Engineering Design/Presentation Brush Birding Ashley Alejandro Engineering Design/Presentation Fall 2015

Problem Statement & Design Goal Some birders find it difficult to identify a bird in time due to big field guides or no Internet connection. The solution is to create a compact, efficient solution to give enough information to identify a bird without having much trouble trying to figure it out.

Features and Constraints The features for the solution are the following: - Price ($3-$5) - Internet Connection - Amount of Information - Memory Storage - Ease of Use The constraints are the following: - Time - Resources - Estimated per/unit Manufacturing Cost is $0.9977

Deliverables Flowcharts/Pseudo Code Mockup App Sample Screens Final Report PowerPoint

Background Research & Investigation: Existing Solutions Because birding is a global hobby, there are many existing solutions to bird using an app such as: Peterson Field Guides: Background Birds Sibley Birds Audubon Birds BirdsEye

Background Research & Investigation: Questions to Consider The research questions considered are the following: How would Internet access on the app be more beneficial? How can this app be easy to use for both beginner and experienced birders? What programming languages would be used? Which type of information is best to be included in the app?

Background Research & Investigation: Questions to Consider The research questions considered are the following: What is the best way to show where birds can be found? What operating systems will it run on? What can I borrow from existing solutions?

Background Research & Investigation: Research Topics Topic 1: Internet Access There are more disadvantages of Internet access in apps Topic 2: Programming Languages JavaScript is the best choice Topic 3: Ease of Use for Everyone Organization of birding information Topic 4: Best Information Detailed descriptions

Background Research & Investigation: Research Topics Topic 5: Birding Locations A list of birding destinations along with maps are best Topic 6: Operating Systems Android OS and iPhone OS are the popular choices Topic 7: Existing Solutions The most helpful were Peterson Field Guide and Sibley Birds

Background Research & Investigation: Lessons Learned After days of research and investigation I learned the following: There are various ways of customizing an app. Programming languages depends on various factors. Every birder needs different types of information.

Possible Solution 1: Birding App This is the first choice since there are already many birding apps available. It would allow birders to get access to a digital version of a birding book, but more compact and organized. However, the app will not be free.

Possible Solution 2: Voice Service Program It would allow birders to simply talk into their cell phone microphone to search for bird information. It is the easiest to use since some bird names are hard to spell out such as “pyrrhuloxia.” However, the program might have trouble understanding commands or the birder might pronounce a word incorrectly.

Possible Solution 3: Birding Website It would be easy to access by almost anyone with a computer or smart phone. It would be free to use and draw in more users. However, Internet connection is needed, so birders might not get access when birding in dead zones.

Choosing a Solution Rating Scale: 1-10 Weight Scale: 1-5

Project Timeline

Project Timeline

Development Work: Major Design Decisions Color coding the app’s features Removing the Internet connection option Switching from using drawings to Paint and Microsoft PowerPoint for mockup.

Development Work: Roadblock & Setbacks Organizing all the app’s features Figuring out how the main flowcharts would work Remaking a mockup app

Development Work: Final Product The app would start in the home screen immediately. When pressing any home screen buttons, there will be a back or options button.

Development Work: Final Product “Bird Search” would had filter options. “Browse Birds” would have sorting options.

Development Work: Final Product “Bird Lists” would allow birders to make lists when they go birding “Birding Locations” would list the popular birding spots in Laredo.

Development Work: Final Product “How to Bird” would have different sections that organizes information. “Language” would have the option of translating the app to Spanish.

Development Work: Final Product “About the App” would include information about the app and thank the customers for purchasing it.

Evaluation There is not a final product yet, but a field test would be required. Questions asked to the beta testers would be if the app meet the criteria. Once gathering the necessary data, a better solution can be done.

Recommendations and Future Work Some recommendations would be to include an online option in the final product. The next step in getting the product developed is to create an actual app by following the flowcharts to program. Some changes to the design would be to organize the “How to Bird” section better and to make the app more appealing by using more pictures and color.

Thank you! Questions?