Space Jam

COME ON
& SLAM

This spring, Adobe called all UX Bootcamp students and alum to compete in a NASA-inspired Creative Jam.

My Process

*testing not done

SO MUCH UNIVERSE, & SO LITTLE TIME

After hearing about the event, I immediately knew I wanted fellow CareerFoundry student Kei to be my partner in crime. We saw this as a fantastic opportunity to add another design project to our portfolio, network with other UX designers, and get some much-needed constructive feedback from experts.

Project Brief

Context

Create a tablet app experience to get kids excited about space exploration by teaching them about a single or multiple NASA JPL missions.

Objective

Features may include gaming, gallery, educational content that will help them learn more about science, robotics, and space.

Target
User

Kids between 11 to 13 years old (grades 6 to 8)

Understand

What Do Teens Want

Based on the project brief, the tablet app should allow children to apply and build on concepts they have already learned and develop an understanding of the vast world beyond our planet.

From our research, these were the key takeaways:

Care a lot about aesthetic
Most critical of websites/apps
Have the ability to skim info
Prefer not to have to use personal info

We wanted to design an engaging experience that encouraged children to keep asking questions about the world around them.

Co-Designing

Brainstorming

Once we figured out the basics; tablet type, a grid, and setting up a shared document, we were ready to rumble.

We developed the information architecture of Space Jam to help us narrow down our ideas. But still wanting to cover everything under the Sun, we picked the Solar System as our topic.

Next, it was time to divide and conquer.

Information Architecture

Once we figured out the basics; tablet type, a grid, and setting up a shared document, we were ready to rumble.

We developed the information architecture of Space Jam to help us narrow down our ideas. But still wanting to cover everything under the Sun, we picked the Solar System as our topic.

Next, it was time to divide and conquer.

Divide & Conquer

Kei shined in the research arena, scouring through many articles to gather the facts we needed about our Solar System and JPL Missions.

I worked on our user personas and mood board, then created the planet drawings. Together, we tackled new Adobe XD skills such as animation and audio.

Knowing that both of us were equally enthusiastic and committed to this project brought our vision to life. I still can't believe how much we accomplished in one week. And fresh out of our UX Immersion!

Personas

Ezra

Public School

8th Grade

Layla

Homeschool

7th Grade

Ideate

Initial Sketches

Design Decisions

Final Mood Board

Inspired by the Space Age and the scientific and cultural developments from the Space Race, we designed with vintage NASA-inspired artwork in mind.

We finalized our color palette after designing our Solar System. With the Solar System at the core of Space Jam, we wanted to ensure the palette highlighted the beauty of the Sun and each object in its orbit.

In addition to the Solar System, we added Astro Buddy to help guide teens around Space Jam as they explore NASA JPL Missions.

Outcome

While we didn't place, I had a blast working with Kei on Space Jam. I'm so proud of what we were able to accomplish in a week. It was a great learning experience and, I loved working with a teammate on a UX project.

CONGRATS TO ALL THE WINNERS!

Interactive Prototype

Reflection

Venture Outside Your Comfort Zone

If in 2020 you told me I would be signing up for a UX competition, I would have laughed in your face. But thanks to the supportive CareerFoundry community, I decided to push myself outside of my comfort zone and give it a go.

Collaboration Makes Us Better

Kei and I were not a team simply because we agreed to compete together. Kei was my mentor and personal hype man. If I ever felt stuck or unsure about my design decisions, she was there to walk with me through my thought process.

Trust In Timing & Your Mentor

A vast majority of people have some experience buying or selling a home or know someone who has. You never know when someone you see daily could offer insights into a design decision that feels difficult to solve.