DI: What is the main principle, idea and inspiration behind your design?
PT : The idea is to provide a centralized platform that offers easy access to essential resources, facilitates effective communication, and promotes student engagement. The inspiration comes from understanding the unique needs and challenges of students, aiming to empower them with a user-friendly and efficient tool that simplifies their college experience and fosters their success.
DI: What has been your main focus in designing this work? Especially what did you want to achieve?
PT : The main focus was to create a user-centric solution that addresses the specific needs and challenges of students. I wanted to achieve a seamless and intuitive user experience that enhances the academic journey by providing easy access to resources, improving communication channels, and fostering student engagement. The goal is to empower students with a powerful tool that simplifies their college experience, promotes their success, and supports their overall well-being.
DI: What are your future plans for this award winning design?
PT : My future plans for this award-winning design for the College student application involve continuous improvement and expansion based on user feedback and evolving needs. I am committed to ensuring that the design remains relevant, efficient, and valuable for the student community while exploring opportunities for further collaboration and integration with other campus systems and technologies.
DI: How long did it take you to design this particular concept?
PT : In total, it took me approximately 3-4 months to design the entire concept for the application, covering iOS, MacOS, and WatchOS platforms. This duration allowed me to delve into the intricacies of each platform, ensure consistency across devices, and create a cohesive and seamless user experience. Throughout the process, I engaged in extensive research, prototyping, and refinement to deliver well-rounded design solutions.
DI: Why did you design this particular concept? Was this design commissioned or did you decide to pursuit an inspiration?
PT : I designed this particular concept for the College application because I was once a student at the college myself and wanted to enhance the student experience. The design was not commissioned but rather inspired by my firsthand understanding of the challenges and needs faced by students.
DI: Is your design being produced or used by another company, or do you plan to sell or lease the production rights or do you intent to produce your work yourself?
PT : I am open to different possibilities for the implementation of my design. While I haven't made specific plans to sell or lease the production rights, my primary goal is to make a positive impact and enhance the user experience for college students. If the opportunity arises to collaborate with a company or provide the design to a college for free, I am open to exploring those options.
DI: What made you design this particular type of work?
PT : I was motivated to design this particular type of work by a combination of factors. First and foremost, I recognised a specific need or opportunity within the context of the College and its student community. I wanted to create a solution that would address pain points, improve the overall user experience, and enhance student life at the college.
DI: Where there any other designs and/or designers that helped the influence the design of your work?
PT : I explored existing applications and platforms in the education and student life space, studying their approaches to user experience, visual design, and functionality. Additionally, I followed the work of renowned designers in the field, such as Dieter Rams and Jony Ive, who have greatly influenced my design thinking and principles.
DI: Who is the target customer for his design?
PT : The target customers for this design are the students of Seneca College, aiming to enhance their educational experience and streamline their access to important resources and information.
DI: What sets this design apart from other similar or resembling concepts?
PT : It focuses on the specific needs and challenges of Seneca College students, taking into account their unique requirements and preferences. The design incorporates a user-centered approach, intuitive interface, and seamless integration of key functionalities, providing an enhanced and tailored experience for the target users.
DI: How did you come up with the name for this design? What does it mean?
PT : The name was chosen to reflect its purpose of connecting and bringing together the College community.
DI: Which design tools did you use when you were working on this project?
PT : When working on this project, I utilised design tools such as Sketch for creating and prototyping the user interface and Miro for collaborative brainstorming and visualising ideas.
DI: What is the most unique aspect of your design?
PT : The most unique aspect of this design is its integration of various features and functionalities into a cohesive platform, offering a seamless user experience.
DI: Who did you collaborate with for this design? Did you work with people with technical / specialized skills?
PT : For this design, I primarily collaborated with the users and the college staff. Their input and feedback were invaluable in shaping the design and ensuring it met the needs and expectations of the intended audience.
DI: What is the role of technology in this particular design?
PT : Technology plays a crucial role in this design as it enables the seamless integration of various features and functionalities.
DI: Is your design influenced by data or analytical research in any way? What kind of research did you conduct for making this design?
PT : Yes, this design is heavily influenced by data and analytical research. Prior to creating the design, I conducted user research and gathered insights to understand the needs, preferences, and behaviors of the target audience. I also analyzed market trends, conducted competitor analysis, and gathered quantitative data to inform the design decisions and ensure that the final product aligns with user expectations and industry standards. The research findings guided the design process, helping me create a solution that is user-centered, intuitive, and effective.
DI: What are some of the challenges you faced during the design/realization of your concept?
PT : During the design and realisation of this concept, one of the challenges I faced was balancing functionality with simplicity, ensuring that the design remained intuitive and user-friendly while offering a comprehensive set of features. Another challenge was adapting the design to different platforms and devices, optimising the user experience for iOS, MacOS, and WatchOS while maintaining consistency across all platforms.
DI: How did you decide to submit your design to an international design competition?
PT : I believed it had the potential to stand out and receive recognition on a global scale. I saw it as an opportunity to gain exposure, receive valuable feedback, and showcase my skills and creativity to a wider audience of design professionals and enthusiasts.
DI: What did you learn or how did you improve yourself during the designing of this work?
PT : During the design of this work, I learned the importance of user feedback and iteration. Through user testing and feedback sessions, I gained valuable insights that helped me refine and enhance the design. I also honed my problem-solving skills, as I encountered various challenges along the way and had to find innovative solutions to ensure a seamless user experience. Overall, this experience has contributed to my growth as a designer and deepened my understanding of user-centered design principles.
DI: Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
PT : I would like to emphasize the importance of continuous learning and staying updated with the latest trends and technologies in the field. It is crucial to have a growth mindset and seek opportunities for professional development. Additionally, fostering a collaborative and empathetic approach in design can greatly enhance the overall quality of the work and the user experience. Lastly, I believe that design should always strive to solve real-world problems, create positive impact, and contribute to the betterment of society.