Tejal Sampat

Abstract

We are more connected than we used to be but people are becoming disengaged from the real world. Are smartphones a blessing or a bane? That depends on how we use it. Being hooked to a smartphone while interacting with family or friends is a definite no-no.

To address the issue of being neglected in social situations, timeOut allows neglected users to send anonymous timeouts to obsessive smartphone users who are preoccupied with their smartphones and are in close proximity to neglected users. The timeOut app allows neglected users to express their feelings without upsetting or embarrassing anyone. The application leveraged lean UX methodologies to quantify smartphone usage to make people aware of their distractive behavior.

The goal of the project is to influence behavior through nudges, prompts and challenges that help the users in making positive behavioral changes.This project takes the form of a proof-of-concept prototype. The final outcome is based on research, user experience and human-computer interaction, design principles and technology to demonstrate the underlying concepts.

timeOut has four main objectives:

• To positively influence social behavior and impact smartphone usage with the help of user-friendly interface

• To promote conversation

• To make obsessive smartphone users aware of their distractive social behavior

• To limit the interactions to bare minimum and design an externally consistent design for the iOS platform

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Smartphones--Social aspects--Interactive multimedia--Design; User interfaces (Computer systems)--Design

Publication Date

5-15-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Visual Communication Design (MFA)

Department, Program, or Center

School of Design (CIAS)

Advisor

Chris Jackson

Advisor/Committee Member

Nancy Ciolek

Advisor/Committee Member

Evan Selinger

Comments

Physical copy available from RIT's Wallace Library at QA76.8.K64 S36 2015

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

VISCOM-MFA

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