Process Work
My process for this project was one of much interest! I was able to pick a topic that I was already fond of, and used that as motivation for each step of the way.
Brainstorming
When tasked with creating something that would build community, I considered what aspects of existing apps and experiences were popular. Brainstorming led me to a way to connect through tours of The Beatles Museum in Liverpool. Guided tours are not really ‘reinventing the wheel’ so I wanted to give people the opportunity to go at their own pace without experiences everything solo.
By assigning each tour group a Beatle, I was able to match their stage personalities to a common way of going about a museum. For example, the “Paul Tour” is centered around the landmarks and iconic aspects of the exhibition. The “John Tour” however, is structured a bit more around the details; it is an intentional way to learn about one of the greatest bands ever.
A secondary feature that came with this project creation was a way to make a playlist based on the items visitors are seeing in the museum real-time. “Fab Tracks” is designed to use QR codes from each and every piece in the exhibit, then pairing those with a correlating song. When a user scans a piece, that song is then added to a playlist of their choice. For example, if someone scans the code for the guitar used in “While My Guitar Gently Weeps”, that song would then be added to their profile for guests to listen to post-visit.
Fine Tuning
Most revisions came from connecting various aspects of the prototype together. Making buttons work for the user, adding in heavier content that aligned with the theme, and overall improving craftsmanship on the entire application was what brought it together.
I was able to learn what it means to polish a project before presenting it to others.
Finish Line
Screens were connected, and the elements that I had chosen to expand on were active! While not all buttons and areas of the app are useable in this prototype, the areas that are functional express the goal of the project: building community through an application!
The Extra Mile
This course offered an opportunity for an “Experience Booster” which leveled up the project completely. I was able to imagine a space in the exhibit where people could make a physical version of their Fab Tracks playlist, making their own vinyl record. While this idea is completely hypothetical, it is centered around human experience and physical media that resembles the time in which The Beatles were rocking around the world.
The sleeve for the record was completely inspired by the museum’s existing logo and brand, but paired with my proposed interactive activity. It was intended for the back to have a sticker or sleeve that would align with one’s personalized song choices!
The inside of the record’s sleeve is where a user could handwrite the information that made their trip completely unique! They can fill in their favorite songs, their tour group (if applicable) and remember their trip every time the drop the needle!
This version (filled in by me!) shows how just one visit can create a million memories!
What songs would you add to your Personal Playlist?