Rory's Story Cubes on iPhone available on the App store

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We are looking for feedback on the interface of our Rory's Story Cubes® iPhone application (coming soon). We want the application to be as universally accessible as the physical game and wish to keep text explanations to a minimum.

Please click on the image below to view full-size. Then take a look at the buttons on the left of the screen and tell us what function you think each performs. There are no prizes, just the warm, fuzzy feeling of knowing you helped us out.

Rory's Story Cubes® iPhone application interface prototype


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I really like how Mapumental, a web app that helps commuters in London pick their ideal spot to live, displays its information in a visual and organic form. The implications for overlaying data on other areas are interesting. Could it be used to map areas of contention, social deprivation or wellbeing?

Mapumental is currently in private beta.


Anita and I  are part of the learning group for the Corrymeela Refugee Integration Project taking place in the Greater Belfast Area. The project is a partnerhip between Corrymeela Community and the Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seeks (NICRAS).

At a recent learning group meeting, the question about the effectiveness of the existing needs assessment questionnaire was raised. It was the usual text-based word document. Our view was that it was unappealing and and ill-suited for peothe target audience who would not take time to read the document of ask for help with filling it in. We agreed that something more visual might work better.

I proposed using the projectives method of gathering feedback. Dr. Elaine Woodall of the Univeristy of Ulster (Coleraine campus) employed this method in a survey she conducted on the effectiveness of our Innovation Hub project with Citi back in 2007.

We quickly sketched out the questions (see below) we wanted to asked both local residents and the members of the refugee and asylum seeker community.

Image of flipchart with sketches later used in Needs Analysis Image of flipchart with sketches later used in Needs Analysis Image of flipchart with sketches later used in Needs Analysis

Below you can see the final images used in the Needs Analysis. The response so far has been really positive with Ann Marie White, the project worker, expressing her surprise at the level of honesty expressed using this simple approach.

Man saying Man with mic asking Man asking Man is say  What level of engagement do you currently have with people from your local neighbourhood?



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Big Idea Award 2008 Finalist
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