sfernandes_project2

=//Find Yourself: Interactive//= //Shaun Fernandes// toc

=**Rationale**=

The purpose of the project was to create a website that would help someone involved in my medium. Using the concepts of what shapes our identity, the idea of helping those who struggle to find themselves evolved. Through research, issues of our identity tend to emerge when we are in states of depression and doubt. When problems and issues arise in our life, we enter a process which involves critical thinking and re-evaluating our lives. These are the times when we seek guidance and help from others. The idea of the website was to create a space that connects people with similar problems. In doing so, they could give a helping hand to one another and function like a community. The no face to face interaction makes for an appealing invitation to anyone of any age. It is almost like a focus group for drug addicts, except digitized for people in need of others.

Aside from the interactivity of the site revolving around forums, discussions and other text pages, another important feature offered is the “mood of the site.” The purpose of this feature is to represent the site as its own entity, to tie into the idea of "identity." The way this feature changes is based on other members on the site. All members change there mood using the mood meter in their profile, and what the site does is collect this information and average it out to create itself. Visually, this is shown through color coordination and the emoticon. For example, if the averaged mood of the site turns out to be in a happy state, than a happy face emoticon will be displayed on the home page, as well as all the menu and other elements of every page will be yellow. The mood of the site aesthetically affects the colors of the site. The way the site is feeling is also taken into account. The concept behind the word used is collecting and averaging out keywords from members that express "how they are feeling." For the purpose of the mock site, the members moods are averaged to be "sad." Red has been used to represent this mood.

=Research=

//**Identity Information**// 1. The site is useful because it focuses on how we view ourselves and how we want the outside world to view us. It brings up issues on how we tend to think when it comes to defining our self image. I found it useful because it allowed me to ask myself questions based on my identity and gave me insight into the process of shaping my identity. http://www.iamnext.com/living/image.html

2. This site provided the brief overview on the subject on the formation of our identity. It touched on a variety of points in which my project 1 focused on, but expanded its definitions of the different subjects http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identity_formation

3. This website provided a poem based on the ideas of identity. It allowed me to see the affects people go through when they start to question themselves. It proved to be a good source of information providing different thoughts and ideas one faces when the concept of identity comes up. http://stason.org/articles/wellbeing/spiritual-poetry/Finding-Your-Identity.html

4. The website provided a variety of complex questions which gave me the initial idea of adding a question section to my site. The feature would allow people to just generally read questions and critically think in relation to their own life and pose their own questions for others to view. A kind of psychological interaction between the question and the user, spurred from this source. http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=615756

5. Whenever I typed in something to do with identity issues, this site would always be in the search results. I explored is and found it to be more of a forum for depressed individuals. This idea led me to the concept of my site; an interactive online community based around the issue of people trying to discover themselves. It was a valuable site that helped in developing my concept. http://dailystrength.org/support-groups/Mental_Health_Addiction/Depression

1. "In defining our image, we take all the things that appeal to us in the world to create how we want to see ourselves." 2. "Image is so important to us because we all want to belong to something meaningful, desirable and important." http://www.iamnext.com/living/image.html
 * //Inspiring Quotes//**

Multiline text fields with styles
 * //Answers//** //**to Questions**//

The following are CSS based sites that have a strong compositional layout. The have a good use of the grid system combined with aesthetic creativity. They are also very well structured, with organized content. The sites are very functional and easy to navigate.
 * //Site Designs//**

Source: **[|Cameronmoll.com/portfolio]**
 * 1. Cameronmoll**


 * 2. Komodomedia**
 * Source: ****[|Komodomedia.com]****

3. We Create Things** Source: **[|WeCreateThings.com]**

= = =Architecture=

= =

**Ideas for Site**
1. forum that allows people to explore their own identity through others 2. site that provides advice; like a teen help hotline for those in need 3. blog: allows people to write daily responses about themselves; read others 5. series of self-image questions which involve critically thought responses
 * 4. interactive online community for people trying to find themselves**

I chose an interactive online community to investigate further. I think there some of the other ideas can be incorporated into the main idea. There is also more interactivity between users and a chance to incorporate both visual as well as text elements. People due tend to think about themselves when problems arise in their lives, which is why I think this idea has potential.
 * //To further investigate//**

**Primary Persona**
Allan is a confused 18 year old teen, constantly living in doubt. As many teens, he questions his own life through the series of events he faces daily. He is in his graduating year of highschool and still has no idea on what he wants to do afterwards. He has had family problems in which both parents have separated, leaving him and his younger brother apart, but resides with his mother. He has also been through a rough breakup with his girlfriend of 2 years for reasons he could not understand.
 * Motivation:** His mind is clouded in frustration and pain. The only thing on his mind right now is to heal his troubles by finding people who are understanding and can relate. Once he can think clearly, he wants pursue his goals. This includes going on to post-secondary in order to start a successful career. He also wants to someday have a family and live a happy, prosperous life.
 * Behavior:** He feels depressed in the mornings and sometimes argues with his mom to go to school. At school, he has no urge to talk to anyone about his problems, but pretends to be fine around his friends. When the bell rings, he goes straight home to his room where he spends majority of his time. During these moments he watches tv while questioning his own life. He feels like a lost soul who can’t relate to anyone.
 * Context:** Allan lives in a small 2 bedroom apartment where his mother is never home. He spends his days walking to an from school alone and never leaves his apartment otherwise. He spends much of his free time surfing the internet, playing videogames and watching tv. He does not hang out with his friends anymore due to the issues he has faced.

** ** (click to enlarge)
 * Scenario 1: Meeting People that Relate**
 * A major problem Allan faced was finding the right people to talk to. The current friends he has at school all live different lives. He feels like there is a boundary between him and them since he does not relate to the happy, fulfilling lives they have. The site allowed Allan to find other individuals across the globe that live similar lives. This helped in making new friends that understood his problems and provided support. A good feeling to have knowing someone is there. **
 * 1. Live Chat > communicating live with other members, personal messages & exploring their profiles **
 * 2. Own Profile > reading responses from other members
 * Navigation Visual

** (click to enlarge)
 * Scenario 2: Self Expression**
 * Living his life where he could not talk to anyone about his problems neglected him the ability to express himself. It was too awkward to go into detail about how he was feeling at a given time with friends. The site allowed him to express himself freely. He was able to input what was on his mind, how he was feeling and an emoticon to sum it up visually. **
 * 1. Profile > inputs feelings, thoughts & emoticon to show mood **
 * 2. Community > Adding quotes, posing question, forum discussions **
 * 3. Live Chat > Chatting and messaging other members **
 * Navigation Visual


 * Scenario 3: Seeking Advice**
 * There are times when Allan needs advice on certain things that are too personal to ask friends face to face at school. He visits the site and finds exactly what he needs in the forums section. He also has a few more questions that he needs to ask so he starts his own topic in the forum section, in anticipation for a helpful response. **
 * 1. Community > Forums > can find advice through a topic or post his own topic **
 * 2. Live Chat > communicating live with other members, personal messages & exploring their profiles **
 * 3. Profile > responses posted by other members **

** (click to enlarge)
 * Navigation Visual

**Secondary Persona**
Jill is a quiet young teenage girl who is happy with her life. It may not be perfect, but everything has so far been working out in her favor. She has a supportive family, great friends and many prospective goals for the future. She is all ready well on her way, receiving multiple university offers and scholarships. She is a girl on her way to success.
 * Motivation:** Being successful in life is what motivates her to work hard at anything she does. She wants to be able to stand on her own two feet and live a long, fulfilling life. She is a simple minded girl with many goals, which sh would like to achieve someday.
 * Behavior:** She is always smiling and very social with her friends and family. She does not crave attention and has a clear focus on her goals and dreams. Sometimes, she has her dull moments and needs time to herself, but other than that, she brightens up peoples days.
 * Context:** She drives to school daily and has good relations with everyone around, including her teachers. People seem to get a good vibe when around her. When school ends she is off to after school activities. Whether it is a school organized soccer game or a talent show, she is there to help out. At home, she spends most of her time on the computer in her room doing homework and the occasional phone call with friends.

Although Jill has a great life, she sometimes feels alone, even though it is clear to see that she is not. She has these random moments where she questions her own life and wants to be alone, away from everyone. It is difficult to talk about her problems to anyone because they seem to be so complex and confusing. She hears about the site through a friend and decides to check it out. The homepage was enough to grab her attention with an inspiring ‘quote of the day.’ She further reads more interesting quotes in the site to realize that they relate to her current feelings. She feels as if the quotes helped her in some way feel better about herself. Her mood suddenly changes and she logs off by adding her own quote to expand and hopefully help someone else.
 * Scenario: A Source for Help**

**Affected Persona**
George is a Psychology Professor who teaches at the University of Toronto. He is a middle-classes married man and is expecting his first child in the next few months. He enjoys spending time with the wife on casual outings or watching rented movies at home. He is also a recognized, active member in his community. He organizes community events and runs a few different support groups through his parish. He strives to help out others in anyway he can.
 * Motivation:** He looks forward to going to school and lecturing. It does not seem like a job, more like a place of interaction. Helping out in his community also gives George that feeling of being constructive. Exerting energy for a good cause makes him feel like a good person.
 * Behavior:** George is in a good mood most of the today, with the occasional argument with his wife. He likes communicating with his students and other faculty when at his job, and always tried to be positive when the worst situations present themselves.
 * Context:** He lives in a new detached house with his expecting wife. Both have steady high income jobs and almost have the mortgage paid off. George spends much of his time on the computer setting up his next lecture and occasionally surfing the internet. He also spends time in front of the tv with his wife.

He is currently writing a thesis paper on the psychological affects of depressed people. Reading about the site in the newspaper, he eagerly signs up as a member not only to learn more, but to lend advice to those in need. He browses through peoples profiles to explore their problems and provides advice to the best of his abilities. His intentions are good and is hoping to make a difference in peoples lives. 1. Live Chat > chatting/messaging members and posting responses, giving ‘hugs’ to others 2. Community > providing responses on forums & adding inspirational quotes
 * Scenario: Research & Helping Others**

= =

Preliminary Site Map
(click to enlarge) = =




 * Home:** Contains news and one of the main interactive features; "mood of the site." The mood of the site is the most important element in collecting the moods of everyone on the site and averaging it out to generalize a mood for the site. It acts as its own identity in a way, always changing as users moods change.


 * Profile:** This page allows members to give personal information and show everyone how they are feeling at a given time. There is another feature "On My Mind," which gives a place for users to express anything; feelings, thoughts, etc. Other members can than reflect on that mood or try to cheer them up with advice. It works almost like a journal entry with a guest book feature.


 * Community:** This is one of the main pages of the site. It holds alot of interactivity in allowing members to view and respond to different topics. They can add a quote they think is inspiring, start a discussion in the forums area with other users and reflect on questions which are posed in that section.


 * Forums:** Where main discussions take place. A page to show the way it will look will be created. A branch from the "Community" page.


 * Live Chat:** Another interactive page which allows members to view others profiles and chat with them either through the main window, or through personal messages. As you hover over a user, a small popup menu should appear which gives a few options for the user. *Note: could not get this feature to work in final piece*


 * About Us**: A basic necessity most websites have. It just gives a brief summary of the mission statement of the site.

Wireframes
(click images to enlarge) = =



Grid Mocks
(click images to enlarge)

Used **Option 2** as standard layout. Sample pages:





Visual Mocks
(scroll to bottom for zipped file)



User Test (done in class)
1. Successes - user located the right page - had an option to start own forum or reply on another forum 2. Failures - can't post unless a member 3. Solution - direct to "signup" page
 * Goal 1: Go to forum and start discussion**

1. Successes - user went to right page - knew what they had to do: hover over name (click) > directed to profile > post on wall 2. Failures - took too long to figure out where to click 3. Solution - rollover popup on members name to show brief information and direct to members page
 * Goal** **2: Post on a members wall**

1. Successes - user went to right page - could send a comment 2. Failures - confused on where post button was - did not realize the "hug" feature 3. Solution - organize structure of page better - place more visual emphasis on the hug feature and possibly add a small caption on its function
 * Goal 3: Cheer someone up**

Struggles
Combining my idea of an online community with a concept that was visual was a challenge I faced since I didn’t want my whole site to be all text. I think I was successful in my resolution in the idea of having the site change in terms of color scheme, which is based on members moods.

Another major struggle I faced was learning the html in order to carry out my ideas. Not having the proper knowledge of the program hindered my ability to create. It also immensely slowed me down in the process. I spent much of my time trying to figure out the coding and debugging.

=Final= 6 pages total