Audience
Currently, the site is marketed towards teachers to present to their students (Marketing for teachers, Website and content for students). Currently it is used as a freshman studies or in other freshman classes. Often these students are still supported by their parents. Even if they aren't, they are living in a dorm (as required by the university), have a meal plan (as required by UT), and walk to class. They have limited expenses. They don't need to worry about money, as they are in their own little freshman bubble. They might have student loans, but those are paying for everything essential (Tuition, Rent, Food) and they don't have to worry about paying them back until after college.
If this was presented to college seniors, or even juniors, they would take it much more seriously, as they see the impending independence. They know they are about to have to pay for everything, maybe pay back college loans, and support themselves.
Regardless of the age of the student, as a generation we are used to short chunks of information and very interactive material. We are used to videos (I have literally never even seen a series of stills as a video until this website). YouTube makes videos accessible to everyone. Anyone can make one. It is no longer an expensive or limited media. We want streamlined and condensed information. Our generation is so used to technology that we want information instantly, we have no patience, and we use Google to find any information we may need. We rely more on our parents versus generations of the past. The baby boomer generation tried to give our generation everything that they didn't have, and it has made us more reliant on them. Not to mention, the lack of jobs available is causing young adults to return to their parents after they finish college. We have an interesting generation, that will come up with some amazing inventions and innovations, because we were told over and over again as children that we can do whatever we want. Generally, we think big, we expect a lot, and we think more than we act.
In regards to money, we, as an audience, NEED to be more financially independent and to avoid debt. We need to pay for college. We need to understand money and especially investing. We WANT to be able to live affluently, in order to keep up with the newest technology. We are used to having the newest gadget about every two years. We LIKE financial security, and the idea of being rich and buying anything we want.
Currently, our audience comes to the site because they are assigned. As the site currently stands, the audience won't come back to learn the information, even though they might understand that they need to further grasp it. They don't trust it, and they don't see it as current. They complete the modules because it is required for a grade. They have no other motivation to come to the site or return. The site needs to look trustworthy to the student as well as the professor (or else they won't assign it!).
Currently, the site is marketed towards teachers to present to their students (Marketing for teachers, Website and content for students). Currently it is used as a freshman studies or in other freshman classes. Often these students are still supported by their parents. Even if they aren't, they are living in a dorm (as required by the university), have a meal plan (as required by UT), and walk to class. They have limited expenses. They don't need to worry about money, as they are in their own little freshman bubble. They might have student loans, but those are paying for everything essential (Tuition, Rent, Food) and they don't have to worry about paying them back until after college.
If this was presented to college seniors, or even juniors, they would take it much more seriously, as they see the impending independence. They know they are about to have to pay for everything, maybe pay back college loans, and support themselves.
Regardless of the age of the student, as a generation we are used to short chunks of information and very interactive material. We are used to videos (I have literally never even seen a series of stills as a video until this website). YouTube makes videos accessible to everyone. Anyone can make one. It is no longer an expensive or limited media. We want streamlined and condensed information. Our generation is so used to technology that we want information instantly, we have no patience, and we use Google to find any information we may need. We rely more on our parents versus generations of the past. The baby boomer generation tried to give our generation everything that they didn't have, and it has made us more reliant on them. Not to mention, the lack of jobs available is causing young adults to return to their parents after they finish college. We have an interesting generation, that will come up with some amazing inventions and innovations, because we were told over and over again as children that we can do whatever we want. Generally, we think big, we expect a lot, and we think more than we act.
In regards to money, we, as an audience, NEED to be more financially independent and to avoid debt. We need to pay for college. We need to understand money and especially investing. We WANT to be able to live affluently, in order to keep up with the newest technology. We are used to having the newest gadget about every two years. We LIKE financial security, and the idea of being rich and buying anything we want.
Currently, our audience comes to the site because they are assigned. As the site currently stands, the audience won't come back to learn the information, even though they might understand that they need to further grasp it. They don't trust it, and they don't see it as current. They complete the modules because it is required for a grade. They have no other motivation to come to the site or return. The site needs to look trustworthy to the student as well as the professor (or else they won't assign it!).
Insight from Other Websites
The first thing we noticed is that many sites that have to do with money are secure sites (HTTPS). Even if you wouldn’t be taking personal information in regards to the user’s bank account info, it still would automatically make the user feel safe right off the bat if the site was secure.
The first thing we noticed is that many sites that have to do with money are secure sites (HTTPS). Even if you wouldn’t be taking personal information in regards to the user’s bank account info, it still would automatically make the user feel safe right off the bat if the site was secure.
The sites that we visited have current and dynamic information. Many of them allow user interaction and have links to new blogs or articles that the site found interesting or relevant.
Generally we liked streamlined information and interface and aesthetics. We liked it best when information was direct and to the point, and the design mimicked this approach. We want consolidation, and not to have to read through, participate in, or simply experience in a visual way, a bunch of unnecessary fluff. This applies to streamlined log in/sign up pages as well. Simple is good.
No comments:
Post a Comment