Design Research Dissertation

Start From 23.4.2024

23.04.2024 -23.06.2024 / Week 1- 14
Kong Cai Yi / 0363862  
Design Research Dissertation/ Bachelor of Design (Hons) in Creative Media 

• Project 1: Research Implementation - Draft Dissertation
• Project 2: Visual Design Publication & Final Dissertation 
• Final Assessment : Research for Article Publication 

 

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LECTURES

Week 1

During the first week, we have Live Online Briefing on the Introduction to the Module details, expectation and Assessment Rubric by Dr Noorhayati Saad, Dr Yip Jinchi and Dr Charles Sharma Naidu. We are required to watch recorded Online lecture on Writing A Research Dissertation, retrieve notes from MyTIMeS / Microsoft Teams, watch supplementary lecture video on YouTube and  review back our information during research methodology last semester.

Fig 1.1 Module Briefing (23.04.2024-Week 1)

Week 2

We are required to begin drafting the introduction for our dissertation, which will be reviewed by Dr. Charles next week. All introduction information can refer back from research methodology that we have completed last semester. 

Week 3

This week, Dr. Charles created a Google Sheet where we can document our draft dissertations in Google Docs and book consultation times by entering our preferred meeting times in the designated column.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HXPFvVDne8qqE3JzOk26vEkop3LWCiJVmptoDIq5SZE/edit?usp=sharing

Week 4

This week's lecture focuses on the requirements for the literature review section of our dissertations, including the structure, such as incorporating charts, identifying gaps in the study, and discussing motion capture sessions. We are encouraged to identify and discuss five key research articles to support our problem statement and research questions.

Fig 1.2 Literature review frame work (14.05.2024-Week 4)

Week 5

During week 5, Mr Charles on our draft dissertation progress and explain further details about the requirement of literature review by checking my peers's work.

Week 6/ Week 7 / Week 8

consultation

Week 9

This week, we have our lecture about project 2: visual design for our research dissertation. Dr. Charles brief us on how to start this task and basic rules that we should follow such as layout, typography, outline, navigation and more. We are encouraged to start this task using Adobe InDesign.

Fig 1.3 Week 9 Lecture (18.06.2024-Week 9)

Week 10- Week 14

consultation

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INSTRUCTIONS

Assessment & Rubics

Project 1/ Research Implementation - Draft Dissertation

Week 1-3/ Draft Dissertation

We are required to begin drafting the introduction for our dissertation. The introduction should include research topic, problem, questions, objectives, statement and conceptual framework.

Draft 1 Dissertation:

Fig 2.1 Draft dissertation 1 (8.05.2024-week 3)

Specific Feedback: 

• Enhance the connections between the sentences in the first paragraph of the introduction. 
• Add '1.1 User Experience' as a subtitle and explain what UI/UX is. 
• Include a figure showing an example of excellent UI/UX design. 
• Organize the questions under '1.5 Research Questions' by numbering them as '1.5.1,' '1.5.2,' and so on.

Week 4/ Working on literature review 

Instead of summarizing the key points from the five articles, I decided to focus on specific parts related to my research question and topic. I will emphasise information about UI/UX design, satisfaction, and user experience from each article and categorise them into three aspects:

1. User Experience
2. User Satisfaction
3. UI/UX Design

Fig 2.2 Literature Review progress (14.05.2024-week 3)

First version of research framework:

Title: Fashion Retail Application

Subtitle: Personalisation

Aspect: 

1. User Experience- Engagement  & Functionality 
2. User Satisfaction- Repeat Usage & Loyalty 
3. UI/UX Design- Usability, consistency & User-centred Design

Closing: 

1. Providing clearer insights into their preferences and needs
2. Beneficial for small or emerging brands looking to compete with established retailers
3. Form the foundation for effective personalisation

Fig 2.3 Research framework #1 Version (14.05.2024-week 4)

Specific Feedback: 

• Move conceptual research framework under to 2.0 literature review. 
• The closing of research framework should related to my research question. 
• The introduction of literature review should not explain what literature review is, explain why I do this study, aim for what? 
• Gap of study should include the research article that don't really address my research questions and define the problem statement.

Week 5/ Research Methodology

After summarizing all five articles related to my research question using the method taught by Mr. Charles, I employed different colors to distinguish each summary, enhancing organization. Upon conclusion, a significant and conspicuous research gap emerged: None of the five articles integrated these elements into a strategy for personalizing user experiences in online fashion retail.

Fig 2.4 Summary of 5 article (21.05.2024-week 5)

Specific Feedback:

• Good Progress 
• Every sentences should write in third person. 
• The gap of study should link to my problem statement 
• Write an introduction of my research methodology 
• Change "questionnaire design" to "survey question" 
• How my survey related to my research "Questions" instead of "Problem"

Week 6/ Research Methodology

This week, I have modified my gap of study which connected with my research problem, current applications fail to offer flexible and adaptable interfaces that cater to individual needs. Besides, I have finalised my research conceptual framework:

Fig 2.5 Modified Gap of study (28.05.2024-week 6)

Fig 2.6 Final research conceptual framework (28.05.2024-week 6)

Draft 2 Dissertation:

Fig 2.7 Draft Dissertation #2 (28.05.2024-week 6)

Specific Feedback: 

• My research methodology point and information are sufficient enough. 
• "Data gathering procedures" 5W1H point change bulleted list to numbered list.
• Continue my research findings 
• Finalised draft dissertation 

Week 7 & 8/ Finalised Draft Dissertation

Specific Feedback:

• Add a table for summary of findings 
• Elaborate more on the conclusion, provide example and picture 
• Can site some article that is helpful for the discussion 
• Can emphasise on how far this study can go on discussion section

Fig 2.7 Draft Dissertation #3 (18.06.2024-week 9)

Specific Feedback: 

Cai Yi, your dissertation effectively explores the impact of UI/UX design on user engagement in online fashion retail applications, with a focus on personalization. Your research questions are well-defined, and your methodology, using an online questionnaire, is appropriate for gathering data on user preferences and behaviors. The findings provide valuable insights into the specific UI/UX elements and personalization strategies that resonate with users, such as personalized recommendations, exclusive offers, and virtual fitting rooms.

Note the specific things to be added or amended:

• Abstract: Include a concise summary of the entire dissertation, including the research problem, objectives, methods, findings, and conclusions.
• Table of Contents, List of Tables & Illustrations: Add these sections to provide a clear overview of the dissertation's structure and content.
• Introduction: While the introduction provides a good overview of the topic, it could be more focused by explicitly stating the research problem and objectives. Consider refining the problem statement to highlight the gap in understanding how UI/UX design can be leveraged to optimize personalization and user engagement in online fashion retail applications.
• Literature Review: The literature review is comprehensive, but it could be strengthened by providing a more critical analysis of the existing research. Identify specific gaps in the literature that your study aims to address and discuss how your research will contribute to the existing body of knowledge.
• Methodology: The methodology section is well-structured, but it could be enhanced by providing more details on the sampling method used and the demographics of the participants. This information would strengthen the validity and generalizability of your findings.
• Discussion: The discussion section could be expanded to provide a more in-depth interpretation of the findings. Discuss the implications of your findings for UI/UX designers and online fashion retailers. Address the limitations of your study and suggest directions for future research.
• Conclusion: The conclusion is missing. Summarize the main findings of your study, restate the research problem and objectives, and highlight the significance of your research. Offer recommendations based on your findings.
• Project Design Recommendations: This section is underdeveloped. Provide more specific and actionable recommendations for how online fashion retailers can implement personalized UI/UX strategies to enhance user engagement and satisfaction.
• References: The reference list is incomplete and not in APA format. Ensure that all cited sources are included and formatted correctly according to APA guidelines.

Week 9/ Finalised Draft Dissertation

This week consultation Dr. Charles has explained to me how to create list of table and images. He help me with adjusting the reference list and find out the missing date and author from some of the article.

Fig 2.8 Final Draft Dissertation (22.06.2024-week 9)

Specific Feedback: 

• Move my survey findings to appendices.
• There is a big gap while using justify in reference list, can change to left-aligned
• Conclusion part looks like still a discussion statement, should write in more conclude ways and tone, more certain on it.

Project 2/ Visual Design Publication & Final Dissertation 

Week 10/ Visual Design- Moodboard

Moodboard:

Fig 3.0 Visual Design Moodboard (25.06.2024-week 10)

Week 11/ Visual Design

I have chosen dark purple as my theme color and aim to incorporate a futuristic style, as my research topic focuses on the reform of fashion retail applications.

Fig 3.1 Visual Design Progress (2.07.2024-week 11)

Week 12/ Visual Design- InDesign

After importing your Adobe illustration cover page,  I generate AI artwork for my future design pages. I plan to incorporate some of these pictures into my page design to make the visual layout book more attractive and cohesive with the purple futuristic theme. This approach aims to enhance the visual appeal and relevance of my project, aligning with the overall aesthetic I have established.

Fig 4.1 AI Art Generator (9.07.2024-week 11)

Fig 4.2 Week 12 Design Progress (9.07.2024-week 11)

Week 13/ Final Dissertation + Turnitin

Final Dissertation:

Fig  5.1 Final Dissertation (16.07.2024-week 13)

Turnitin Report:

Fig  5.2 MyTimes Turnitin Report- Result (16.07.2024-week 13)

Fig  5.3 Turnitin Report PDF (16.07.2024-week 13)

External Turnitin AI Detector Report:

Fig 5.4 External AI Detector (16.07.2024-week 13)

Week 14/ Final Visual Layout  

I have finalized my visual design layout in InDesign this week. After receiving feedback from Dr. Charles to reduce the font size and choose relevant images for each piece of content, I made the necessary amendments. I then included a reference list, added page numbers, and created a closing information page.

Fig 6.1 Finalised Visual Design Layout (23.07.2024-week 14)

Convert Visual Design PDF to FLIP BOOK: DRD Visual Design

Fig 6.2 Convert to Flip book (23.07.2024-week 14)

Week 15/ KREATE Article

Fig 6.3 KREATE article (30.07.2024-week 15)