Today was the halfway mark for the semester.
What problem are you trying to solve?
Who is your user? (user persona)
What challenges if your user facing?
What communications issues are there?
What do you want to ask your class? (feedback/advice)
I wish someone would figure out a way for regular doors to make that Star Wars WHOOSH sound when they open.
— Eleven-ThirtyEight (@eleventhirtyate) January 5, 2017
I wish someone would figure out a way to open ironing boards without the screeching banshee nails-on-chalkboard sound.
— Brittany Cranston (@BrittCranston) August 1, 2018
i wish someone would make a website that tells u why helicopters are in ur neighborhood at any given time
— Becca Laurie (@imbeccable) December 18, 2014
the only form of social media I'd be very grow tired of is the old version of myspace. I wish someone would make a new website just like it.
— тαуℓєя🌻 (@vivaciousxsoul) September 2, 2015
User Experience At VCU
11am-12:15pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Temple 2211
Instructor: Christina Dick
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Design brand communications that involve physical experiences for consumers. Learn to create experiences around ongoing brand strategies, and to create experiences based on research of website usage, store appearance, employee behavior, and the purchasing process.
11am-12:15pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays in Temple 2211
Instructor: Christina Dick
Office hours: By Appointment Only
Office + Mailing Address: 1901 East Franklin Street Suite 119 Richmond, VA 23223
E-mail: dickcm@vcu.edu
Slack: VCU User Experience
Blackboard: User Experience (Spring 2019)
11am-12:15pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays
in Temple 2211
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK
Show Your Work by Austin Kleon (Amazon, VCU Library Free Online Access for Students/Faculty)
RECOMMENDED READING
A list of recommended books, articles, videos and tools is available here.
CLASS WEBSITE
We will use Slack extensively in this class. Through Slack, you will have access to class announcements, supplementary readings, lecture notes, instructions for assignments, and online discussion.
CALCULATION OF FINAL COURSE GRADES
This chart show how much each gradebook item will be worth. This grading scheme will be modified if we change the number or types of assignments or tests during the semester. Changes will be announced in class and on Blackboard.
- In-Class Assignments 25%
User Personas (Google Slides Format)
Question for Cheng Hong (Slack Thread)
Partner Website Critique (Hard copy turned in class or digital version posted on Slack)
Five People You Follow + Commenting On A Classmate's Blog - Blog Posts 25%
What is UX?
UX at Carmax and (Jake Mitchell Guest Lecture Learnings & Takeaways
Cheng Hong Guest Lecture Learnings & Takeaways - Passion Project 25%
- Personal Website Project 25%
HOW YOU’RE GRADED
90% or more A
80-89% B
70-79% C
60-69% D
Below 60% F
ATTENDANCE
If you miss more than two classes, you fail the course.
INCOMPLETES
No incompletes will be given in this course, except for dire emergencies. All assignments must be completed by the end of the semester to pass.
ETHICS AND PLAGIARISM
The VCU Honor System will be strictly enforced in this class. If you fabricate or plagiarize material, your name will be turned in to appropriate university officials for disciplinary action. The honor policy provides substantial penalties for violation, including expulsion.
Unless I specify otherwise, all work done for this course is “pledged” work, as defined by the Honor System. Each assignment implicitly carries this pledge:
“On my honor, I have neither given nor received aid on this assignment.”
For a complete copy of the VCU Honor System, see:
http://www.provost.vcu.edu/pdfs/Honor_system_policy.pdf
CLASSROOM DECORUM AND BEHAVIOR
According to the student conduct policy in the VCU Undergraduate Bulletin, you are entitled to receive instruction free from interference by other students. If you believe that another student’s behavior is disruptive, tell me and I will deal with the situation.
No food or drink is allowed in the classroom. Turn off your cellular phones before class begins. You may not sleep, wear headphones or use electronic devices (such as computer games) in class. You must not conduct side conversations or create other disruptions. It is disruptive to arrive late and/or pack up early. Be on time for class and plan on meeting for the entire class period.
VCU rules prohibit anyone “to have in his possession any firearm, other weapon, or explosive, regardless of whether a license to possess the same has been issued, without the written authorization of the President of the university.”
Be polite; respect your classmates, your instructor and others with whom you will interact during this course. If you engage in any behavior that I deem disruptive, you will get a verbal warning for the first incident and a written warning for the second. A third incident will result in your being administratively withdrawn from this class. For more about the university’s policy on student conduct, see www.students.vcu.edu/policies.html.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY
It is vital that students in this course broaden their mass communications experiences, with guidance from the instructor, by including in their course work people and subjects such as ethnic, racial and religious minorities, people with disabilities, gay men and lesbians, and other groups. The intent is to ensure that students are exposed to diverse ideas and perspectives. In this class, it is the responsibility of the instructor and students to foster an environment that supports free expression.
Under VCU policy, you may not harass or intimidate any person or “interfere with the lawful freedom of other persons, including invited speakers, to express their views.”
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 requires Virginia Commonwealth University to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities. If you have a disability that requires an academic adjustment or accommodation, you must contact Joyce Knight, the coordinator of services for students with disabilities on VCU’s Academic Campus. Ms. Knight’s office is in Room 102 of the Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave. Her e-mail address is jbknight@vcu.edu, and her phone number is 828-2253.
After meeting with Ms. Knight, you then should meet with me to discuss your needs and how we can address them. For more information, see the university’s Web page on Services for Students with Disabilities: www.students.vcu.edu/dss/
STUDENT TECHNICAL STANDARDS
The School of Mass Communications has created descriptions of technical standards required for various professions within communications, including but not limited to print journalism, broadcast journalism, online journalism, advertising, public relations and photography. These technical standards – in the areas of motor skills, sensory-observation abilities, communication skills, cognitive skills and behavioral capabilities – reflect the performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of the academic programs at the school. These standards are not requirements for admission into the programs. The School of Mass Communications complies with the requirements and spirit of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Therefore, the school will endeavor to make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities who are otherwise qualified. The complete technical standards may be found at:
www.has.vcu.edu/mac/ugrad_programs/tech_stand.html
WHAT TO KNOW AND DO TO BE PREPARED FOR EMERGENCIES AT VCU
1. Sign up to receive VCU text messaging alerts (www.vcu.edu/alert/notify). Keep your information up-to-date.
2. Know the safe evacuation route from each of your classrooms. Emergency evacuation routes are posted in on-campus classrooms.
3. Listen for and follow instructions from VCU or other designated authorities.
4. Know where to go for additional emergency information (www.vcu.edu/alert).
5. Know the emergency phone number for the VCU Police (828-1234). Report suspicious activities and objects.
One of my favorite lessons to teach when I visit classes is the"Instagram Workshop." Students bring in an item from a brand they like and we studied the Instagram accounts to define the vibe/look/feel or the brand. They study the look/feel of the visuals and photography for their brand of choice. Then, they get to work recreating and mimicking the style of the brand. The idea is that their photo recreation looks like it belongs in their brand's Instagram - that they'd matched the brand style.
A lot of times, we don't get to create a brand from scratch or create things with the only criteria that we think it looks good. A lot of their first jobs, especially if they end up in larger agencies, will be working within an established brand to create content that fits the overall look and feel. An important skill to have is being able to analyze a brand and define and replicate. To create the look that their client/boss is looking for. The goal of this workshop is to give them an into to that.
Here's what they had to do:
1. Choose a brand/Product:
2. Identify other brands in the category that could be competitors
Research your brand on Instagram. Look at the colors used, types of photos, positioning. Questions to consider: Do they show people or are their product shots only? Is it a bright/loud color scheme or more light and airy? Are their photos busy or more minimalistic? 3. Describe the visual look of the brand/product’s Instagram in three words. 4. Then, three words that are the OPPOSITE of what the brand looks like (what the brand is NOT)
5. Take a photo in the style of your brand, (6 &7) and in the style of each of the competitors you identified.
Brene Brown, Jimmy Fallon I love this book and have given away several copies already. It’s so awesome to peek inside the lives of others.
A Whole Hour to Get Bacon with Anything on the Menu—That’s Right—ANYTHING. One Day, One Hour Only, in Celebration of Bacon’s Arrival to Three Menu Classics
In celebration of bacon’s limited time arrival to the Classics – the Big Mac® Bacon burger, Quarter Pounder®* Bacon burger and Cheesy Bacon Fries – McDonald’s is makin’ bacon dreams come true by giving fans even more … you guessed it…bacon! On January 29, from 4:00-5:00 p.m. local time, McDonald’s is hosting a first-of-its-kind, nationwide bacon bash called Bacon Hour. For 60 minutes, customers will be able to get thick cut, Applewood smoked bacon with anything on the menu, at no additional cost. And is there anything better than free bacon? (Spoiler alert – there isn’t).
As if bacon on our three Classics wasn’t enough, now the whole McDonald’s menu is ready to be bacon’ized. Customers will be given two half pieces of bacon on the side with any purchase and can add it to whatever item they wish. It’s an ode to bacon. Filet-O-Fish® with bacon. Even a Hot Fudge Sundae with bacon. You name it…with bacon.
“When we said there’s no such thing as too much bacon, we weren’t kidding. January 29, we’ll be upping the bacon ante—the bac-ante, if you will—and celebrating this glorious food favorite like never before,” said Chef Michael Haracz, McDonald’s Manager of Culinary Innovation. “I love bacon. America loves bacon. I really can’t wait to see the crazy and daring combinations our customers put together.”
And with all this bacon, it begs the question: is bacon the best thing to happen to the classic Big Mac, fresh beef** Quarter Pounder and World Famous Fries® or are our Classics the best thing to ever happen to bacon? Let the debate begin.
But there’s no debating that McDonald’s food keeps getting more craveable and delicious - from fresh beef Quarter Pounder burgers, Buttermilk Crispy Tenders, café-quality espresso beverages like the McCafé Caramel Macchiato, Cappuccino and Americano, and not to mention the Classics with Bacon earlier this month.
TLDR: Bacon Hour. McDonald’s. One day, January 29. One hour, 4-5 p.m. (local time). At participating restaurants nationwide***. An hour long celebration of bacon’s arrival to the Classics where customers will be able to get FREE bacon on the side with anything on the menu.
Bacon Hour Lineup: Bacon Sundae, Bacon Big Mac, Bacon McNuggets, Bacon Filet O Fish, Bacon McFlurry
*Weight before cooking 4oz.
**Available at most restaurants in contiguous U.S. Not available in Alaska, Hawaii and U.S. Territories.
***Limit one side of bacon per person with any order.
Dr. Tiffany Jana joined her co-author pastor Ashley Diaz to discuss #ErasingInstitutionalBias at Richmond Public Library’s Books For A Better World Series.
“When race is no longer predictive of outcome, I will be out of a job. And that will be great.”
\"When you're working to build a community around your brand/company/product, put the right person in charge. Don't pick the person with the most time on their hands or the most senior executive. Pick the person who has the most passion about starting a relationship with your customers. You'll be able to spot her because she uses the word customer in most of her conversations."
Co-author Josh Bernoff reflects on the book ten years after it's release here.
You must not ever stop being whimsical. And you must not, ever, give anyone else the responsibility for your life.
Mary Oliver
I quote others only in order the better to express myself. - Michel de Montaigne
These are a few of my favorite quotes and what they mean to me.
There's power in looking silly and not caring that you do. - Amy Poehler
The world will tell you who you are until you tell the world. - Tamara Winfrey Harris
You must expect great things of yourself before you can achieve them. - Michael Jordan
You've always had the power, my dear. You just had to learn it for yourself. - Glinda The Good Witch
I quote others only in order the better to express myself. - Michel de Montaigne
Those who say it cannot be done should not get in the way of those who are doing it.
I'm not better than anyone and no one is better than me.
Pour yourself a cup of ambition. - Dolly Parton
A little nonsense every now and then is relished by the wisest men.
Play is the highest form of research.
If you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.
How we spend our days is how we spend our lives. - Annie Dillard
Without great solitude no serious work is possible.
Covergirl ditched their Easy Breezy Beautiful slogan and I LOVE their new one - You are what you make up.
Droga5 was the agency behind the campaign,
We made the women of our campaign our subjects, not just objects.
Philosophically (and grammatically), our new tagline wasn’t a description but a statement, a redirection of the typical beauty-marketing focus that, in turn, positioned COVERGIRL products as tools of self-expression.
“Every day, as you stand in front of that mirror with your makeup bag and creativity, you have the opportunity to express who you are to the world and to create who you want to be.” - Ukonwa Ojo Senior Vice President, Covergirl.
- Make a list of people who've helped you.
- Make a list of people you look up to. What do you admire about them?
- Take it one step further and write them a fan letter.
- Create a Booya Folder
- Listen to an inspiring podcast. I love Creative Pep Talk and Being Boss
- Listen to this episode of the Creative Pep Talk podcast.
- Read Seth Godin's Linchpin
- Look up people with your dream title on LinkedIn and study their career history. How did they get where they are?
- Perform a social audit on yourself.
- Make a list of our favorite quotes/words of wisdom/pieces of advice.
- Or, get inspired by the story of a successful career changer — like one of the many featured on Careershifters.
- Read Finding Your Own North Star
- Read Your Dream Life Starts Here
- Look up five people who have your desired job title on LinkedIn, and study their profiles. What skills or experiences do they all have in common? This isn't meant to be discouraging ("Ugh, they all have 10 years of experience) — it's meant to help you identify skills you could start to add to your own resume. On that note:
- Sign up for an online class in your dream field. Udemy, CreativeLive, General Assembly, and edX all have a great selection of affordable options.
- Create a "networking spreadsheet" where you can keep track of all your contacts in the field. Write down anyone you know now. Then, next week's task can be…
- Identify one person you know who's in the field you want to go into, and invite him or her out to coffee or lunch (your treat!).
- Make a list of companies that
- Sign up for interesting and inspiriting email newsetters.
- Write our your favorite quotes. “Make your own Bible. Select and collect all the words and sentences that in all your readings have been to you like the blast of a trumpet.” - Emerson
- Create
- Buy a journal, and write about your dreams, goals, fears — anything that comes to mind. Here's a great guide to getting started.
- Sign up for a meetup, conference, or professional event.
- Say "yes" to an event, party, or gathering you wouldn't normally attend. You never know who you might meet.
