```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2F3rX3woJ1IbWmqPtiAc7H60L7Qmv1%2Fessay-flow%2Ffce0eafb-cab5-48bc-8554-5ab4e16c3044.png?alt=media&token=1f7f50ae-4414-4006-8ec2-e5e6e7c4f291","id":"fce0eafb-cab5-48bc-8554-5ab4e16c3044","width":2400,"height":1350,"filename":"Apple Watch Redesign (1).png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

## My Eureka Moment

Early on in my education, I struggled with writing assignments, despite not considering myself a bad writer. That all changed when I took an English class that taught me the benefits of breaking down an essay into smaller, manageable sections and focusing on each section at a time. I also learned about different writing tools like figurative language and emphasis that could improve my writing. That's when I had an idea - what if there was a tool that could guide me through each section with normal-sounding questions, becoming more specific to my topic as I progressed, like I was talking to someone who was genuinely interested in what I had to say?

With these thoughts in mind, I began to design an AI-powered question generator for English Writing that would use a conversational approach to help students break down writing assignments and focus on specific sections. The generator would guide students through the writing process with normal-sounding questions that reflect the essay outline, while also offering a built-in toolkit for writing enhancement. The editor would be designed to keep students focused and prevent them from backtracking to reword previous sentences, allowing them to stay on track and complete their assignments with ease.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2F3rX3woJ1IbWmqPtiAc7H60L7Qmv1%2Fessay-flow%2Fbafdf9a0-79c9-447c-8eb1-4550526780ae.png?alt=media&token=753579d4-6d06-49a5-948f-69a3954d6623","id":"bafdf9a0-79c9-447c-8eb1-4550526780ae","width":3285,"height":2853,"filename":"Group 3348.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

## It’s All Iterative

To create this tool, I first sketched out a couple of wireframes to get the concept down. I iterated between writing down different question flows and interface layouts, eventually moving on to designing the screens in the flow. The tool consists of a screen with a main editor taking up 3/4 of the page, and a right-side bar with the toolkit, account, folder, and other standard interface buttons. At the bottom of the main section, there's the continue button and a button to iterate if you want to build on the version of text you had just written.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2F3rX3woJ1IbWmqPtiAc7H60L7Qmv1%2Fessay-flow%2Ff1e1b332-f243-46b0-aaae-256e62b0f9b6.png?alt=media&token=e9cffefe-0c13-4098-9971-550e0911971c","id":"f1e1b332-f243-46b0-aaae-256e62b0f9b6","width":2358,"height":1680,"filename":"Screenshot 2023-05-03 at 9.55 2.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

## Infusing AI Brilliance

I used AI to help me understand the writing level of middle school students, as well as learn more about the essay structure. I also had it act as a middle school student where I fed it the questions to test out how someone would respond. For the students, the AI would aid in having the questions adapt to the topic they're writing about, however the essay would be 100% of the student's own work.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2F3rX3woJ1IbWmqPtiAc7H60L7Qmv1%2Fessay-flow%2F7988ba96-3b2b-4a9e-bd11-014813e8e0e8.png?alt=media&token=c56a48fc-d95d-4713-ac85-5e15a64135ba","id":"7988ba96-3b2b-4a9e-bd11-014813e8e0e8","width":4038,"height":3051,"filename":"Screenshot 2023-05-03 at 9.55 1.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

## But Why Again?

The main motivation behind creating this product was my own experience writing as a student. I knew that I was not alone in this struggle to write, so I hoped other people could benefit from the tool. The main challenge I was addressing was writing focus and helping students break down writing assignments. In turn, the students would start to learn the general flows for an essay and, in time, no longer need the tool.

```cv
gallery
{"layout":"hscroll","images":[{"src":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/maitake-project.appspot.com/o/pages%2F3rX3woJ1IbWmqPtiAc7H60L7Qmv1%2Fessay-flow%2F2dc54133-4e78-4960-9040-e45dd144c636.png?alt=media&token=a2f0f02e-e8bf-43e7-add1-a1e843cd5c3a","id":"2dc54133-4e78-4960-9040-e45dd144c636","width":3126,"height":2325,"filename":"Screenshot 2023-05-03 at 9.56 1.png","type":"image/png","caption":"","border":false}]}
```

## Lesson Learned

I learned that I don't always come up with a project I'm passionate about right away. It can take a bit of time, but once I do, the ideas flow pretty easily. Another big challenge I encountered was getting myself to dedicate time to the project, but that wasn't unexpected. I chalk that up to my occasional struggle with time management. In the end, I had to sit down and complete the project and get in the zone. I found that if I could block out about 4 consecutive hours, I would make some significant progress.

## Prototype

Check out the interactive demo here:

```cv
figma
{"url":"https://www.figma.com/proto/KtYhnp5GfDwUWNWDGVzVgX/Essay-Flow?page-id=0%3A1&type=design&node-id=50-373&t=RFtjQgyuKqENOHIh-0&scaling=scale-down-width&starting-point-node-id=50%3A373&hide-ui=1"}
```

Essay Flow

Designer

Producing my First Podcast

Participated in university-sponsored UX design trips to Austin (SXSW) and Amsterdam (UX STRAT). Planned and lead UX trip to London & Edinburgh.

Incentivizing pediatric care with a mobile app

Families First App

Designed UX flow for Canvas analytics plugin

Atomic Insight

Designed and built a social network that facilitates meaningful, live interactions

Let’s Talk Mobile App

Designed and built an interactive kiosk on Steve Job's life.

Steve Jobs - Interactive Kiosk

Documented the current Apple Mail app interface and created a concept design spin-off.

Apple Mail - Design Analysis & Upgrade

Designed a concept for a new Apple Watch Home view where you can pin apps to the top.

Apple Watch Home Redesign

Documented the stellar use of AR design principles in the mobile app, IKEA Place.

IKEA Place - AR Design Principles

Designed a park experience app for the Plitvice Lakes National Park.

Lakes National Park App

UX Designer

Led a team of developers in the delivery of client projects for [MIT Open Leaning](https://github.com/digitalcredentials/learner-credential-wallet?tab=readme-ov-file#learner-credential-wallet) and [Know Your Lemons](https://www.knowyourlemons.org/app). Designed, developed, and shipped mobile apps with React Native. Facilitated sprints and ensured delivery within established budgets.

App Development Project Lead

Engaged in product exploration through user interviews and surveys. Created user experience flows. Built front-end mobile experience with React Native.

Product Designer

Created framework for different testing phases including smoke, coverage and acceptance testing for Canvas integrations. Generated customer guides. Ensured issues reported in project management system were resolved.

Quality Assurance Specialist

Conducted preliminary user research and technical scoping for new projects. Presented key insights to stakeholders. Designed and prototyped user experience flows for web and mobile apps.

Worked with clients to design user flows and wireframe interfaces. Created prototypes and conducted user testing to validate designs. Implemented design changes based on feedback and testing results.

Seth Duffin

2023