Problem Statement: In an increasingly digital world, the need for efficient and intuitive customer service solutions is paramount. Businesses seek to provide their customers with immediate, reliable, and user-friendly support. The challenge is to design a Chatbot UI that not only meets the functional requirements of a digital assistant but also delivers a seamless and engaging user experience. Students will tackle the challenge of designing a Chatbot UI that balances technical functionality with aesthetic appeal, ensuring accessibility and ease of use for a diverse range of users.

Project Outcome: By the end of the project, learners are expected to achieve the following outcomes:

1. Design Competency:

• Create a comprehensive design for a Chatbot UI that incorporates all the necessary elements such as text fields, buttons, and avatars while adhering to best practices in UI/UX design.
• Demonstrate an understanding of color theory, typography, and layout in creating a visually appealing interface.

1. Technical Proficiency:

• Develop a functional prototype of the Chatbot UI that can handle input, display messages, and provide user feedback.
• Implement front-end development skills, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, to bring the design to life.

1. User Experience Focus:

• Conduct user testing to gather feedback and iteratively refine the Chatbot UI.
• Showcase the ability to incorporate accessibility features and ensure that the chatbot is inclusive and user-friendly.

1. Problem-Solving Ability:

• Address any usability issues discovered during user testing, demonstrating problem-solving skills and adaptability.
• Develop solutions for handling user input errors, providing help options, and maintaining a conversation flow.

1. Documentation and Presentation Skills:

• Document the design and development process, including challenges faced and how they were overcome.

General Layout and Structure:

• A clean and user-friendly design that promotes easy readability and interaction.
• Responsive design to adapt to various screen sizes and devices.

Avatar:

• An avatar representing the chatbot or customer service representative.
• Customizable to reflect the brand or persona of the service.

Online Status Indicator:

• A visual indicator showing whether the chatbot is currently available (online/offline).

Chatbot Messages:

• A dedicated area for chatbot messages that clearly differentiates them from user messages.
• Should support rich text formatting including hyperlinks, bold, italics, and emojis.

Message Input Text Field:

• An input field for users to type their messages.
• Should be clearly visible and accessible at all times during the conversation.

Emoji Selection:

• An integrated emoji picker that allows users to express emotions through emojis within their messages.

Attachments:

• The ability to attach files or images within the chat.
• Supported formats and file size limits must be defined.

Pre-determined Response options:

• Predefined response options for common queries to facilitate quicker interactions.
• Should be customizable according to the most frequent user requests or chatbot prompts.

Send Button:

• A clearly visible button to send the message typed by the user.

Conversation History Scrollbar:

• A scrollbar that allows users to view previous messages in the conversation.

Settings:

• Access to chat settings such as notifications, chat history, or ending the chat session.

Button to minimize/maximize chat interface:

• A button to minimize/maximize the chat interface depending on use

Name and Title:

• A field to display the name of the chatbot or the customer service representative.
• The option to include a title or role to set user expectations about the type of assistance provided.

User Input Validation:

• Mechanisms to validate user input where required (e.g., email format).

Notification and Alert System:

• Visual or auditory notifications for new messages or chatbot responses, especially when the chat is minimized.

Accessibility:

• Compliance with accessibility standards to ensure the chatbot UI is usable by people with disabilities.

Internationalization:

• Support for multiple languages and cultural settings as needed.

Error Handling and Feedback:

• Clear error messages and feedback mechanisms for users to report issues or unhelpful responses.

Data Protection and Privacy:

• Indicators or information about the privacy policy and data protection measures.