21 Jun 2010

iPhone: My Movies

Project: iPhone app in co-operation with my247.mobi
Role: User experience designer, producer
Tasks: Lead project, write functional and technical specification, research content, user testing

In-app screenshot of your own virtual cinema foyer!

Overview

In co-operation with my247, the My Movies iPhone app caters for three distinct psychographic groups. These are: spontaneous cinema goer; pre-meditated patrons and those who are organised to already know what they want to see and where.

We focus user experiences that were simple, intuitive and quick to display concise information whilst maintaining an aspect of “suggestion” for possibilities they may have not considered.

Flick through the latest hot moves, read the synopsis, watch the trailer on youTube and then find where and when it’s on. Continue reading


18 Mar 2010

iPhone: St John Resuscitate

Project: iPhone app
Role: User experience designer, producer
Tasks: Lead project, write functional and technical specification, research content

In-app screenshot of the interactive defibrillation demo

Overview

Second in St John Ambulance’s three part series of apps, “Resuscitate” promotes publically accessible defibrillators that are available nationally. A ‘Proximity Sensor’ uses GPS and maps functionality specific to the iPhone to raise awareness of defibrillator locations.

This app features a highly interactive demonstration of a defibrillator complete with true-to-life audio cues which are used by the actual device, walking users through. Continue reading


25 Feb 2010

iPhone: St John Mediprofiles

Project: iPhone app
Role: User experience designer, producer
Tasks: Lead project, write functional and technical specification, research and understand content requirements

Photo of St John Mediprofiles iPhone app

Profile detail screen

Overview

St John Ambulance came to Liquid Interactive with a concept for a series of three iPhone apps to complement their First Aid training course conducted nationally.

First in this three part series of apps was “Mediprofiles”. This free app allows users to save vital information about their friends and family members for quick and easy access in case of emergency. Continue reading


20 Dec 2009

iPhone: Powderfinger

Project type: iPhone / iPod app
Role: Producer, user experience designer
Tasks: research competitors, write project proposal, interface sketches, wireframing, and write functional and technical specifications.

Powderfinger Cover Art from their iPhone app. Ux by Katy Andrews

Cover art was used to skin the app

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Overview

The Powderfinger app is the best way for users to keep up-to-date with one of Australia’s most exciting rock bands. Get up-to-date news, information on tours, wallpapers, photos and music as well as exclusive content.

The app incorporated a unique feature specifically designed for iPhone: the Powderfinger Player. Setlists can be downloaded onto the app and live concerts could be recreated using studio versions of tracks from the user’s iPod library. Continue reading


20 Sep 2009

Installation: TNEE

Project Type: Physical installation + website
Role: User experience designer, technical lead
Tasks: Lead project, write functional and technical specification, research technology.

Total Nowhere Emotion Expansion

Total Nowhere Emotion Expansion (online verision)

Overview:

Created for Brisbane Festival 2009, Total Nowhere Emotion Expansion (TNEE) was an offline and online exhibition gallery.

For the duration of the Festival, TNEE was to be made available online via the website and offline in a mobile media art gallery – which was a converted semi-trailer filled with computers and projectors.

The exhibition gallery featured works from 9 artists which scrolled horizontally to showcase each piece.  Continue reading


10 Jul 2009

Widget: Easy Meal Solutions

Project type: Adobe Air desktop widget
Role: User experience designer, technical lead
Tasks: Research widget conventions, lead project, and write functional / technical specification.

Adobe Air desktop widget. UX by Katy Andrews

Recipe planner desktop widget developed using Adobe Air.

Overview

Australian Avocados commissioned Liquid Interactive to develop an ‘Easy Meal Solutions’ Widget as part of their digital strategy and complement the Avocados website.

As a useful ‘recipe planner’ desktop-based widget, the Avocados brand would be front-of-mind for users.

Through the highly interactive user interface, users could:

  • Get randomised meal ideas,
  • Read inspirational quotes,
  • Search the website’s extensive recipe database,
  • Set meal reminders,
  • Set favourite recipes,
  • Create, save, edit and rate their own recipes, and
  • Submit recipes to the website.

The target demographic for this application was the householder, so the user experience needed to be clear, direct and straightforward.

Process

Our primary development capability was Adobe Flash – so a widget engine / platform that could compile using Actionscript 3 and Flash assets would be the most effective route for development.

I worked with an experienced Flash / Flex developer to research the feasibilities of various platforms and settled on Adobe Air. Air is a platform that can run on both Windows and Mac making the widget available to the maximum number of users without sacrificing aesthetics or functionality.

The widgets pickup was immediate and was supported with a targeted marketing campaign which not only encouraged the existing user base to download the widget, but also brought new click throughs to the site.


11 Mar 2009

Installation: Cartography

Creators: Steven Cullen and Katy Andrews. My contribution to this project was ux/ui design, production design and scripting.

fig 1. 3D translation and rendering of the gestures 'drawn' on a canvas.

Cartography is a tangible artefact promoting a playfully collaborative environment. Putting participants in the role of an explorer, Cartography invites them to chart out newly discovered lands.

Using simple gestures you can create islands and contribute to a virtual world which grows and evolves as more people engage with it. Participants use a quill inlaid with a magnetic switch which activates the canvas. Drawing on the canvas renders the line.

Two types of line define the island. The outer line encompassing other lines, constitutes a flat island. To chart island topography, participants drew ‘mountain’ lines. Please refer to fig. 2:

fig 2. The drawing surface and gestures.

The phsyical set-up of the installation was themed as though looking out a window. The rendered island (as illustrated in fig. 1.) was rear-projected onto the screen behind the window. The charting canvas was also rear-projected into the ‘blotter’ on the table when the quill was lifted. Please refer to fig. 3.

fig 3. Physical set-up of the installation.


4 Mar 2009

Installation: Pook

fig 1. "Virtual" component of installation. Displayed within the "book".

SCOOT is a LBG for families to play together… but essentially it is aimed at the kids. The game is called SCOOT and we have designed it for public places and museums… as a way to introduce everyday places as both a muse for storytelling and a stage for adventure… as well as to demonstrate to kids that basic mobile phone services can be used creatively.”

Created as part of Scoot Melbourne, this ‘node’ was to be 2-5 minutes worth of interaction time and to leverage historical facts and figures. I acted as ux/ui designer, graphic designer and programmer.

Continue reading


11 Feb 2009

Dexter / Six Feet Under Themed Experience

Everyone suitably dressed in black for the evening.

44 guests attended and loved it.

Similar to a ‘Fun House‘ at a Fair, this concept was borne from a love of the intensely detailed aesthetic of (Showtime’s) Dexter and (HBO’s) Six Feet Under.

Stemming from the style prescribed by the aforementioned, Katy contributed all: thematic concept, set-pieces, refreshments, set dressing, and print design.

Each invitee received a toe-tag which listed the details of the party. This was accompanied by a letter of condolence and instructions on how to prepare the body for intake.

Upon arrival, guests entered through crime scene tape into a room cocooned in plastic. Following check in,  toe-tags were affixed (for easy identification by fellow cadavers) and disposable gloves issued – so as to not contaminate the scene.

All food and drink was coloured red (like blood) and topped off with a bleeding cake.

Each invitation was merged through Microsoft Word and painstakingly (but lovingly) printed, cut, perforated, threaded, sealed and delivered.

Photo of print materials including toe-tag and letter.

Letter, toe-tag and envelope. * Names have been altered to protect the innocent.


7 Feb 2009

QUT: Creative Industries Graduation Exhibition (2007)

Photo of the End of Year Show by Katy Andrews

Start of the Night

250-300 guests attended the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) end of year exhibition.

Co-curator with Jen Sevnick (smArtnoise.net).

The exhibition was one night in duration encompassing 14 installations; all of which implemented alternative input devices. Special consideration was taken when positioning the installations as this would affect performance and audience perception (e.g. using video as input required a solid, unwavering background).

Certain eye-catching pieces were situated towards the rear of the space to draw the audience through the body of the exhibition.

Installations not functioning correctly were removed from the exhibition to maintain a sense of completeness. This was difficult but necessary.

Team co-ordination and communication played a large part – most importantly, ensuring tasks were completed properly and in good time. A number of Gantt charts and Google documents (bump-in/run sheets) were shared online to ensure timetable awareness.

Potential risks were identified and managed – from small power board failures to grid failure to audience accidents.