DSDN 112-First series of photos for my fastest map

First series of photos for my fastest map- For my first map (the fastest direction) I am looking at going up the hill to Te Puni and then down the front of Victoria University to the library. I think that this is the shortest way from what I have seen and remember walking through because of the many times I walked this way heading up to my marketing class up in Kelburn.

I have been noting some of the places that you pass when heading this way. Places in particular that I thought would be good references are ones like Logan Brown, the street names, Te Puni and U-stay. I thought these are good because of the street names being a common way to find places and also liked the idea of Logan Brown because of the fact that its so close to Te Aro you know where it is.

I thought the idea of using hostels as check points is good because in your first year there would be those in hostels and with Te Puni and the U-stay ones being the closest, they act as good points for people to use as guides to places. I feel that because they are so big in size as well its going to be hard to avoid knowing these places.

Below are some of the photos from my first shoot heading up to Kelburn Library.

DSDN 112- The next stage

The next stage- Now that the wireframe is complete, I can begin to look into taking photos for both development and to possibly use in my final app. I am going to aim to pay particular attention to detail and take note of particular things you would see in the directions I choose.

DSDN 112- Wireframe made

Wireframe made- I have finished making up my wireframe. The wireframe is holding all that I said in the previous blogpost and am sure it gives a fairly accurate idea on what happens when you press each button on the app.

Below is the wireframe that has been completed and gives indications on what each button on the T.I.M app does.

DSDN 112- Making my wireframe

Making my wireframe- I have begun to make my wireframe for this project. I have gone through my research again and have found the main features that I want to have for my wireframe.

Firstly, it needs to be able to meet the brief and have a navigation system for it- T.I.M. I have decided that it will give two options- the fastest and shortest. I was looking at adding the smoothest option because of the fact Wellington is made up of hills, but decided against this because I thought it was more important for T.I.Ms design to have the main two. Once you have selected your chosen map (fastest or shortest) it will give a straight forward 2D map with key points on it. These key points will be giving a better guide on what you should be coming across when making your way to Kelburn library to help guide you better than just a standard 2D map. Originally I was looking at having a street view map just like the street view in Google Maps, but have decided against it. This is because after looking at it, a 2D map is still very much a good map, but lacks the exceptional pieces to a street view map that would really help enhance it. Therefore I would really like to combine both together with some elements in each.

Secondly, I really want there to be a way to connect people together within the app. I have decided to solve this issue by making it so that whenever your friends also have T.I.M on, you can search for them and see where they are. Once this is done, T.I.M can give you the best way to find that person. From there you can make your way to your friend to ether get to class or just have a social interaction. I think this feature is great for new students who aren't used to the large Kelburn Campus and don't know their way around. Therefore it will bring together social interaction and at the same time give new students a small tour inside the campus and hopefully get them to the right class together.

Last, but not least I am looking at having a new feature in it that will be able to give people the ability to add contacts so they can find people more easily. THis is to help avoid confussion if there were many people to use this particular app. There will also be a section to say a bit more on T.I.M if need be.

DSDN 112- Making new plans after hearing the lecture

Making new plans after hearing the lecture- After listening to the lecture on how the idea of time management and listing certain pieces down helps, it managed to twist me into thinking that I should point out some key dates to think of and what might need to be done before hand.

I am hoping to at this point after drawing it up to have a draft wireframe by tomorrow as well as photos for my research into the best ways to my destination- the library in Kelburn Campus. I think that having photos will be good as something to add to my flash animation when I come to making it, since I am looking at having some photos into its final design. They will, as I said before, will be showing more detail of the ways to get to the Kelburn library and show some of the icons/symbols or places you will be coming across when heading to your destination.

DSDN 112- Summary of research findings

Summary of research findings- After my first tutorial after the holidays (10/9/2012) I decided it might be good to make this new blog post explaining my findings, just so I have a good reference to look back on on what to add for my flash animation.

So far what was found was that a street view (i.e. real pictures) were working better than a 2d birds-eye view map. This I think is because the street view offers a lot more detail you wouldn't real get from a single 2D map. Another way I have thought to utilize the idea of using photos to my advantage is by taking good photos of places that you would come across to act as check/key points for the user to note to see whether they are heading on the right track and can find more info on it if they wish.

Color coded pieces were also another great feature that I think is good to consider or at least think about. Color coded pieces generally help you figure out things a bit better because they help act as symbols for us to remember things by.

Utilizing technology is another handy tip to add as a feature. Facebook is one of our biggest interactions and ways to find somebody in a certain location. I think having this as a handy feature is something good to add because we would be using technology more to students advantage and connecting them together not just socially but education wise to ensure they get to class together and on time.

Offering different routes and shortcuts is defiantly something to add because we, as students, tend to under estimate time, location etc and get a bit lost at times. Therefore offering the range of different ways will be good to ensure that those who are running late will actually make it to class on time.

DSDN 112- Final design for T.I.M

DSDN 112- Looking at inspiration art for T.I.M

Looking at inspiration art for T.I.M- I have renamed the TrackBot to "T.I.M" (Tracking. Intelligence. Machine). Here is some of the inspirations I found online that helped me.

DSDN 112- Proposal on Project 2 (Part 2A)

Proposal on Project 2 (Part 2A)- For the navigation system, I am looking into the idea of making a cellphone app. I have called my app "Trackbot" where you have an app that you open up on your phone and use to find your way to the desired location.

The instructions will be as simple as possible to ensure the person finds their way.

1st Idea-

1) The person finds the app on their phone and turns it on.

2) The phone will pick up a tracking signal from the room the person wants to go too.

3) The app will then give the best route possible to make it to the classroom with options of the fastest, most flat etc.

4) person will pick the best one and then take that way.

5) person makes it there safetly.

2nd Idea-

1) Person opens the app on cellphone.

2) Person will turn on the trackbot.

3) The trackbot will pick up a signal from another persons trackbot app on their cellphone.

4) The trackbot will then give options on the different ways to get there.

5) Person will select which route option they want.

6) Person will head on that particular route and head to class.

DSDN 112- Navigation Systems for I-pod/I-phone continued

 Navigation Systems for I-pod/I-phone continued- I have come across a new app for an i-pod touch/I-phone. Its called "MapQuest" which is what I feel, a lot more open and user friendly than google maps. With MapQuest, it offers a lot more useful functions such as voice navigation that helps indicate whether your off course or not. Live traffic cameras to show what it is like up ahead. the multiple views and stops along the way and more.

DSDN 112- Navigation systems for google maps/Web

Navigation systems for Google Maps- A basic and simplified navigation system on the world wide web is the one and only Google Maps. When looking at Google Maps, I found that there were a few things I didn't fully like or warm up too.

For example, I found that it wasn't as interactive as the mobile phone research.. I felt that this is lacking as I feel that the navigation system should be fun and exciting and have more features, especially for a student new to the university. I also noted that it was really lacking a lot of attention to detail. It looked really basic and the ability to zoom in and find an actual image of your destination was the only way to actually get those pieces of detail to help you find your way to a place.

I saw that without the ability to see what the place looks like without a photo is really hard to direct someone. I feel that this flaw is something that could really help google maps in navigating someone to a chosen destination.