This project was a struggle for me. I have never worked with any kind of UI design or prototype development. I learned a lot about using Figma, though I’m far from proficient. I learned how to think about element interactions in the context of user experience. The easiest part of this was the font, colors, and other visual elements. I’m a visual artist, so that’s the most comfortable for me. The most challenging part of the project was dealing with auto-layout. As convenient as it can be if it’s done right, it feels like wrestling with a wild animal.
Every time I thought I had figured it out, I would reselect auto layout and everything would become messed up beyond repair. In the end, I managed to get it to look alright, though the auto layout is inconsistent. My submission could be improved by refining the design elements, adjusting the composition, and including more features and frames. The assignment was understandable and well-made. I feel like emphasizing the low stakes would take some stress off.
The skills used in this assignment could definitely be useful in school and work. Looking at a problem from the perspective of the user/viewer is a huge advantage for creative projects. I was inspired by the palette given to me by Coolors. It reminds me of 50’s Route 66 diner stools. The class recordings were helpful to revisit when I got stuck, but the automatic transcription is so inaccurate that it’s completely unhelpful, so I had to listen to it on 2x speed and jump around, hoping I caught some of what was being said to indicate what was being discussed.