Design Challenge, Insights, How Might We, Brainstorming, and Ideas

DESIGN CHALLENGE

Our design challenge (#2):

Long hours spent in isolation are not uncommon to graduate students as they struggle through the four or five — or more — years required to finish their degrees. Though resources exist to help graduate students, many still struggle with academic stress, isolation and pressure to graduate on time. Some students may have to leave without a degree if they cannot pass their general exams on the first or second attempt, while others struggle through the proposal and defense stages. Though many people pass, the pressure of succeeding creates a lot of stress for students. As a part of this design challenge, you'll work with your team to design a new system that works to counteract some of the effects of isolation for graduate students and supports them in achieving their goals.

Constraints:

Users must be able to record their goals and mark them as accomplished

System must support collaboration

Insight Statements

1) Graduate Students of all levels seem to struggle with managing their time.

2) Finances seem to be a common stressor among graduate students.

3)With the balancing of school/ research, work, and possibly a family, students find it difficult to carve out some time to alleviate stress.

How Might We...?

BRAINSTORMING IDEAS

Different milestones
Sync with Google Calendar
Time Mgt. Embed third-party software in app
To do list that imports into calendar with reminders
Stages of assignments due, suggested a timeline to help you
Rewards for completing milestones
project mgt. tool (Microsoft)
A way to post (social media)
searchable based on stressors (search bar)
"How are you feeling?" Interface changes based on mood/ clickable smileys
friend check-ins
upcoming events
log into BB
Forming groups (academic, social)
Financial link/budget/ Popup window /financial mgt./financial aid site
Time Money Space
IM/Phone call/skype/face time
Calendar can be collaborative
Stumbleupon
Fitness/accelerometer/health
integration
music after certain distance
App interface in browser (m.clemson)

Random motivational quotes
alarm clock (visual & music) Waking up in a very relaxed manner

Sounds, animation
User decides motivational quotes
push notifications
Push notifications for collaboration
send 

Thinking hard!!!

IDEA SELECTED

The idea selected is an app based on the concepts of how to manage and to cope effectively with the stress and rigors of graduate study and research. The user inputs profile data about him/herself, selects images or colors based on a variety of moods, and then enters the app. The user has the option to utilize a calendar, a timeline, log milestones in assignments and research, create a budget, interact with friends, make recommendations on music, movies, etc., listen to music, and a variety of other social...

The user will select a mood form a visual of different faces, ranging from sadness to mania.