Yang Zhang portfolio

I certify that the work included in this

portfolio is my own original work.

Work included which was conducted

as a part of a team or other group is

indicated and attributed as such - the

other team members are named and

a true description of my role in the

project is included.

IU Application Number:

IU001564532

Y a n g Zhang

29MOTION GRAPHICS

Digital Media Design

23TAI JIECO WASHER

Product Design

19HEALTH PLUS

Service Design

15HAIER HIGH-END REFRIGERATOR

Research+Visual Design

09SMARTAPPLICANCE

Design + Focus Group

04DIGITALSTEAMER

Research + UI Design

01ASUS 6-INCHeBOOK

UI Design

http://imyangzhang.weebly.com/Portfolio Website:

ABOU T

This project was designing an

interactive user interface for 6-inch

touch-screen eBook for ASUS.

The goal was to provide an easy

to use e-reader device to ensure a

comfortable, portable and continuous

reading experience.

Type: Individual Work + Small Group Work

Team: Jun Liu

My role: Market Analysis, Task Flow,

Prototyping, Original Concept &

Design of Graphic User Interface

A S U S 6-INCH eBOOK

01

U s e r I n t e r f a c e D e s i g n

01

USER INTERFACE DESIGN ASUS 6-inch eBook

Wireframe & SketchesDesign Criteria

The display technology of this eBook was electronic ink.

I conducted some researches on electronic ink and eB-

ook products. Electronic ink could make reading experi-

ence more comfortable due to it can reflect light directly

just like paper. However, electronic ink had very low

refresh rate. When flipping over pages, it might show

the shadow of the previous page. Moreover, it only sup-

ported 16 level gray colors.

Thereby, 3 design criterias were defined:

1. Operation steps as easy as possible.

2. Ensuring visual continuity.

3. Providing intuitive using experience.

Library

Music

App

licat

ion

Dictionary

RSS Reader

Notepad

Scrapbook

Photo

Select book Reading

Main Menu

List Area

More Info

Search by Letters

Annotation

TTS

Music DJ

Setting

Introduction

Bookmarks

Notes

Playlist

Search

Setting

Albums

Artists

Category

Sort

Online Content

News

Reader

View

Mode

Search

Search

Bookmark

Zoom

Content

02

Final Layout

Based on research, the theme of user interface was

(simplicity). Most of the texts, icons and buttons were

designed as linear forms, because too much solid dark

space could slow down the system when refreshing.

For the final design delivery, I created the libray page,

reading page, some application pages and all the icons.

Library Main Page

Application Page

Book Introduction

Reading Page with Keyboard

Reading Page with Music Play

Reading Page with Dictionary

01.

02.

03.

04.

05.

06.

简

01 02 03

04 05 06

USER INTERFACE DESIGN ASUS 6-inch eBook 03

ABOU T

Rapid life pace has stressed out many

people in China. They want delicious &

healthy dishes to relieve pressure. Yet,

many cooking methods are not perfect,

some end up with too many calories

and some take too much time.

The idea of steaming was proposed

from our client Supor. They wanted us

to dig deeper into steaming cooking,

unveil potential market opportunities

for fast paced life and user needs. This

project involved user research, product

design and user interface design. My

contribution to this project was to

conduct user research, in-home visit,

data analysis and interface design.

Type: Individual + Small Group Work

Team: Jun Liu,Angel Huang,Hui Wang

My role: Interview, In-home Visit,

Data Analysis, Need Finding,

Wireframe, Prototyping

D I G I T A LS T E A M E R

02

User Research + Interface Design

04

USER RESEARCH + INTERFACE DESIGN Digital Steamer

Market Analysis

Target Consumer Definition

05

To better understand users’ perspective and behavior, we conducted a

two weeks field research, including interview, survey and in-home visit.

First we analyzed how consumers defining the idea of ‘Steaming’. We

interviewed self-cooking consumers in Beijing, Changsha, Suzhou and

Guangzhou.

A household more than 3 family members,

at least cooking steamed food twice a week,

25-45years old.

Work - busy, few spare time

Life - cooking dishes & doing laundries at home

Diet goals - Healthy, Nutritious, Light

Digital Steamer

In-home Visit

06

After conducting interviews, we also implemented in-home visits for 2 families per city, total 8 families. We requested them to cook 5

types of steamed food (fish, short ribs, eggs, stuffed bun and rice) in two ways, one was their traditional way (using gas), the other was

using digital steamer. In addition, we observed their cooking behavior and had in-depth talk with them when they were carrying out the

tasks. Above are in-home visit insights.

USER RESEARCH + INTERFACE DESIGN

Digital Steamer

Design Opportunities

07

After user research phase, the design

team divided to two groups. The ID team

was creating ways to propose product

design. And I was responsible for the UI

design.

I defined the design criteria as Visible

Gourmet, Locked Nutrition and Con-

venient Efficiency. Each criterion was also

correspondent to unique control func-

tions of the LCD panel.

USER RESEARCH + INTERFACE DESIGN

Selected Design Pages

10 default menus for users to conveniently start

steaming; each has been preset with time, flavor and

heat level for best nutrition preservation. Users can

click custom menu for advanced operation.

Main Menu

User can choose low, middle, high option for heating

level.

Heat Choice Page

Visual display of steaming process. Motion graphic in

the left mimics steaming task, and signs in the right

indicate time and gourmet & nutrition curve.

Steaming Process Page

User can choose 1-3 trays according to the way they

place the food. Also they can choose flavor (rare, me-

dium, well) to customize the needs.

Trays & Flavor Choice Page

Visual display of finishing task. Gourmet & nutrition

curve enters the best stage, and auto warming is ac-

tivated.

Task Finished Page

Digital Steamer 08USER RESEARCH + INTERFACE DESIGN

ABOU T

The 80’s generation is becoming the

main consumer groups in China; they

are growing up under strong influence

of technology, western culture and

fashion. Thus, we were helping our

client Joyoung to explore design

concepts of smart appliances (i-series)

and obtained feedback from 80’s users.

In particular, the client wanted to

test the potential market acceptance

of i-series and determine future new

products direction based on this.


Team: Jun Liu, Hui Wang

My role: User Research, User Interface

Ideation, Focus Group, Presentation

S M A R T A P P L I A N C E S

03

D e s i g n + Fo c u s G r o u p

09

DESIGN + FOCUS GROUP Smart Appliances

Design Criteria

First we conducted user research of the

80’s generation and defined the design

criteria of i-series products.

Thus, the i-series products needs to have

touch technology, connect with Internet,

entertaining interaction, social network-

ing and caring aspects.

10

Smart Appliances

Service Concept Service Flow

11

We designed a device called ‘Healthy

Core’, which can connect Joyoung’s

website and appliance products, as well

as providing the firsthand health consul-

tation and caring advice.

In addition, users could also utilize com-

puters and smart phones to operate on

i-series products remotely through Wi-Fi.

DESIGN + FOCUS GROUP

Smart Appliances

UI Ideation Low-Fi Prototyping

12

Next step was to create UI design. Us-

ers could download information like

seasonal recipes, diet plan and cooking

videos from the ‘Healthy Core’ , comput-

ers or smart phones to i-series applianc-

es. The recipes were already preset with

best cook time and heat level to preserve

nutrition and flavor. When users cooked

with their own habit, i-series appliances

would save personalized data and upload

it to ‘healthy core’ or computers. The

data then would be shared with other i-

series appliances for further usage. Other

functions included notification, remote

control and fingerprint identification.

With easy interaction on the touch screen

interface of i-series products, users could

conveniently & efficiently manage recipes

and cook dishes.


Smart Appliances

Product Design(conducted by ID team)

Focus Group - User Info

13

Based on user interface ideation, the ID

team proposed 3 design concepts of i-

series small appliances.

After design concept phase

both for UI & product, we be-

gan to arrange the focus group

research.

We invited 2 groups of 80’s

generation users. Each group

was asked about their opin-

ions, attitudes, and percep-

tions towards i-series products.

*As a control group, users in

group 2 have lower income than

group 1. Other aspects of both

groups are similar.


Smart Appliances

Focus Group

Conclusion

14

Next, we arranged a brainstorming ses-

sion. We gave them 3 minutes to fast

browse design & fashion magazines.

Then, they were asked to express their

expectations of future small appliances.

Then we presented design concept of i-

series products, and invited both groups

to show their opinions about the design.

The feedbacks were surprising. Group 1

showed strong interest & recommended

valuable suggestion. Group 2 almost

possessed negative attitude.

With higher income & job position, more acceptable of novel product,

Group 1 represented impulsive consumer. They were passion about

surprises when making a purchase, and willing to embrace life quality

with the advance of technology.

Possessing lower income & job position and budget saver ideas, con-

trol Group 2 represented cautious consumer. They were more prag-

matism, focusing on usage value when making a purchase.

The results and statistics of focus group showed obvious differences

between two groups. Further interviews conducted by the clients re-

flected the market was not ready. The client decided not to launch

i-series products.


ABOU T

This project was to provide design

concepts for Haier’s high-end

refrigerator. The goal was to explore

opportunities for high-end refrigerator

in terms of market trend and the

modern luxury, such as unique material,

pattern and new interactive experience.


Team: Jun Liu, Leo Liu

My role: User Research, Ideation and Visual

Design

HAIER HIGH-END REFRIGERATOR

04

Research + Visual Design

15

RESEARCH + VISUAL DESIGN Haier High-end Refrigerator

Research & Design Criteria

In order to obtain a well-rounded knowledge about

high-end refrigerators, we conducted field studies, in-

cluding visiting consumer electronics stores, collecting

information from user behavior and needs.

Based on the research, we synthesized 4 criteria that can

reflect the value of high-end refrigerator:

1. Brand value, which Haier already possesses as an

international corporation.

2. Material creativity. Applying materials such as bor-

derless glass panel, natural texture (wood veneer, leath-

er texture and marble effect), and metal effect.

3. Technology / Usability. Integrating product design

with latest technologies like touch screen, large LCD

panels, temperature sensor, and Internet of Things.

4. Additional Value. Applying elements such as light

effect, pattern and Chinese style into the design.

16

Market Analysis

Design Criteria

01.

02.

01

02

Personas & Mood Board

17

From the analysis, we decided to focus on the user base of lady socialites who were empha-

sizing on quality of life. We defined 4 categories, each persona represent a design theme.

RESEARCH + VISUAL DESIGN Haier High-end Refrigerator

Final Design

18RESEARCH + VISUAL DESIGN Haier High-end Refrigerator

ABOU T

This was a service design project in

Tongji University. We designed a service

system aiming to exchange the health

needs between urban residents and

rural residents, in the way of leading

people to live in a healthier way.


Team: Song Song, Siyuan Shen

My role: User Research, Ideation, Storyboard

and Handmade Modeling

H E A L T HP L U S

05

S e r v i c e D e s i g n

19

SERVICE DESIGN Health Plus

How the Service Works

We named the service company ‘Health Plus’; urban and

rural residents were our considered customers. We co-

operated with fitness centers to offer products & ser-

vices, which guided people to live in a healthier way.

There were 2 main aspects of our operation:

For city residents, we offered chances for club mem-

bers to experience healthy life style in the countryside

with a paid membership, such as sun-circle timetable,

natural foods, and outdoor leisure activities.

For rural residents, we used the membership fee from

urban residents’ to improve rural health facilities. Also

rural residents could provide healthy diet advices to the

urban residents.

20

Logo 02. Core Business

Service Network

01.

03.

02

03

01


Storyboard

21

1. Urban customers register at fitness centers, they see Health Plus’s advertise-ment.

6. They stay in the local family hotels. The host of the family hotel also gets trained from Health Plus.

11. Or relaxing and doing yoga in wheat fields.

16. They can purchase local organic food, and bring the freshness home.

2. One nice weekend, Katie’s family take part in.

7. Katie’s family begins the adventure, they receive suggestions about health and nutrition tips.

12. Forget video games, internet and city pressure, let’s run in the fields.

17. What a great adventure, they surely will come back again!

3. Health Plus shuttle takes them to Chongming Ecological Island.

8. In early morning, instructors teach them morning exercises such as Taiji.

13. The family also experience some la-bor work in the field.

4. Chongming, the island of natural land-scape and eco environment.

9. During breakfast, the host provides natural organic food and introduces many healthy diet knowledge to them.

14. They are fishing and mediating in a quiet environment.

5. Katie’s family arrived, villagers in Chongming are so warm hearted.

10. They attend various activities in the countryside.

15. Healthy dinner with fresh fruits, yo-gurt and vegetables keeps them de-lighted.


Final Design - Handmade Modeling

22

The concept was realized by handmade

modeling. The modeling expressesed a

strong contrast between crowed busy city

and open quiet rural space.

For citizens, they can get rid of both mental and physical pressure from city, and

enjoy activities such as playing Taiji and Yoga in large rice fields. Also they can eat

healthy diet provided by villagers.

For villagers, training and health center are improved, so they can enhance their

working capabilities and receive basic medical cares. This is a mutual benefits

product service system.

ABOU T

This was a course project from

Politecnico Di Torino. The project was

cooperated with INDESIT(an Italian

home appliance brand) and the mission

was to design an eco-washing machine

by redesigning the components.

Type: Individual Work + Small Group work

Team: Niaoniao Li

My role: Idealization, Sketches, User Research,

System Design, and Product Design

Ta i J i E c o W a s h e r

06

P r o d u c t D e s i g n

23

PRODUCT DESIGN Tai Ji - Eco Washer

Target & Design Criteria

China had the largest population and the fastest growth

of elder people living by their own, we chose the elders

as our target user.

After a thoroughly research on the life style of Chinese

elders and mechanic structures of washing machine, we

based our concept on 3 design criteria:

Culture. The culture life of elder population is focused

on keeping traditional life style, such as doing Bonsai

(Chinese gardening), playing Taiji and petting birds.

House system. The washing machine and phytodepura-

tion are connected with bathroom facilities, which can

generate a water cycle through the whole house system.

Less resource. We dismiss the heater component and

directly use cold tap water, because we can use nature

detergent such as Sapindusmukorossi (Sapindaceae)

that doesn’t need heating.

24


Task Flow

Normally, there are two processes in each laundry task:

washing process and rinsing process. The traditional

washing task is a linear process. Most water is used in

rinsing process and the wastewater flows into sewage

directly, which is not reused or recycled. Also, most elec-

trical energy is used for heating and spin dry.

We redesigned the washing and rinsing process. In the

washing process, water is coming from tap water and

phytodepuration. After washing, wastewater is drained

into phytodepuration. Bathroom wastewater is drained

to phytodepuration as well. After phytodepuration,

clean water flows back to washing or rinsing process

and grey water is utilized for flushing toilet. To optimize

the energy flow, we added a Tai Ji thruster to generate

and save the electricity in batteries for future use. The

output of washing machine vibration can also provide

gently massage for elder people.

25


How The Product Works

We named the washing machine ‘Tai Ji’. The core is the

micro component of washing, which includes detergent

ball, washing drum, water counterweight, pump, elec-

tric valve and pipe for clean water.

The phytodepuration component is divided into two

parts, the right part is used for storing and purifying

wastewater, and the left part is for collecting clean wa-

ter. After each laundry, wastewater flows into right part

of phytodepuration for purification; the purified water

flows into the left part and is pumped into water coun-

terweight. Some water in the water counterweight is

used for anti-vibration, some flows into the drum for

washing or rinsing.

26



The lower part of water counterweight contains the

energy components, such as batteries, motor and plug.

Batteries are connected with Tai Ji thruster. Balance belt

can be used for hanging birdcages and plants. Massage

component is located on the left surface, which is de-

signed according to elder people’s ergonomics.

27

PRODUCT DESIGN Tai Ji - Eco Washer 28


Operation Process

Rendering 03. Details

01.

02.02 03

01

ABOU T

This section displays my motion graphic

design works. The video links are also

provided.

Type: Individual Work

My role: Director, Scene Setting, Idealization,

Filming, Music and Video Editing

M o t i o nG r a p h i c s

07

D i g i t a l M e d i a D e s i g n

29

DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGN Finger @ Shanghai

Finger @ Shanghai

Video URL

Fingers are the most flexible organs of human body. People may tell

lies, but fingers never tell lies. They are disclosing our true thoughts

directly. For example, if people feel nervousness, fingers will tell us

by trembling.

The animation is a story of a new immigrant to the modern Shanghai

for the first time. He is wandering in all kinds of streets, feeling sur-

prised, puzzled, mocked and acted even funny. Just like a metropolis

by Charlie Chaplin, the finger animation is worth of meditating.

This work joined the Student Exhibition of Shanghai Biennial. The

main line of this animation was constructed by finger animation and

real scene.

30

http://youtu.be/nP4ZeCUrwFE

More Motion Graphic Works Video URL

TV Channel Broadcast

TV Channel Broadcast Design

This was a broadcast package design for ‘Weekly Express’ of Taicang

TV, including the head leader animation design and title background

design. I used combination and deconstruction method of visual

graphic elements as a tool to build active dynamic effects. The de-

sign was to build up a strong brand identity for Taicang TV.

31

http://youtu.be/0YssV2hKNy0?list=PLFllAZh4Cs17uj4gjUU70GuEdD1zWWn2p

http://youtu.be/FzRm-PYlpKM

DIGITAL MEDIA DESIGN

Por t fo l io Webs i te :

T h a n k Y o u

http://imyangzhang.weebly.com/

Documents

Yang Zhang portfolio