Increasingly it is the quality of the interface of mobile phones that are giving competitors the edge. Users not only make selections based on cost but also functionality and certainly some manufacturers are better in implementing 'voice recognition software' or providing additional stylus functionality. These approaches are leading to some product differentiation in the market.
This assignment encourages you to develop your interface design and prototyping skills and provides you with a real life problem scenario.
This assignment is in two parts. The first part is an individual piece of work that requires you to design an app for paperless receipts. A new scheme has been launched in the UK that will allow some consumers to store their receipts from a selection of stores online. Moving to a digital approach may well open up the door for a range of marketing initiatives. 75 stores in the West End of London are part of this pilot scheme where users can use their smartphone at the till and check their transactions online which will be stored on a "cloud". The retailer will keep a similar record. An alternative approach is to send out emails instead of an internet site. Retailers are already expressing a preference to a specific approach for marketing reasons. Users may be reluctant to view their accounts online or alternatively not wish to be bombarded with emails. The development of such apps poses a number of usability problems. You assignment encourages you to think about such problems in the design of an interface. You need to think carefully about the market, users and the transactions and tasks they are likely to perform. Your design solution needs to incorporate user requirements and deal with usability problems.
The overall assignment task is to design and prototype an interface for both the user and retailer, that requires a smartphone app for the user for scanning at the till and presenting receipt information and a web interface for viewing a user accounts. From the retailers perspective you are required to design and prototype a web interface for viewing sales receipts.