You should build on the brief you selected and on the annotated

bilbiography in order to write this project proposal, which forms the first

assignment for DESN5154M and underpins the Design Research and

Integration module.

Specialits Project Title

The title should be representative of the project and it should be clear

what type of research is to be undertaken.

Contextual Background

What are the main issues to be investigated during the project and what

research and other projects have been undertaken in this area? Discuss

the background and context of the project and give examples of good

and bad practice.

Project aims and perceived need

Clearly state what you intend to do. This should be no more than one or

two sentences long. Explain why this project should be done. Who will

benefit from the project and in what ways?

Objectives

Objectives express how the aim will be achieved. You should determine

a set of well thought through objectives in bullet-point form.

Methodology

This is the how. How will you achieve your objectives? Describe the

methods you will use to fulfil your objectives and discuss why each of

these is the most appropriate method to choose. The methods should

cover: 1) Collection = collect principles and theories from the literature

and findings from other studies, in order to understand the problem and

how it might be solved; 2) Analysis = identify and analyse the user needs;

Overview

DESN5154M Assignment 1 _ Project proposal
2019-20

3

) Development: initial design development and iteration; 4) Evaluation

= test the final design solution to make sure it’s valid and reliable. In

sum, what are the best methods to use for each of these 4 stages?

Feasibility

• Skills – what skills are necessary to complete the project (design and

research). These should then be split into 2 categories ‘skills I have’

and ‘skills required’.

• Participants – Who is going to be involved in the research,

development and analysis of the project? Why are these the most

appropriate candidates and what will they do? Where are you going

to recruit them? The types of people include: participants/users,

experts, professionals, stakeholders, etc.

• Risks – assess your proposed project in terms of risks (time risks,

process risks, resources risks, skills risks) and undertake a SWOT

analysis. Explain what you are going to do to mitigate these risks.

Design outcomes

• What will/could the design outcome(s) be?

• Why are those the best outcomes to solve the problem you have

identified?

Gantt Chart

Create a Gantt chart for the future of the project detailing each task and

the expected time it will take.

References

The proposal should be referenced using the Harvard System.

1500-2000 report (excluding references).

To be submitted to VLE on Wednesday 22nd January 2020, until 13.59.

Document:

• Pdf document.

• Margins: left 35mm; right 35mm; top 40mm; bottom 25mm.

• Single column.

• 1.5 interlinear space (Word/Pages doc).

• Font: Calibri 11.5 pt.

2

Submission

Assessment criteria

The aim is clear and appropriate, perceived need has been explored and

clearly articulated. Objectives are well thought through and correspond

to the aim. The outcome is well considered.

Context and background are thoroughly explored and well discussed.

Examples of good and bad practice are given.

Methods are well chosen and appropriate for all stages of the design

and research process. Relevant sources are used to support choices.

Skills analysis, participants, assessment of risk, and Gantt chart are

thoroughly addressed and thought through.

Appropriate construction and delivery of work. Good use of images

and visuals aids. Good level of detail, effort and attention. Clarity of

expression. Referencing conforms to Leeds Harvard System.

20%

Aims and perceived

need, objectives, and

outcome

Context and

background

Methodology and

evaluation

Project management

tools

Communication &

presentation

3

Design Research and Integration

Week 11 | Project Proposal

DESN 5154M | 2019-20

Overview
1.

Topics

•

What is it?

•

Structure

• Content

Overview| 1.1

What is it?

Your first assignment for DESN5154, the project proposal is a document

describing your perspective and planning on how to develop your

specialist project`s brief, addressing the research process and design

outcomes.

Overview| 1.2

Structure

The project proposal should include:

•

Title

• Background

• Project aims and perceived needs

•

Objectives

•

Methodology

•

Feasibility

•

Design Outcomes

•

Gantt Chart

• References

Overview| 1.3

Content

Should be clear and descriptive. It should make evident what the project is

about and what type of research will be undertaken.

Title

Overview| 1.3

Content

To meet students’ needs and improve user experience, the research and the

redesign of interface and interaction of the University of Leeds app.

_____________________________________________________________

Post-truth Society and Misinformation: ideating a blockchain based service

to prevent fake news shareability online

______________________________________________________________

Improvement Design for Mobile Application of University

_______________________________________________________________

Research on University Mobile App Interface Design Based on User

Experience.

Title examples from previous years

Content

A paragraph or two to briefly identify and describe the problem. This

should be informed by the specialist project’s brief and give examples of

good and bad practice. It should not include a literature review.

Contextual background

Overview| 1.3

Contextual background
– examples of good and
bad practice (excerpt)

Overview| 1.3

From:
An educational interactive digital
tool: Maximising student’s
interest towards UniLeeds Mobile
App

Content

A description of what you intend to do, explained in no more than one or

two sentences, followed by an explanation on why this project should be

done, who will benefit from it, and how.

Project aims and perceived need

Overview| 1.3

Content

“This research project aims to ideate and design a service to incorporate
blockchain technology into people’s everyday life by using its
incorruptibility and decentralized features to improve the quality and
trustworthiness of content shared on social media platforms.

As [discussed earlier], misinformation has been damaging society
in multiple and different ways and it is therefore needed to try reducing its
impact.”

Example of Project aims and perceived need

Overview| 1.3

From:
Post-truth Society and
Misinformation:
ideating a blockchain based
service to prevent fake news
shareability online

Content

A description of how the aim will be achieved, organised in bullet-point

form.

Objectives
Overview| 1.3

Content

“Objective 3: To define a design solution that enhance blockchain

potential and fit smoothly into people’s lives.

3.1 By sketching ideas with high priority and feasibility.

3.2 Establishing a plausible user journey and create an initial service

blueprint.

3.3 Creating low-fi mock-up which can reflect the real scenario in the best

way possible.

3.4 By spotting touch points and pain points at early stage of the design

process through user testing.”

Example of Objectives (excerpt)

Overview| 1.3

From:
Post-truth Society and
Misinformation:
ideating a blockchain based
service to prevent fake news
shareability online

Content

A description of the research methods that will be used to achieve the

objectives, including an explanation on why they are appropriate. The

methodology section should cover all stages of the process:

1) Collection – Collect principles and theories from the literature and findings

from other studies, in order to understand the problem and

how it might be solved;

2) Analysis – Identify and analyse the user needs;

3) Development – Initial design development and iteration;

4) Evaluation – Test the final design solution to make sure it’s valid and reliable.

Methodology
Overview| 1.3

Content

“2.Analysis

Questionnaires

Questionnaires are easy to conduct and manage, and can collect users’

data efficiently (Hanington and Martin, 2012). In this project, the students’

needs can be collected by the questionnaires, such as questionnaire about

the degree of function preference which can provide important data for

analysis.”

Example of Methodology (excerpt)

Overview| 1.3

From:
To meet students’ needs and
improve user experience, the
research and the redesign of
interface and interaction of the
University of Leeds app.

Content

“Focus groups

Focus groups are vital for user-centered design (Lonsdale, 2018a).

Although focus groups can help designers to find users’ need, it is not the

best method to test interface usability and should not be the only source

of record about users’ practice (Nielsen, 1997). In this project, well-chosen

students compose focus groups to provide deep views of students’ need

and help designers to develop functions.”

Example of Methodology (excerpt – cont.)

Overview| 1.3
From:
To meet students’ needs and
improve user experience, the
research and the redesign of
interface and interaction of the
University of Leeds app.

Content

Skills – Necessary research and design skills to complete the project. Split

those into 2 categories: ‘skills I have’ and ‘skills required’.

Participants – Describe who will be involved in the research, development

and analysis, why they are appropriate candidates, how they will be

recruited, and what they will do. Please include participants/users, experts,

professionals, stakeholders, etc.

Risks –Risk assessment (including time, process, resources, and skills

risks). Provide a SWOT analysis and explain how to mitigate those risks.

Feasibility
Overview| 1.3

Content

“Skills

Skills I have:

• Familiar using Android base technology

• Creative design skills

• Knowledge on web and native apps

• An experienced team leader

• A good set of knowledge mobile technology Use of software’s such as

AutoCAD, 3D’s MAX, Adobe Photoshop, and Illustrator, however,

familiar with After Effects, InDesign and XD”.

Example of Feasibility – Skills (excerpt)

Overview| 1.3
From:
An educational interactive digital
tool: Maximising student’s
interest towards UniLeeds Mobile
App

Content

“The target audience reflects on the Universities recruitment team to

accumulate an exact age group. However, targeting groups of students

aged 15 to 35+ who are currently studying at University of Leeds.

Stakeholders – Students, instructors, other educational institutions,

content providers, technology providers, accreditation bodies. The project

revolves on interpreting the universities mobile app. This includes

interacting with students and understanding solutions whilst testing the

final design output. Other stakeholders will be included while progressing

and gaining feedback for the app during the development stages.”

Example of Feasibility – Participants

Overview| 1.3
From:
An educational interactive digital
tool: Maximising student’s
interest towards UniLeeds Mobile
App

Content

“The biggest risk of this proposal is recruiting the right participants for

research. Because this research targets a particular industry, the

involvement of specific personnel within those industry would be required

in order for this research to be successful. In order to mitigate this risk, I

plan to contact a range of potential participants early. I will reach out to

professional connections who are experts in this field for surveys, and I will

contact local businesses and academic professionals for other research

activities such as co-creation and ideation. (…)“

Example of Feasibility – Risks (excerpt)

Overview| 1.3

From:
Service design as an approach to
implement blockchain technology
in composites manufacturing
supply chains

Overview| 1.3
From:
Post-truth Society and
Misinformation:
ideating a blockchain based
service to prevent fake news
shareability online

Example of Feasibility –
SWOT analysis

Content

A description of the proposed design outcome(s), including an explanation

on why those would be the best outcomes to solve the problem you have

identified?

Design Outcomes
Overview| 1.3

Content

“The outcome of the project is a mobile app prototype which can run on

Adobe XD. This mobile app is based on student-centered research and

developed by modifying user interface and user experience to improve

students’ study and life experience”

Example of Design Outcomes

Overview| 1.3
From:
To meet students’ needs and
improve user experience, the
research and the redesign of
interface and interaction of the
University of Leeds app.

Content

Create a Gantt chart for the future of the project detailing each task and

the expected time it will take.

Gantt Chart
Overview| 1.3

Content
Overview| 1.3

From:
Research on University
Mobile App Interface Design
Based on User Experience.

Example of Gantt Chart

Content

The proposal should be referenced using the Leeds Harvard System.

References

Overview| 1.3

Submission
2.

Topics

•

Formatting

•

Deadline

•

Assessment Criteria

Submission | 2.1

Formatting

1500-2000 word report (excluding references)

• Pdf document.

• Margins: left 35mm; right 35mm; top 40mm; bottom 25mm.

• Single column.

• 1.5 interlinear space (Word/Pages doc).

• Font: Calibri 11.5 pt.

Submission | 2.2

Deadline

To be submitted to Minerva on

Wednesday 22nd January 2020, until 13.59

Submission | 2.3

Assessment Criteria

Thank you!

Design Research and Integration
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