Kalgi

As part of my pre-work, we were asked to analyze and write our thoughts about Things that are well designed v/s Things that can be improved on design.

Technology is evolving every second of every day. In the past decade, we have progressed from mainframes to desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphone and now wearables. With this advancement in technology, it becomes necessary for us (as designers) to innovate and immerse ourselves into a new dimension of user interaction. It is all about the experience, how the user interacts with the product and the emotional connection between the user and the design. Experiences happen in everything that we do, whether its buying groceries in a supermarket, or using the MTA app, or getting your license renewed with DMV, or using the music app on your Apple watch.

I can’t resist being away from good design, be it apps, or websites, or cars, furniture or even houses. I feel there is nothing like a good design or a bad design, but it’s about the experience that connects the user with the design. The experiences may be good and bad. As part of my pre-work for the UXDI program at General Assembly, I have been assigned to write about 3 things that I feel are well designed and 3 things that can be improved. In this world of smartphones and wearables, let’s see some apps that enhance and personalize the user-experience through their design.

30:30

The concept for this app has been around for a while, but the basic idea is very simple, something we experience in our daily life. Have you ever spent a lot of time and effort trying to solve a problem and end up not solving it…but when break for a coffee or a shower, you think of a solution? So back to the concept: You work for 30 minutes, focused on a single task, with no distractions. When the time is up, you give your mind a break and do something unrelated for 30 minutes. Hence, the name of the app 30/30.

Gesture based interface

Supports screen orientation.

Extensive options.

UBER

Uber is undoubtedly your on-demand private driver. My experiences with Uber have been great. You can order an Uber car from your phone, kills the wait time, you no longer have to worry about carrying cash, safe and stylish ride and allows you to listen to your personalized music.

Uber interface

Uber app has pioneered the concept of mobile tech-driven urban transportation. The app has been successful in building the trust and promise of its customers and intends to fulfill their expectations thereby doing everything to make their ride a smooth experience.

Designs that can be improved.

This photo of the chair was taken at the Ford Museum in Detroit. I am not fully convinced that it is a bad design. I mean it’s good in aesthetics and very innovative, however, I believe it’s not functional. What do you guys think?

The purpose of a chair is to provide support and comfort while sitting. However, the horns make it difficult to be comfortable. Also, the glass balls that act as rollers, may not be sturdy (slippery) enough for their respective function.

I’m an Architect and an IT graduate, who currently lives in the Forest hills, Queens. I am starting to take the next steps to enhance my career into the world of UX design by enrolling in the full-time immersive UXDI program at General Assembly and this blog is where I intend to chronicle my educational and professional experiences (super exciting, right?).

Having worked as an architect for about three years, my daily job consisted of understanding client/project requirements, analyzing client’s needs and their culture, interpreting their lifestyle and coming up with simple yet functional designs to make their dreams come true.