DESIGN AND TECH MAJOR DESIGN PROJECT VINH LE DESIGN SITUATION Most flashcard apps available on the digital store platform are complicated with graphics that are too crowded and difficult to understand. For this reason, I wanted to create a digital app that’s just intended for flashcards and lets users make their own DIY flashcards in the shortest amount of time. To begin with, the app will only display blank (paper style) flashcards. Users can customise their own study sessions with different groupings of notes by organising the flashcards into stacks and groups. In addition to that, users are able to insert texts and add notes, images, and sketches to their flashcards depending on how they wanted their flashcards to look like. INDIVIDUAL DESIGN PROPOSAL • What the project will be and do? The product will be a digital flashcard app that focuses on simplicity and is formated on white paper template. Users can insert text, images, sketches to the flashcards depending on how they wanted the flashcards to look like. The app will also simulate how the physical flashcard works - ‘flipping’ the screen vertically/horizontally will actually flip to the other side of the card. • How I plan to do it and why? Initially, I must conduct a research on apps and softwares that are relevant to my project, which will help me come up with the functional and aesthetic criteria. Before creating the digital app, I have to draw a storyboard containing all the information and the layout of the app manually. This is necessary since initial planning for the app helps the formating process much easier. Then, I plan to use a certain software (eg. BestAppsBuilder.com) that will help me format the app digitally. GENUINE NEEDS • A minimalistic format which simplifies the learning of users. • Insertable texts, images, sketches • Options where flashcards can be stacked and grouped • “Flip” animation (by flipping or swiping) • Automatically does backups and sync to all phone devices • Needs to be a marketable app (therefore within a reasonable price or free with in-app advertising) CRITERIA TO EVALUATE SUCCESS FUNCTIONAL •The progresses and versions of flashcards are automatically saved. •When a user opens the app, it will automatically load the previous save. •Simple functionalities: insert text, images and sketches to the flashcards and flip the screen to see the definitions. •Flashcards are organised in stacks (collections of flashcards) and groups (collections of stacks and groups). AESTHETICAL •The app is formatted on grainy-type paper template •Simple design with white as the main colour of the app •Virtual flashcards on screen. Users can see the flashcard-flip animation when they slightly flip the phone verticall/horizontally INTENDED TARGET MARKET The intended target market would be for all ages and for who wants to make study notes, keen to improve their vocabulary and just study in general. This app is for people who prefer simplicity, which is the focal point of the app. POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS • The app isn’t multifunctional which means that it only focuses on simulating the physical flashcards. This means the app doesn’t serve all users, especially the users that need more functionality. • Technical issues within the app. RESEARCH COLLAGE Moving graphics/animations Flashcard “flips” or “swipe” Save and Add new cards to library Customisable flashcard that has easy and simple layout Moving graphics/animations Flashcard “flips” Simple flashcard format with plain coloured background Review mode and Customise mode AnkiApp SIMILAR PRODUCT Customisable Layout for Flashcards: -> Efficient, easy to use -> Taskbar + Options to insert images, texts, designs… -> White background format “Not only is it easy to be used, it makes me want to study and do better” ACTION, TIME AND FINANCE PLAN • The project would take up to 130 hours to be finished. This includes the time for research, the time to format all the information processes, and the time to build the app. The research is done beforehand, and it would take the least amount of time of the project. The time to format all the information processes would be the longest since I have to include everything that is relevant to the app before building the actual app. • I think I wouldn’t be spending too much money on building the app since most app builder softwares are free and cheap. I will source my funds from working part-time. MIND MAP GANTT CHART SKETCH, DESIGN IDEAS How is this idea unique from other apps? My app is unique since it focuses on simplifying the learning of users and makes editing, making flashcards much easier than the other apps available on the Appstore. Flashcards are simply formatted on screen without too many buttons around them. The flashcard “flip” animation is also my app’s signature add-on. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING
