UBG Case Study

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This case study features a digital solution based on UBG’s 6 Phase User-Centered Design Process — NextUX.
A snapshot of the client and its project with UBG.
Background

Densho is a nonprofit focused on preserving and disseminating the legacy of the incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans during World War II.  Densho received grants from funding sources including the National Endowment for the Arts to create bilingual educational modules for middle-schools in America and Japan.

UBG was asked by Densho to create a Flash eLearning application based on a series of renowned paintings and the detainment camp diaries that inspired them.   UBG collaborated with Densho's team of educators, researchers, editors and critically acclaimed artist, Roger Shimomura.

Densho logo


 

Tom Ikeda, Densho's Executive Director, envisioned a Flash based experience as the centerpiece of a full range of cirricula.  The Flash content had to be compelling and richly informational yet very easy for teachers and student to use in their classrooms.

Strategic

  • Inspire student awareness and critical thinking
  • Promote learning and exchange between U.S. and Japan
  • Develop a model for innovative teaching using new technology

Creative + Technical

  • Present engaging content and functionality to targeted users
  • Showcase selections from a huge video and photo archive
  • Support ongoing maintenance and content additions

 

Challenges

The demands on the Densho project's critical Flash piece were compounded by various bilingual and bicultural requirements as well as the need to effectively present complex subject matter to an audience of young students.

Named by UBG, "In The Shadow of My Country", the project also had to balance a necessity for youth-friendly design with both the seriousness of the subject and a need to respect the artist's personal story and creative work.

Key Issues

  • Bilingual/bicultural concerns
  • Need to present challenging topics to young audiences
  • Maintain historical reverence and artistic integrity
UBG Provided
Solution
  • Densho's extensive archive of photographs, videos and audio interviews were first reviewed for suitability for users in both U.S. and Japan and then optimized for classroom use.
 solution
  • The eLearning module's user interface and look-and-feel were visualized using multiple iterations of hand sketches, wireframes and Photoshop design comps.
 solution
  • The navigation / timeline required both an English and Japanese version as well as a toggle function for foreign language students. The solution was developed using XML and ActionScript.
 solution
  • UBG also directed and edited video interviews with the featured artist, Roger Shimomura. An Edo era woodblock print portrait style created a distinctive look to the videos.
 solution
See this solution at:
   www.densho.org/shadow
Takeaway

By applying a multi-phase user-centered design process, UBG was able to precisely tailor highly charged and complex subject matter to young multicultural audiences. For its efforts, UBG received the Web Marketing Association's WebAward for "Outstanding Achievement in Web Site Development". Past winners include Disney, HP, IBM and FedEx.
Web Award

Densho Executive Director, Tom Ikeda had the following praise for UBG's Umit Gokce: "Umit possesses that rare combination of artistry, technical know-how and content knowledge that is needed to create powerful educational experiences for website users. During my twenty years of creating computer software (IBM, Microsoft, Densho), Umit stands out as an exceptional talent."

Key Lessons

  • Correctly matching the tone and presentation of content with users allows for even "difficult" topics
  • With proper design and delivery, Flash can create compelling courseware experiences
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