progress & skills diary · progress diary initial designs 05/10/12 – 19/10/12 baseline plan...
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PROGRESS & SKILLS DIARY
PROGRESS DIARY
INITIAL DESIGNS 05/10/12 – 19/10/12 Baseline Plan Version 1
Notes Screenshot/Evidence
Rescheduling formal meeting with client
I have had to reschedule the meeting with the client to present my initial ideas due to finding out that this process would actually take me longer than the time I had originally allocated for it. Originally I had said the meeting would take place on the Monday the 15th October, in my new plan my meeting now takes place on Thursday 18th October.
Plan of 3 different designs
Feedback from client
After my formal meeting with the client, I composed a minutes document that shows all my acition points from the meeting
Expansion on chosen design
One of my action points from the meeting was to create a colour scheming sample for my client. I have evidenced this below
Feedback from client
Expansion on chosen design
I have created my final design ready to present it to my senior manager
Implementing Feedback
After my meeting with my manager I implemented the feedback she had given to me, this feedback was given to me vocally since we had an informal meeting.
Contingency Time
During my contigency time I took time exploring potential ideas for the app.
Reflecting On Possible Risks So Far
So far none of the risks I had outlined have come into play.
My baseline shows that I now have three days of implementing
feedback and contingency time. I have decided to use this time
to concentrate on getting my flash skills to a higher standard.
This is important because practicing my skills on flash will
lower the risk of my application being of poor quality due to
my flash skills.
Preparation - Ipad Dimensions
I found out the exact dimensions of an ipad so that when I
started creating my application in flash I would know what
dimensions to make my document.
Prototype 1
Proof of working on schedule with the prototype splash screen
Proof of email On the
6th November I emailed my client as not pleased with the outcome
of my splash screen. Originally, my plan was to have my splash
screen with characters that fill up with fruit as the page loads;
however in practice this did not look as I would’ve hoped and the
quality looked poor.
An image from my final design that illustrates how I wanted my characters to load and fill up:
However a screenshot of how the splash screen looked
when I had finished designing it in flash below shows how the final outcome did not
look like it was a high quality that I had hoped for:
New splash screen
After I received my email from my client, I went back into Serif Draw Plus and
reconstructed how I would like my splash screen to look, taking into consideration what my client had suggested, I still
included the “fill up” effect on the page.
Evidence of planning:
Using serif draw plus I decided to reconstruct my new splash screen page whilst creating my typical page to avoid me
falling behind on schedule. Evidence is shown: below:
Working on schedule:
The screenshot shows that I created the main scenes and layout for my application in my first
prototype.
The date is shown at the bottom right hand corner that shows this was done according to my
baseline plan schedule.
PROTOTYPE 1 SKILLS
Skill Description/Reason
Demonstration
Storyboarding
Showing how animation will move on my new splash screen
Fade Out
I made the background fade to out from grey to white
At the beginning of the tween the background is grey by the end of the motion tween the background has faded to white
Inserting Mask Layer
A mask is used to only show certain parts or slowly reveal a graphic. The mask only shows part of the graphic through the mask, which is what I’ve done. I’m using the mask to slowly
reveal my image
Import an image
Importing an image, you have to click file, import, import to stage or library and then add the image where you want to a particular frame where wanted.
This shows I imported the image whilst creating my splash screen in time with my baseline plan
Managing layers
By moving a layer over each other will alternatively change its sequence of visibility to which is shown first.
The background layer is always at the bottom of the scene so that all the other scenes can overlay the background
Importing Sound
Importing a sound, you have to click file, import, import to stage or library and then add sound to a particular frame where wanted.
Motion Guide
Motion guide is when you draw a guide that shows an object what route to take, the motion outcome is smooth.
The line shows the fruit the path to follow to enter the blender
Motion Tween
Motion tween allows an object so be moved from one position to another smoothly
I motion tweened the fruit so that they smoothly enter the blender
Action: Go to and stop
Stop action is an action that is placed on a frame to stop the frame cycle from playing or being repeated
Movie clip within a graphic
This enables me to be able to make a function within a button on a separate timeline from my main timeline.
Using frames to animate an object
Using key frames to move an object to make it appear as if it were animated
I used several key frames to move the blender up and down to give it the effect so that it looks as if it was being shaken; I also used the same effect on the fruit inside the blender.
Scene Transition
Making the scene appear or disappear in a unique way
During my implementing feedback phase I found a unique way of making my splashscreen wipe away into the new scene
Masking I had to mask the image in order to remove the white background on the image
The image had a white background which was obstructing the image, I decided to put a layer over the image so that only the parts of the image I want vissible will be shown.
The black part is the mask layer, it means that the white background is now no longer visible which was my aim.
Meeting
After I had completed my prototype 1, I scheduled a
meeting with my senior manager. The purpose of the
interview was to review my progress with the prototype
and discuss ideas and ways forward before continuing to
creating prototype 2.
Creating Minutes after
meeting:
After the meeting had taken
place, I created a “minutes” file
which tells me the discussion
notes and the action points I
must do whilst implementing
my feedback, some action
points will only be implemented
when I start prototype 2.
Implementing Feedback
After my meeting I had scheduled 5 days for
implementing my feedback. I have included
evidence of the work I did based on my
feedback in my feedback log.
I have also included a list of things I used my
feedback time on which can be found in my
feedback log:
1. Making the suggested changes onto my prototype 1
2. Researching and discussing with my target market and senior manager whether to include games or quiz feature in
my application.
I found I didn’t need as many days as I had stated in my baseline plan to implement my feedback, but since I had the extra
time I decided to add a scene transition from my splash screen to my login page. I thought this may make the app run
more smoothly and is more interesting than just to cut to the next scene.
Scene transitions/ SKILLS DIARY*
Review Point
On my background layer I used different key
frames to make it appear as if the background is
wiping away. At the same time, I made the
graphics on the page move so that it looks as if the
background is washing them away. This seemed
like a more interesting way to transition between
the two different scenes. (Splash screen and login
page_
By the last key frame the scene is completely filled
in blue, and then transitions into the next scene
which is the login page.
End Of Phase - Prototype 1 Review
New Baseline Plan – Changes and Reviews
As I have come to the end of my prototype 1 phase I have decided to create a new version of my baseline plan to amend
any changes and to also make sure I am always working with an updated version of my plan.
Changes:
Initially I had scheduled for prototype 2 to begin on the 26th of November, however I did not need to use any of the
contingency time I had set aside so I decided to change the start date of my second prototype to the 20th
November.
OLD BASELINE PLAN NEW PLAN
I have completely removed the task “skeleton/framework for product” which is shown in the old baseline plan
above in my new baseline plan as I have already completed this task in my first prototype.
I added a new task called “link pages” as I feel it is important to have prototype 2 as an app that it is nearly, I also
intend on having a test user review my app at the end of the second prototype so it will be useful if the application
can allow the user to navigate between scenes.
On top of this I also moved the order of tasks around in prototype 2 so that they are in an order I feel would be best
for me to complete them in.
Risk Review
In prototype 1 the main risk I outlined was lack of human resources for my formal meeting, this did not affect my task. I
also did not need to use the contingency time I had set aside.
Summative Feedback – I received some notes from a test user about how they felt about the overall feel of prototype
one, notes from the user are included in the feedback log.
Prototype 2 – “Baseline Plan 2”
PROTOTYPE 2 SKILLS
Skill Description/Reason
Demonstration
Motion guide
Giving a graphic a particular path to follow so it flows smoothly
I created a movie clip within the pen and the strap line. I then created a motion guide to make the pen as if it were writing the strap line.
Creating states on a button
Creating different states on a button
I created a key frame in the over state of the button which means when a user hovers over the button it will change the background colour to help them to know they are about to press on the button
Manipulating text
Using serif suite to edit text and change the colour scheme to match my needs
I had to use serif suite to edit and manipulate the headings I wanted to use in my flash work as flash does not allow me to do that on the software. After I had
used serif suite to change the text into what I needed I then copied and pasted the text into flash
Inserting Input Text
Input text allows the user to be able to input and type text in given space
Converting graphic to a button
I converted a graphic into a button which enables me to be able to control the buttons functions
Editing in Audacity
Editing a sound with audacity allows me to cut the sound down and export it as an WMF file
I Imported the sound I wanted to have playing in the background of my app into audacity. This software allows me to edit the track, at the start of the track there was some beatboxes that I felt did not tie in with the mellow tune I wanted in the
background of the app, so using audacity I highlighted the part of the track I did not want and simply deleted it. I then saved the new track as a mp3 file rready to import into flash.
Inserting Background Music
Inserting the track I wanted to play throughout the app
Using a mask for a new effect
I used a mask to make the text on the homepage appear as if it was continuously scrolling by itself
Reviewing baseline plan 2
I have now begun the new task “Expanding layout for rest of the product” However, I’ve noticed I am going to need more
time than I had originally expected. This is because the layout and design need to be practically finished by the end of
prototype 2, so making sure the layout and design is complete is my main priority and will be the activities that take the
longest time during this milestone. I have also begun linking the pages as I go along so I will no longer need the 3 days I
had delegated for this task.
New Baseline Plan (v3)
I have created a new version of the baseline plan because of these circumstances stated above. I have copied a screenshot
of the new plan below so it is easier to refer to it when checking the date’s tasks were completed.
Skill Description/Reason
Demonstration
Animating a graphic
I placed an animation on the over state of a button allowing it to be more interactive
When the user rolls over the character the mouth appears as if she is speaking
Managing layers within Button
This allows me to place one layer above another which is important as some layers need to be in front of others
Enabling a button to turn all sounds off
I set the behaviour on the button so that it can turn sounds off when clicked on
Breaking apart an graphic
Breaking apart a graphic allows me to edit inside a graphic and delete of some parts of the graphic so it is easier to use
Editing the hit area to add interactivity
I edited the hit area to select a specific area that the mouse must hit in order for the button to open
Adding a behaviour
I added a behaviour to a button that links it to other scenes in the app
Motion tween alpha
Changing the alpha on an object to make it appear as if its fading
Inspiration for the community page
When it came to creating the community page I had a rough idea of how I wanted the page to be laded
out. My inspiration came from my own personal account on my fitness pal and I liked the layout of that
page.
< This is a screenshot of how the profile page is set out on my fitness
pal.com. I developed this layout a little further in my own design.
Instead of the page just focussing on the individual’s progress, it would
show how friends and family are getting on with using the app. This is
my updated version of the community page.
Presenting Prototype 2
The meeting with the senior manager went ahead on the new date Thursday 20th December which was due to illness.
Below is a screenshot of the email of the agenda I sent to my manager with the date included.
After the meeting I typed a document called Prototype 2 Agenda
Minutes – unlike the first prototype minutes this document also
includes a screenshot of how the minutes have been acted upon,
however some of the action points have not been completed as they
will be completed by the end of the third and final prototype.
Implementing Feedback
After presenting my second prototype I typed up a document with action points and evidence that I have completed the
action point, this is evidenced in the document prototype 2 agenda minutes.
Contingency Time - Questionnaire on game feature
Due to illness stated earlier, I have dipped into some contingency time. This has been helpful and has helped me stay on
track and keep to my dates stated in the plans.
Using my contingency time, I created a short questionnaire on what the users would like to receive from the application, I
handed it out to 3 test users and 2 peer reviewers, after they had filled them out I collected the data and presented it in
the form of pie charts to illustrate clearly what the users expected from the game feature. This is evidenced in the
feedback log.
End of Phase – Prototype 2 review
Risk Assessment
My formal meeting was originally scheduled for
Tuesday 18th December, however due to illness I
could not attend the meeting. This was a risk I had
already outlined as HIGH, and it is the first risk to
come into play during the project so far.
Due to this, I had to reschedule the meeting and
dip into some contingency time. Because of the
contingency time the project is still on track and
has not run over.
Using the baseline plan to forecast...
Whilst creating the new version of the baseline plan with the amended dates for the meeting for prototype 2 I also
decided to edit the prototype 3 milestone, this is because some of the task names where unspecific and the time
delegated is not how I think it should be. I am able to change this before I even begin the milestone because of my
knowledge and previous experience with the two prototypes before.
Checking app against criteria - By this stage my app is starting to look close to finished. I have decided to see if my product
has started ticking any of the boxes in the criteria I created at the beginning of the project. I have placed a “/” next to the
criteria that prototype 2 meets already.
Criteria Check List
The product includes a login page /
The product is able to give information on nutrition and diet
/
The product includes a list of ingredients needed to prepare a meal
/
The product shows the user how much time will be needed to cook a meal
/
The product includes a variation of meals available / The product provides information on how many calories are in a meal
/
The product includes a video showing the user how to create a meal
The product already meets most of the criteria which is
what is needed at this point as the prototype is nearly the
complete version of the app.
Checking Development from prototype 1
I checked my progress since my meeting minutes from
prototype one and I have completed all of my action
points. Evidenced in the feedback log.
How feedback has shaped my product
During this prototype I relied heavily on the feedback of
peer reviewers, team members and test users. I felt their
opinions mattered greatly during this milestone as I started
to create the functionality of the product more. This is
evidenced in the feedback log under “prototype 2”
I have gathered formative feedback in the form of verbal
informal meetings with team members, peers and test users. All the comments received have been acted on. I also
received summative feedback from a test user and my senior manager. The test user has commented on changes he’d like
to see in the next prototype and my senior manager has also done the same. Because I have set aside time for
Clear structure (is it easy to navigate and use) /
The product is split up into different sections (Meals, Community, Games and Find)
/
Fully functional (all the buttons link to the correct place)
The product is split into different sections to make it easier to use (user friendly)
/
The product includes a touch screen feature to enable the user to click buttons and icons
/
The product includes links to other pages to make navigation easier (Back and Home)
/
The product includes a range of media (at least 3 different types)
/
The sound is working / The splash screen includes sound /
Where there is sound, there is an option to turn it off
/
The product is able to connect to the internet for social networking
/
The product has links to Facebook and Twitter / The product includes a GPS feature to help the user track nearby supermarkets
/
“implementing feedback” in my project plan, I have already implemented some of the feedback given to me by my senior
manager.
Summative Feedback - At the end of prototype 2, I received summative feedback from my senior manager after
presenting the prototype. I also decided to gather feedback from a test user to see what they thought and felt about the
prototype. I asked the user a few specific questions regarding the prototype, all of the feedback I received will be
implemented within the third and final prototype.
Prototype 3 – “Plan version 4”
Skill Description/Reason
Demonstration
Editing sound clip
I used Audacity to edit and cut out parts I didn’t want to include in the sound file.
Editing Video footage
In my previous prototype I managed to create a video of me making one of the meals to put on the app. I then edited the video on Serif movie plus
Shrinking File Size
After editing the video I used windows movie maker to shrink the file size to prevent the size of my application document being too large
Importing video into flash
I selected the video I wanted to import, and chose to embed it into the timeline then uploaded it into the application
Using Flash Script to create drag and drop
I followed instructions found on a flash script website that taught me how to make an object dragable to enable drag and drop for the game
Shape Tween In the first frame the shape is a circle, by frame 20 it is a square. I used shape tween to morph the circle into a square smoothly
Creating a custom mouse
I chose to create a hand as the cursor in the game feature to make it more interesting
Graphic Into Movie Clip
I converted a graphic into a movie clip so that it is easier to place actions on it
Adding a timeline effect to object
I added “explode” as an effect on the graphics I had converted into movie clips
Finished object with explosion effect
The object now has an explosion effect in its own timeline
Adding a behaviour to a movie clip
I added a “go to and play” behaviour on all the movie clips that were going to explode once the user had clicked on them
Creating a Transform effect on a graphic
I inserted the transform effect on the square to make it rotate smoothly
Editing a graphic
I had to edit the arrow graphic to make sure it went with my colour scheme. I used clkr editor.
Before – the arrow was blue After
Converting a video
I downloaded a video from YouTube in a format that wasn’t acceptable in flash, I had to convert it online so that I could upload it
Presenting Prototype 3
Creating the agenda and sending the invite to presenting prototype 3 to the client
Typing Up Minutes After Prototype Presentation
Typing up the minutes after my prototype presentation
Changes to Scheduling Plan
I am now at the stage in my plan where I have just presented my prototype and I need to start implementing the changes
as suggested by my client and my test users. However, I have decided to change the plan due to examinations in other
subject areas and I do not think that the time I have planned to implement my changes will be enough. I have given myself
a few extra days to implement the changes so that I have more time for revision in other subjects. The new version of the
plan is “Plan 5”
Plan V.5
Final Refinements to app
For my final refinements I implemented the final minor changes that I had discussed with my client, these are
documented in my feedback log.
End of Phase – Prototype 3 Review
Having completed Prototype 3, I have ticked all the criteria for my product and made sure it fits into what I intended the
product outcome to be. I have made significant progress since prototype 2 by adding more interactive features such as the
game feature. I also added more multimedia such as the video footage of the meals being made. I am pleased with the
outcome of my work as it shows I have stuck to my plan and made sure that it suits all my criteria and appeal to the
audience.
Once I have undertaken some summative testing I will see how effectively these features work on the device and make
sure I debug them and fix any possible errors.
Here is a copy of my criteria and my final prototype now meets all the requirements, the next milestone is to check that
the product is fully functional and make sure that it works as expected. The next phase will be testing.
Criteria Check List
The product includes a login page /
The product is able to give information on nutrition and diet
/
The product includes a list of ingredients needed to prepare a meal
/
The product shows the user how much time will be needed to cook a meal
/
The product includes a variation of meals available / The product provides information on how many /
How feedback has shaped my product
During this prototype my main feedback was concerning
the game feature of the app. I initially drew out how I
wanted the game to look and after taking on comments
from a peer reviewer and a test user I changed the game to
suit the needs of the users. I also took on feedback from
prototype 2 where I had constructed a small survey
regarding what the users would want and expect from the
game. With all of this in mind, I then created the
storyboard using flash and storyboarded how I wanted the
game to look.
I have gathered formative feedback in the form of verbal
informal meetings with team members, peers and test
users. All the comments received have been acted on.
I also received summative feedback from a test user and
my client. I will be preparing a test criteria which will gather
formative feedback from test users to ensure that my
product is fully working as expected.
calories are in a meal
The product includes a video showing the user how to create a meal
/
Clear structure (is it easy to navigate and use) /
The product is split up into different sections (Meals, Community, Games and Find)
/
Fully functional (all the buttons link to the correct place)
/
The product is split into different sections to make it easier to use (user friendly)
/
The product includes a touch screen feature to enable the user to click buttons and icons
/
The product includes links to other pages to make navigation easier (Back and Home)
/
The product includes a range of media (at least 3 different types)
/
The sound is working /
The splash screen includes sound / Where there is sound, there is an option to turn it off
/
The product is able to connect to the internet for social networking
/
The product has links to Facebook and Twitter /
The product includes a GPS feature to help the user track nearby supermarkets
/
Testing
Plan v6 – TESTING/DEBUGGING
Creating Test Plan
Running Test Plan
When determining who to test the product I thought it was a good idea to gain sufficient test results from at least one person in two different categories which were beginner and intermediate. I decided not to use a test user from the expert category as my product is not aimed towards any experts and is a brand new product so the main target will be beginners and people who are intermediates as they would’ve used similar applications. This will allow the testing to receive the best quality feedback from the different types of user that could use the product. Category Name Of Test User Beginner Joshua Mataire & Phillip Clarke Intermediate Robin Mwandimutsira
After I had decided this I sent my test users all an
email with the final app and summative test plan
attached.
After I had received all my results from my testing
I decided to collect all my feedback from the test
users and implement the changes, this is
evidenced in the summative testing results doc.
This is the debugging stage of the Testing phase.
Final
Refinements/Debuggi
ng
After collecting my results
I had to check whether the
product had all of the test
criteria or not. If the
product did not pass a test
question, I reworked the
product and then retested
it to ensure that it would
pass.
I then used my contingency time to allow myself to fill out my own summative testing to ensure that the product could
now meet all requirements, the product passed every test and I am happy about the high standard it is now at.
Evidence of following plan
Creating Manual – I finished creating the app within the time I had allocated for it in my plan.
Handover to Client
The handover meeting is the formal meeting where you present the finished app and user manual to the client.