Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems
Informational Competitive Scan
I have completed multiple competitive audit/logo scans to analyze, organize, and document information about the relevant competition in any given project. To do this, I gather the basic and relevant information about the companies that are competing with the client I am designing for. This consists of identifying who the competition is, locating information about them, selecting relevant information, and organizing it into a concise document. I often complete logo scans for logo design projects in my Brand Identity courses. To do this, I establish who the competition would be based on similarities in products, services, and sometimes logo design. Then, I locate the relevant information about the competition including what their brand values are, and the similarities and differences between their logo and the logo of the company I am designing for if one exists. Then, I organize this information into a concise document, showing images of each of the logos being analyzed. Here is an example of a logo scan I have completed for the competition of the Canadian Disaster Response Organization for my Brand Identity Design 2 course, based on their original logo that I re-designed further along in the project.
Information Simplification and Organization
As apart of my Information Design course, I redesigned a section of a camera instruction manual to simplify it and make it easier to read and understand. To start the process of simplifying the instructions, I first established and located the most vital information in the instructions. I selected this information for the re-design and discarded anything unnecessary or confusing. I organized the instructions using section subheads, a table, icons, colour, and an overall legible and simple layout. The information was organized to create a layout that was intuitive and easy to follow. The instructions are documented into a concise, two-page spread that would be included as a part of a full camera instruction manual.
Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources
Critically Analysing Design
I did a group project in my Design Thinking and Strategies course where we wrote a critical analysis of biased design. Our topic for the project was an ad for a deodorant product by Nivea for which we wrote a critical analysis of the design and how it was biased. We conducted extensive research to complete the critical analysis using information from multiple sources. First, we gathered multiple sources and evaluated them to determine which ones were most important and reliable for our project. Then, we extracted the relevant information that we needed to research our topic. We analyzed the research we conducted and compiled a critical analysis document to clearly explain our topic and back our thesis.
Applying Relevant Information to Meet Objectives
For my Interaction Design 4 course, I designed a children’s educational app where I wrote a topic proposal by analyzing, evaluating, and applying relevant information to come up with an idea that met the objectives of the project. The project requirements included designing an app that fulfilled a part of the kindergarten curriculum in Ontario. The app also had to appeal to children as well as their teachers to use as a learning tool in their classes. I met these requirements by analyzing information about the curriculum, what motivates and helps children to learn from apps, and what teachers are looking for when choosing an app to have their students use in their classes. To fulfill these goals, I read and analyzed the curriculum to determine which parts of it will be addressed in the app so children can learn the skills by using it. I also researched what interests children regarding app design so they are engaged while using the app. I evaluated multiple existing children’s apps and analyzed what was good and bad about them to consider how I would apply that information to my own app. I researched what teachers valued in educational apps and applied those in my app as well. Through research, I was able to analyze information and apply it to my topic proposal to ensure my idea would meet the requirements of the project.