Project 1- Creston Redesign

When first starting out in my User Interface, or UI class, I did not know what I was getting myself into. I had my thoughts about it and had a general idea of what UI design actually meant. However, I would have never even thought that so much thought and process would go into creating UI design elements. We first started out with our first project, which was to redesign our classroom's Creston interface. This interface is used to control the room's projector, and the various TVs scattered through the room. The first step was to actually examine the user interface, and see the "user flow". We had a group of people go up and gave them tasks to do. From there we were able to examine their frustrations and how they were able to complete the task. From there we were able to compile these angers and create low res prototypes. Within these prototypes we redesigned the interface using what we learned troubled people about the original. Next we moved onto updated the design to create High fidelity prototypes, and then created a persona. With the persona we are able to capture what the general demographic for the Creston would be, and how they would be able to use the newly designed system. Finally, we create a "deck" which compiled all of the gathered information, created a user flow, and showed in detail our new redesign. Once this was completed, I finally was much more clear about the idea of User interface. It is not about the look, and the color palette, it's main goal is to make sure the interface in which a user will use is smooth, and very understandable for a user to go through. You have to make sure there is a neat grid system, and that if every button is necessary or not. It is about functionality first, and design second, which is a major shift to what I am used to .