POST SIX: SCENARIOS + DIAGRAMS

During week six, we first developed specific scenarios and tested our current model by creating swim lane diagrams. By doing so, flaws in our system were exposed, allowing us to make important modifications to our design. One such modification is the addition of a camera or picture function in our chat design, so that users are able to share valuable photographic information with the professional aiding them from afar.

We then tested our design through a usability test, which also provided some very important insight into ways in which our design could be improved. For instance, we learned that calendar integration, and thus the ability to set appointment reminders, is a valuable feature that would benefit many users.

After modifying our design, we developed a high level flow diagram to illustrate our application's process for the user.

We then organized each step of the process, and planned out every screen of our design in great detail.

Lastly, we modified our paper prototype to perform additional usability tests in order to further improve our design before creating a final digital mockup. Several small adjustments were made during this iterative process.

POST 5: PROTOTYPING CONTINUATION AND PRESENTATION

Week 5 consisted of continual production of our paper prototype and wireframes in preparation for the presentation on Thursday 11/13. Because of Brian as a new addition to the team, we were able to divide the tasks of creating presentation material, digital wireframes and paper prototyping among our team members, each with expertise in these aspects. As a result, we assigned the following tasks:

Brian: Slide Design
Rick: Digital Wireframing
Lauren + Garrick: Paper Prototype

Because of the presentation format, we decided that it would be effective to represent our paper prototype with a stop-motion video. In addition, because of the flexibility we had in the different presentation  methods at our disposal, we decided to represent one potential user path via the paper prototype while showing the other path via wireframes. This would give the client two different perspectives on how we envisioned the design to be. 

Not only was the experience of creating a paper prototype a creative avenue that would successfully portray our design, but we thought the process as a whole was much more enjoyable. It took the team a couple of iterations to perfect the prototypes since we needed to take into consideration different user scenarios and how they would interact with certain screens. Adding back buttons as well as color choices to highlight certain actions were some of the main alterations throughout the process.

For the wireframes, we decided to take a more realistic approach to designing an interface that would appease the client and their potential choices in aesthetics. We continued to use the overall design structure throughout both mediums, but we made some considerations to the digital version that we did not for the paper due to the nature of the different mediums. 

Finally for the slides, we took into account the content that Karen presented us during a design lecture and looked to create content that was sparse in words yet powerful in meaning. What resulted is slides that not only were visually appealing and stimulating but provided a proper informational structure that allowed us to guide our audience to the motivation, execution, and opportunities of our design.

Following the presentation, the group talked about the next step in the process: developing personas/scenarios that would exemplify different use cases of our design. In the beginning weeks of the project, the group did some initial case study about the different types of scenarios that would facilitate the use of a medical care search tool. This led to the creation of our research frameworks and thus gave us insight into the initial design. As such, we continued to refine these scenarios and tried to make changes to the ideology and structure of our design.

POST FOUR: PROTOTYPES, WIREFRAMES, AND A NEW TEAM MEMBER!

This week, Team Seven was fortunate enough to gain an additional team member: Brian Studwell! Brian has already been a tremendous asset to the team; we're very fortunate to have four creative minds working together on this project.

Along with the rearranging of teams, each group was assigned one concept, out of the previously suggested six, to further ideate and explore. We were assigned Concept #1: "I Need A Doctor Now" application. 

We were given feedback that the urgent (non-emergency) medical care market is not only an incredibly costly endeavor for all parties involved, but is also an area that has yet to be explored. By creating a resource through which customers experiencing illness or injury can be connected with a doctor immediately or can speak to a nurse about their symptoms, we hope to reduce the number of emergency room visits. A successful application would not only save time and money, but also provide medical assistance in a manner that is quick, efficient, and easy-to-use.

Because of the urgent nature of our application, we felt that a mobile app would be the most ideal form to explore. We decided that a digital wireframe would be an excellent way to present our idea, and intend to create a paper prototype video as well. We believe that this particular application can be relatively light-hearted in comparison to other health related apps, and strive to create an incredibly pleasant and somewhat playful experience for users, similar to applications like Lyft, Seamless, and Uber. 

Much of the time spent with the group consisted of formulating workflows of how the app would function based on the two options we have decided to approach: talking to a nurse or finding a provider immediately. The group split up duties which included model the paper prototype, wireframing and slide deck preparation. 

POST THREE: IDEATION BEGINS

POST THREE:

IDEATION BEGINS

After focusing on research for two straight weeks, the class began to focus on ideation and creating ideas from some of the themes identified during our research. We decided to continue along the path of inquiry that involved thinking about scenarios and how they can impact how a user experience will differ. We are quite relieved and excited that are insight into scenarios was unique among the other topics presented in the class on Tuesday October 28th. We felt that the Premera team enjoyed our different perspective as well. 

On the following Thursday, we met with our partner team to brainstorm and discuss further some initial ideas we had about our respective topics of interest. Much of the discussion in the brainstorm was broad since both teams had interests in somewhat different areas and while we felt that we achieved some level of progress with a discussion of our first idea, the rest of the time was somewhat lost in generalities. However, we did achieve a workflow that would be very effective in using to create the rest of our ideas.

The next day, we met up as a team to further brainstorm about scenarios, employing the brainstorming techniques that we developed the day before. The six scenarios that we chose to focus on were users needing a doctor as soon as possible, users with new family additions, users suffering from chronic injuries or illnesses, users with mental health conflicts, users new to health insurance, and non-English speaking users. Our workflow consisted of first identifying and building upon the factors of consideration for providers, which was initially highlighted in our previous research. Next, we began brainstorming of some features that would like to see that incorporates these factors. Then, we created a timeline of interaction between the user and the tool while trying to integrate these features, some of which were somewhat outlandish, with the overall user experience in mind. Upon developing the frameworks for our six scenarios, we split up the sketching duties among the members and began collaborating on developing concise storyboards.

I think at this stage of the process that our ideas and sketches convey concepts that are not only unique but involve different technologies user experience techniques. Hopefully, the insurance team will feel the same way.