WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY

PIPER BLACK - THESIS 1 - FALL 2012

For teenage girls who want to learn programming, PROJX is a website that teaches girls how to code. Unlike other teaching platforms, PROJX taps into what girls really like in order to enhance their learning and make coding cool. Because I believe with more girl programmers we are on

our way to a true meritocracy.

TEACHING MODEL

ONE TO MANY MANY TO MANY

VS.

INITIAL WIREFRAMES

TARGET AUDIENCE

These young women are in high school, or just starting college. They are at the time in their lives where they are figuring out what they like and what they don’t like. They are developing their own sense of style and their own image. This is the time when they decide if they want to be a doctor or an artist. They are very aware of the factors that play into these decisions (parents, popularity, boys, friends choices, etc). These girls are striving to find their independence. They shop online, and go to parties, have a close group of friends, but also associate with a larger circle. They are both the leaders and the followers, but do consider themselves to be “popular.” They identify with trends in clothing, design, and social media. School is only fun if it is social and casual. These girls are not book worms, but they do care about intellect.

YOUNG WOMENAGES 13-18

MEASURABLE GOALS

Increase number of women in technological fields by 10% in the next 10 years as measured by employment statistics.

Increase female interest in technology in the next 5 years as measured by college admissions, and job application statistics.

Establish a community of girl programmers in the next year as measured by thesis project website analytics.

CONTINUUMS

TRADITIONAL

FRAT HOUSE

BARBIE

PROGRESSIVE

SLUMBER PARTY

NASTY GAL

FEEDBACK• Instead of (or addition to) badges, have points. Points lead to real life incentives.

• Possibility for mentorship.

• Add messaging/chatting function.

• How to links out link back to site? How do notifications link?

• How are people lured in?

• Add different types of competitions: long term, individual, challenges

NEW WIREFRAMES

SITE MAP

NEXT STEPS

• Contact Codeacademy

• Create a name and logo that is feminine without being explicitly girly.

• Design, code, and share

PIPER BLACKTHESIS FALL 2012

Please feel free to contact me with questions, references, or ideas. I am still exploring this topic and would love any input or suggestions.

piperjblack@gmail.com

www.piperblack.com