Week 5: Scenarios

Oh my oh my oh my. Where to even start?! The question didn't change this week (thankfully) but I've been starting to conceptually think about how this app works and began wireframing.

But let's recap first,  I've defined many things, most of which are just lists:

Question: How can Graphic Design enhance cultural discovery through interactions between users from around the world?

How matches are made: profile similarities; being able to talk via chat or emails

Define culture: architecture, art, traditions, history, food, music, social norms, location, etc.

Focus: one country to USA through food, music, social norms, location, traditions

Focused country possibility: USA, Korea, Vietnam, China, Poland, France, and Brazil

Focused county: S. Korea

Wants: learn about new culture

Needs: personal connection; first hand stories of experience

Goals: feel comfortable and knowledgeable bout said country; be able to travel without feeling out of place; know where to go and what to do

Scenarios (assuming user is from US):

·      Wanting to learn about what’s hot in music

·      Wants to share stories regarding a certain/specific experience

·      Discover traditional/authentic foods

·      About to visit this country, where should I go/visit

·      Share/read authentic stories about towns/cities

·      How should I act when visiting

Setup:

1.     Users create profile; customize accordingly

2.     Input which countries interested in and will get a list back of people interested in personal country

3.     Connect and share

4.     Categories:

·      Food

·      Music

·      Social norms

·      Location (special landmarks, architecture, etc.)

·      Tradition (holidays and how they are celebrated)

5.     Share/connect/answer prompted questions based on partner’s interest

For the scenarios, I've limited it down to just 3, trying to encompass the app as a whole as much as possible. I want to keep them as personal as possible, like the one on one interaction between users. So the set up is basically between 2 people, one from USA and one from South Korea. Below are the 3 scenarios sketched out, just basic form, kind of messy. I've realized that if I get really into it, my design for it will probably just fill in the blocks, so I kept it pretty loose so that I don't get stuck in one shape.

The first scenario is basically the user from USA signing up, setting their profile (the app will remember them next time they use it so they wouldn't have to sign in every single time), searching for a pen pal to connect with. The app would match people up according to interests and their list of interested countries. They can do multiple things once they are partnered up such as live chat, starting a conversation, and see each other's profile. The first scenario is tied into listening to music as well, but I am going to separate that into another scenario. The user basically can view the other's playlist, see why that was chosen, but they could also suggest music. The second scenario is basically live chatting and sharing food and that would lead to a recipe. Last scenario is exploring other countries but viewing just an overview of the country, not getting in depth with another user or anything.

Like I said, I have the basic ideas down but nothing like super wireframed simply because I will feel constraint. My schedule for next week says digital wireframes but I think I'm just going to start designing and going from there, again, constraint ideas.

Things to think about for next week: language barriers (how will things be translated) and is an app form appropriate for the content/users?