Psychology in Design
Developing a blended experience that motivates intermediate bodhrán students to practice regularly and develop a wide range of musical skills.
Duration: 6 weeks
Context: College project (year 1)
Research
Student Interviews
3 Adult Intermediates
I wanted to better understand students’ practice routines, motivations and frustrations. Learning about individual approaches students have to music helped to design better solutions.
Teacher Interview
1 Bodhrán Teacher
I learned teacher’s approach encouraging practice and how to be an encouraging voice for students. Interviewing a teacher helped to eliminate my own biases and assumptions as I teach music myself.
Competitor Analysis
My expertise
Being familiar with bodhrán community, global audiences and having teaching experience helped me audit competitors and relate them to my problem better. All while trying to exclude my biases.
Ideation
Developing digital experience
Incentivising practice activities with in-game currency that can be exchanged for access to exclusive learning content, music equipment raffles, etc.
Low fidelity cards: rhythm exercise
High fidelity cards with instruction card added.
App Walkthrough
Psychology Principles Used
BJ Fogg’s Behaviour Model
Giving students a sense of control over their practice
App provides activities of varied effort to match students’ motivation at given time
You Kai Chou: Octalysis Framework
Accomplishment & Development: practice goals, earning fluffies by practicing
Ownership & Progression: statistics in student profile, creation of own card exercises
Feedback: instant gratification earning fluffies, progress bars, weekly student feedback tailors future exercises that are assigned
