project 2 :: final crit

 final crit will be brief presentations of your work to the group, followed by written critiques. presentations will be informal; two or three minutes to share your work with everyone, explaining any ideas, technical wizardry, etc. so everyone can see the work.

you will provide written critiques for two classmates. fifteen minutes will be provided for each crit and should be posted to your classmate's blog as a comment. the comment will be placed in the post i'll describe below. your crit should address the following issues:

• overall usability of the site
  
• the degree to which it pushes boundaries / questions traditional presentation of portfolio work
• same as above but for overall site navigation
• if the site utilizes linear / cinematic elements (such as transitions, image sequences, etc) and the success of those linear elements
  
• overall organization of the work -- logical? interesting?

to prep for the written crit, make sure you have a final screen grab of the project posted on your blog and title the post "MX project two final". if you have the work on your website, please provide a link to the site in the text of that post. also provide a written description of your intentions for the site -- what you hoped to achieve in its design, rationale for the design decisions you made, what you learned through this process, what you are most proud of, what you struggled most with.

project 2 :: blog requirements + readings

here is what i'll be looking for in terms of process documentation:

• evidence of brainstorming -- lists or sketches
  
• image(s) of your 3d model(s)
• two screen grabs of at least three rapid prototypes. show two screens from each idea with brief explanations. 
• refinements/process toward your final direction.
• a couple of screen grabs of the final functioning wireframe.
  
• four reading responses from "the language of new media".

label all posts "MX"

also, all reading responses are due on monday nov 30.

project 2 :: production time

in class
production work day. remember to stay focused on task scenarios -- as jason rincker calls them,"use cases" -- so there is a smooth and efficient flow from screen to screen, image to image. the final goal here is tight, fully-functioning wireframes. no need to worry much about color or even specific portfolio contents at this point. plan for roughly 10 to 15 pieces, or whatever number you feel is appropriate.

homework
production
reading: "the language of new media" pp 103-115 the screen and the body, representation vs simulation
reading response on your blog. label post "MX"

final project schedule
monday nov 23: production work day
friday nov 27: thanksgiving break
monday nov 30: production work day
friday dec 4: final crit

project 2 :: task scenario / wireframe refinements

in class
desk crits on task scenario sketches.

homework
refine task scenario sketches, add more screens and task scenarios as needed to achieve a full set of possible wireframed screens.
reading: "the language of new media" pp 94-103 the screen and the user, a screens' genealogy
reading response on your blog. label post "MX"

project 2 :: decision-making and task scenario-ing

for next class session

• reading: "the language of new media" pp 78-93 cinema, hci: representation vs control
• reading response on your blog. label post "MX"
• post visual iterations to your blog, determine a direction to pursue.
• create task scenarios to flesh out a range of screens that storyboard the interaction process.
• roughly determine portfolio content -- 10-15 pieces. focus more on categories of work, rather than specific pieces.

project 2 :: reading responses

to reinforce the importance of reading theory and criticism, you are required to write a response to each reading for this project (four total) from "the language of new media". each response will be worth 10 points max, and should be posted to your blog with the label "MX". an excellent response does the following:

• notes new concepts learned in the passage
• makes connections between the reading and your MX projects
• makes connections between the reading and non-MX readings/experiences
• does all of the above concisely 

lesser responses that exclude portions of the above will decrease in points earned.

project 2 :: round-up crit

in class

• 15 min: discuss reading
• group crit on all rapid prototypes. 10 min each, max.

homework

• revise idea based on crit feedback. go back to sketch mode, iterating widely and creating a range of wireframe layouts that utilize your chosen functionality.
• reading: the language of new media, pp 63-78 the interface, cultural interfaces, printed word 

the reading is at the library under eppelheimer's reserves,  or you can get a pdf through the kcai library site (direct link). the reading is called "the interface" and the password is "media".

blogs
post two screen grabs of each idea, each showing different states of interaction. that will give you a rough total of six screen grabs -- three or so ideas. provide a brief explanation for how each idea works, to supplement your images.

Project Two :: Round Up

In class

• 15 min: find+share
• finalize test 3 by end of class. show idea quickly
• revise/refine previous directions

Homework

• refine all tests and prep for group crit. group crit will be used to select one direction to pursue.
• reading: Windows & Mirrors, from The myth of transparency 48-50 to Another strategy 55-56

project 2 :: round 3 iterations

in class

• 15 min: find+share
  30 min: discuss reading
• 50 min: finalize test 2. show idea quickly, one-on-one.
  50 min: brainstorm round 3

homework

• continue brainstorm/rapid prototype #3. tests can be html/css/javascript vs flash, or a combination of both
• reading: Windows & Mirrors, from the history of disappearing pp 34-38 to the macintosh interface 44-48