Goals:

• figure out the rest of the map interactions like zooming, and containing the map to it’s edges
• make changes to mockups based on prototype issues, add more descriptions
• set up new walkthrough prototype for user testing focusing on searching & finding products

Issues covered/Response from advisor:

• Figured out solution for interactive interior map, D3js.org, commonly used for infographics 
• Layout needs tweaking to better fit small mobile screens 

Goals for next week:

• Begin user testing of prototype 
• Finalize mockups and document user interactions
• Build all steps necessary to complete user flows in prototype 

Goals:

• rework my prototype to show my new wireframe layout and goals
• continue to evaluate if my home/search screen is practical and usable, conduct basic user testing
• build out the new homepage and refine search for my prototype

Issues covered/Response from advisor:

• new direction with layout is well received
• overcame some issues with jQuery Mobile and became a lot more comfortable with it’s widgets
• learned to use a new prototyping tool called Sketch
• attended RWD Summit online this week and learned a lot of skills that can now apply to my thesis project

Goals for next week (week after spring break):

• make changes to my wireframes based on feedback, show more states and interactions
• research the job market and job search strategies
• build remaining pages out on my prototype, figure out the header button issue

Goals:

• reevaluate layout and structure of home/search screen of Gather app
• how can I better design the main page to meet user needs?
• build out basic layout of product search results pages with minified search bar
• figure out marketing strategy for myself, what is the competition like?

Issues covered/Response from advisor:

• continue to push myself and communicate my skills more confidently
• “A story consists of a beginning, a muddle, and an end. The same often goes for a career. The more you can unravel the muddle in the middle the better you will fare. But circumstances often conspire to keep it as muddle.”

Goals for next week:

• rework my prototype to show my new wireframe layout and goals
• continue to evaluate if my home/search screen is practical and usable, conduct basic user testing
• build out the remainder of the pages for my prototype

Goals:

• clean up and polish logotype designs, then turn in
• set up structure, SASS files/variables for Prototype, get homepage/search page to look close to my mockups
• updated my color scheme to be more complementary (yellow-green * red-violet), by brightening up the green and warming up the violet
• evaluate if teaching at the college level is a good option for me as a future professional

Issues covered/Response from advisor:

• update color scheme, provided more contrast
• researched & learned how to successfully set up a SASS project from the bottom up, including compiling with CodeKit

Goals for next week:

• begin updating my wireframes for Visual Design
• continue to work on functional prototype, block in the rest of the content and begin styling the base theme
• evaluate the benefits and pitfalls of starting my own company

Goals:

• complete mock interview for a User Interface designer position and define my salary goals and hourly freelance wage
• finalize my moodboards, make sure to include more images related to products and grocery stores
• take my logo sketches from last week, give them more fidelity using Illustrator to get them ready for another round of critiques
• continue to work on my mobile prototype, set up the site structure and create a jQuery mobile theme

Issues covered/Response from advisor:

• after much research, decided that using jQuery Mobile then using PhoneGap to build my prototype was the best decision and use of my skills
• I am more comfortable giving a presentation to a live (virtual) audience than into a vacuum

Goals for next week:

• make corrections and modifications to my logos and then decide on final logotype design after feedback from this week
• continue to work on my prototype, modifying the CSS/SASS to get the basic layout for the main search page
• re-explore teaching as another career option after completing my masters, this time at the college level

Goals:

• re-visit my logo and combine it into a logotype, which better suits my project type and goals
• identify my core competencies and strengths for job interviews
• create a basic PhoneGap sample app, is PhoneGap the right solution for my project?

Issues covered/Response from advisor:

• learn how to articulate my weaknesses in a positive light, how I turned them into a learning experience?
• my working environment is important to me and I need to research companies that fit those goals, work from home is a very real possibility

Goals for next week:

• decide on final logo designs after feedback
• re-fine moodboards based on instructor feedback
• begin building new web prototype using chosen solution, jQuery/PhoneGap/AngularJS