UX/IxD/IA
Daimoku App
I designed this application using user-centered design techniques for the master’s thesis. I wanted to build an application that would aid Soka Gakkai Members in logging their daily practice of chanting “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.” During the first phase I interviewed several practicing SGI members about their daily practice and developed personas, scenarios, and requirements. I spent the next phase completing a few more interviews, building a functional application in Ruby on Rails (which I was learning as I went along), and testing the functional application with users. I then completed a long-term usability study with users keeping a daily dairy of their experience with the application. I learned a lot about mobile usability, trying to make an application that fits into a person’s daily life, and that Ruby on Rails is a great setup for building a quick application. If you’re interested in learning more, here’s my paper.
Learn Hiragana Website
I designed this application applying lessons learned from a Cognitive Psychology course on learning. The site is built in PHP/MySQL. My friend, an illustrator, helped in the creation of AI, the robot teacher/guide. I also received high marks on the paper that went along with a study I designed to test the application.
I-Nova Innovation Management
I-Nova was in need of a cohesive interface for their web-based innovation management software. Their biggest challenge was usability. When reviewing their product, they failed many of Nielsen’s 10 Heuristics for User Interface Design. I created a new interface that followed these heuristics and remained consistent from feature to feature. Deliverables included information architecture, wireframes, and design.
Tablet music library browsing concept
I am constant frustrated by the mobile music browsing interface. Lists can be difficult to traverse and lack the innovation of the iPod Touch Wheel. I thought that placing the interface within a wheel-like interface would make it quicker and more intuitive to use. I tested this with several people, but have not gone any further than my initial prototypes.
VNote — note recording/organizing interface
A concept product for recording notes within one’s car. After recording notes they could be played back and organized within this interface. The initial concept was created in Omnigraffle then iteratively improved in HTML/CSS/JS and tested with users. The final prototype is available here.
Starbucks Mobile Application Concept
I served as project manager and information architect for this project. Deliverables included requirements documentation, conceptual model, multiple prototypes (wireframes), usability tests, and final deliverable.
Tech@Cost Interaction Design Concept
I served as information architect and interaction designer on this project. Deliverables included a competitive analysis, heuristic review, wireframes, and site map.
Websites
I have had a wide variety of clients and projects. Here are a few highlights. I can provide additional samples of work if necessary.
Design lead at AmiesStreet
AmieStreet was recently acquired by Amazon. If you would like to see some of my work for AmieStreet, send me an email.
- Amiesteet – http://amiestreet.com
- Songza (just some CSS tweaks) – http://www.songza.com
Clients at Sametz Blackstone
I was responsible for HTML/CSS templates, Joomla installation, Joomla training, and support.
- Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences – http://gsas.harvard.edu
- Boston Center for the Arts – http://bcaonline.org
- Harvard Museum of Natural History – http://hmnh.harvard.edu
- Schepens Eye Research Institute – http://www.schepens.harvard.edu
- League of American Orchestras – http://americanorchestras.org
- New England Wild Flower Society (template only) - http://newfs.org
- McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT ( templates only) – http://mcgovern.mit.edu/
- Direxion Funds (templates only) - http://direxionfunds.com
Other websites
- Indochina Labs – http://indochinalabs.com
- Aesopic – http://aesopic.com
- Andrew Maydoney – http://andrewmaydoney.com
- Left Coast Digital – http://lcdig.com
- PezUniverse – http://pezuniverse.com
Anyway, wanna know more? Shoot me a line, t.nels -at- tnels.com