OVERVIEW

In 2016, I took almost one year to work on my final thesis, from the concept to the final design. Before I started this project, I was only focused on visual design, but after I finished all the research, and interviewed with other test users. This process made my project more practical and useful; it made me believe what I am doing is right.

MY ROLE

UI/UX, Visual design, illsutration

PERIOD

Jan 2016 - May 2016

COMPANY

Academy of Art University

MISSION

MFA Thesis

Problem

There is a widely believed notion that earthquake is not far from us. I think that people could hear colossal news about it, and it can cause massive damage to human beings physically and mentally.

People who lived in the Bay area have to face a serious problem: Earthquake. Also, San Francisco has a long history of being attacked by the earthquake. This is quite dangerous for both of us if we have no idea how to do the right things during an earthquake. Especially for Children, they have little ability to protect themselves, and when the disasters were coming, if they don`t know how to defend themselves, it would become a big problem.

Solution

“EARTHQUICK” is my proposed interactive mobile application to teach children how to prepare for the coming earthquake. The goal of this application uses interactive games to teach children how to protect themselves during an earthquake. “EARTHQUICK” will enhance children`s awareness of self-protection.

In this project, it provides an interactive way for children to learn, including playing small games, animations, and music, etc. These interactive programs can attract children to get involved and also cultivate their independence during the emergency.

Target Audience

Primary Target Audience

The primary target audience of EARTHQUICK are children who need to learn the knowledge about the earthquake, and also they like playing games. They are willing to play educational games and have interests on an earthquake.

Demographics

Age: 5 - 6

Gender: Boy / Girl

Hobby: Nature / Geography / Games

Secondary Target Audience

The secondary target audience is parents who want their children to learn some knowledge of disaster, which can enhance the awareness of self-protection for them.

Demographics

Age: 32 - 45

Gender: Male / Female

Goal: Enhance Children`s awareness of self defense

User Taskflow

Based on previous first-stage research, I first built a diagram to help me understand the structure and the user task flow. On the other hand, user flow diagrams help me visualize the complexity of a task and know how I can simplify it

Interactive Prototype

Check the prototype link

UI Design

LOGO

Original one...

Redesign...

Final one

Characters

Mr. Eyebrow

Turtle Bro

To give personality to the app, I created two characters for this project, at the beginning of the game, the user is allowed to choose anyone they want.

Visual design

Concept Video

Conclusion

This is the first time, I spend almost one year on a single project, during this period, I have different moods, at the very beginning, I took a long time to figure out a good idea to start. After I passed the midpoint review, I`m delighted, but this mood did not last for a long time. When I was taking GDS class, and I start to question everything, like visual design, user experience, even the topic. Now I finally finished this project, and when I was watching the proof of concept video, and I feel so proud of me.

In May 2016, I had graduated from the university with this project, and I received some great feedback, and also some critiques too. The whole experience was so fresh and exciting that I would never forget.