welcome toexplorator.
EXPLORE
search term
table of contentsthis is the specifics under the big category
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table of contents
researchliterature reviewprecedent
developmentproblem statementpersonasroles and goalsbrainstorming contrasting designsprototypes
the productintroductionfeatures
moving forwardnow what?
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table of contentsthis is the specifics under the big category
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researchliterature review
the craft of researchBook by Wayne C. Booth, Gregory G. Co-lomb, Joseph M. Williams concerning best practices in research in order to have the most meaningful, unbiased results. Here I took steps of the research process.
holo lensExploring the idea of an AR versus VR in-terface, trying to understand how to create an AR environment, how it responds to your surroundings, etc.
embodied Interactions designerForcasted job title from list of “most im-portant design jobs on the future.” This inspired me to think about a concept that would have environmental UX such as VR or interactive projections.
forbes on vrThis article in Forbes magazine outlined the current limitations, as well as possibilities of VR interfaces and interactions.
small design firmDavid Small did extensive work through MIT and then his firm in the realm of interactive projections, especially for museums. He explored unique ways of interacting with the content as well as organizing it in new ways. He created things that thrived on user input.
filter bubblesAn article on Technologyreview.com, talking about the danger of filter bubbles, as well as identifying if you may be in one. This can be relevant in the search process if the tool “learns” too quickly and removes options that may have been useful.
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researchprecedent
queriumQuerium is an exploratory search tool that draws from an academic database and allows users to “teach” the program what they want through up/down voting articles and completing multiple searches. It also has document previews.
major themescombining/comparing queriestracking search historyadapting to user feedback
nesting informationquick view/save using multiple mediums
exploration wallExploration Wall is an iPad app that is designed to allow users to quickly see the results of a query, organized by type of source. Results list can be combined or compared, individual results can be combined with other queries or used to begin a new query.
fluid viewsFluid Views is a web tool that allows users to search through geographically-linked information. The user can choose the type of information, such as image, and then click into clusters of information to dig deeper.
table of contentsthis is the specifics under the big category
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problem statement
development
the big picture
problem statement vision statement
Addressing the field of exploratory (versus known-item) search for the purpose of secondary academic research, a niche area that has yet to be designed for extensively.
Typical secondary academic research utilizes search tools connected to databases or online search engine to explore information. These tools are designed for when users complete single searches on a known keyword. Therefore, when a user is in the process of discovering a topic or entering a new field of knowledge, they are required to complete multiple searches, rely on memory, tabs, and copied links in order to refer back to their journey of research. This process inhibits quick scanning of sources to determine if they are relevant and requires thorough, effortful documentation.
Create a digital space that allows for uninhibited exploratory research, lending to unexpected discoveries. This space should not create any impediments to freely explore information, but rather make the experience feel natural, joyful even. This will only address initial steps of research such as finding a topic and exploring a broad overview of the information on it. This will not assist in later parts of the research process such as deep processing and creation of arguments, nor will it assist in primary research. This design will respond to and improve upon previous iterations of exploratory research tools.
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persona demographicUndergrad college student doing preliminary exploratory research in the academic setting
valuesease of usemaking new discoveriesavoiding extensive clicksfinding connectionsnon-traditional sources
developmentpersonas
“I enjoyed being able to make connections between unexpected ideas and concepts.”
Undergrad freshmanin Architecture
enjoys: taking notes by hand when using digital resources
doesn’t enjoy: being restricted to a linear format when taking notes such as when relying on a copy-and-paste list
“I want to be able to access and absorb the information in an efficient manner.”
Undergrad sophomorein Marketing
enjoys: processing large amounts of information quickly and efficiently, data visualization
doesn’t enjoy: limited access to information or researching irrelevant topics
magic wand: being able to put a book on his head and absorb the information through osmosis
“Research that doesn’t inspire you is a waste of time.”
Undergrad seniorin Parks and Recreation
enjoys: discussing research with others, gaining a holistic view of a topic beyond standard understanding
doesn’t enjoy: impediments to freely exploring information or researching about a topic not interested in
magic wand: being able to converse with the people he is researching about, even if they have died
“I ended up wasting that entire hour just because I got intrigued by that one article.”
Undergrad juniorin Anthropology
enjoys: using non-traditional sources in order to find tangible examples of concepts, discovering something new
doesn’t enjoy: dealing with restricted or out of date information
magic wand: being able to click on words and see pictures or videos to illustrate
renee sparksfranklin vance tom monroevirginia flatt
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developmentroles and goals
TOM
RENE
EVI
RGIN
IAPR
IMAR
YFR
ANKL
IN
x
x
x x x x x x
x x x x x x
x
x
x
x x x x x x x x x
x x x x x xx
exploring information easily
“follow the trails,” “create your own story”
all info in one place
non-traditional sources
examples through stories
discovering something new
researching something that will help in the future
being provided with citations
taking notes by hand
making connections betweenconcepts
copy and paste info easily
visualize information
reccommend sources
absorb information efficiently
collaborate or reflect with others about research
explanationThis chart was used to organize and prioritize the users and their needs. First I chose Virginia as the primary persona — meaning that any feature of this tool that addresses the need of another persona should not interfere with her needs. Using
information from the interviews, I created a matrix of the users’ needs and mapped out which users shared which goals. This was helpful in narrowing down the most crucial functions of the tool to focus on in the design of the tool.
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developmentbrainstorming
topicshistory/journey tracking, “quick view,” comparing queries, showing results, search entry, moving through results, “quick save,” editing search
explanationFor each user need, I spent 2 minutes brainstorming through sketching, how this issue could be addressed. These ideas were not necessarily practical solutions, but were meant to help break out of cliches and develop into thoughtful concepts later.
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contrasting designs
development
history tracking
SOLUTION 1: TRADITIONAL
SOLUTION 2: VIRTUAL REALITY
SOLUTION 1: TRADITIONAL
SOLUTION 2: VIRTUAL REALITY
SOLUTION 1: TRADITIONAL
SOLUTION 2: VIRTUAL REALITY
showing results search entry
moving through results quick save editing search
quick view
Photoshop style history (clickable), stored in an annotated timeline (time, content type, author, etc) at bottom
Containers list title, author, keywords. Drag to expand container and see whole source document
Path illuminated as it is travelled, gradient based on time, non-travelled paths remain un-illuminated.
Sources collapsed with quick view versions stored on walls, tap to expand to full source.
Click on a container, retains original and searches related.
Walk from room to room, look at sources on the walls or topic rooms, look down hallways to search related topics, speak commands to start over
Click on a container, retains original and searches related, button to store in library.
Say “store in library, retrieve later by walking to library (secret passageway)
Search related by clicking on boxes, return to home screen to start over
Speak commands to add to the initial search term, rearrange rooms, etc.
David McCandless’ visual news infographic: information stored in containers, sorted by relevance and information type.
Type keyword into initial screen
Speak term in initial roomRooms in a house, walk into the room that you want to see more about. Rooms have informa-tion on the walls, hallways to related topics.
explore seamlessly
Click through interested boxes easily, history recorded, boxes change each time.
Walk from room to room. Stairways, trap doors, etc. like escape room.
non-traditional sources
Articles, stories, images, journals, books, etc pulled, sorted by type and labelled.
Articles, stories, images, journals, books, etc pulled, sorted by type and labelled.
discover something new
Able to look at a broad variety of topics, zoom in and out of detail in areas that are unfamiliar.
Able to look at a broad variety of topics, zoom in and out of detail in areas that are unfamiliar.
making connections
Pin articles to dashboard as searches contin-ue, sort by different variables (type, time, relevance, etc)
Speak commands to move sources to a comparison wall, combine searches, etc.
reccomended sources
New set of results pop up as you click on a square.
Speak commands to add to the initial search term, rearrange rooms, etc.
explanationWith this chart, I created a matrix of the user needs and came up with two distinct designs that would address each need, using discoveries made in the brainstorming phase. This was to allow for multiple concepts to be tested an then chosen between or combined.
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initial desktop prototype
development
Document preview
Filter sidebar
Initial search screen
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affordancesThis was the first round of designs, using the traditional design solution on a desktop interface. This allows for a user to have more screen surface area than a mobile device, as well as precise control over smaller controls.
iterative improvementAlthough this was meant to be an interface to encourage free movement through information, the design feels restrictive and boxy.
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initial iPad prototype
development
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F I LT E R H I S TORY SAVED
SEARCH
EXPLORATOR
ARTICLEFrontierWikipedia
ARTICLEFrontier MythWikipedia
JOURNAL
A Frontier-Based Approach for Autono-mous ExplorationBrian YamauchiNCARAI
HISTORICAL
The Significance of the Frontier in American His-tory (1894)Frederick J. TurnerAmerican Historical Association
FORUMHow does the ideal of the frontier affect American culture?Quora
REVIEWStar Trek V: The Final Frontier (1989)IMDb
affordancesMoving from a desktop interface to an iPad allows for direct interaction between the user and the content through touch. This also allows for actions to be completed through gestures, rather than buttons and creates more room for content on the screen. An iPad, would be fitting for a more involved attention-needed process such as this, rather than a mobile device.
iterative improvementIn moving from the desktop prototype, the interface was cleaned up and the idea of “bookmarking” sources and re-searching was introduced. Coloring and stylistic choices still up in the air.
Block size determined by relevance and colored by type of information. The stripe at the top is a timeline that records actions and searches completed by the user.
This view shows the beginning of stylistic choices to be made. The minimum size of text and block have increased in order to improve legibility and usability.
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introduction
the product
exploratorwhat is it?Explorator is an exploratory research iPad app. Its purpose is to streamline the process of researching in order to allow the user to focus more on the content and making meaningful discoveries rather than getting caught up in the logistics of searching and recording results.
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new search?This feature of Explorator allows the user to either continue a previous search session or begin a new one.
initial search queryHere the user inputs the initial search query. This is meant to act as the starting point, but will not necessarily dictate where the user ends up at the end of their search process.
initial resultsResults from the initial query are sorted into type of information and color coded. Position and size of the block are based on perceived relevance of each source.
features
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filteringThroughout the process, the user filter by type of information or medium, as well as altering the initial query term.
bookmarkingThe crux of this tool: the user selects from the sources viewed which seem most relevant or interesting and completes another search. The sources stay and the others are replaced by related content.
timelineIn order to keep the user from having to record each step they took in the process, the timeline records each bookmark, save, or search. A quick pan allows you to see events and revert to an earlier version of the results.
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altered resultsThese results reflect the bookmarked sources shown before. As users go, they can narrow into specifics and then return to overviews as they bookmark sources that are such.
previewIn order to get a quick, but more detailed idea of the contents of a source, a user can tap a source and see this preview window. From here it can be added to “saved,” bookmarked, or exited.
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now what?
moving forward
now what?The human brain is naturally capable of processing large amounts of information, but is currently restricted in the research process by the affordances of a two-dimensional interface. With future developments in VR in mind, I would like to continue to explore this concept of seamless, exploratory research in a way that maximizes the use of VR. The goal would be to provide an richer, more immersive experience that would lead to increased insightful connections through the research process. In order to do this, I need to immerse myself in the study of VR UX design.
so what?Exploratory research is an important step in any research process that allows users to find their space of future expertise. When this step is laborsome and painful, users cannot as freely filter through information and make meaningful, unique connections between disparate pieces of information. Using this tool, users can put the logistics of research on the back burner and focus on the information. This is a clear, organized window in to the world of information and research.