During the academic break, I engaged in a thorough process of refining the introduction section of my thesis to ensure it set the right tone and foundation for the entire work. Recognizing the importance of user testing and experimental validation, I also carved out substantial time to develop a comprehensive plan for how these critical components would unfold. The strategic blueprint I drafted aims to culminate in the creation of a user-centric application for my capstone project. This application is envisioned to empower users to interact with digital text through intuitive interactive technology, accessible at their leisure. To bring this ambitious project to fruition, I outlined several essential steps:
Before delving into the user testing phase, I took the proactive step of sharing my progress with my peers. This collaborative session was not only a chance to present my work but also to invite critical evaluation, questions, and creative ideas.
The insights gained from this peer review were invaluable, offering me perspectives and considerations that had previously escaped my notice. The feedback I received was predominantly centered on the need for design improvements. Among the various constructive criticisms, the suggestion that design elements, especially those related to 'bionic reading,' should be aligned to the left margin was a standout comment. Another significant piece of advice was that the long-form nature of academic papers might not be effectively captured by tests using shorter texts, which may not provide clear and representative results.
I acknowledge that the decision to incorporate an impromptu feedback collection segment into my presentation schedule was a bold move that required a certain level of bravery and openness. The feedback sessions proved to be a crucible for new and varied opinions, fostering a rich environment for growth and ideation.
This experience solidified my conviction that one of the most crucial practices for a designer is to not only seek out feedback but to embrace a wide spectrum of it. The process has made it evident that an expansive approach to feedback is vital for the iterative design process, providing a multitude of lenses through which to scrutinize and perfect one's creative output.