CASE: Mobile Concept Design
Basics
Our client was developing a new technology platform for S60: connectivity solution that provides makes the mobile device a true part of the internet, with a global URL and with HTTP access to it. The revolution: ability to host a globally accessible website on your mobile phone.
During this project, the scope and requirements of the service were re-evaluated and concept proposals were created according to usability and user experience studies. End user needs, service desirability and usability were the key issues in this project to introduce the service/technology to people, keep the people using the service and gather ROI for the developer.
The main idea was to create a service concept that creates desirable customer experience, utilizes technology in a consumer-oriented way and supports the customer’s brand. The goal was a holistic user experience through the web, desktop and mobile channels. The business models supporting the service were considered carefully and were an organic part of the final concept.
The new concept was defined and developed using user-centric research and design methods. Real-life users were used to get information on different user needs and requirements, as well as concept ideas. Based on the user input, the ideas were refined into concepts. One of the concepts was selected for further development. Details of the concept are under NDA.
Challenge
Utilize new technology in consumer-oriented way
Actions
Idean Design Approach (IDA); Research, Concepting, Design, Prototyping and testing
1. The first phase:
Research and people innovation concentrated on conducting the actual field work; user interviews and contextual observations were performed in Germany, Italy and India.
Tasks: Interviews, Contextual observations, Workshops, Benchmarking.
Deliverables: Requirements, use cases, scenarios, personas, solutions
2. In the second phase:
In Concept & UI concept design, the first concept sketches were created
Tasks: User needs and requirements analysis, Wowster workshops, Concept candidates, Concept drafts, Interaction design
Deliverables: Concept description document, UI wireframe drafts, paper prototypes
3. In the third phase:
The UI design concept was developed and visualized for preliminary UI design
Tasks: Visual Design, Light UI specification
Deliverables: UI wireframes, Navigation maps, layout pictures, visual style, icons, logo
4. The fourth phase:
Prototyping - the stage where the design turns alive
Tasks: Prototype creation, finalizing documentation
Deliverables: Concept prototype in a form of simulation (Flash and video)
5. In the fifth phase
Wrapup: documenting the process and results
Deliverables: Updated documentation, Light UI specifications, presentations
List of deliverables based on Idean Design Approach
Phase 1: Research & People Innovation
- D1: Project and research plan (Word)
- D2: A specialist review report (PowerPoint)
- D3: Analyzed user requirements, report in Word, PowerPoint and one-day workshop
- D4: Concept ideas identified
- D5: Materials for concepting workshops
- D6: Redesign of the existing site UI (design facelift)
Phase 2: Concept
- D7: Concept ideas developed and documented
- D8: UI concept creation
- Commented wireframes (in Visio format) to present for the selected concept
Phase 3: WOW Design
- Visualization of concepts
Phase 4: Prototype / rapid prototyping
- D9: Prototype to present selected use cases
- D10: Light UI Concept Description in Word or PowerPoint format, IA & Graphical Style Description in Word or Visio format
- D11: Management presentation
IDEAN DESIGN APPROACH - IDA
