UX reflection + plan

This Saturday was user testing day for our Nelson-Atkins Wayfinding project. Despite having been just a "pretend" run through, there was a lot of great feedback from the families. It was helpful to see the actual interaction with the map and the activity to see what was working and what was not.

Deciding:

• +between using stickers or using cut and pasted paper
• +reducing the components so that there won't be as much to hold onto or lose
• +removing the labels for the blank sculpture activity paper
• +getting rid of the belly band(?)

User testing feedback

TAILORED ADVERTISEMENT FINAL: biker subculture

WHO?
Biker Sub-culture & Snap-On tool Co.

THE COLLATERAL
This is a postcard that would be mailed out with motorcycle parts from various partnering on-line warehouses. For Instance, John Orders his Screaming Eagle and cold-air intake filter from jpmotorcycle.com. When he receives his box, the advertisement for snap on is placed inside with the invoice.

THE SCOOT
Its a common thing for Bikers (generally the older men) to refer to their bike as a scooter. The terminology is recognized by bikers of every age and has been shortened to scoot which is interchangeable when referring to the act of riding or the bike itself. The use of the language makes the brand more relate-able.

WHY SNAP-ON?
The culture values customization and working on the bikes themselves. They often have project bikes and enjoy taking care of their “baby.” A project bike is an older motorcycle that is in progress of restoration or customization. A culture that is so invested in maintaining and upgrading their bikes would value tools. Not just any tools. They want quality. Top of the line bike? why not have top of the line tools?
My copy is addressing that, if you (the biker) Have better, more efficient tools and tool boxes, you will have more time for the ride. More time for both the act of riding and time for the ride itself (the bike)

ROCKSOLID: collections website - formal exploration

The following are three explorations for formal direction for my collection website about crystals I started collecting when I was 8. The collection website has grown from the required 15 objects into 24 of my favorite specimens and 9 info graphics about the rocks. 

 LOGO/ BRAND  EXPLORATION:

The idea behind rocksolid is to meld scientific cleanliness with different aesthetic approaches. The shapes either inspired by Jar and specimen labels or geode formations.


DIRECTION 1:

Direction one has the tag I mentioned previously that is inspired by apothecary jar labels and scientific labeling of specimens. I added some abstracted geode-form line drawings around the edges to fill in the padding area. Not only is the simplicity deriving from science labels but I wanted to allow the Crystals to be front and center, allowing them to get the attention they demand. After all this is a website about the collection, so why distract the viewer from the thing i find most beautiful; the rocks.

 In this direction I thought it would be a nice contrast from the cleanliness of the stark white background to add woodgrain. Its a stretch but the wood is something form within nature just as the crystal specimens are. Although I like the direction, I am still working on finding a way to render the crystals in way that allows them to stay as vibrant as before (on the white background).

 

 DIRECTION 3:

 

 These are a little messy as far as clarity of direction and cohesion but bear with me. Here I wanted to try and show all the logotypes in similar applications and spacial relationships. So in that sense I categorized them as one direction instead of having 4 or 5 to talk you through.  

CRYSTAL RENDERING STYLES: COLLECTION WEBSITE

 

 Playing around with some rendering. Right now I am thinking well lit, scientific documentation photos of the specimens. Ive started to explore some vector overlays as well as abstracted reduced vector line drawings of the rocks. Next I want to get on the light table and do some hand drawn renderings of the minerals.