PROGRESS & SKILLS DIARY

PROGRESS DIARY

INITIAL DESIGNS 05/10/12 – 19/10/12 Baseline Plan Version 1

Notes Screenshot/Evidence

Rescheduling formal meeting with client

I have had to reschedule the meeting with the client to present my initial ideas due to finding out that this process would actually take me longer than the time I had originally allocated for it. Originally I had said the meeting would take place on the Monday the 15th October, in my new plan my meeting now takes place on Thursday 18th October.

Plan of 3 different designs

Feedback from client

After my formal meeting with the client, I composed a minutes document that shows all my acition points from the meeting

Expansion on chosen design

One of my action points from the meeting was to create a colour scheming sample for my client. I have evidenced this below

Feedback from client

Expansion on chosen design

I have created my final design ready to present it to my senior manager

Implementing Feedback

After my meeting with my manager I implemented the feedback she had given to me, this feedback was given to me vocally since we had an informal meeting.

Contingency Time

During my contigency time I took time exploring potential ideas for the app.

Reflecting On Possible Risks So Far

So far none of the risks I had outlined have come into play.

My baseline shows that I now have three days of implementing

feedback and contingency time. I have decided to use this time

to concentrate on getting my flash skills to a higher standard.

This is important because practicing my skills on flash will

lower the risk of my application being of poor quality due to

my flash skills.

Preparation - Ipad Dimensions

I found out the exact dimensions of an ipad so that when I

started creating my application in flash I would know what

dimensions to make my document.

Prototype 1

Proof of working on schedule with the prototype splash screen

Proof of email On the

6th November I emailed my client as not pleased with the outcome

of my splash screen. Originally, my plan was to have my splash

screen with characters that fill up with fruit as the page loads;

however in practice this did not look as I would’ve hoped and the

quality looked poor.

An image from my final design that illustrates how I wanted my characters to load and fill up:

However a screenshot of how the splash screen looked

when I had finished designing it in flash below shows how the final outcome did not

look like it was a high quality that I had hoped for:

New splash screen

After I received my email from my client, I went back into Serif Draw Plus and

reconstructed how I would like my splash screen to look, taking into consideration what my client had suggested, I still

included the “fill up” effect on the page.

Evidence of planning:

Using serif draw plus I decided to reconstruct my new splash screen page whilst creating my typical page to avoid me

falling behind on schedule. Evidence is shown: below:

Working on schedule:

The screenshot shows that I created the main scenes and layout for my application in my first

prototype.

The date is shown at the bottom right hand corner that shows this was done according to my

baseline plan schedule.

PROTOTYPE 1 SKILLS

Skill Description/Reason

Demonstration

Storyboarding

Showing how animation will move on my new splash screen

Fade Out

I made the background fade to out from grey to white

At the beginning of the tween the background is grey by the end of the motion tween the background has faded to white

Inserting Mask Layer

A mask is used to only show certain parts or slowly reveal a graphic. The mask only shows part of the graphic through the mask, which is what I’ve done. I’m using the mask to slowly

reveal my image

Import an image

Importing an image, you have to click file, import, import to stage or library and then add the image where you want to a particular frame where wanted.

This shows I imported the image whilst creating my splash screen in time with my baseline plan

Managing layers

By moving a layer over each other will alternatively change its sequence of visibility to which is shown first.

The background layer is always at the bottom of the scene so that all the other scenes can overlay the background

Importing Sound

Importing a sound, you have to click file, import, import to stage or library and then add sound to a particular frame where wanted.

Motion Guide

Motion guide is when you draw a guide that shows an object what route to take, the motion outcome is smooth.

The line shows the fruit the path to follow to enter the blender

Motion Tween

Motion tween allows an object so be moved from one position to another smoothly

I motion tweened the fruit so that they smoothly enter the blender

Action: Go to and stop

Stop action is an action that is placed on a frame to stop the frame cycle from playing or being repeated

Movie clip within a graphic

This enables me to be able to make a function within a button on a separate timeline from my main timeline.

Using frames to animate an object

Using key frames to move an object to make it appear as if it were animated

I used several key frames to move the blender up and down to give it the effect so that it looks as if it was being shaken; I also used the same effect on the fruit inside the blender.

Scene Transition

Making the scene appear or disappear in a unique way

During my implementing feedback phase I found a unique way of making my splashscreen wipe away into the new scene

Masking I had to mask the image in order to remove the white background on the image

The image had a white background which was obstructing the image, I decided to put a layer over the image so that only the parts of the image I want vissible will be shown.

The black part is the mask layer, it means that the white background is now no longer visible which was my aim.

Meeting

After I had completed my prototype 1, I scheduled a

meeting with my senior manager. The purpose of the

interview was to review my progress with the prototype

and discuss ideas and ways forward before continuing to

creating prototype 2.

Creating Minutes after

meeting:

After the meeting had taken

place, I created a “minutes” file

which tells me the discussion

notes and the action points I

must do whilst implementing

my feedback, some action

points will only be implemented

when I start prototype 2.

Implementing Feedback

After my meeting I had scheduled 5 days for

implementing my feedback. I have included

evidence of the work I did based on my

feedback in my feedback log.

I have also included a list of things I used my

feedback time on which can be found in my

feedback log:

1. Making the suggested changes onto my prototype 1

2. Researching and discussing with my target market and senior manager whether to include games or quiz feature in

my application.

I found I didn’t need as many days as I had stated in my baseline plan to implement my feedback, but since I had the extra

time I decided to add a scene transition from my splash screen to my login page. I thought this may make the app run

more smoothly and is more interesting than just to cut to the next scene.

Scene transitions/ SKILLS DIARY*

Review Point

On my background layer I used different key

frames to make it appear as if the background is

wiping away. At the same time, I made the

graphics on the page move so that it looks as if the

background is washing them away. This seemed

like a more interesting way to transition between

the two different scenes. (Splash screen and login

page_

By the last key frame the scene is completely filled

in blue, and then transitions into the next scene

which is the login page.

End Of Phase - Prototype 1 Review

New Baseline Plan – Changes and Reviews

As I have come to the end of my prototype 1 phase I have decided to create a new version of my baseline plan to amend

any changes and to also make sure I am always working with an updated version of my plan.

Changes:

Initially I had scheduled for prototype 2 to begin on the 26th of November, however I did not need to use any of the

contingency time I had set aside so I decided to change the start date of my second prototype to the 20th

November.

OLD BASELINE PLAN NEW PLAN

I have completely removed the task “skeleton/framework for product” which is shown in the old baseline plan

above in my new baseline plan as I have already completed this task in my first prototype.

I added a new task called “link pages” as I feel it is important to have prototype 2 as an app that it is nearly, I also

intend on having a test user review my app at the end of the second prototype so it will be useful if the application

can allow the user to navigate between scenes.

On top of this I also moved the order of tasks around in prototype 2 so that they are in an order I feel would be best

for me to complete them in.

Risk Review

In prototype 1 the main risk I outlined was lack of human resources for my formal meeting, this did not affect my task. I

also did not need to use the contingency time I had set aside.

Summative Feedback – I received some notes from a test user about how they felt about the overall feel of prototype

one, notes from the user are included in the feedback log.

Prototype 2 – “Baseline Plan 2”

PROTOTYPE 2 SKILLS

Skill Description/Reason

Demonstration

Motion guide

Giving a graphic a particular path to follow so it flows smoothly

I created a movie clip within the pen and the strap line. I then created a motion guide to make the pen as if it were writing the strap line.

Creating states on a button

Creating different states on a button

I created a key frame in the over state of the button which means when a user hovers over the button it will change the background colour to help them to know they are about to press on the button

Manipulating text

Using serif suite to edit text and change the colour scheme to match my needs

I had to use serif suite to edit and manipulate the headings I wanted to use in my flash work as flash does not allow me to do that on the software. After I had

used serif suite to change the text into what I needed I then copied and pasted the text into flash

Inserting Input Text

Input text allows the user to be able to input and type text in given space

Converting graphic to a button

I converted a graphic into a button which enables me to be able to control the buttons functions

Editing in Audacity

Editing a sound with audacity allows me to cut the sound down and export it as an WMF file

I Imported the sound I wanted to have playing in the background of my app into audacity. This software allows me to edit the track, at the start of the track there was some beatboxes that I felt did not tie in with the mellow tune I wanted in the

background of the app, so using audacity I highlighted the part of the track I did not want and simply deleted it. I then saved the new track as a mp3 file rready to import into flash.

Inserting Background Music

Inserting the track I wanted to play throughout the app

Using a mask for a new effect

I used a mask to make the text on the homepage appear as if it was continuously scrolling by itself

Reviewing baseline plan 2

I have now begun the new task “Expanding layout for rest of the product” However, I’ve noticed I am going to need more

time than I had originally expected. This is because the layout and design need to be practically finished by the end of

prototype 2, so making sure the layout and design is complete is my main priority and will be the activities that take the

longest time during this milestone. I have also begun linking the pages as I go along so I will no longer need the 3 days I

had delegated for this task.

New Baseline Plan (v3)

I have created a new version of the baseline plan because of these circumstances stated above. I have copied a screenshot

of the new plan below so it is easier to refer to it when checking the date’s tasks were completed.

Skill Description/Reason

Demonstration

Animating a graphic

I placed an animation on the over state of a button allowing it to be more interactive

When the user rolls over the character the mouth appears as if she is speaking

Managing layers within Button

This allows me to place one layer above another which is important as some layers need to be in front of others

Enabling a button to turn all sounds off

I set the behaviour on the button so that it can turn sounds off when clicked on

Breaking apart an graphic

Breaking apart a graphic allows me to edit inside a graphic and delete of some parts of the graphic so it is easier to use

Editing the hit area to add interactivity

I edited the hit area to select a specific area that the mouse must hit in order for the button to open

Adding a behaviour

I added a behaviour to a button that links it to other scenes in the app

Motion tween alpha

Changing the alpha on an object to make it appear as if its fading

Inspiration for the community page

When it came to creating the community page I had a rough idea of how I wanted the page to be laded

out. My inspiration came from my own personal account on my fitness pal and I liked the layout of that

page.

< This is a screenshot of how the profile page is set out on my fitness

pal.com. I developed this layout a little further in my own design.

Instead of the page just focussing on the individual’s progress, it would

show how friends and family are getting on with using the app. This is

my updated version of the community page.

Presenting Prototype 2

The meeting with the senior manager went ahead on the new date Thursday 20th December which was due to illness.

Below is a screenshot of the email of the agenda I sent to my manager with the date included.

After the meeting I typed a document called Prototype 2 Agenda

Minutes – unlike the first prototype minutes this document also

includes a screenshot of how the minutes have been acted upon,

however some of the action points have not been completed as they

will be completed by the end of the third and final prototype.

Implementing Feedback

After presenting my second prototype I typed up a document with action points and evidence that I have completed the

action point, this is evidenced in the document prototype 2 agenda minutes.

Contingency Time - Questionnaire on game feature

Due to illness stated earlier, I have dipped into some contingency time. This has been helpful and has helped me stay on

track and keep to my dates stated in the plans.

Using my contingency time, I created a short questionnaire on what the users would like to receive from the application, I

handed it out to 3 test users and 2 peer reviewers, after they had filled them out I collected the data and presented it in

the form of pie charts to illustrate clearly what the users expected from the game feature. This is evidenced in the

feedback log.

End of Phase – Prototype 2 review

Risk Assessment

My formal meeting was originally scheduled for

Tuesday 18th December, however due to illness I

could not attend the meeting. This was a risk I had

already outlined as HIGH, and it is the first risk to

come into play during the project so far.

Due to this, I had to reschedule the meeting and

dip into some contingency time. Because of the

contingency time the project is still on track and

has not run over.

Using the baseline plan to forecast...

Whilst creating the new version of the baseline plan with the amended dates for the meeting for prototype 2 I also

decided to edit the prototype 3 milestone, this is because some of the task names where unspecific and the time

delegated is not how I think it should be. I am able to change this before I even begin the milestone because of my

knowledge and previous experience with the two prototypes before.

Checking app against criteria - By this stage my app is starting to look close to finished. I have decided to see if my product

has started ticking any of the boxes in the criteria I created at the beginning of the project. I have placed a “/” next to the

criteria that prototype 2 meets already.

Criteria Check List

The product includes a login page /

The product is able to give information on nutrition and diet

/

The product includes a list of ingredients needed to prepare a meal

/

The product shows the user how much time will be needed to cook a meal

/

The product includes a variation of meals available / The product provides information on how many calories are in a meal

/

The product includes a video showing the user how to create a meal

The product already meets most of the criteria which is

what is needed at this point as the prototype is nearly the

complete version of the app.

Checking Development from prototype 1

I checked my progress since my meeting minutes from

prototype one and I have completed all of my action

points. Evidenced in the feedback log.

How feedback has shaped my product

During this prototype I relied heavily on the feedback of

peer reviewers, team members and test users. I felt their

opinions mattered greatly during this milestone as I started

to create the functionality of the product more. This is

evidenced in the feedback log under “prototype 2”

I have gathered formative feedback in the form of verbal

informal meetings with team members, peers and test users. All the comments received have been acted on. I also

received summative feedback from a test user and my senior manager. The test user has commented on changes he’d like

to see in the next prototype and my senior manager has also done the same. Because I have set aside time for

Clear structure (is it easy to navigate and use) /

The product is split up into different sections (Meals, Community, Games and Find)

/

Fully functional (all the buttons link to the correct place)

The product is split into different sections to make it easier to use (user friendly)

/

The product includes a touch screen feature to enable the user to click buttons and icons

/

The product includes links to other pages to make navigation easier (Back and Home)

/

The product includes a range of media (at least 3 different types)

/

The sound is working / The splash screen includes sound /

Where there is sound, there is an option to turn it off

/

The product is able to connect to the internet for social networking

/

The product has links to Facebook and Twitter / The product includes a GPS feature to help the user track nearby supermarkets

/

“implementing feedback” in my project plan, I have already implemented some of the feedback given to me by my senior

manager.

Summative Feedback - At the end of prototype 2, I received summative feedback from my senior manager after

presenting the prototype. I also decided to gather feedback from a test user to see what they thought and felt about the

prototype. I asked the user a few specific questions regarding the prototype, all of the feedback I received will be

implemented within the third and final prototype.

Prototype 3 – “Plan version 4”

Skill Description/Reason

Demonstration

Editing sound clip

I used Audacity to edit and cut out parts I didn’t want to include in the sound file.

Editing Video footage

In my previous prototype I managed to create a video of me making one of the meals to put on the app. I then edited the video on Serif movie plus

Shrinking File Size

After editing the video I used windows movie maker to shrink the file size to prevent the size of my application document being too large

Importing video into flash

I selected the video I wanted to import, and chose to embed it into the timeline then uploaded it into the application

Using Flash Script to create drag and drop

I followed instructions found on a flash script website that taught me how to make an object dragable to enable drag and drop for the game

Shape Tween In the first frame the shape is a circle, by frame 20 it is a square. I used shape tween to morph the circle into a square smoothly

Creating a custom mouse

I chose to create a hand as the cursor in the game feature to make it more interesting

Graphic Into Movie Clip

I converted a graphic into a movie clip so that it is easier to place actions on it

Adding a timeline effect to object

I added “explode” as an effect on the graphics I had converted into movie clips

Finished object with explosion effect

The object now has an explosion effect in its own timeline

Adding a behaviour to a movie clip

I added a “go to and play” behaviour on all the movie clips that were going to explode once the user had clicked on them

Creating a Transform effect on a graphic

I inserted the transform effect on the square to make it rotate smoothly

Editing a graphic

I had to edit the arrow graphic to make sure it went with my colour scheme. I used clkr editor.

Before – the arrow was blue After

Converting a video

I downloaded a video from YouTube in a format that wasn’t acceptable in flash, I had to convert it online so that I could upload it

Presenting Prototype 3

Creating the agenda and sending the invite to presenting prototype 3 to the client

Typing Up Minutes After Prototype Presentation

Typing up the minutes after my prototype presentation

Changes to Scheduling Plan

I am now at the stage in my plan where I have just presented my prototype and I need to start implementing the changes

as suggested by my client and my test users. However, I have decided to change the plan due to examinations in other

subject areas and I do not think that the time I have planned to implement my changes will be enough. I have given myself

a few extra days to implement the changes so that I have more time for revision in other subjects. The new version of the

plan is “Plan 5”

Plan V.5

Final Refinements to app

For my final refinements I implemented the final minor changes that I had discussed with my client, these are

documented in my feedback log.

End of Phase – Prototype 3 Review

Having completed Prototype 3, I have ticked all the criteria for my product and made sure it fits into what I intended the

product outcome to be. I have made significant progress since prototype 2 by adding more interactive features such as the

game feature. I also added more multimedia such as the video footage of the meals being made. I am pleased with the

outcome of my work as it shows I have stuck to my plan and made sure that it suits all my criteria and appeal to the

audience.

Once I have undertaken some summative testing I will see how effectively these features work on the device and make

sure I debug them and fix any possible errors.

Here is a copy of my criteria and my final prototype now meets all the requirements, the next milestone is to check that

the product is fully functional and make sure that it works as expected. The next phase will be testing.

Criteria Check List

The product includes a login page /

The product is able to give information on nutrition and diet

/

The product includes a list of ingredients needed to prepare a meal

/

The product shows the user how much time will be needed to cook a meal

/

The product includes a variation of meals available / The product provides information on how many /

How feedback has shaped my product

During this prototype my main feedback was concerning

the game feature of the app. I initially drew out how I

wanted the game to look and after taking on comments

from a peer reviewer and a test user I changed the game to

suit the needs of the users. I also took on feedback from

prototype 2 where I had constructed a small survey

regarding what the users would want and expect from the

game. With all of this in mind, I then created the

storyboard using flash and storyboarded how I wanted the

game to look.

I have gathered formative feedback in the form of verbal

informal meetings with team members, peers and test

users. All the comments received have been acted on.

I also received summative feedback from a test user and

my client. I will be preparing a test criteria which will gather

formative feedback from test users to ensure that my

product is fully working as expected.

calories are in a meal

The product includes a video showing the user how to create a meal

/

Clear structure (is it easy to navigate and use) /

The product is split up into different sections (Meals, Community, Games and Find)

/

Fully functional (all the buttons link to the correct place)

/

The product is split into different sections to make it easier to use (user friendly)

/

The product includes a touch screen feature to enable the user to click buttons and icons

/

The product includes links to other pages to make navigation easier (Back and Home)

/

The product includes a range of media (at least 3 different types)

/

The sound is working /

The splash screen includes sound / Where there is sound, there is an option to turn it off

/

The product is able to connect to the internet for social networking

/

The product has links to Facebook and Twitter /

The product includes a GPS feature to help the user track nearby supermarkets

/

Testing

Plan v6 – TESTING/DEBUGGING

Creating Test Plan

Running Test Plan

When determining who to test the product I thought it was a good idea to gain sufficient test results from at least one person in two different categories which were beginner and intermediate. I decided not to use a test user from the expert category as my product is not aimed towards any experts and is a brand new product so the main target will be beginners and people who are intermediates as they would’ve used similar applications. This will allow the testing to receive the best quality feedback from the different types of user that could use the product. Category Name Of Test User Beginner Joshua Mataire & Phillip Clarke Intermediate Robin Mwandimutsira

After I had decided this I sent my test users all an

email with the final app and summative test plan

attached.

After I had received all my results from my testing

I decided to collect all my feedback from the test

users and implement the changes, this is

evidenced in the summative testing results doc.

This is the debugging stage of the Testing phase.

Final

Refinements/Debuggi

ng

After collecting my results

I had to check whether the

product had all of the test

criteria or not. If the

product did not pass a test

question, I reworked the

product and then retested

it to ensure that it would

pass.

I then used my contingency time to allow myself to fill out my own summative testing to ensure that the product could

now meet all requirements, the product passed every test and I am happy about the high standard it is now at.

Evidence of following plan

Creating Manual – I finished creating the app within the time I had allocated for it in my plan.

Handover to Client

The handover meeting is the formal meeting where you present the finished app and user manual to the client.