From Classroom to Reality: The Journey of the Urban U Project
Reflecting on the UrbanU project within the context of Professor Mudd’s lectures, our readings, class activities and teamwork, it is clear that the theoretical frameworks provided by the coursework were crucial in shaping our practical application. Our progression from conceptualizing the project to developing iterative prototypes highlighted several key learnings, notably the importance of empathetic design, cultural sensitivity, and the agile feedback loop.
We leveraged the power of storytelling, focusing on context, architecture, mechanics and poetics. This approach was clearly reflected in our creation of engaging video content for Urban U, designed to address the challenges faced by international students, thereby weaving a narrative that was both informative and reassuring. When feedback from users indicated that our initial strategy of commenting on TikTok was ineffective, we shifted to dedicated chat groups, favoring polls over comments due to their less confrontational nature.
A pivotal moment arose when we learned that TikTok was banned in mainland China, contrary to our prior assumptions. This feedback from our interviewers prompted us to set up a Douyin account, significantly improve our outreach to our primary audience — Chinese international graduate students. This strategic shift not only showcased our adaptability but also demonstrated our comprehensive understanding of the extent and regulatory impacts of media platforms. It emphasized the importance of selecting the appropriate platform for accessibility and engagement, leading us to enhance our content to be more interactive and personalized.
By applying classroom insights to a real-world setting, we confronted the challenge of enhancing user engagement with our prototype. Drawing from class activities centered on user interaction, we introduced features such as polls and live streams to Urban U, thereby increasing user involvement and establishing a direct feedback mechanism crucial for the ongoing improvement of our project.
Looking ahead, the insights from this project resonate with my future academic and professional aspirations. Proficiencies in user-centered design and creating culturally sensitive content align with my ambitions in international development and digital communications. The iterative design process, a core aspect of both our coursework and this project, has inspired me to further explore agile methodologies, considering their potential to tackle real-world issues.
Ultimately, this project highlights the essential connection between academic theories and their practical applications. The project served as a testing ground for the theories discussed in class, validating their relevance and usefulness. It also spurred a reflection on the continuous learning cycle, where academic knowledge enriches practical experiences, which in turn, refine and enhance future academic and professional endeavors.
