NCSA Outreach Proposal
NCSA Outreach Proposal
An AR-enhanced trivia game showcasing the National Center for Computing Application's history and past work to support outreach efforts.
An AR-enhanced trivia game showcasing the National Center for Computing Application's history and past work to support outreach efforts.
Duration: January - May 2024
Duration: January - May 2024
Role: Team Member (3 member team)
Role: Team Member (3 member team)
Key Skills: UI/UX Design, App Design, Client Work
Key Skills: UI/UX Design, App Design, Client Work
Context
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) reached out to university students at the University of Illinois to help develop an outreach program.
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) reached out to university students at the University of Illinois to help develop an outreach program.
The client sought to promote their resources and history, and to integrate AR technology in our solution.
The client sought to promote their resources and history, and to integrate AR technology in our solution.
Design Goals
01)
01)
Increase engagement and awareness of the NCSA.
Increase engagement and awareness of the NCSA.
02)
Improve the connection between the NCSA and its stakeholders.
02)
02)
Improve the connection between the NCSA and its stakeholders.
Improve the connection between the NCSA and its stakeholders.
03)
03)
Reduce the burden on current NCSA staff.
Reduce the burden on current NCSA staff.
04)
04)
Incorporate AR technology in a meaningful way.
Incorporate AR technology in a meaningful way.
Current Problem Gaps
Lack of foot traffic in the building itself.
Lack of foot traffic in the building itself.
Lack of foot traffic in the building itself.
Insufficient staffing for services.
Insufficient staffing for services.
Insufficient staffing for services.
Lack of awareness surrounding NCSA resources and history.
Lack of awareness surrounding NCSA resources and history.
Lack of awareness surrounding NCSA resources and history.
Research and Synthesis
We interviewed NCSA staff and university students to identify pain points and supported our findings with secondary research.
Interviews with NCSA Staff
Interviews with NCSA Staff
Wanted to connect and introduce NCSA to community, researchers, and industry.
Wanted to connect and introduce NCSA to community, researchers, and industry.
Inefficiencies in the existing tour system.
Inefficiencies in the existing tour system.
Interviews with Students
Interviews with Students
Somewhat apathetic - only come by necessity for classes or office hours.
Somewhat apathetic - only come by necessity for classes or office hours.
Lack of awareness of NCSA facilities and resources.
Lack of awareness of NCSA facilities and resources.
Secondary Research on AR and QR codes
Secondary Research on AR and QR codes
Subjective norm positively influences behavior with QR codes.
Subjective norm positively influences behavior with QR codes.
Safety and awareness of one’s surroundings need to be considered with AR.
Safety and awareness of one’s surroundings need to be considered with AR.
How might we…
How might we provide an engaging remote tour experience that supplements current in-person tours to generate more awareness of the NCSA?
How might we provide an engaging remote tour experience that supplements current in-person tours to generate more awareness of the NCSA?
How might we provide an engaging remote tour experience that supplements current in-person tours to generate more awareness of the NCSA?
Ideation
We focused on creating a solution usable both remotely and in person, while prioritizing NCSA’s history and helping students feel personally connected to the space.
We focused on creating a solution usable both remotely and in person, while prioritizing NCSA’s history and helping students feel personally connected to the space.
Prototyping
We developed a trivia game with AR components focused on showcasing the history and past work of the NCSA to generate more awareness of what it has to offer.
We developed a trivia game with AR components focused on showcasing the history and past work of the NCSA to generate more awareness of what it has to offer.
Above graphic designed by Sophia Gao
Above graphic designed by Sophia Gao
User finds QR code posted in a university building on a screen or in a hallway, or on an online website.
User finds QR code posted in a university building on a screen or in a hallway, or on an online website.
After scanning, they download the app.
Once the app is opened, there is a brief explanation of the NCSA, then they can choose a path based on their interests to answer trivia questions on.
After scanning, they download the app.
Once the app is opened, there is a brief explanation of the NCSA, then they can choose a path based on their interests to answer trivia questions on.
The user goes through each question.
The user goes through each question.
After answering each question, the correct answer is displayed with the option to view an AR visualization relating to the question they answered.
After answering each question, the correct answer is displayed with the option to view an AR visualization relating to the question they answered.
After completing the questions, the user will be prompted to either go back and try a different path, or provide their information to get emailed information about the NCSA.
There is also the option to visit the NCSA's website.
After completing the questions, the user will be prompted to either go back and try a different path, or provide their information to get emailed information about the NCSA.
There is also the option to visit the NCSA's website.
Takeaways
This project taught me valuable presentation and public speaking skills, and how to effectively present design decisions to non-designer stakeholders.
This project taught me valuable presentation and public speaking skills, and how to effectively present design decisions to non-designer stakeholders.
Like what you see? Get in Touch
Like what you see? Get in Touch
Like what you see? Get in Touch
Like what you see? Get in Touch