opdracht interactieve media ontwerpen
docent: bram simons
afdeling: grafische en typografische vormgeving
klas: voltijd 3e jaar 2004-2005


designing a website interface

choose a route. make sure it contains a lot of choosing points/crossings. make a broad approach. think of both a litteral and figurative interpretation. explain it by using interactivity. the final goal is a website. the emphasis lies on exploring interaction. take the perception of the user as a starting point.

with this project you should work step by step and that way you will go through the complete process of designing an interface

it exists of written components to be handed in, oral presentations, a sketch process, screen designs and a prototype. the lessons will be partly theoretical and partly practical.

steps

1 choice of route, definition of target group and problem statement
2 research of the target group
3 plan and time schedule
4 functional specifications and functional design
5 sketch process and screen design
6 realisation of prototype
7 end presentation and written report



working method

the plan should begin with a problem statement or a scenario. this should describe the situation in which the interface will be used by the target group.

you must make clear for which group of end-users the design is intented and how you think you will be able to describe them.

if you have the chance to contact a representative group of users, then make a research/interview with them and retrieve relevant points of attention for your project.

however, you must define the context and the terminology of the expected user. think of matters like (pre-)knowledge, training, interests. ask yourself questions like... are they experienced users or not? what is their age? who are the primary users? what should they think or do before, during and/or after visiting the website? how do they enter the site?


after collecting the essential knowledge concerning the user you must give an overview of assumed effects for the design. this is the starting point for a functional specification and a functional design. also indicate your considerations and think of alternatives as a fallback at a later stage.


another required component is a detailed set-up for a time schedule in which you will carry out your activities. it must fit to the given deadlines. you must plan ahead as many steps as possible in your project. do not only plan the research and sketch process, but for example also the documentation, presentation and realisation of a final prototype of your site.


you will hand in the written plan, time schedule and the research of the user group and we will discuss it during the lesson after you have commented it.

after you have discussed and eventually adapted your plan, functional specifications and the functional design, and everything is correct, you are ready to start the sketching process, both on paper and on screen. this must lead to a screen design.

the last step is the realisation of a working prototype of the site. this, together with the other components, must give a clear impression how the interface will work. a limited functioning but well-designed interface is preferable to a completely functioning but badly designed interface.

at the end of your project you will hand in a designed report. this consits of your original plan and time schedule and the changes you've made in your plan. also the functional specifications and the functional design with changes or additions should be part of it. you should also explain which parts were not realisable and why. you should finish with a conclusion why your design and terminology suits or does not suit to the supposed environment and user.

your plan, time schedule and design should all be realistic and realisable. but the first crucial part of your plan is the description of your problem statement and analysis of users. once the plan has been approved you are expected to implement your design according to your plan.


deadlines

20/09/2004
hand in written choice of route, target group and problem statement

27/09/2004
hand in written research of target group, plan and time schedule

04/10/2004
hand in written research of functional specifications and functional design

01/11/2004
evaluation: presentation of sketches and screen design

15/11/2004
presentation of final screen design

29/11/2004
prototype finished and hand in written report

06/12/2004
individual evaluation