DROPSPUN
A CREATIVE and USEFUL targeted app designed to INCREASE EFFICIENCY, SUPPORT the management, and ENHANCE the overall EXPERIENCE of members of the color guard community.
Designers note: Dropspun is approximately halfway through its design process. As designers, it is expected that we wait until the product is finished before telling the story.
However, this app is special.
It's not the subject matter, nor the deliverables. It's not the challenges faced by the target users of the app, nor the illustration of my ability to design meaningful things that makes this app unique.
It is the app's potential to help the hundreds of thousands of inexperienced performers, life-long mavericks, and the unit directors and staff, who devote innumerable hours of blood, sweat, and broken bones to the color guard universe in pursuit of excellence.
There is no other app currently in existence that offers the solutions and tools that Dropspun does and since the user base is comprised of those who expect and deliver greatness, this app should reflect the same.
Updates will be posted as they happen. Reach out with questions. Enjoy the process. Support your local color guard unit.
Start learning with DROPSPUN!
Prototype available soon.
IT'S NOT A DROP. IT'S A FLOOR CATCH!
Dropspun is your go-to solution for boosting efficiency, fostering teamwork, and fostering growth within the vibrant Color Guard community. Originally designed to make sure color guard instructors can make the most of precious rehearsal time, our research uncovered essential areas where color guard units can benefit from improved organization throughout the season.
WHAT IS COLOR GUARD?
Ever found yourself captivated by the halftime spectacle during a high school or college football game? Picture this: a dynamic display featuring uniformed individuals on the field, seamlessly blending music with mesmerizing choreography. Now, add a touch of flair with flags, rifles, and sabers soaring through the air. That's the enchanting world of color guard, turning halftime into a visual symphony of artistry and skill.
In short, the band makes the music SOUND good, the color guard makes it LOOK great.
And...it's a LOT of WORK!
SUMMARY
Scope: Create an app to make it easier and more efficient for color guard instructors to introduce new performers to basic skills, reduce show design block, and connect members of all levels in the color guard community and to critical resources.
Role: Principal Designer, Researcher, Content Creator, Visual Designer.
Tools: Figma, iOS, Google Forms, Canva, and a lot of stakeholder input.
Timeframe: Unlimited.
Deliverables: Completed - Mind Map, Data Analysis Reports, Survey, User Interviews, Personas, Site Map, User Flows, Wireframes. Forthcoming - Mood Board, Story Board, Logo, Design System, Prototype.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Marching bands and color guards have a historical foundation in military traditions, transitioning to civilian entertainment in the 19th and 20th centuries. Originally focused on musical coordination, marching bands became popular at parades and events. The addition of color guards, featuring visual elements like flags and rifles, enhanced performances.
Competitive aspects emerged in the mid-20th century with organizations like Drum Corps International and Winter Guard International. Today, marching bands and color guards are dynamic art forms, integral to school spirit, sports events, and competitions. Their evolution includes sophisticated choreography, cutting-edge design, and a fusion of historical roots with contemporary creativity.
Hundreds of thousands of people participate in the marching arts at the global level.
THE CHALLENGE
Unlike traditional musicians who start learning in elementary school, color guard members typically begin their marching arts journey in high school, with only a few having the chance to start in middle school. It's rare to see elementary school-aged performers in this domain.
This means color guard directors and instructors have a unique challenge. They not only teach basic skills to new performers but also handle show design, drill placement, costuming, and choreography for a 5 to 8-minute performance. Retaining existing members and growing talent adds to the complexity.
In many cases, directors and instructors spend around 20 to 30 rehearsals teaching basic skills, totaling 60 to 90 hours, especially for highly competitive units.
What if there was a tool to help directors assign basic instruction to new performers, saving valuable rehearsal time? That could be a game-changer.
RESEARCH
The imperative for developing a high-quality app arises from the absence of a dedicated application catering specifically to the requirements of color guard performers and staff.
Comprehensive research has been undertaken to meticulously analyze the pain points, needs, desires, and practical feasibility of potential users.
INTERVIEW WITH A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT
I reached out to someone well-respected in the color guard community for her insight and shared my thoughts.
Jackie Brown the visionary founder and executive director of Spintronix, a dynamic winter guard hailing from Missouri. With a lifelong passion for the marching arts, Jackie embodies a deep commitment to preserving and advancing the craft. I couldn't resist the opportunity to tap into her wealth of experience and insights.
SURVEY AND USER INTERVIEW INSIGHTS
PERSONAS
I created four personas to represent the main functions of the app. Each persona embodies a key aspect of what the app does. It's about bringing the functionalities to life through characters.
USER STORIES
User stories in UX design are like the characters in our design story. They guide us, putting the user at the center and ensuring our designs connect personally with them.
User Flows
Creating user flows in app design is like choreographing a smooth dance for users, guiding them effortlessly through an engaging and easy-to-follow journey.
Explanation of rejected design choices.
Adding Color, Style, and Branding
Forthcoming.
Outcomes and Testing
Forthcoming.
Testing results.
More results
More results.
More results.
More results.
Design Conclusion
Words go here.
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Projects
DropspunApp with tools to learn, create, and connect people in the color guard universe
TESSFull design of an app to help manage GI disorders using Material design specifications.
IMAFull design of a simple app to help solve an automotive company's inventory woes.
FGM Events, IncWebsite redesign for a wedding planning business