Feedback

From doing feedback sessions for other modules, something that was picked up is how to successfully present the work to give the respondent maximum understanding of the design so that they are fully informed before responding to the set questions. Taking this into consideration, I ensured that the write up of the brief was printed out so that they were aware of the nature behind the problem and the target audience that it is being designed for. Along with this the ideas were each presented on separate paper with supporting sitemaps, wireframes and a mood board. This meant that there was distinction between each idea as well as visuals to inform the respondents opinions of the ideas. 

The questions:

1. Which idea do you think is the strongest in terms of a solution to the problem and why?

The responses to this question were very varied. In general #2 was favoured which is not something that was to be expected due to the limitations it possesses in terms of exploring what using a screen has to offer to a magazine. An important comment that I highlighted was that the website would require data/wifi to be accessed whereas having the magazine as something that you can download would not require this. This was a previous concern that was highlighted. However this would simply mean that the magazine would be a PDF version of the physical print. This would not explore the range of interactive elements that are available through the use of screen however it is a valid comment. A way that this could be introduced to the more interactive website is that the issue you are currently reading could be available to download to read when you are 'offline'. This would limit the features that are available to you however they would be accessible with the device you are using is connected to the internet. 

-  #2 as is is more portable and would appeal to the target audience more than a website - this is something that requires further research into the devices that the target audience would use to view a digital version of the magazine. It is something that is going to be covered in the questionnaire that will be completed at the Country Living fair. 

-  #2 could be read on the go which is a feature that makes magazines quite popular. - The idea of portability is important when designing a solution for the problem as it is something that is mentioned in the write up of the brief. In this circumstance, having the magazine as a dowloaded item would mean that you could access it on the device you are carrying and there would be no/limited restrictions. On the other hand, you can also access a website in most of the same situations/environments therefore this point could be argued for either idea. 

The other responses to this question favoured  #1. One of the comments that stood out to me was that Idea 1 still keeps the reader at the heart but idea 2 seems like you're trying to sell to a mass market. This is something that is mentioned in the brief in terms of not wanting to take focus away from the physical magazine but to enhance the user experience. This comment highlighted that if the idea to be developed were  #2 then this may be something that occurs. However, if  #1 were to be developed then this may be less likely as it is aimed at those who are already subscribers of the magazine. 

-  #1 This idea is different to what i've seen before and it feels more personal to the reader

-  #1 More accessible to a larger market rather than restricting it to a range of devices

Do you think that the navigation of the website being left and right rather than up and down relates to reading a physical magazine?

All of the comments made in response favoured the use of this navigation. It was described as being a 'familiar sense of a physical publication' and that it 'reflects the similar function of a Kindle'. However, when in the one to one discussion with a peer the motion of the page folding was suggested. This is something that had been considered however there are limitations to this, as there are with the left/right navigation. Through working through the discussion the conclusion was that it is something that is going to be determined when putting together the design of the magazine. This movement is moe representative of a magazine however this would mean that each double page would have to be viewed on screen at the same time. On the other hand with the left/right navigation, the magazine could be viewed on a larger scale as you would be seeing the magazine as a continuous design rather than each page being broken up. This feature would be different depending on the device as PC users can only scroll up and down therefore design considerations would be needed in how this would work if this is something that the design will have. 

3. Do you have any suggestions of how the reading of a magazine experience could be applied/transferred to either idea?

- look into the paper white colour. Viewing the content on a white screen may be too intense for the eye

- zooming in and out. - this is a feature that will be important for articles with larger bodies of text (depending on the screen size that they are being viewed on'.)

- video, audio, moving images

4. Do you know any examples of on screen magazines?

This is an area that I have been struggling with. Most, if not all magazines that I searched have a website that has similar and different content to the magazine however there are very few that have a digital version of the magazine that involves the interaction elements that digital media has to offer. In the one to one discussion I was introduced to the website 'Issue'. This is a site that I will go on further to analyse. Other comments suggested that I look at the magazine that are already available to download through iBooks.