigned, which made my progress a bit slower. 

Also, In the process of application interaction with Axure RP10 software, I encountered many technical problems, such as the function of the timer in the study room, how to use the interactive loop to make a timer that increments or decrements in seconds.

Although I searched for related tutorials on the Axure website, the countdown still does not work for some unknown reason. After constant searching for information, I finally solved the problem.

This degree program taught me the concept from generation to development. Throughout the design process of the finished product, let me know what measures can be taken when delays occur. I believe this plan can help me solve procrastination in the future.

Overall, this degree program is a success for me, let me know what measures can be taken when delays occur. The plan can also help me slow down procrastination. From the beginning to the end of the project, it is obvious that the message I want to convey has been well conveyed. Every function of the app is targeted at the crowd.

And during the investigation and design process, I read many books, journals and websites about this project, such as ‘How Students Can Prevent Procrastination’, ‘Design of a Task-Management APP to Avoid Procrastination'. The research, according to Stephen Covey (2004) gave me the main inspiration. These gave me a lot of inspiration and project ideas.

And I am constantly learning and consolidating the professional knowledge of digital media, such as how to cleverly use Axure and Figma interactive software to realize my design. In continuous testing, I finally completed the final version. What makes me happy is that my friends love my app and use it.

Reference:

Covey, S.R. 2004, The 7 habits of highly effective people: restoring the character ethic, [Rev.]. edn, Free Press, New York.

White, 2021. Review: Focus Matrix - A Get Things Done app based on President Eisenhower's approach - TapSmart. [online] TapSmart. Available at: <https://www.tapsmart.com/apps/review-focus-matrix-gtd-app-based-president-eisenhowers-approach/> [Accessed 15 May 2021].

Forestapp.cc. 2021. Forest - Stay focused, be present. [online] Available at: <https://www.forestapp.cc/> [Accessed 15 May 2021].