The VLE user interface I designed is intended for college/university-level education, for both lecturers and students. It is a place for lecturers to make assignment, upload notes and give feedback. My goal while designing was to streamline these aspects of the interface make it intuitive and quickly navigable for any lecturer. For students it is a place to get assignment information, see important dates, find lecture notes, find useful course specific tools and get feedback/grading on their work.

To achieve a great design, it was first important to research existing VLE and their users. I decided to base my research on Blackboard the VLE that we use in SETU Carlow.

I first carried out surveys on the existing VLE (blackboard) that students and teachers are using. Focused on asking users about the existing tools and features, and also about any features they would like to see. I did this so I could greatly simplify the user experience, cutting unnecessary or underused tools/features.

I gave teachers unique questions that apply more towards their experience of uploading, editing and tracking assignments, and giving feedback to students. This was done so I can find the weakness and strengths in the steps to making and marking an assignment. The most useful data to me was the text response where users can go into detail, and I can learn about the specific things they like and dislike.

To get a better understanding of the user base and of their needs I made user personas for different types of teachers and also create a journey map outlining some tasks that a user might need to complete.

Students need an intuitive interface; they need to see announcements and upcoming due dates. A place to see their previous submissions and their overall grades. A place to find information about their modules and course work.

Teachers want to easily mark student work and give feedback, they need to quickly upload and download work, must be able to make announcements and notify students when assignments change and when new work is uploaded. The site must be easy to use even by less technical teachers.

Dr. Liam Singh wants to make sure students are seeing their work and getting the feedback they need and that his assignments are thought provoking

To see if a full report on this project you can view this pdf, where I go over my wireframing process, desision infered from survey data, user testing, data visulisation and revisions

The project began with extensive market research, focusing on fuel websites in Ireland. Initially, I examined major brands like Top Oil to gather insights. After presenting my findings to my employer, I inquired whether he wanted a similar website style. While he appreciated certain aspects, he expressed a desire to avoid a corporate, soulless look. This feedback prompted me to pivot my research towards smaller, local family businesses, such as Kenny’s Fuels and perrys fuels.

Through this exploration, I identified elements that instill trust and convey care in a family-run business. I discovered the importance of showcasing the people behind the business and using language that resonates with the local community. After compiling new images and text that captured this essence, my employer was excited, and we began brainstorming ideas for displaying employees and determining the necessary visuals.

This project was a significant opportunity that allowed me to design and develop a commercial product, providing me with invaluable insights into the business landscape and enhancing my design skills. Engaging with my employer and collaborating on the vision for DNoreilly Fuels highlighted the importance of understanding client needs and user perspectives.

I learned the value of conducting thorough market research and how it informs design decisions. By exploring both large brands and local family businesses, I discovered the nuances of building trust and community connection through design. This experience reinforced my belief in the power of empathy in design and the necessity of crafting user-centered experiences.

Throughout the project, I encountered challenges that required creative problem-solving, particularly in logo design and color selection. These experiences taught me the importance of being open to feedback and iterating on ideas. I also recognized the need for flexibility, as collaborating with professionals like logo designers can greatly enhance the quality of the final product.

If I were to undertake this project again, I would focus on integrating more advanced design tools and techniques earlier in the process. Exploring AI-assisted design methods could streamline workflows and inspire innovative solutions. Overall, this project has been instrumental in shaping my approach to design, emphasizing continuous learning, collaboration, and the significance of crafting meaningful user experiences.