Week 5
Week 3
Week 3 - Imposter Syndrome
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Week 5 - Design Activities
Category: Testing Phase
Blog post 10: User testing
What?
After many weeks of prototyping and iterating I recently conducted user testing for my AR project. The user testing session provided me with valuable insights into my design such as areas that need improvement and areas that worked really well. While testing my apps, I encountered a few minor issues that required me to refine and change some aspects of my prototype. The user test was successful in a sense that it revealed some areas where my prototype needed some refining.
However, while testing I realised that with only 2 and a bit more weeks left I had to get everything refined and polished for my exhibition. This is when I realised I was running out of time. This sudden awareness of time pressure made me realise how crucial it was to prioritise and organise my other projects. The pressure and the need to meet the deadlines made me feel stressed and I felt like I was all over the place.
So what
This experience of being stressed and trying to meet the deadlines taught me how crucial it is to actually be able to manage my time better, especially when multiple projects are ongoing. Although the user testing revealed valuable insights into my design and highlighted areas for refinement. The deadline and the sudden pressure of time made me realise that I had not sufficiently planned for the final stages of my project.
The feeling of panic and stress was going through my head at the same time. This feeling of overwhelm made me realise that I had to make adjustments to my schedule. Looking back, I realised that my actions were driven a lot by the desire to perfect the prototype as well as getting side tracked and not completing my tasks first before moving onto the next. I failed to take a step back and consider how much time I had left. This reflects a tendency to focus on the details without keeping the bigger picture in mind. If I had paced myself better from the start and allocated specific deadlines for different stages of the project, I might have avoided the last minute rush.
This experience also helped me understand that I tend to thrive within my projects when i am more organised and have a clear plan. Whilst I made a timeline on my Miro board I realised that It would have been more helpful if I included my projects from my other courses which I am taking at the same time as I am doing a conjoint degree. Therefore, when I lose structure, stress quickly sets in and my productivity level decreases.
It is Week 10 right now and I am feeling stressed because time is running out to complete my project.
Yuka Ochiai | Friday 27th September | 3 min Read
Note. A 3D image of a white and orange calendar
Figure 1. Calendar
References
Eisenhower. (2011). The Eisenhower Matrix. Eisenhower. https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/
Note: Screen capture of Miro of user testing feedback
Figure 3. User testing feedback
Figure 2. User Testing
Note: An image of user testing the app IntervAR
Now what?
Moving forward, implement concrete strategies to manage my time better such as prioritising my tasks from most important to least. I will use the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritise tasks, which is when I categorise tasks as urgent vs important and focus on completing the critical projects first, rather than getting side tracked and starting my next project (Eisenhower, 2011). This approach will help me stay on track and ensure that essential components are completed on time.
I have also mentioned before that I use a personal to-do list separate from the one on my miro board. However, this has made it confusing as I now have two to-do lists which I need to keep track of both. However, by integrating all my timelines into one would make my life much easier. This will help me see deadlines overlap and ensure I allocate enough time to each task.
I have also realised that unexpected issues like minor tweaks needed after user testing are inevitable, so I will build buffer time into my schedule. By planning for the unexpected, I can handle any last minute changes without feeling panicked.
By following my action plan, I aim to manage my time more effectively and reduce stress in future projects. These changes will help me keep the bigger picture in mind while also ensuring that I stay on top of my projects and tasks
