project 1 :: reading

we will have mostly work time during both class sessions this week. we're working toward a process crit on friday oct 9 -- a week from this friday. that should give you plenty of time to work out structural as well as visual issues. 

for friday, read "module and program" up to page 152.

project 1 :: design phase

homework for friday sept 25

alter and update solutions and wireframes based on input from critique. add detail and begin to make connections between tools/modules.

read and view tufte: "iphone interface design" and blogger Chris Fahey's response (with some excellent commenting as well).

start pondering branding-related aspects of your project: a site name, tool/function names, basic identity elements such as typefaces, graphic elements, and color choices.

in class friday sept 25
design round 1, show some sweet design!

wireframing considerations

some things to help keep your head in the right place: 

• your solutions should be directly fulfilling believable, real needs that engage and excite the audience (exerting influence, creating emotional connection, etc)
• be sure you are connecting the physical with the virtual, augmenting or extending each
• your sketches should be structurally/task based (click this, upload this), and consisting of a series of screens. only indicate basic page elements that are used to interact and complete a task. 
• the visualizations of solutions should tell you where you'll need system "components" and in which media they belong.
• put the needs and solutions in a hierarchical list and translate that to visual hierarchy in your online applications
• the components, and hierarchy will help to drive your wireframing, i.e.: bigger areas = more important elements
• while sitemapping/wireframing, consider the structural makeup of the system. for the online interface consider creating: multiple pages, a single page with interchangeable "modules/content buckets", or a mixture of both (most likely the last).
• for the handheld device, simplicity and linear navigation in the interface is important to keep in mind. (problematic with some of last years work, tiny type, too many choices on a screen, not enough visual cues to help the user)

project 1 :: first presentation expectations

for monday's (9.21) presentation I expect a summarization of everything we've done so far with a plan for the rest of the project. This should include:

• recap of activity and audience
• a basic outline of your system supported with visuals. if it's clear to us just from your description and visuals how it the system will work in general and how needs, a sense of belonging, a common symbol system and reciprocal influence are being addressed, you've probably got a good thing going. describe the technologies involved in context in this part. sketches, photos and storyboards will aid this part of the presentation.
• beginning wireframing with verbal description. i do not expect final, fully detailed wireframes of every piece of your system, just the basics. the hierarchy of needs and solutions should give you a basic outline of how to approach the wireframes. these do not need to be illustrator files either. well made, hand drawn, and photographed wireframes would work as well. give us a feel for the main areas of the online interface and the uses of handheld or other devices that are part of your system.you have 5-10 minutes for the presentation with 5-10 post pres class critique.

be concise, be interesting. PRACTICE BEFOREHAND.

this is a great warm-up for the final presentation of the projects in front of an bigger audience. the critiques should be an added brainstorming session for your system, crowd source us to improve your project!

project 1 :: inspiration assignment

Let's crowd source some more links that are Web 2.0 & real world specific, each person owes class one interesting link by next Friday. Post here.

Links from today
Yellow Arrow: http://yellowarrow.net/v3/index.php
Nike+: http://nikerunning.nike.com/nikeos/p/nikeplus/en_US/?rs=1
Sonar iPhone ruler: http://vimeo.com/6068060
Livestrong site: http://www.nike.com/nikeos/p/livestrong/en_US/
Livestrong chalk writer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Jb-KT4r6NY&feature=player_embedded
Philips food probes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au2Bueiy6MQ&feature=player_embedded#t=224
Mapping main street: http://www.mappingmainstreet.org/
check out eppelheimer's new pet

what wireframes look like

this may be a bit late, but i wanted to share a few thoughts on wireframing and how to go about this translation to the visual realm, based on michael's experience with section 1. it's a very good idea to visualize your ideas physically, together, on paper. working in illustrator will slow you down and get you bogged down in the details.

Check out some good wireframing methods here on this aptly named blog, Wireframes.

project 1 :: week of sept 14

in class monday 9.14
watch Charles Leadbeater: On Innovation

show+tell: nike, yellow arrow, others

desk crits on activity brainstorming. plot out steps/processes for those activities. begin visual translations into wireframes.

homework for friday 9.18
continue developing activities/processes/visual translations.

plot your posters.

in class friday 9.18
final plotted poster prints due.

desk crits on wireframing of activities/tools.

homework for monday 9.21
prepare a presentation of your interaction solutions (5 minute keynote presentation summarizing research, proposing solution, showing wireframes)

project 1 :: conceptual design :: moving from research to ideas & solutions

the next few class sessions will focus on translating your knowledge of the audience into online (and offline?) activities that will support and enhance their sense of community. it's important to look beyond now-generic web 2.0 functions such as photo-sharing and identify activities that connect people with people and the physical world with the virtual. consider current AND hypothetical technologies and tools for data collecting, especially as they relate to the real world. stay focused on activities and develop processes that allow that action to happen. the online tools you design should flow from those activities and processes. use the skills you've learned in previous classes to sketch out scenarios of how users will move through your system (sketching, storyboarding, diagraming) and how that system will be arranged and presented (sitemapping/wireframing).

a good way to start could be listing requirements based on need next to possible tasks/scenarios to meet those needs, i.e.:

the swimmer

need: a new workout to improve butterfly stroke:
solution: community uploads categorized workouts, swimmer searches butterfly improvement, downloads chosen workout to (waterproof!) iPhone

need: check personal stats and improvement
solution: swim goggle attachment collects speed and positioning data over time, transmitting real-time to site where it's analyzed and presented and diagrammatic data over time, allowing comparison to other members

need: workout buddy
solution: swimmer calls up iPhone app, collected user data online is read and compared to swimmer capabilities and other interested users show up on iPhone area map.

need: competition
solution: swimmer can join the competition area and sign up for "races". goggle attachment monitors position and stop and start times, allowing swimmers in 2 different places at different times to compete.

homework, due monday 9.14

• final poster refinements.
• based on the community reading, brainstorm/list what online activities might reinforce a sense of membership, allow for the reciprocal exertion of influence, fulfill their stated needs, and create a shared emotional connection. what can users do at your web space? what can users do in the real world that the online community can use to improve or offer new services?

project 1 :: week of sept 8

homework for friday 9.11
posters designed, tiled, and up in studio at the start of class
Watch another Clay Shirky video!

in class friday
watch “an Anthropological Introduction to YouTube”!
desk crits on posters in pairs, work time

research poster examples

mister eppelheimer was kind enough to put together some primo examples of last year's research posters, as well as a few other good examples of infographics. check them out here.