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GU
GU
GU
An interactive learning platform to preserve traditional Chinese music heritage.
An interactive learning platform to preserve traditional Chinese music heritage.
An interactive learning platform to preserve traditional Chinese music heritage.
Go back
Gu
Gu
An interactive learning platform to preserve traditional Chinese music heritage.
An interactive learning platform to preserve traditional Chinese music heritage.
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Gu is an educational platform that helps preserve Zhongruan through an online learning platform that provides resources and interactive learning experiences. The project aims to follow a design flow and discover a solution through research and tests.
PROJECT TYPE
PROJECT TYPE
MSc coursework project
MSc coursework project
TIMELINE
TIMELINE
Sep 2022 - Jan 2023 (4 months)
Sep 2022 - Jan 2023 (4 months)
TOOL
TOOL
Figma, Miro, After Effects
Figma, Miro, After Effects
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE
Decline in the popularity of Zhongruan
The lack of teaching resources makes it hard for the next generation to preserve
Limited access to resources overseas
Decline in the popularity of Zhongruan
The lack of teaching resources makes it hard for the next generation to preserve
Limited access to resources overseas
GOAL
GOAL
Provide easy access to Zhongruan resources
Offer interactive learning experiences
Expand the market to reach new audiences globally
Provide easy access to Zhongruan resources
Offer interactive learning experiences
Expand the market to reach new audiences globally
Process Overview
Process Overview
User Interview
User Interview
UNDERSTANDING USER NEEDS AND PAINPOINTS
Interview with 7 individuals and survey respondents share their experience learning a musical instrument
I conducted surveys to look at the demographics and concerns of learning a new musical instrument. I also dug deeper into the challenging part of music teaching through interviews.
UNDERSTANDING USER NEEDS AND PAINPOINTS
Interview with 7 individuals and survey respondents share their experience learning a musical instrument
I conducted surveys to look at the demographics and concerns of learning a new musical instrument. I also dug deeper into the challenging part of music teaching through interviews.
KEY INSIGHTS
Insights about learning needs and challenges in musical instrument education
KEY INSIGHTS
Insights about learning needs and challenges in musical instrument education
Define
Define
DEFINING PERSONAS & GOALS
Grouping key insights into 2 personas with distinct learning needs
DEFINING PERSONAS & GOALS
Grouping key insights into 2 personas with distinct learning needs
DEFINING DESIGN GOALS
Mapping out 4 major design goals with user story to focus on the design stage
DEFINING DESIGN GOALS
Mapping out 4 major design goals with user story to focus on the design stage
I gained insights that helped to change the design direction of research. I can identify top solutions that meet user needs with User Stories at this stage.
User story
I gained insights that helped to change the design direction of research. I can identify top solutions that meet user needs with User Stories at this stage.
User story
Design Goals:
Design Goals:
Ideation
Ideation
BRAINSTORMING NEW SOLUTIONS
BRAINSTORMING NEW SOLUTIONS
Creating HMW questions focusing on providing personalized feedback and integrating feedback mechanism
I created 2 HMW questions to explore in the ideate stage, as I'm unsure how to give active feedback through self-learning after mapping out the design goals.
Creating HMW questions focusing on providing personalized feedback and integrating feedback mechanism
I created 2 HMW questions to explore in the ideate stage, as I'm unsure how to give active feedback through self-learning after mapping out the design goals.
Using Rapid Idea Generation to generate ideas on the 2 HMW questions
Using Rapid Idea Generation to generate ideas on the 2 HMW questions
Design ideation idea dump
Design ideation idea dump
GENERATING NEW FOCUSES
New idea: Emerging with technology to improve the overall learning experience
After generating a few ideas during the ideation phase, I conducted further research on technologies used in the market, which narrowed down to the features:
Design
Design
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
Considering our persona directed a user flow focusing on the learning process
I created a user flow that caters to learning preferences and allows users to receive feedback.
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
Considering our persona directed a user flow focusing on the learning process
I created a user flow that caters to learning preferences and allows users to receive feedback.
WIREFRAMING THE BASIC USER JOURNEY
WIREFRAMING THE BASIC USER JOURNEY
Prioritizing features after testing the wireframe
I created a wireframe to outline the user journey and structure. I conducted a simple test to identify any usability issues, and here are some suggestions collected from users:
A search function will be useful for songs
My supervisor recommended adding market, revenue, and event features to the app to cater to its educational focus and market aspect
Prioritizing features after testing the wireframe
I created a wireframe to outline the user journey and structure. I conducted a simple test to identify any usability issues, and here are some suggestions collected from users:
A search function will be useful for songs
My supervisor recommended adding market, revenue, and event features to the app to cater to its educational focus and market aspect
Focusing on tutorials & providing feedback and adjusting the design focus
To prioritize the app's most important features, I utilized NUF testing and the Moscow method based on insights collected from interviews and surveys. The following features have the highest priority:
Focusing on tutorials & providing feedback and adjusting the design focus
To prioritize the app's most important features, I utilized NUF testing and the Moscow method based on insights collected from interviews and surveys. The following features have the highest priority:
STYLE GUIDE
STYLE GUIDE
Unifying the overall style
Unifying the overall style
Accessibility setting for users
Accessibility setting for users
The Final Solution
The Final Solution
Tailored courses by difficulties and tutorials
Tailored courses by difficulties and tutorials
Planning a well-structured learning plan can be a challenging aspect of self-education. Courses are arranged in levels of difficulty, 3 types of courses are provided:
Planning a well-structured learning plan can be a challenging aspect of self-education. Courses are arranged in levels of difficulty, 3 types of courses are provided:
Learning techniques from song
Some users prefer to learn through songs. There are Practice, challenges and review modes, to practice playing songs.
Learning techniques from song
Some users prefer to learn through songs. There are Practice, challenges and review modes, to practice playing songs.
Practice with song
Practice with song
Users can get familiar with the music piece and improve their skills.
Users can get familiar with the music piece and improve their skills.
Challenge & receive feedback
From the interview session, receiving feedback and personalised suggestions could improve the self-learning progress.
Challenge & receive feedback
From the interview session, receiving feedback and personalised suggestions could improve the self-learning progress.
Review your previous performance
As mentioned in the research stage, feedback is essential when learning, there are reviews given in different parts.
Review your previous performance
As mentioned in the research stage, feedback is essential when learning, there are reviews given in different parts.
Testing
Testing
ITERATION FOR 5 ACT INTERVIEW TESTS
6 rounds of moderated test iterations that help improve navigation & design
I have received positive feedback. All participants were able to complete all tasks assigned to them. I have decided to focus on the high-level feedback for the next iteration of the app:
ITERATION FOR 5 ACT INTERVIEW TESTS
6 rounds of moderated test iterations that help improve navigation & design
I have received positive feedback. All participants were able to complete all tasks assigned to them. I have decided to focus on the high-level feedback for the next iteration of the app:
Adding short intro text
Adding intro text can help users receive an overview of the course. They could choose or skip the course that they are interested in.
Adding short intro text
Adding intro text can help users receive an overview of the course. They could choose or skip the course that they are interested in.
Adding Rewards on menu navigation
Adding Rewards on menu navigation
Participants found the rewards section difficult to navigate in their profile, so adding it to the menu improved navigation.
Participants found the rewards section difficult to navigate in their profile, so adding it to the menu improved navigation.
Adding song history
Adding song history
Participants suggested adding a history section to make it easier to locate and review previously played songs.
Participants suggested adding a history section to make it easier to locate and review previously played songs.
Project Takeaways
Project Takeaways
Users provide solutions
Users provide solutions
I experience uncertainty during the process, but user research helps me find answers. I will focus more time on conducting workshops during the development stage.
I experience uncertainty during the process, but user research helps me find answers. I will focus more time on conducting workshops during the development stage.
Quality over quantity
Quality over quantity
When I meet with research participants, I often get the same responses. So. I realize I should move on to the next stage if there are no new insights.
When I meet with research participants, I often get the same responses. So. I realize I should move on to the next stage if there are no new insights.
Thank you for reading
Thank you for reading
Thank you for reading
Thank you for reading
