Research: Languages

As a BSc Student it is vital that the code of the project is clean, clear and valid therefore a substantial amount of research is needed in order to learn techniques and understanding of the process in creating the project. I have decided to commence this research now in order to be able to create practise models and gain some experience before the construction of the real project is underway. 

Below I have listed the code languages I will possible be implemeting within my project:

• SDK
• It was advised for me to use open source 

Time Plan

Below I have displayed both term 1 and term 2 time plans, regarding term one I wanted to display how I have completed all tasks and now gathering all the information to be presented on Monday. Term 2 time plan is not official although it is a rough sketch of how I would to set out my work plan and deadlines for each in order to be able to deliver a fully functional project in VIVA 2. 

Term 1: Time Plan Completed

Term 2: Time Plan

Other forms of Cloud Storage

Although most of my research has been undertaken I decided to look at other similar systems in order to see the feature that they provide and how I could apply it to my project.

Dropbox

• Saves and secures files
• Space capacity starts 2GB
• Works with a multitude of operating systems
• Continues to work when the user is offline
• Ability to share folders
• Dropbox is available on portable devices such as tablets and smartphones (supports android/iOS and blackberry)
• Editing on portable devices are available 
• Share and upload with other users
• Keeps a history of files for a month allowing users to undo changes and retrieve deleted files

Google Drive

• Store files
• Recognises objects and text within documents and retrieves them at a faster pace
• View variety of file formats on browsers
• Capacity for HD videos
• Users can work offline
• Users can connect and communicate with others and post comments
• Information can be retrieved up to 30 days
• Files and folders can be restored

Sky Drive

• Free online storage
• Access anywhere using multiple devices
• Supports Mac
• Runs Microsoft Office programs
• Share documents and files with others
• Compatible with other apps enabling users to scan documents, save sound and video files etc

Sources

Dropbox. n.d. Your files, anywhere. [online] Available at: https://www.dropbox.com/features [Accessed: 5 Dec 2013].

Google Drive. n.d. Your memories, safe & secure. [online] Available at: http://www.google.com/drive/features.html [Accessed: 5 Dec 2013].

Windows. n.d. What is SkyDrive?. [online] Available at: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/skydrive/download [Accessed: 5 Dec 2013].

Photoshop Homepage Mockups and User Testing

It is important that I develop mockups of how I would like the website to look like in order to make the designing and construction process straight forward. Within this section of my research I experimented both with the layout and the colour schemes therefore bringing together the results gather from the homepage prototype and develop an interface that appeals to the students. Regarding the colour scheme I choose to experiment with several combinations within this section I reflected upon the research I gathered about colour and colour deficiencies. 

Mockup 1

Mockup 2

Mockup 3

Mockup 4

Mockup 5

User testing
Once I developed the Mockups it was important to carry out user testing to see what designs and colour schemes appealed to my target audience. Here I decided to voice record students answers as I wanted to create a discussion amongst them. Each mockup was displayed and students were asked to respond towards the layout, colour schemes used and the placement of elements. 

Results
Below I have displayed the recording from the discussion:

https://soundcloud.com/user622028656/homepagephotoshopfeedback

Mockups Produced from Results
Although any designs developed are not official until I begin creating the website I decided to enhance the mockups already created to reflect upon the feedback I gathered from the students. The various stages of creating the design will be presented at the VIVA in order to show the process and how I came to these designs. 

Mockup 1
As you can see below the display of features has changed:

• Shortened Login (user clicks and a popup window appears to login)
• Menu pages have been place in the centre of the header
• The middle background has been changed to white
• Large logo has been removed from the centre 
• Removed most of the drop shadow