ako808

[ako808]

10) Capstone Journey - Part 3/3 Reflection video

Aloha everyone! 🌸

Welcome to my Capstone Journey! 🎓✨ This is it—the final stretch, the reflection, and the moment I get to look back on everything I’ve created, learned, and overcome. From the early brainstorming sessions to the long nights in Figma and feedback-filled meetings, this journey has been challenging, meaningful, and full of growth. I’m excited to share with you what this experience has taught me—not just as a student, but as a creative, a problem-solver, and a storyteller.

—------------------------------------------------

In this video, I will go over:

What were your thoughts about your research topic going into the first week of the semester?

I had a rough beginning. I wasn’t sure whether to pursue an internship or a capstone project, so I turned to my professors for advice—and they all strongly encouraged me to go with the capstone. I also debated whether to create a music education app focused on Western music theory or to explore Japanese music, specifically the shamisen, a traditional three-stringed Japanese instrument. At first, I just knew I wanted to make something music education-related, but I wasn’t sure how to narrow it down. I felt overwhelmed by all the possibilities and didn’t yet know how to tie everything together in a clear, meaningful way.

2. What are your thoughts now about your research topic and your project/practicum?

Now, I feel really proud of how it turned out. I strongly believe taht my project, ShamiZen, showcases my upbringing—in my academic bacground in music, Creative Media, and Video game Design and Development, and my passion in , coding and shamisen. It’s more polished, personal, and purposeful than I imagined in Week 1. I’m glad I stuck with it and let it grow with me.

3. What did you learn about yourself as a creative through this journey?

Through this journey, I’ve learned that I do have solid ideas and a clear creative vision—I just needed to find the right structure and tools to bring them to life. I realized I’m a perfectionist; I get really nitpicky about small details, which can be both a strength and a challenge. But I also learned that having a vision isn’t enough. Execution is just as important, and that comes from planning, outlining, and being open to feedback. I discovered that when I have structure—like wireframes, timelines, and support systems—I’m able to channel my creativity much more effectively.

4. What did you learn about the creative and production process?

The biggest lesson I learned is that pre-production is everything. I used to think the actual production—building the app—would take the most time and effort, but it’s really the preparation that lays the foundation for success. Research, user studies, wireframes, mockups, and prototypes all take time, and skipping over them just leads to more stress later. Once your blueprint is solid, the rest of the process flows more smoothly. I also gained a deep appreciation for designers, especially UI/UX designers—so much of the vision comes from them, and they really are the unsung heroes of the process.

5. What advice would you give new senior capstone students?

Start earlier than you think you need to—seriously. Even before the semester officially begins, start brainstorming and preparing. Give yourself time to explore different directions and don’t underestimate the value of research and planning. Pre-production might not feel glamorous, but it will make everything else easier. Get feedback early and often, whether it’s from professors, peers, or people who know the topic. And most importantly, choose a topic you’re genuinely passionate about. That passion will keep you going when you hit roadblocks or question yourself. Your motivation needs to come from within, and passion is what fuels that.

6. Where to now?

Now that the semester is wrapping up, I’m preparing for graduation—finally! After that, I’m planning to take a short break to rest and reset, then possibly continue developing ShamiZen with the goal of launching it in the future. I’m also looking forward to joining the Women’s Freelance Alliance (WFA) cohort this summer to keep building on this project. Beyond that, I’ll be applying to jobs in the tech field, ideally in software engineering, with the hope that my capstone can show potential employers what I’m capable of. This project helped me grow so much, and I feel more confident entering the professional world with something so personal and meaningful to show for it.

🎵 Music Credit:

Cherish Tuttle Music. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Piano Instrumental Karaoke Track (Higher Key) with Lyrics. YouTube, 30 Apr. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrKWG8BEBJY.

Kato, Tomomi. Tomorrow Morning (Piano Solo Ver.). Pixabay, 3 Mar. 2024, https://pixabay.com/music/modern-classical-tomorrow- morning-piano-solo-ver-312045/.

—------------------------------------------------

🎬 Whether you’ve followed my progress from the start or are just tuning in, thank you for your support. I hope you enjoy this final look into my Capstone Journey!

[ako808]

10) Capstone Journey - Part 2/3 Reflection video

Aloha everyone! 🌸

Welcome to my Capstone Journey! 🎓✨ This is it—the final stretch, the reflection, and the moment I get to look back on everything I’ve created, learned, and overcome. From the early brainstorming sessions to the long nights in Figma and feedback-filled meetings, this journey has been challenging, meaningful, and full of growth. I’m excited to share with you what this experience has taught me—not just as a student, but as a creative, a problem-solver, and a storyteller.

—------------------------------------------------

In this video, I will go over:

What were your thoughts about your research topic going into the first week of the semester?

I had a rough beginning. I wasn’t sure whether to pursue an internship or a capstone project, so I turned to my professors for advice—and they all strongly encouraged me to go with the capstone. I also debated whether to create a music education app focused on Western music theory or to explore Japanese music, specifically the shamisen, a traditional three-stringed Japanese instrument. At first, I just knew I wanted to make something music education-related, but I wasn’t sure how to narrow it down. I felt overwhelmed by all the possibilities and didn’t yet know how to tie everything together in a clear, meaningful way.

2. What are your thoughts now about your research topic and your project/practicum?

Now, I feel really proud of how it turned out. I strongly believe taht my project, ShamiZen, showcases my upbringing—in my academic bacground in music, Creative Media, and Video game Design and Development, and my passion in , coding and shamisen. It’s more polished, personal, and purposeful than I imagined in Week 1. I’m glad I stuck with it and let it grow with me.

3. What did you learn about yourself as a creative through this journey?

Through this journey, I’ve learned that I do have solid ideas and a clear creative vision—I just needed to find the right structure and tools to bring them to life. I realized I’m a perfectionist; I get really nitpicky about small details, which can be both a strength and a challenge. But I also learned that having a vision isn’t enough. Execution is just as important, and that comes from planning, outlining, and being open to feedback. I discovered that when I have structure—like wireframes, timelines, and support systems—I’m able to channel my creativity much more effectively.

4. What did you learn about the creative and production process?

The biggest lesson I learned is that pre-production is everything. I used to think the actual production—building the app—would take the most time and effort, but it’s really the preparation that lays the foundation for success. Research, user studies, wireframes, mockups, and prototypes all take time, and skipping over them just leads to more stress later. Once your blueprint is solid, the rest of the process flows more smoothly. I also gained a deep appreciation for designers, especially UI/UX designers—so much of the vision comes from them, and they really are the unsung heroes of the process.

5. What advice would you give new senior capstone students?

Start earlier than you think you need to—seriously. Even before the semester officially begins, start brainstorming and preparing. Give yourself time to explore different directions and don’t underestimate the value of research and planning. Pre-production might not feel glamorous, but it will make everything else easier. Get feedback early and often, whether it’s from professors, peers, or people who know the topic. And most importantly, choose a topic you’re genuinely passionate about. That passion will keep you going when you hit roadblocks or question yourself. Your motivation needs to come from within, and passion is what fuels that.

6. Where to now?

Now that the semester is wrapping up, I’m preparing for graduation—finally! After that, I’m planning to take a short break to rest and reset, then possibly continue developing ShamiZen with the goal of launching it in the future. I’m also looking forward to joining the Women’s Freelance Alliance (WFA) cohort this summer to keep building on this project. Beyond that, I’ll be applying to jobs in the tech field, ideally in software engineering, with the hope that my capstone can show potential employers what I’m capable of. This project helped me grow so much, and I feel more confident entering the professional world with something so personal and meaningful to show for it.

🎵 Music Credit:

Cherish Tuttle Music. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Piano Instrumental Karaoke Track (Higher Key) with Lyrics. YouTube, 30 Apr. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrKWG8BEBJY.

Kato, Tomomi. Tomorrow Morning (Piano Solo Ver.). Pixabay, 3 Mar. 2024, https://pixabay.com/music/modern-classical-tomorrow- morning-piano-solo-ver-312045/.

—------------------------------------------------

🎬 Whether you’ve followed my progress from the start or are just tuning in, thank you for your support. I hope you enjoy this final look into my Capstone Journey!

[ako808]

10) Capstone Journey - Part 1/3 Reflection video

Aloha everyone! 🌸

Welcome to my Capstone Journey! 🎓✨ This is it—the final stretch, the reflection, and the moment I get to look back on everything I’ve created, learned, and overcome. From the early brainstorming sessions to the long nights in Figma and feedback-filled meetings, this journey has been challenging, meaningful, and full of growth. I’m excited to share with you what this experience has taught me—not just as a student, but as a creative, a problem-solver, and a storyteller.

—------------------------------------------------

In this video, I will go over:

What were your thoughts about your research topic going into the first week of the semester?

I had a rough beginning. I wasn’t sure whether to pursue an internship or a capstone project, so I turned to my professors for advice—and they all strongly encouraged me to go with the capstone. I also debated whether to create a music education app focused on Western music theory or to explore Japanese music, specifically the shamisen, a traditional three-stringed Japanese instrument. At first, I just knew I wanted to make something music education-related, but I wasn’t sure how to narrow it down. I felt overwhelmed by all the possibilities and didn’t yet know how to tie everything together in a clear, meaningful way.

2. What are your thoughts now about your research topic and your project/practicum?

Now, I feel really proud of how it turned out. I strongly believe taht my project, ShamiZen, showcases my upbringing—in my academic bacground in music, Creative Media, and Video game Design and Development, and my passion in , coding and shamisen. It’s more polished, personal, and purposeful than I imagined in Week 1. I’m glad I stuck with it and let it grow with me.

3. What did you learn about yourself as a creative through this journey?

Through this journey, I’ve learned that I do have solid ideas and a clear creative vision—I just needed to find the right structure and tools to bring them to life. I realized I’m a perfectionist; I get really nitpicky about small details, which can be both a strength and a challenge. But I also learned that having a vision isn’t enough. Execution is just as important, and that comes from planning, outlining, and being open to feedback. I discovered that when I have structure—like wireframes, timelines, and support systems—I’m able to channel my creativity much more effectively.

4. What did you learn about the creative and production process?

The biggest lesson I learned is that pre-production is everything. I used to think the actual production—building the app—would take the most time and effort, but it’s really the preparation that lays the foundation for success. Research, user studies, wireframes, mockups, and prototypes all take time, and skipping over them just leads to more stress later. Once your blueprint is solid, the rest of the process flows more smoothly. I also gained a deep appreciation for designers, especially UI/UX designers—so much of the vision comes from them, and they really are the unsung heroes of the process.

5. What advice would you give new senior capstone students?

Start earlier than you think you need to—seriously. Even before the semester officially begins, start brainstorming and preparing. Give yourself time to explore different directions and don’t underestimate the value of research and planning. Pre-production might not feel glamorous, but it will make everything else easier. Get feedback early and often, whether it’s from professors, peers, or people who know the topic. And most importantly, choose a topic you’re genuinely passionate about. That passion will keep you going when you hit roadblocks or question yourself. Your motivation needs to come from within, and passion is what fuels that.

6. Where to now?

Now that the semester is wrapping up, I’m preparing for graduation—finally! After that, I’m planning to take a short break to rest and reset, then possibly continue developing ShamiZen with the goal of launching it in the future. I’m also looking forward to joining the Women’s Freelance Alliance (WFA) cohort this summer to keep building on this project. Beyond that, I’ll be applying to jobs in the tech field, ideally in software engineering, with the hope that my capstone can show potential employers what I’m capable of. This project helped me grow so much, and I feel more confident entering the professional world with something so personal and meaningful to show for it.

🎵 Music Credit:

Cherish Tuttle Music. Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Piano Instrumental Karaoke Track (Higher Key) with Lyrics. YouTube, 30 Apr. 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrKWG8BEBJY.

Kato, Tomomi. Tomorrow Morning (Piano Solo Ver.). Pixabay, 3 Mar. 2024, https://pixabay.com/music/modern-classical-tomorrow- morning-piano-solo-ver-312045/.

—------------------------------------------------

🎬 Whether you’ve followed my progress from the start or are just tuning in, thank you for your support. I hope you enjoy this final look into my Capstone Journey!

[ako808]

9) Capstone Journey Post-Production Wrapping Up (Week 13 - 14)

Aloha everyone! 🌸

Welcome to my Capstone Journey! 🎓✨

Wow, the end of the semester is literally around the corner! It's crazy how 12 weeks just passed by in a blink of an eye!!

But it's still not the time to relax yet -- I got to keep pushing till the week is really over!

—------------------------------------------------

In this post, I will go over:

What’s been happening since the start of the semester? NOTE: To save space, I will refrain from mentioning recaps and focus on the recent week(s).

Week 13:

For my Capstone, I will be creating 3 separate prototypes representing the 3 core features of ShamiZen:

Module + Quizzes

Virtual Shamisen

Gacha

Each prototype will include a clearly stated primary goal and its corresponding functional objective (e.g., Modules + Quizzes → Function 1). As of now, I’ve reached about the halfway point with the first prototype, and I’ve completed the third prototype (images will be shown below in "Any deliverable drafts to share").

Around this time, I also had a meeting with Professor Hanaoka to update her on my current progress and clarify a few points. When I informed her of my decision to scale down my final deliverable from a full app to a prototype, she was completely supportive. She acknowledged that building an entire app within a semester is a highly ambitious goal, and reassured me that pivoting to a prototype is a reasonable and valid approach.

It was a relief to receive that confirmation, and I feel much more confident moving forward with my prototype as the final deliverable.

—------------------------------------------------

Week 14:

Week 14 was an incredibly hectic but rewarding milestone. I’m excited to share that I finally completed the prototypes for both the Modules + Quizzes and the Virtual Shamisen features (images will be shown below in the "Any deliverable drafts to share" section). Despite the tight schedule, I’m genuinely proud of how everything turned out.

Right after wrapping up the prototypes, I shifted my focus to creating a Google Form for Usability Testing. I used Professor Ano’s template from her CM 415 course as a foundation and added several of my own custom questions to tailor it to my project. I wanted the form to reflect not just functionality testing, but also to capture user impressions of the design and learning experience.

I sent the survey to my professors, as they’ve been supporting me throughout this journey and I wanted them to experience what I’ve been working so hard on. I also distributed the form to a few friends, and I’m currently waiting to receive their responses.

More than anything, I feel a strong sense of relief and accomplishment knowing that I was able to push through and deliver something meaningful—something that reflects the potential of ShamiZen as a fully realized app in the future.

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? TO-DO:

Finish up whatever remaining

Try to do coding as much as I can

If time is given, complete the Research Report.

Hiccups/Hurdles/AHA moments

One of the biggest hurdles I faced during this phase of the project was working with Figma. As someone relatively new to the platform, I struggled with some of the more advanced features—especially when it came to setting up hotspots and interactive elements.

For example, I had trouble figuring out how to simulate a text input feature—where a user could click a text box, have a keyboard appear, type something in, and have that input stored in a variable.

(Image below shows Prototype 1: Onboarding Section where User's are to input name into textbox)

Another issue I had was trying to use conditional logic in my prototype (a feature technically supported by Figma), but after doing some research, I discovered that many of these advanced interactions are only available to users with a Figma Organization account, which I didn’t have access to.

Because of those limitations, I couldn’t fully implement certain features the way I had envisioned. For instance, in the quiz section of my prototype, I wasn’t able to apply dynamic conditionals that would track user choices and adapt outcomes accordingly. Instead, I had to rely on a brute-force method—manually creating multiple versions of the same screen to represent different outcomes as shown in the image below.

In a previous project for Professor Ano’s class, I made a major mistake: I didn’t create a root component in Figma. Because of that, every time I needed to make a change, I had to manually update each individual screen, which was incredibly time-consuming and inefficient.

This time, I made sure to learn from that experience. For my Capstone prototype, I created a root screen component, allowing me to apply changes globally across all screens that use it. This saved me a significant amount of time and kept everything more consistent.

(Image of Prototype 1 - Quiz Section that takes into account of all possible outcomes)

Any deliverable drafts to share? Visual documentation of the progress. (Screenshots, WIP videos, etc. if you have any)?

(The following image is a screenshot of the general overview of my prototype 1 - Module + Quizzes on Figma:)

(The following image is a screenshot of the general overview of my prototype 2 -Virtual Piano on Figma:)

(The following image is a screenshot of the general overview of my prototype 3 - Gacha on Figma:)

Where you are on your timeline? At this point, I would say that I’m all caught up! After completing the core prototypes and launching the usability testing phase, I’ve aligned myself back with my new roadmap and feel confident moving into wrapping this project.

—------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your support and stay tuned for the Final Tumblr Reflection! 🌱

[ako808]

8) Capstone Journey Post-Production Wrapping Up (Week 12)

Aloha everyone! 🌸

Welcome to my Capstone Journey! 🎓✨ We are now transitioning into the Post-Production phase of our Capstone as the semester slowly comes to an end!

—------------------------------------------------

In this post, I will go over:

What’s been happening since the start of the semester? NOTE: To save space, I will refrain from mentioning recaps and focus on the recent week(s).

Week 12:

I began working on the early stages of my prototype (image will be shown below in "Any deliverable drafts to share"). Professor Ano have provided pointers and mentioned to use the prototype template that was given in her CM 415 class. During my meeting with Professor Ano, she provided helpful feedback and recommended that I reference the prototype template she previously shared in her CM 415 class to guide my layout and structure.

We also reviewed my updated Research Report, which is steadily coming together. I had a few questions—specifically about whether it’s acceptable to use first-person pronouns in the paper and whether I could include visual timelines to illustrate my process. Professor Ano noted that those questions would be better directed to Professor Hanaoka, as they involve formatting and program-specific guidelines.

I met with Professor Yap on our usual Friday's (now changed to a bi-weekly meet up) to update him on my current progress with the Capstone, and he had no objections to the direction I was taking. I also shared my Research Report, and he expressed his approval with how it was shaping up, which gave me a much-needed boost of confidence.'to update him on my current progress with the Capstone, and he had no objections to the direction I was taking. I also shared my Research Report, and he expressed his approval with how it was shaping up, which gave me a much-needed boost of confidence.

But what stood out most—like it always does—was his care beyond the project itself. He took the time to check in on me as a person, asking how I was doing, if I was feeling burned out, and whether I was managing everything okay. It wasn’t just a routine question—it felt genuine. His presence reminded me that while the Capstone is important, my well-being matters just as much, and that kind of support is something I’ll always carry with me.

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? TO-DO:

Continue with the prototype

Work on coding if finished

Start thinking of the user testability questions

Hiccups/Hurdles/AHA moments One of the main hiccups I encountered was figuring out how to approach building my prototype. I wasn’t entirely sure what made a prototype different from a mockup, and despite doing online research, the explanations I found often left me even more confused.

Thankfully, during our meeting, Professor Ano helped clarify things. She explained that one of the key features of a prototype is the inclusion of hotspot connections, which allow users to interact with the design and simulate the actual experience of using the product. That explanation really helped things click for me. It was also incredibly helpful to be given a prototype template to reference, which gave me a solid foundation to start from.

Any deliverable drafts to share? Visual documentation of the progress. (Screenshots, WIP videos, etc. if you have any)?

The following image is a screenshot of my early stages of my prototype on Figma:

.

Where you are on your timeline? I’ve now entered a new phase of my Capstone project where my final deliverable will be a fully developed prototype. With that shift in focus, I would say that I’m currently on track and moving steadily toward my goal. Despite the limited time remaining, I believe that completing a strong, functional prototype is highly feasible and well within reach.

—------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your support and stay tuned! 🌱

[ako808]

6) Capstone Journey Production: Execution (Week 10-11)

Aloha everyone! ⛱️🩴 Welcome to my Capstone Journey! 🎓✨

Spring break has finally arrived but the grind don't stop!!

—------------------------------------------------

In this video, I will cover:

What’s been happening since the start of the semester? Week 10 (Spring Break):

Continued coding implementation (Production)

Fixing several bugs more in code

Catching up on other assignments

Week 11:

Decision with Professor Ano to scale back to completing Prototype

She mentions that finished with prototype, work on coding as demo; go as far as I can

Refined Research Report document

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? During spring break and the following weeks? TO-DO:

Complete prototype

Finish demo as much as I can

Hiccups/Hurdles/AHA moments I would say that the biggest hurdle would be the completion of the code within the time given. Initially, Professor Ano gave approval in bypassing the prototype in order to stay on schedule with the planned roadmap for my Capstone project. However, due to the current situation, she suggested it would be best to scale down the final deliverable to a prototype. Additionally, she mentioned it is better that I am focusing on creating a solid foundation.

Any deliverable drafts to share? Visual documentation of the progress. (Screenshots, WIP videos, etc. if you have any)?

I am actually quite pleased with how the Research Report turned out. Adding images to Google Doc can be very difficult to implement. The current version of my Research Report does look refined and professional.

The following image below is the cover page of my Research Report.

The following image below is a part of the general overview of my revised wireframe. I will creating the prototype basing off of this wireframe:

Where you are on your timeline? Essentially, I will be going backward in my timeline (in the Pre-Production phase). However, from there I will be creating a new pathway to follow the end goal of producing a Prototype with some demo of the app as my final deliverable.

—------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your support and stay tuned! 🌱

[ako808]

5) Capstone Journey – A Day in My Life (Behind-the-Scenes Video)

Aloha everyone! ☀️

Welcome to my Capstone Journey! 🎓✨

This is a more personal and behind-the-scenes post in my Capstone Journey series. Rather than a formal walkthrough or screen recording, I wanted to capture what a real workday looks and feels like as I build my app. Sometimes it’s focused, sometimes it’s tired—but it’s always real.

🎥 In this video, you’ll see:

Me waking up and heading straight into Capstone mode (even before brushing my teeth 😅)

A peek at my morning thoughts—feeling a bit tired, but pushing through anyway

Opening up Figma, refining my wireframe, and updating my documents

A look at my research tabs: Japanese instruments, shamisen info, and Capstone structure

Small but important moments of progress—writing in Google Docs, jumping between tabs, adjusting layouts

💭 What this video reflects:

The mental load of balancing creative and technical work

The realities of burnout and pressure, especially near mid-semester

My commitment to staying consistent, even on tough days

The quiet, honest side of Capstone work—not just the polished deliverables

📌 Where I Am:

Still in the pre-production to early production transition. I'm refining core features like:

My wireframe

Research document for competitive apps

Outlining my first prototype module

This week was all about staying in motion. Not perfect—but forward. 🚶‍♀️

—------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your support and stay tuned! 🌱

[ako808]

POST 4: Capstone Journey - 4th Video Part 2/2 Pre-Production & Production: Planning & Execution (Week 5-9)

Aloha everyone! 🌸

Welcome to my Capstone Journey! 🎓✨

This will be my 4th video of the Capstone Journey series which will be my Tumblr Update #3 Part 2/2!

Thank you guys for your patience and understanding regarding the timing of my submission. The end of the semester is literally around the corner!!!

Due to the large contents of this data, I had issues loading the 12 minute worth of video so it will be broken into 2 parts!

—------------------------------------------------

In this video, I will cover:

What’s been happening since the start of the semester? I finalized my capstone topic, wrote the abstract, researched on shamisen, and refined my wireframes and module designs. I met with my professors for feedback, created a research report, and transitioned into the production phase, finally starting to implement the coding aspect!

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? During spring break and the following week, I plan to catch up on other class assignments, continue coding the app, and work on the research report.

Hiccups/Hurdles/AHA moments The hiccups/hurdles I faced technical issues with Xcode setup, segue connections, layout shifts, and inconsistent keyboard behavior. These challenges improved my problem-solving and deepened my understanding of app development.

Any deliverable drafts to share? Visual documentation of the progress. (Screenshots, WIP videos, etc. if you have any)? I showcased updated wireframes, module and quiz drafts, and a screen recording of the coding aspect of my app deliverable in progress.

Where you are on your timeline? I’ve had delays due to technical issues and scope adjustments. Based on feedback, I’m now focusing on the prototype and coding as much as possible for my final deliverable.

—------------------------------------------------

Work Cites

MUSIC:

snoozybeats. "spring time [lofi]." Pixabay, 6 Mar. 2025, https://pixabay.com/music/beats-spring-time-lofi-309599/.

SoulProdMusic. Sakura. Pixabay, https://pixabay.com/music/search/sakura/?pagi=2. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

YouTube Resources:

iOSMart Academy by Marco Alonso. Understanding MVC Architecture in iOS Swift. YouTube, 16 Oct. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRVsP4Ku4jE.

Image

Bartek, Malia. "12 Hilarious Spring Break Memes for Teachers." We Are Teachers, 15 Feb. 2023, https://www.weareteachers.com/spring-break-memes/.​

—------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your support and stay tuned! 🌱

[ako808]

POST 4: Capstone Journey - 4th Video Part 1/2 Pre-Production & Production: Planning & Execution (Week 5-9)

Aloha everyone! 🌸

Welcome to my Capstone Journey! 🎓✨

This will be my 4th video of the Capstone Journey series which will be my Tumblr Update #3 Part 1/2!

Thank you guys for your patience and understanding regarding the timing of my submission. The end of the semester is literally around the corner!!!

Due to the large contents of this data, I had issues loading the 12 minute worth of video so it will be broken into 2 parts!

—------------------------------------------------

In this video, I will cover:

What’s been happening since the start of the semester? I finalized my capstone topic, wrote the abstract, researched on shamisen, and refined my wireframes and module designs. I met with my professors for feedback, created a research report, and transitioned into the production phase, finally starting to implement the coding aspect!

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? During spring break and the following week, I plan to catch up on other class assignments, continue coding the app, and work on the research report.

Hiccups/Hurdles/AHA moments The hiccups/hurdles I faced technical issues with Xcode setup, segue connections, layout shifts, and inconsistent keyboard behavior. These challenges improved my problem-solving and deepened my understanding of app development.

Any deliverable drafts to share? Visual documentation of the progress. (Screenshots, WIP videos, etc. if you have any)? I showcased updated wireframes, module and quiz drafts, and a screen recording of the coding aspect of my app deliverable in progress.

Where you are on your timeline? I’ve had delays due to technical issues and scope adjustments. Based on feedback, I’m now focusing on the prototype and coding as much as possible for my final deliverable.

—------------------------------------------------

Work Cites

MUSIC:

snoozybeats. "spring time [lofi]." Pixabay, 6 Mar. 2025, https://pixabay.com/music/beats-spring-time-lofi-309599/.

SoulProdMusic. Sakura. Pixabay, https://pixabay.com/music/search/sakura/?pagi=2. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

YouTube Resources:

iOSMart Academy by Marco Alonso. Understanding MVC Architecture in iOS Swift. YouTube, 16 Oct. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRVsP4Ku4jE.

Image

Bartek, Malia. "12 Hilarious Spring Break Memes for Teachers." We Are Teachers, 15 Feb. 2023, https://www.weareteachers.com/spring-break-memes/.​

—------------------------------------------------

Thank you for your support and stay tuned! 🌱

[ako808]

3) Capstone Journey - 3rd Video Pre-Production: Initiation and Planning (Week 3-4)

Aloha everyone! 🌹💝 Welcome to my Capstone Journey! 🎓✨ This will be my 3rd video of the Capstone Journey series which will be my Tumblr Update #2!

Thank you guys for your patience and understanding regarding the timing of my submission. Definitely starting to feel the pressure! 👀

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In this video, I will cover:

What’s been happening since the start of the semester? Trying to wrap up the Pre-Production phase!

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? Complete the Pre-Production phase - Wireframe within 1-2 weeks, and start the Production phase where I begin to build the app!

Hiccups/Hurdles/AHA moments The hiccups/hurdles I am currently facing is underestimating the time frame to do the design and defining stage of the project. I initially gave a month timeframe but looking back, I feel it needs at least an extra 2 weeks. I did not take into account of the time that would be needed to create various wireframes and a prototype.

Additionally, there were some issues with my wireframe and I ended up essentially having to redo it which also created some setbacks.

Any deliverable drafts to share? Visual documentation of the progress. (Screenshots, WIP videos, etc. if you have any)? In the video, I showed a Google Doc of the contents for my Module + Quizzes. Because the "2nd Draft" of my wireframe was taking a bit longer than expected, I created the Google Doc so that I could have the contents be reviewed by my Professors. I wanted to be efficient with my time so that once the Doc is approved, I can simply copy-paste it into my wireframe.

Where you are on your timeline? I am a bit delayed in my schedule and I haven given myself 2 weeks max timeframe to complete my wireframe. I took into account of the change by creating a brief module map that will help me stay on schedule with my original timeframe (the screen recording of the mentioned adjusted schedule will be shown at 3:36 in the video.) I believe I will be ok as long as I continue grinding!

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Work Cites

MUSIC:

BeatNexus. "Valentine Jazz." Pixabay, https://pixabay.com/music/search/valentine/.

Kondrashev, Nikita. "Dark Horror Background." Pixabay, https://pixabay.com/music/search/valentine/.

IMAGE:

Butler, Riana. “What Is the Difference between a Wireframe, a Mockup, and a Prototype?” LinkedIn, 12 Nov. 2020, www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-difference-between-wireframe-mockup-prototype-riana-butler.

BuzzFeed. “22 Pictures That Perfectly Sum Up The End Of The Semester.” Pinterest, www.pinterest.com/pin/294282156877815108/.

Skelly, Christopher. Analysis: ‘This Is Fine’ Meme. Medium, 7 Apr. 2022, medium.com/@CWSkelly/analysis-this-is-fine-meme-e8980ff61e78.

"SpongeBob Rainbow Meme Generator." Imgflip, https://imgflip.com/memegenerator/32399536/spongebob-rainbow.

Uncle3. Gloria Gaynor - I Will Survive - 1 Hour | Ê Hiếu! YouTube, 13 May 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-Th9uNRbcY.

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Thank you for your support and stay tuned! 🌱

[ako808]

POST 2: Capstone Journey: 2nd Video Pre-Production: Initiation (Week 2)

Aloha everyone!🌺

Welcome to my Capstone Journey!

This will be my 2nd video of the Capstone Journey series which will be my Tumblr Update #1!

NOTE: This video was supposed to be a bi-weekly update and reflection of a Week 2-3 but I made some error in the editing. Thank you guys for your patience and understanding regarding the matter and for the timing of my submission.

Unfortunately, I caught something going around this past week, so I’ve been focused on recuperating! 😷❤️‍🩹

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In this video, I will cover:

What’s been happening since the start of the semester? Working on the Pre-Production phase!

What’s coming up for the next 2 weeks? Transition into the Production phase where I will start implementing and building the app!

Hiccups/Hurdles/AHA moments Despite having only one week worth of one-on-one meetings with my professors, they were very insightful and I learned a lot in regards to the defining stage of project management!

Any deliverable drafts to share? Visual documentation of the progress. (Screenshots, WIP videos, etc. if you have any)In the video, I will provide a glimpse of my abstract, wireframe, and documentation of my weekly map.

Where you are on your timeline? Recently, I had my 2nd one-on-one meeting with one of my professors, and was told that a 2nd wireframe and a prototype is needed. There was a lot more work in the design stage than I expected, so I am currently a bit behind schedule. However, I plan on grinding this week in hopes of catching up and staying on schedule with my 15-week roadmap that I designed for this project.

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Work Cites

MUSIC: Saavane. "Lofi Rain." Pixabay, 2021, www.pixabay.com/music/beats-lofi-rain-198277/.

Instagram Reel: khonnews. "Reel." Instagram, 30 Jan. 2025, www.instagram.com/reel/DFendWhRXx5/?igsh=MXhhYXN0cjl2ZTAyNw.

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Thank you for your support and stay tuned! 🌱

[ako808]

POST 1: Capstone Journey - 1st Video Introduction (Week 1)

Aloha everyone!🌺

Welcome to my Capstone Journey!

This will be my 1st video of the Capstone Journey series where I introduce myself and share what my capstone is about!             —------------------------------------------------

The following will be the written version:

"Introduce Who You Are":

I am in UHWO's Creative Media Program, concentration in Video Game Design & Development.

"Explain your Topic and Research Question, and your Plans for the Capstone":

My topic is on the Integration of Interactive Technology in Music (Education).

My research question is: Can we preserve music, particularly in school curriculums, by making it more fun and accessible?

I initially had 2 plans: 1.) Do the Internship/Practicum route as I felt it was the most beneficial. However, if for whatever reason e.g. not finding an internship, then I would go into my backup plan which is plan#2... 2.) Go into the Capstone Project - follow through and implement the research project that I have done in the Pre-Capstone semester. However, during the winter break, I had an idea to change the topic of my project to a more specific niche. And that is to create an app for shamisen. The reason why I wanted to try and do this is because I felt that there weren't enough resources that are currently available. And I wanted to bring more awareness to Japanese culture - particularly on Japanese music.  To be honest, I am still contemplating between the two so stay tuned with my journey in what I decide to do!

"Look Through the Past Senior Capstone- Select ONE Capstone and Explain Briefly Why That Capstone Stuck Out to You in Terms of their Research Topic and Deliverable": From all the previous capstones that were completed by the ACM students, the one that stuck out to me the most was "The Art of Coding" by Keola Iseri.

It stood out to me the most because I thought it was cool that he was bridging the gap between art and technology which I feel for years the two has been separated due to their contrast. Last semester, I have taken Professor Ashburn's Generative Art and Science course at UHWO, which also blends the two together.

And I think it's wonderful for ACM to be taking that innovative step to incorporating the A in STEM!

For those interested, please be sure to check out his amazing work! https://sites.google.com/hawaii.edu/acmwoseniorcapstones/capstone/spring-2022-seniors/keola-iseri

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Keola's work is one of the many great examples of how diverse and creative these projects can be, and it inspires me to push my own boundaries.

I can't wait to share more as I move forward with this journey!

Stay tuned! 🌱