THESIS : Audience Map

For a paper on applying Lynch's theory of navigation to physical and online environments, I made this map to define the audiences.

THESIS : Content Map

This map outlines my areas of interest. Next step is to make this 2D map interactive and presentable. The greater theories of interest are: activity theory, schema theory, cognitive differences, emotional design and interaction, and finally, spatial navigation. As well as the tasks users perform online to inform their activities in a physical environment.

Schemas : Group Process : Documented

This shows the process for our interactive experience. My group worked together at every step. Post-its were the form for our negotiations.

1 TOPIC BRAINSTORM : as a group we shared general ideas of interests, then came back together and used note cards to note ideas, forming three topics



2 TOPIC PROPOSAL : presented three topic ideas to the class


3 TOPIC DEFINING : after choosing a general topic we needed to narrow the story we wanted to tell; this is when we chose Mrs. Henderson as our persona for our narrative


4 TOPIC PITCH : introduce big idea, audience, scenario and schematic map to the class; the schematic map began to define elements of navigation in terms of Lynch's Image of the City


5 USER MAP : as a group we mapped our potential users and their motivation for visiting the site; this allowed for us to further define the purpose of the site



6 CONTENT DIAGRAM : we outlined all of the possible content needed and categorized them into time, place, and gardener



7 BEHAVIOR MAPS : using the content elements from the previous exercise, we began to form ways a user may move through the content; we identified a system moving through macro - mecro - micro; we saw that the paths through the content were very linear, we then rearranged the content to create a cyclical movement by the user and situated them at the merco level






8 WIRE FRAMING and USER INTERACTION : we developed “scene” cards to visual the narrative we wanted the user to move through; we further defined the user path with the structure formed from the cards; from these cards we developed our wire frame that highlights user interaction, content, site intent, and transitions



9 DESIGN STYLE : we wanted to continue our group process in the “design” phase of the project, we built a mood board together which will become our structure for designing the site



T.F.P. © 2008 N.C. State University / College of Design / Meredith Davis Studio

Design Thinking : Exhibition

This semester began with the class researching and designing an exhibit on "Design Thinking". Each of us had one term (16 terms total) that related to either a cognitive thought process or a design process. The panels where put on display here at the college of design and next they will be put into a pdf format for the Cooper-Hewitt.
My panel was on "Concept Maps".

An excellent source to read in relation to the topic of Design Thinking is A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink.

A local article about the exhibit: Design Thinking, Graphic Design Masters Exhibit






Photos by Alberto Rigau.

Concept Map : Design Thinking

Concept Map : Users

Concept Map : Culture & Technology

Learning Community : Concept Map

I chose the learning community of "parents of autism". What attracted me to this community was their immediate need for information and understanding. It is also a community that involves emotional relationships, ideology, and communications. Autism is a highly charged topic and the need for understanding is necessary for parents of a child with autism.

This is a concept map that outlines the members of the community, the needs, and a brief glimpse into the information that is gained from the connections made in the community. This is a tool for academic purposes only, primarily my personal academic purposes. The concept map helped me to learn and define the community. In order for me to understand, I set the map up in phases of the parents, from the point of being "expecting parents" to becoming "parents of an autistic young adult".

Contact me for a higher resolution file.


Bibliography:

“Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD)”. University of Michigan Health System. 25 January 2008. .

Autism For Parents blog. 20 January 2008. .

Autism Society of America. 20 January 2008. .

Autism Speaks. 25 January 2008. .

Connor, Michael. “Children on the autistic spectrum: Guidelines for mainstream practice.” Mike Connor. 1999. 23 January 2008. .

Gray, David E. Autism and the Family. Springfield, Illinois. Charles C. Thomas. 1998.

Leong, Sylina, B.S.W., R.S.W., Jenie Mathew, B.S.W., R.S.W., and Sandra White, B.A. “Helping Siblings Understand Autism
and Encouraging Positive Relationships”. Society for Treatment for Treatment of Autism, 2002. 24 January 2008. .

Ozbayrak, R. Kaan, MD. “Meeting the Challenges of Adolescence.” ASPERGER'S DISORDER HOMEPAGE. Ozbayrak, R. Kaan, MD. 24 January 2008. .

National Institute of Mental Health. 25 January 2008. .

“Newborn Characteristics. North Scottsdale Pediatric Associates, P.C. 24 January 2008. .

Parker, Jonathan, and Peter Randall. Supporting the Families of Children with Autism. West Sussex, England. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 1999.

“Process of Identifying and Diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorders.” MentelHelp.net. CenterSite, LLC. February 14, 2006. January 23, 2008. .

The Autism Education Network. 25 January 2008. .

The Jordan Ralls Foundation. 26 January 2008. .

The National Autistic Society. 2008. 20 January 2008. .