The role of design in establishing community

How can design thinking be used to bring together an online community through the articulation of a specific online experience?

As a first step in understanding the implications of this inquiry, concept maps were developed to illustrate, showcase and connect information related to a chosen demographic; in this case, sophomore graphic design students learning software. The concept maps, structurally grounded in the work of Hugh Dubberly, Joseph Novak and D. Bob Gowin, were used as information aids to the decision making required in the design process.

Animated prototypes were used as working study models; each addressing specific and targeted aspects of the larger problem. Content structures and an adequate information architecture were tested, tweaked and developed through constant iterations. Simultaneously, the formal language was measured and developed as a response to the needs, wants and functional requirements of the audience in question.

Interactive system behaviors were seen as catalysts for specific human behaviors, thus used to improve a user’s relationship with the developing infrastructure. Iterations led to the synthesis of ideas into one last prototype which facilitated the collaboration between a student and a teacher or peer in an asynchronous way.

Concept map

Animated prototypes were used as working study models to understand how design thinking can be used to bring together an online community through the articulation of a specific online experience.

As part of a graphic design graduate studio project, I worked on understanding the implications of interface design in trying to manage an asynchronous teaching relationship between a teacher and a student who is trying to learn software. This video is the final outcome of a series of iterations and studies that evaluated the issue and considered a variety of approaches to it.

A diagram of a working scenario that was used to test the impact of interface design on an asynchronous teaching relationship.

What are some of the implications of an interface design in trying to manage an asynchronous teaching relationship between a teacher and a student who is trying to learn software? This particular moment explores the conversation between a faculty member and a student trying to learn software.

This particular moment explores the conversation between a faculty member and a student trying to learn software.

This particular moment focuses on two students who need to work together to build one project. Asset management and access are of the primary concern in this evaluation.