In-Class Project Showcase April 2024

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Project Summary:

Project Description:

The Social Procurement & Enterprise Development (SPEnD) team collected and analyzed over 1,000+ social enterprises globally based on their diversity of service and product offerings, with the goal of increasing the variety of social businesses in Canada. The team developed a tool to allow aspiring entrepreneurs to explore the world of social enterprise based on industry, country, and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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Project Summary:

Goodeals is a mobile app designed to help consumers save money and optimize their grocery shopping experience. This app allows shoppers to search for deals, and view real-time price comparisons across various stores in their area.

Project Description:

The development of Goodeals, a mobile application for grocery price comparison, marks a significant milestone in our journey to improve the shopping experience for consumers. Initiated by SmartShopper Innovations, a client with a vision to simplify grocery shopping, Goodeals was designed to help families and travelers find the best local deals and save time and money.
Our collaboration with the client began with thorough discussions to understand their vision and requirements. Emphasizing an app that was both user-friendly and visually appealing, we focused on a design that would attract a wide range of users. The prototype we developed received positive feedback from the client, confirming that we were on the right track.
Our development process was divided into stages, starting with the design of the user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) to ensure that the app was intuitive and accessible. We then moved on to the development phase, where we programmed the backend to build a stable and responsive application capable of handling price data from various sources. Simultaneously, we worked on the frontend to enhance the interface of the app.
Several key features are incorporated into Goodeals:
A search function to easily find products by category or keywords.
A favorites list for quick access to regularly bought items.
An option for users to manually update their location to find nearby deals.
An interactive map to visualize deals at different stores.
Filters to refine search results based on preferences such as store, distance, and product expiration dates.
The functionality of Goodeals was built using React Native and TypeScript, with PostgreSQL for database management. This selection of technologies enabled us to create a cross-platform application that delivers a seamless user experience on both Android and iOS devices.
To support the app’s operation, we sought out and secured a cost-effective server hosting solution for our database. This was a crucial step to ensure that Goodeals would be both reliable and accessible to its users.
For the development of Goodeals, our team encountered several challenges and notably legal issues related to aggregating data from various sources. The core functionality of Goodeals depended on accessing up-to-date and accurate price information from multiple grocery stores. However, through deep research, we found APIs that provided the necessary data legally and free of charge. This was crucial for our project because it allowed us to proceed without legal concerns and integrate diverse data sources seamlessly into Goodeals.
The management of the Goodeals project was an exercise in constant collaboration and iterative development. We used an agile methodology, which facilitated rapid adjustments and incorporation of feedback from our professors at various stages of the project. This iterative process allowed us to refine our approach continuously.
This project taught us the importance of aligning technology with user needs to create practical solutions. Goodeals serves as a prime example of how thoughtful design and strategic development can come together to produce a valuable tool for everyday use.

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Project Summary:

Our study focuses on raising awareness about electric vehicles (EVs) and the improvement of the charging infrastructure implementation process. The impact of this study will help achieve the goal of the City of Ottawa to be green and resilient.

Project Description:

The City of Ottawa is responsible for controlling land use, creating policies and infrastructure for the benefit of its citizens, and has the goal to promote a city that is green and resilient based on its proposed strategic priorities from 2023 to 2026, specifically, the points of reducing emissions on the community and improving key infrastructure. To achieve the goal of reducing emissions, they have created a climate change plan with an ongoing project of developing a strategy of personal vehicle electrification, where they support the adoption of an electric vehicle (EV) to reduce emissions from the community. Furthermore, the City of Ottawa defines the importance of implementing a charging infrastructure at home as a factor for owning an EV.

Our preliminary research found that 80-90% of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging happens in residential settings. The City of Ottawa specifies that tenants, condo owners, and electrically constrained areas could face challenges with a charging infrastructure. However, implementing the personal electrification strategy is off-track in Ottawa. For this reason, the city of Ottawa needs to get a clear understanding of the factors affecting the establishment of an optimized charging infrastructure. We want to generate a comparison between two user groups, EV owners and young adults who wish to own an EV living in Ottawa, to understand better EV needs in residential settings.

The purpose of this research study is to dive deeper into the perception and needs of the current and prospective electric vehicle owners in residential Ottawa. Additionally, we will also focus on identifying the policies or initiatives that other cities are implementing to promote the establishment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The findings of this research will help inform a strategy that facilitates a faster implementation of charging infrastructure in Ottawa.

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Project Summary:

This project consists of solutions, limitations, and improvements offered to the Elmridge Tennis Club for the purpose of increasing memberships and re-vitalizing the courts. With the addition of a new layout for the pickleball courts, on top of the e

Project Description:

The project has been categorized into two sections: the pickleball court layout survey and an acoustic evaluation of pickleball activities effects on the surrounding neighbourhood. The pickleball court survey consisted of a stakeout of the proposed dimensions for a new court layout at the Elmridge Tennis Club. The acoustic evaluation involved a noise control experiment and feasibility study, providing the club with solutions as well as research surrounding the volume of pickleball and the effect these games have on the surrounding neighbourhood.

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Project Summary:

Did you know that there is an electrical current present in the atmosphere? From the ionosphere to the surface of the Earth, you can harness about 250 kilovolts of energy. With this immense potential, we can potentially use this as a source of power.

Project Description:

The Natural Rhythms project aims to prove that we can harness the energy from Earth and convert it into electricity. Knowing that there is a voltage potential present in the atmosphere, why hasn’t anyone thought of using this voltage to power up a house?
We consume a lot of electricity and climate change is a problem. Limiting ourselves to use sustainable power can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, that contribute to global warming.

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Project Summary:

A User Experience/Interface Design (UXD/UID) mobile app project for Key to Thrive academic coaching.

Project Description:

The team designed a mobile app for a company called Key to Thrive. They worked with Tina Mackey, the Academic Coach and Founder, in order to learn more about the business and its’ needs, conduct user research, and create preliminary designs for a mobile app that will be developed in the future. A variety of research and design documents such as personas, flow diagrams, mood boards, style tiles, wireframes, and prototypes were prepared for this project. Effective project management and exceptional organization allowed the project to be completed successfully and well ahead of the deadline.

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Project Summary:

Our team from the Interactive Media and Design program is tasked to create a high-quality 2-minute video highlighting student experiences and stories at R.I.S.E. Academy, why they chose R.I.S.E., and how it positively impacts their everyday lives.

Project Description:

The project consists of a team of Algonquin College students from the IMD program: Ciara Robinson (Team Lead), Keylah Willette (Team Second), Jessica Fares (Minute-taker/Designer), John Belda (Editor/Operator), and Abhiram Manoj Sivavilasam (Editor). They are working with Rebecca Chambers at R.I.S.E Academy. They will use a three-step process: Pre-Production, Production, and Post-Production to create a 2-minute video to help R.I.S.E. Academy promote themselves to potential sponsors to obtain funding.

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Project Summary:

8th Orleans Scouts partnered with Algonquin’s IMD program to revamp its website, enhancing communication and attracting new members. This modernization aims to maintain the group’s status as Eastern Ontario’s largest Scout group.

Project Description:

The 8th Orleans Scout Group, the largest in Eastern Ontario with over 180 members, has embarked on a vital project to overhaul its outdated website. This initiative, driven by the critical need for improved communication and engagement, has been entrusted to a specialized team from the Interactive Media Design (IMD) program at Algonquin College. The project’s goal is to create a modern, user-centered website that not only streamlines internal communication among current members but also enhances the group’s visibility and appeal to potential new volunteers and Scouters. Facing challenges in keeping up with digital communication standards, the group recognizes that the current website’s limitations are a barrier to growth and effective engagement. By leveraging the latest in web design and interactive features, the new website aims to provide a more accessible and engaging platform. This forward-looking endeavor is poised to significantly impact the group’s ability to attract and retain members, ensuring the 8th Orleans Scout Group remains a vibrant and integral part of the community.

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Project Summary:

Ingenium improves accessibility with its Wayfinding App, ensuring an enjoyable and informative museum visit at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum.

Project Description:

Our project was to help Ingenium to make an accessible mobile application technology that can be expanded upon and reused across all their museums – starting with the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. They wished to do this by creating a Progressive Web App (PWA) using the STQRY platform, and connecting it to wayfinding IoT technologies such as Bluetooth Beacons. The specific focus for this app is to support their blind and visually impaired visitors, by creating an app with an audio and guiding focus, allowing anyone to be able to visit the museum and learn more about its exhibits. Keeping this as the core focus of our vision, we also looked at how to make the STQRY platform work for us, benefits and limitations of various implementations, and generally how to make a mobile application integrate into the museum experience, not distract from it.
In our initial research, we were able to have two excellent interviews, one with a woman with experience in museum accessibility we got in contact with through the Canadian National Institute of the Blind, and another with a senior developer of the STQRY platform in New Zealand. We were able to gain a lot of insight into where to go with the design and development of our program from these. Our discussion with the visually impaired community highlighted that they are often the last to be considered in the testing of relevant apps. Meanwhile, our conversation with the STQRY developer revealed that reaching out to people could lead to unexpected outcomes, such as gaining access to the STQRY backend. Alongside these, we also used research from Ingenium and other museum’s on how the public interacts with museums and this technology, and were able to survey 80 museum-goers on their preferences.
The STQRY platform is a type of content management system, which we did not have experience with through our studies before, requiring us to learn how to use it and best implement it for both users and content creators. We also learned about wayfinding IoT technologies, such as Bluetooth beacons and NFC chips, as well as backups such as QR codes. We were able to go to the museum multiple times to scope out our plans, and determine aspects such as the best ways to lay out the beacons along the open-ended paths and what information is most important to convey to visitors.
In our work with the STQRY, we ran into problems and limitations of the platform that prevented us from meeting some of our objectives. Some of them we were able to work with the STQRY team to get solutions and updates to the platform to solve. Other issues that will take longer to fix have been compiled into a document for our client and STQRY to solve in the future. However, there were some time-saving and error-reducing measures that we were able to identify and create solutions for in the form of a companion app for content creators of the mobile application to use. It is a simple and lightweight Next.JS project that allows users to do tasks such as check on the system’s health, create consistent organized filenames, and apply consistent, accessible styling across the app.
In our user testing, we discovered a problem between how the beacons, STQRY, and the Android OS interact, causing the wayfinding application to not respond as expected. We were able to come up with an alternative solution using NFC chips for users to tap their phones against and get the same result. While there is expected to be more research into beacon compatibility and the issues that arose, this is still a more user-friendly experience than the current QR-code standard. Going forward, there is also the ability to quickly and easily update the content (including audio, using AI Text-To-Speech capabilities), add additional languages, and use this system as a template to expand into other museums.
In conclusion, our project has successfully established the groundwork for an accessible mobile application for Ingenium’s museums, with a special focus on supporting blind and visually impaired visitors. Despite encountering challenges with the STQRY platform and wayfinding technologies, we have developed innovative solutions that enhance the museum experience. Our efforts have paved the way for future expansions and improvements in museum accessibility.

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Project Summary:

Our project aims to revitalize GottaGo’s branding and website, focusing on user experience and aligning with its advocacy goals. We have researched target audiences and competitors, identify key issues, and implement strategic solutions.

Project Description:

GottaGo Ottawa, a dedicated campaign advocating for accessible and clean public facilities, has collaborated with our team for a comprehensive website redesign.
As a non-profit organization, GottaGo focuses on influencing major stakeholders, including the City of Ottawa and Ottawa Tourism, to enhance public amenities such as toilets and water fountains. Our project begins with meticulous planning, where we engage with GottaGo to understand their goals and requirements, ensuring a tailored approach. The subsequent phases involve detailed research on target audiences and competitors, identifying branding and website issues, and proposing strategic solutions.
The IMD Team aims to create a consistent and modernized website, complete with style tile, low-fi and high-fi wireframes, and SEO improvements. Our 10-week timeline includes weekly updates, ensuring regular communication and feedback. In week 10, we will present the revamped website, reflecting our commitment to elevating GottaGo’s online presence and impact.