Textile Samples Collection
An Android app.
The Problem
Most first year textile engineering students don’t have a thread counter tool. This makes lab excersises harder.
Objective
Design and later develop an app that has similar functionality to that of the physical thread counter tool and useful note-taking features for each sample.
The Product
An Android app that can replace the physical tool in academic settings.
Timeline
October 2024 to December 2024. (2 months)
Keep in mind:
Convenience: Using the app should be easier than just investing in the physical tool.
Minimalism: The app must be light so that it works on the vast majority of devices.
Optics: The should be useful even without knowing the specs of the device’s camera.
Budget: None
First approach: Paper wireframes
Starting from the main feature of the app, taking a photo of a sample, we find the first setback: how to measure something through the camera.
The proposed solution in this case was:
Make the “new sample” screen have a square cutout for the camera that has a reminder of the desired dimensions.
Ask the user to draw a square of said dimensions on the sample and have them match it with the cutout.
Add a “how to use” screen.
Next Step: Digitalize
*the app is in Spanish because this story is set in Argentina.
First Protoype (lo-fi)
Refine, refine, refine
New prototype
User feedback
“I like it. It’s easy to use and very intuitive”
“It would be great to have a way to keep track of where you’re counting. Like the needle on the physical device.”
“It would like to be able to save a diagram of the sample’s weave pattern in addition to taking text-based notes.”
Development hand-off time
To do:
Get the feedback from users (in progress)
Learn Kotlin and Android Studio (in progress)
Code the app
Test the app, get feedback
Fix or improve whatever needs fixing or improving
Publish the app