The problem:
It's difficult for users to attend equipment training in person.
Additionally, the information is difficult to retain.
The solution:
A training application to teach students how to use Texas State's Make-It-Lab, known as The MiL.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/9782b26f-01e1-4191-8576-160e7b0fbf4f_rw_1920.gif?h=d514412129d30ed25f3ad676468c08c8)
My Role:
User Research, Wireframing, Prototyping, Usability Testing
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/72a8f6d5-ec45-4885-a2dd-eb1e9cdcc197_rw_1200.png?h=d3bf6e79feb8e38b5ea0e6ac50b33dda)
Tools:
Adobe CC, Figma, Design Thinking methodologies
Style Guide
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/b7c21c06-605a-45e3-84d3-cc238c7fe731_rw_1200.png?h=4ca5a7527fa7fd970851537d10d72d28)
The MiL
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/4a428e1e-159e-4b8a-bbe2-67cd29fa5d44_rw_1920.jpg?h=e651f445dc25d9e40ff214219d8344db)
The MiL is equipped with 3D printers, die cutters, laser cutter, and CNC machine.
Information Architecture
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/07fa8e03-0f1c-4cf9-baef-b89b1e597487_rw_1920.png?h=f821acebd8dd40fb6222bc1f6a0e5e82)
Research Process:
Defining the Scope
The MiL is a new lab that has only been opened a couple semesters. In-person training is offered Fridays at 1 p.m., which can be difficult for students to attend. Additionally, in-person training is often completed months before students use the equipment which leads to a memory retention problem. The MiL training app allows users to receive training at their convenience and the ability to to access prior training for a quick refresh.
Ask the Experts
Stakeholder interviews consistent of undergraduate and graduate students and professors.
Personas
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/0bb6b247-655e-486e-bb95-19a2115ce68b_rw_1920.jpg?h=206ecea4d3fbc040acfd58a7d63fadf4)
User Workflow
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/d5c984f9-b46f-4535-8d4c-3eb2c21f8b3c_rw_1920.jpg?h=8fc5333ed35816423dc945a2f0b15e0a)
Design Sprint
Steps included lightning demos, sketching, crazy 8's, and solution sketches.
Key Findings
– Other maker labs offer a mixture of video and written training methods.
– The training portion needs a visual representation: either a human spokesperson or a mascot.
– Users need to be able to see their progress.
– Users need to know how long the training will take in advance.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/ac0db738-8cf4-44cf-b7b0-015f9077c109_rw_1920.jpg?h=d0dda2ca0ccbc57404c8b5773d1c2891)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/4e765d1b-ac0a-48ee-aa4b-4c5e2fcf227f_rw_1920.jpg?h=835d55a7eb5ca0686de538ec819a772b)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/1e985d0d-6b57-4a5a-9e47-450d280ee050_rw_1920.jpg?h=881025aed796c0f7536d3f258a9d51c6)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/4bcfd2a6-e563-4e08-88c1-dd3e7d3a686e_rw_1920.jpg?h=c230cc5e40991c236a68b753e0daf080)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/78d15fcc-dd2d-452b-aa7c-c951c99afed8_rw_1920.jpg?h=856637fcff2006fbabc884e6c0c968de)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/a7517b92-e29c-4512-af0a-a4f64cdfa8ce_rw_1920.jpg?h=c529474de94f4fb29d8222c8c831854f)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/76c72c07-c199-432e-9fae-f60240bb65e5_rw_1920.jpg?h=e322fd0a1529855b4f9f9801a8f53bce)
Low-Fidelity Prototypes
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/e162e296-5556-4d6d-b5f9-65ee0ebca7da_rw_1920.png?h=a76b60b3535943327547e4bcb5b6c324)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/ecc3bac3-db98-44de-9b52-74425ac93af0_rw_1920.jpg?h=cec6ca514544cfea440150472c0b3277)
Wireframes
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/df8a2579b2c1edb17cec180535e334df/d29caf71-3f42-47bb-9a71-7e2e8a851557_rw_1920.jpg?h=95cef3306e3bc5d2adeab0d52f56fcdc)