Group Design Project 1

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Contents 1 Instructions for Koi Resort Design 2 This week's project 3 Your Assignment 4 Comments on Team Statements 5 Team 1 Statement 6 Team 3 Statement 6.1 Marketing Description 6.2 Features 6.3 Description of Use 6.4 Sketch 6.5 Usage Scenarios 6.5.1 The Family 6.5.2 The Couples 7 Team 4 Statement 8 Team 5 Statement 8.1 Motivation for Design / Marketing Description 8.2 Conceptual Design 8.2.1 Name of Device 8.2.2 Main Features 8.2.3 Description of Use 8.2.4 Sketch 8.3 Usage Scenarios 8.3.1 The Families 8.3.2 The Couples 8.3.3 The Singles 8.4 Summary 9 Team 6 Statement 9.1 The Koi Resort 9.1.1 Motivation for Design 9.1.2 Conceptual Design 9.1.3 Two Usage Scenarios 9.1.3.1 Scenario 1 9.1.3.2 Scenario 2 9.1.4 Summary of why your team made the design decisions that it did

[edit] Instructions for Koi Resort Design

1. Meet as a group in a VMT chat room and discuss the project.
2. Come up with a group design for the project that everyone can agree represents your group's submission.
3. Summarize your design in the SUMMARY area of the chat room whiteboard.
4. Post your group's design below.

Make sure that you are logged in. You can create a timestamp with your individual name by deleting the words "Date and Time of posting" and typing ~ ~ ~ ~ (a sequence of 4 tildes, with no spaces).

[edit] This week's project

This week your team is supposed to design social networking support for guests at the Koi Resort on a polynesian island. Here is the situation and the rules for your collaborative design session:

1. The Koi Island Resort: "An unforgettable experience of leisure and luxury!" It is is located in the remote South Pacific. The resort covers an entire island, with 62 acres of tropical gardens, award-winning dining, world-class shopping and an array of activities such as golf, fishing, a dolfin sanctuary, and much more. The resort has more than 250 guest rooms and serves more than 100,000 visitors a year. There is aggressive competition from the nearby Hawaiian islands, so Koi Resort wants to differentiate itself and offer a unique social experience.
2. The Koi Resort wants to market itself as a leader in social networking. People remember their vacations there based on who they got to know there and did things with -- and based on their photos and videos of themselves and their new friends, that remind them of the fun they had. Guests' biggest regret is always that they did not get to do enough of the activities that were available and they did not meet good people for doing the activities with until is was too late. The Koi Resort wants to boast that it will help people to socialize, meet people who match their interests, and do more together socially than any other resort.
3. Your design challenge is to design a "device" to fit the resort's marketing strategy. The guests should love to use it. Your task is to create a conceptual design for the social networking device and sketch a design of its interface in your VMT shared whiteboard. The design should be reponsive to the requirements indicated on this page.
4. Ann Lloyd, the Marketing Manager, says, "Our visitors are 60% families and 40% singles, age 30-45. The social networking device can set us apart from the competition. Our guests usually complain that the couldn't take advantage of all we have to offer. Usually, good experiences in our resort are associated with meeting nice people to do stuff with."
5. John Roy, Legal Counsel, says, "We need guests to feel safe in the resort and to see that we care for their safety. I am worried that this device could be a legal liability."
6. Rob Smith, Chief Technical Officer, says, "We have hardware contractors who can implement your design. But the design needs to integrate with our back-end systems. We need something easy to maintain in-house."
7. Earl Tamil, Project Lead, says, "We need to satisfy guests who speak many different languages, come with many different expectations for what they want, and want to get the best for their money. Internally, we have a lot of ideas and opinions about this device, but we need someone to help us pick the best direction. We need a design team to come up with a convincing concept. We need to see who has the best ideas now, so the device can be built and we can start our new approach in three months, in time for high season."

[edit] Your Assignment

You must complete your design process in one online session, lasting no more than one hour. So make sure your whole team is together online in a VMT room ready to go together. Your posting must include the following elements:

1. A marketing description or motivation for your design
2. A conceptual design for the social networking device. The description of the design must include:
   1. The name of the device
   2. A list of its main features
   3. A description of its use
   4. A sketch of it (in the VMT room whiteboard)
3. Two usage scenarios illustrating how users operate the device under specific conditions and how the user interface works
4. A summary of why your team made the design decisions that it did

[edit] Comments on Team Statements

• The group statements below express some interesting ideas. But, to paraphrase Whitehead (see Scardamalia & Bereiter, 1994, 4:14-16), design should not be dependent upon the occasional genius or the occasional lucky thought. Too often, designers think they have a brilliant insight and they rush to implement it without (a) exploring a broad range of options, (b) testing their idea with potential eventual users, (c) seeing what related things already exist, etc. Actually, the field of HCI was founded because of the collosal failures that resulted from software designers and developers acting as though they were occasional geniuses.

• As you come across recommendations for designers and for learners in this course, see how they might apply to this design project. Feel free to come back to this page with the rest of your group and revise your design. All the documents in this course wiki are "works in progress". Design is a never-ending problem. Software development is much more maintenance and revision than it is "creatio ex nihilo" (creation from scratch).

• Of course, this course exercise was not properly designed for good design work; it did not permit much contact with users. It was meant more as a warm-up team-work exercise and an intro to issues of social networking. Now that you have more time, you might want to interview people who have gone to the Koi Resort (or similar places) and hear what they liked, missed or could imagine using. See what they think of your design, and modify the design. At the end of the course, look back and discuss how you would improve your design process as well as your design concept.

[edit] Team 1 Statement

Seth Erickson and Elizabeth Veasey

Seth E 15:42, 6 April 2007 (EDT)

PeopleSuite 1.1

Koi Island has long been a place where people all around the world have choosen as a premier vacation destination. Yet previously there was not an efficient way for these people to meet each other through recreational activities.

PeopleSuite 1.1 is a new breakthrough in social interaction. This innovative device is a social networking computer designed to allow visitors on the Koi Island Resort to engage in healthy and relaxing activities while meeting new people. It is equipped with the latest technology that will allow for fun, seamless, and state-of-the-art social interaction.

PeopleSuite is equipped with the following list of features:

-10 inch color graphic screen

-Basic alphanumeric keyboard

-Equipped with PeopleSuite 1.1 OS: can connect to the PeopleSuite network and view list of available activities. Also show registered participants with a short bio and list of interests, matched up with a photo. It is available in 4 major world languages: English, Chinese, Spanish, and French

-Wireless LAN Network Interface Card (NIC)

-Embedded web camera

-4 hour battery (when charged)

-USB/input slot

A description of its use: PeopleSuite 1.1 is connected 24/7 to the Koi Island Wireless Network, which is available through most of the island. All hotels and establishments have been tested to have adequate reception. The user logs onto the PeopleSuite network and enters with their username and password (provided by their particular vendors). Available in 4 languages, PeopleSuite 1.1 Operating System (OS) provides the user with island information in their particular language. From there they have the option of selecting and registering for activities, canceling activities, uploading photos, inputing biographical information and hobbies, chatting with other users, etc. The device is portable and equipped with a four hour battery when not plugged in. It also can be used with photo memory cards.

Sample Usage Scenario:

A sample usage scenario would be a "family night" in which user(s) could meet each other based on two scenarios: 1) meet people with similar interests and likes, 2)meet people who have nothing in common with them. The user would log onto the system, look for the family night activity section and see the people that have signed up already. From there they could view photos and bios, and determine if they would like to join the event.

Another sample scenario is someone looking to use the PeopleSuite for dating purposes. That person would have the opportunity of searching for people in a specific age bracket, ie 20-25 years old. From there they could narrow the results by filtering by interest, preferred activity, etc. Of course, the addition of a photo would be the important feature here. If the person liked what they saw they could enroll in the activity that the attractive person was in, or they could attempt to chat directly with that person. They could do this anywhere on the island...at a coffeeshop, gym, or on the beach.

Design Decisions: The design decisions were made because we felt it was the most efficient and logical way to build the PeopleSuite device. The construction of a proprietary OS was decided upon because we needed a piece of software that was tailored to specific user needs. We wanted something simple, with only capabilities that this social networking methodology required. There was a definite need for a device with these particular characteristics. It needed graphical and textual capabilities for simple computation, communication, and activity registration. The inclusion of a digital camera allows users to see the people that they would eventually meet. With low cost and low energy components, we were able to construct a device that could deliver good performance and excellent utility. This portable computer offers the user with simple social networking opportunities available virtually anywhere throughout the island. The use of a wireless NIC card was decided upon because we thought it would be overly expensive to install a wired network throughout the island. The inclusion of a USB and input port provided the user with another method of transferring photos onto the PeopleSuite.

[edit] Team 3 Statement

Tameca, Fernando, Dave

Dave 03:52, 10 April 2007 (EDT)

[edit] Marketing Description

SORA (SOcial RAdar) is a hand held all in one vacation tool. With built in GPS, video camera, and the ability to connect with other people to have fun, it's set to turn an average vacation into a lifetime experience. A vacationer can find any activity available at the resort and see on his SORA map exactly where the activity is taking place.

[edit] Features

• Camera & GPS interactivity - allows vacationer to easily identify picture with activity & location.
• Schedule events - Ability to view events around the facility and schedule them with other visitors
• Contact Information Sharing - Ability to share your electronic business card with others.
• Photo Album - send your pictures to your friends and family while on vacation.

[edit] Description of Use

Vacationers walk around the facitlity with SORA and use the map with GPS to see an overview of the area. Little pictures of activities float over the location the activity takes place. For instance users can click on the small picture of a kayak if they want to go kayaking. With the GPS function they will see how far the location is and how to get there. Once at the activity, the vacationer can enjoy the activity and take a memory back home with the integrated camera. Users can also wirelessly swap electronic business cards with other vacationers to keep in contact during and even after the vacation is over. SORA has touch screen feature which allows vacationers to click and move with the touch of a finger.

[edit] Sketch

[edit] Usage Scenarios

[edit] The Family

The Johnson’s are visiting Koi Resort. It is 3:45 P.M. and the kids are bored. Dad decides to look up what family events are going on by using SORA. Dad finds that near them is the dolphin sanctuary and are having a show at 4:00 P.M. SORA informs the Johnsons that there are still fourteen seats available for the show. Dad goes ahead and makes the reservations on SORA. Mom begins plan out the rest of the evening and looks for the restaurants. She finds that there are two restaurants nearby and the Andersons, the family they met last night are going to be dining there as well. She goes ahead and makes the reservation knowing they will be in good company.

At the dolphin sanctuary, the youngest child borrows SORA from Dad and snaps a few pictures of the dolphin. Not to be left out, the older sibling uses SORA to send the pictures to Grandma and Grandpa back home.

[edit] The Couples

Shaun Everston and his girlfriend Jan Thompson are on their first vacation together. Both 28 year-olds are business professionals who are very social. On their first night at the resort Shaun uses SORA to find some dancing at the nightclub on the second floor of the resort. He sees some of the couples that are also going to the night club and sees that Mike and Mindy Smith love to do outdoor activities. He sends an invitation for kayaking the next day along with a picture of themselves to the Smiths. Later on that evening at the club the Smith’s recognize Shaun and Jan from their picture and introduce themselves to them. The couples dance the night away. The next day they enjoy a nice day out on the water kayaking and exchange business cards via SORA. Both couples end up being long time friends.

[edit] Team 4 Statement

Rajeev, Helen

Jeeves5454 23:01, 4 April 2007 (EDT)

1) Marketing Description: The Koi Resorts Social Camera

The Social Camera device will be used to generate content and seamlessly integrate with an internal network of keywords and memories. By utilizing the concept of welcoming visitors to the social, similar to the ad campaigns of Microsoft, customers will be able to use a single device that will keep track of their memories, find similar interests, and meet other people.

The idea of having a wireless camera to record the guest’s memories is ahead of its time. All the guests have to do is press record and their memories are stored for them to take with them when they leave. All video files can be placed on a few DVDs and then the guests can do screen captures from the video for perfect pictures. There could be an interface in the guest’s rooms for them to call up the video and edit and then add their social choices. That may be a bit more convenient for the guests rather then them entering that data on the go. The in room feature could also give the guest’s the capability to delete their files so they are confident their data is not compromised. FloydC

2) Conceptual Design:

a) Name: The Koi Resorts Social Camera

b) Main Features: i) 8 MegaPixel Camera, with 6x Optical Zoom, and 10x Digital Zoom, and Carl Zeiss Lens ii) High Speed Wireless connections, 802.11n, and Bluetooth compliant iii) Fully functional, on screen keyboard, for chatting and tagging iv) 320x240 Video Camera, with a maximum of 1 hour of continuous video capture v) Uni-directional Microphone, with a 20 Hz to 20kHz range, and -24dB pickup for Video and Voice recording vi) 10 hours of battery life vii) find and schedule meetings with people of similar interests viii) Publish memories and experiences to the Internet ix) Experience a treasure trove of memories of other customers past and present in the archives x) Chat with friends on the island

c) Description of use: Customers will use the Camera as the portal to their activities and cataloging of memories at the Koi Resorts. The device will capture memories , find people with similar interests, and serves as the easiest way to plan an activity filled day.By utilizing a single convergent device in a closed system environment, we provide a seamless interface to take photographs, capture video, and self publish those items in a single step. By cataloging a memory at the instant it is taken, we increase future enjoyment of those photos, as well as capture the key ideas of each snapshot, thus providing a quick and easy way for others with similar interests to find, and providing an all round fun social experience.

3) Usage Scenarios:

i) To capture and catalog memories: The tourist will use the Resort camera instead of personal recording devices to capture experiences at the resort. When taking a photograph, or a video capture, the device is in "rapid record" mode. However if more than 1 minute passes by without a new photo being taken or if the device is switched from Camera mode, the Camera prompts the user to enter a name for the photo, visual keywords from a list of resort activities, and an option for additional user entered keywords, and publish photo to Internet and/or Resort network.

ii) To find people with similar interests: The tourist can be prompted at the beginning of the day to find people at the resort currently with similar keywords on photos, and/or keywords on initial camera setup. A second option is to choose from the main menu, "Find people with similar interests". This pulls up a list of people based on the visual keywords or additional keywords selected. It will only show the Name and photo of the person (if listed as publicly available in their preferences. Selecting the name will open the chat interface. If the person being contacted allows contact, then the room number, and schedule links appear next to the name, and the person is added to the Resort friend list in the chat interface.

4) This decision was made because we thought that the The Koi Resorts Social Camera would be a great way for tourists to capture their memories and share them with each other. It will be easy to use and will help people to socialize and find groups of people with similar interests. The Social Camera will serve as a multi-functional device that will enable users to seamlessly post photos and video to the Internet, meet people, chat and take photographs. The device was based on a combination of existing commercial models including the Apple IPhone, and YouTube. By utilizing a closed environment, but mimicking the functionality of existing websites, the concept is easier to grasp for new visitors to the resort, and yet will offer a unique experience. The expense of such a device is high, but once designed, the research and development costs will pay for itself, as customers are assured a new and wonderful experience. Finally, contrary to conventional wisdom of preventing Internet access to the vacationer, this device uses a high speed Internet connection to find people with similar interests, post photos and best still automatically save those photos to a central Archiving server, and free up space for more photos, thus reducing dependence of multiple storage cards and/or laptops.

[edit] Team 5 Statement

Members: Lisa, Kevin, Olivia, Ben, Kate (The Five Misfits)

Date/Time of posting: Olivia 14:18, 10 April 2007 (EDT)

[edit] Motivation for Design / Marketing Description

• Our group's motivation was to design an easy-to-use, fun, interactive social networking system which will allow guests at the Koi Resort to meet and make plans and activity reservations based on similar interests. These interests will be detailed in their individual user profiles which can be accessible to other vacationers if desired.
• Marketing description: Visit the beautiful KOI Resort! We offer you an unforgettable social experience by using our KOI Key system to identify families and visitors with similar interests and to select your desired activities! Use our fun touchscreen kiosk to identify activities you may want to participate in--perfect your surfing skills, take some dancing lessons with a new friend, try something new! You can also search the profiles of other visitors and make plans via the device. Our goal is to "match people with activities and people with people".

[edit] Conceptual Design

[edit] Name of Device

The Koi Key (also known as the Knowing Others Interactively Key)

[edit] Main Features

• Barcode on each individual's room key so they can scan the key at each location station and track favorite activities. The touchscreen kiosk will have RFID capability to scan information from barcodes into the system.
• Graphical interface accessible through television monitors
• Guest-maintained user profiles including favorite activities, dining preferences and pictures
• Temporary resort E-mail feature for guest communication during vacation
• Touchscreen interface in common areas of the resort for ease of use
• Ability to schedule activities so other guests can see your plans (security settings will be available for privacy purposes)

[edit] Description of Use

Users will be instructed to fill out a profile when they register as guests with the Koi Resort. As part of their profile, they will select the activities which interest them at the resort. These profiles can be viewed by other guests, who can contact each other through email; these guests can form groups, based on shared interests and activities. Guests can read these emails and contact each other from their rooms once they've arrived at the resort to form specific plans and group activities. Guests will have access to their profiles at any point during or after their stay, and their profiles can be edited to include pictures and messages from other guests. Each visitor will be provided a barcoded key chain, which they can use to check in to each activity.

[edit] Sketch

[edit] Usage Scenarios

These usage scenarios illustrate how different groups of users operate the device under specific conditions and how the user interface works.

[edit] The Families

• The Griswalds checked into the Koi resort and provided information about their family: number of children, each child's age and gender, and favorite activities. The touchscreen device is easy to use and fun too! Even the children can help select their favorite activities by using the large, colorful buttons and pictures. Based on their profile information, two other families offer an invitation to have a meal together. Since they all have a good time that night, the next day, each family takes turns 'babysitting' the other children so that the parents can enjoy one night without the kids. The families rotate this responsibility.

[edit] The Couples

• Jane and Jax decide on a whim to visit the Koi resort after a long week at the office. When they arrive, they don't bother to fill out a profile using the KOI software, and go straight to jet-skiing on the bay. The next morning, the couple receive a message from another couple asking if they would like to go jet-skiing again. The other guests had found out that Jane and Jax were interested in that particular activity because they had scanned their barcoded room key at the jet skiing station to log this as one of their favorite activities.

[edit] The Singles

• John Doe makes reservations at the Koi resort in advance. After the staff creates his profile, he hops on the web the week before to see what the resort is offering during his stay and starts to select some activities he would like to try while he is there. When he arrives at the resort and checks in, he find a number of messages waiting for him from other guests asking if he would like to join them on a nature hike up the mountain the next morning to see the wildlife before it gets to hot (The other guest had queried his information based on his profile's hiking preference detail). John also receives a dinner invitation from another single (based on his 'single' status on his profile).

[edit] Summary

This project was designed to meet several considerations. The system must be easy to use, as guests will vary greatly in regards to age, background, and levels of familiarity with technology. The touch screen option will allow almost any guest to quickly navigate the system from the touchscreen kiosk, while more advanced users can take full advantage of the system by creating profiles online before they reach the resort. We also wanted to make our design fun to use to encourage users to log-in to the interactive device frequently in order to make the most of the system. The fun barcoded room keys are something different and will encourage visitors (particularly those with kids) to log in to the various Koi Key stations around the resort to track their activities. Lastly, the interactive device will include the ability to post pictures and messages, developing a sense of shared community. Our hopes are that this device will enhance all vacationers' travel experience regardless of their age, status, or preferences.

[edit] Team 6 Statement

Members: Eric, Bertha, Brian

Date and Time of posting: Bertha 22:57, 5 April 2007 (EDT)

[edit] The Koi Resort

[edit] Motivation for Design

To create a "Wow" experience for our guests at the Koi Resort. We are undertaking to create a social networking enviroment that is safe, multi-lingual, and will afford our quests the ability to meet and find activities and other quests that share their particular interests and desire to experience this tropical enviroment with others.

[edit] Conceptual Design

The Resort Navigator

This is a handheld wireless web enabled interface that works with a centralized database server of the resort. This interface is made up of a waterproof and impact resistent shell, with a 4" by 3" color LCD touch screen; navigation controls will be dependent on the client screen and dynamically available on the touch screen. These units will hold up to 36 hours of charge based on standard use, and will be rechargeable through station in the guests rooms. The wireless interface allows them to be used through out the resort and when in popular hot spots will show current activities in that area to assist in movement thougout the resort. Each device will be customized to the guests' language needs and preferences.

The resort grounds will be divided into "activity zones." Each zone will be targetted towards a series of inter-related activities and services that are positioned in the immediate space. There may be multiple similar zones, each targetted towards persons with similar interests/preferences. This will allow centralized information keeping about the status and condition of each zone (e.g., zone closed for maintenance, zone overcrowded). It would also make it easier for guests to converge.

Guests will be asked to create a profile of their interests, preferences, activities they would like to pursue during their stay. Each guest will have the ability to log into forums to meet, chat and connect to others with similar interests and language. Guests will not be restricted in their interactions with each other; the forums will allow guests to meet and communicate with others of diverse cultures and backgrounds if they so desire.

For guests who wish to make new friends during their stay but want to be spontaneous about it, guests with similar profiles will receive an alert when in proximity of each other. If both parties accept the meeting opportunity, the unit will guide the guests to each other through the display.

[edit] Two Usage Scenarios

[edit] Scenario 1

A young couple (John and Jane) from the UK are guests of the Koi Resort and are each equipped with a Resort Navigator. At the same time, a family of two adults (Derek and Jen) and two teenage children (Billy and Julie) are equipped with two of these devices as well. Each of the adults who are equipped with a device have setup their profile. It so happens, John and Jane are interested in surfing and Jen, who isn't interested in surfing herself is going to be taking Billy surfing for the day. John has been spending some time in the forums and has arranged to meet up with several others, visiting the resort for a knowlege-building for amateur surfers session. Jen and Billy eventually make it to the Amateur Surfer's Zone after sleeping in late and brunch with the rest of the family; they followed directions on the Resort Navigator. Neither Jen nor Billy have ever surfed. They go to the shop in the zone to pick-up some equipment. Then, Jen checks on the Resort Navigator for persons who want to share tips on surfing. John's Resort Navigator signals to him that someone's interested in making contact; John accepts and both Jen and John are directed towards each other's location. The three guests meet up and teach each other how to surf.

[edit] Scenario 2

Two couples; both amateur ballroom dancers by chance arrive at Koi Resort on vaction. They fill out their profiles and ballroom dancing is one of their interests, however in each case only one individual is in good enough physical condition to dance. Pete and Judy are the couple from the Eastern US, and both plan to spend some time at the ballroom dance hall, but Pete plans to watch because he broke his leg a month before their vacation. Ed and Jenny are from the Midwest and Jenny is planning to watch as well because of a hurt foot. Both couples find the dance hall, dining area using the Resort Navigator. And while chatting in a chat room set up for people with interest in dance. Pete mentioned to Ed that he cannot dance because of his broken leg. Then Ed tells Pete that his partner Judy can not dance because of a hurt foot. The men tell there partners about this discussion. Then use the Resort Navigator to set up a time to meet, so Judy and Pete could watch there partners enjoy dancing at the while on vacation at Koi Resort.

[edit] Summary of why your team made the design decisions that it did

We were in agreement about the core elements of the design: wireless interactive personal devices, user definition through profiling. There were two design ideas; through detailed discussion, the best features of both were incorporated into the final design.

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