Web in 2011 (response)

You've Come A Long Way Baby-
I very much agree with and love the statement made in this section. Seeing that new technology has made it possible to truly "web design". By integrating those new technologies into our design thinking we can see how the web becomes something far more than the physical page. While still carrying the same  information it can be structurally different.

It's All About The Users-
In this statement it talks about the importance for graceful transitions for the user within the ever changing web landscape. Having a site that adapts to the user instead of forcing the user to adapt to the site.

Respecting Complexity-
Just from starting the analysis of the website I'm working with, I can see that no matter how simple I would want to make it there is an underlying complexity within how a site functions that must be respected. Otherwise it becomes something that either doesn't allow for the complexity of the information needing to be displayed and it becomes uninteresting because of it.

Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts-
It is good to note that web design, as well as any design, is by no means about any one thing but a whole system of framing and planning.

Talkin' Bout My Inspiration-
I like this statement here because I don't think anyone should design alone. Its never good to get your design too wrapped up in your own head since it will ultimately not be for yourself.

The 95%

What I got out of the readings on Web Design is 95% Typography

Optimizing the overall structure of typography increases the usability and the ability to hold interest long enough to transfer the inquired information.

Enacting professional typographical standards allows the text to act as a user interface more than as ornaments. The goal is to make it easy and painless to read. Designing with all possible platforms in mind insures overall usability and adaptivity.

The Problems/Solutions:
The text lines (measure) are too long

100% scalable is not a reader friendly solution: Don’t make me think, ok, but don’t make me resize my window either

Lack of whitespace

Lack of active whitespace

Linespacing is too narrow

The text blocks are not well aligned

Too many font sizes

Pictures are badly placed and disrupt the reading ease

Text-background color contrast

Lazy handling of titles and subtitles

Text sizes

Text blocks that are not split up into enough small, scannable, digestible parts

Indiscernible links. Visited and non visited links are not discerned

Text is not treated as an interface but as decoration

It’s not clear if the text is a navigational element, a link or plain text

Fancy navigations marking the center of attention (content is the center of attention, content deserves the most love from the designer)

Francophiles (collaborative: w/Keaton Reeder)

Francophile:

A Francophile is any person with a fondness of all things French

One type of Francophile are those who admire only the widely known, romantic, stereotypical aspects of the French culture. These people may have a limited knowledge of France and are only familiar with obvious geographical landmarks, art, and diet. They may not even be able to speak a word of French themselves regardless of their intentions to do so. They may not personally be interested in integrating into the French culture or do not fully comprehend all of its aspects. They may still however admire it from afar. If they do go to France they may only stay for a short period of time without fully weaving themselves into the french flag.

The other type of Francophile are those who have a more extreme love for absolutely everything French. They may visit France often and know many different places to see that only a local would know of. They may even move to France or own property there. They want to completely integrate with French culture and its people, they may even aspire to marry a French person. They are learning to speak French or already speak it fluently. They want to become part of Frances in its entirety, not just the romanticized France (you know those moody out of focus light-orb nightlife Paris photos?) that most non-Francophiles are familiar with.

Below are the list of possible prompts (created based on secondary research alone) to send out to potential Francophiles in the area. We hope they produce interesting results.

1. You know you’re a francophile if-
2. Name as many locations in France that you would visit-
3. Name 10 things that come to mind when you think of France-
4. What aspects do you find most intriguing about French society-
5. Do you travel to France, if so how often-
6. Do you feel the desire to integrate with French society and culture, if so then in what way-
7. What is your favorite French cuisine-
8. If you had a home in France what region would you live in-
9. What are some major differences between your culture and French culture-
10. Do you celebrate French holidays-
11. Do you seek out other Francophiles-
12. Do you know any French recipes-
13. Do you actively speak French-
14. Do you think in French-
15. Have you been told you sound authentically French-
16. Do you have French ancestry-
17. Do you keep up with French news-
18. What would you describe Frances atmosphere to be-
19. Would you marry a French person-
20. Do you watch French films-
21. What do you think of when you hear red white and blue-
22. Name ten thing you immediately associate with France-
23. Do you have a favorite French expression or word-
24. Are there any aspects of French culture that you find difficult to adapt to-
25. Do you read any French books-
26. When visiting France do you require a guide-
27. In your opinion, are people from France welcoming to foreigners-

AE3D Test Segment

This video is a small segment of what will be a much larger piece. My concept is to utilize the After Effects interface to create a 3D camera tutorial using the 3D camera tool. Information will all be connected in space and will fold out revealing the information needed to use and understand the tools, while giving an example of its possibilities. I will also be dissecting and animating many of the individual elements of the software.

I've learned a bit more on the limitations of the 3D camera and the spotlight tool, as well as having a more intimate feel for the structure and location of elements within After Effects. I have also learned the limitations in creating true 3D objects in the program.

INSIST. Final Documentation / Statement

INSIST. is an organization created to help people in the community understand that they have the right to insist on a receipt no matter where they spend their hard earned money. We believe that they should ask for their receipt to avoid the financial hardships that are possible without paper documentation of payment such as evictions, and duplicated payements. We have created the Receipt Keeper a portable storage device that contains an index file that will allow the owner to better manage their receipts on the go and also remind them to insist on their receipt. The Insist campaign is aimed at business as well as the customers. We believe that  businesses want to operate at a high level of professionalism and using Insist they can help do that by training their employees their importance of giving receipts to each and every customer. To advertise Insist we have created a logo that shows a receipt being torn off. The logo also forms the shape of an exclamation mark suggesting the importance of insisting on a receipt. The red and black colors represent regained financial security. Our bus ad will be shown on bus routes near partnering business informing them about the function of the receipt keeper, what comes with it and where they can pick it up. The pick up locations will be one of each of the three different types of pick up locations: Community Centers, Churches, and Community Banks. The box itself is an organizer containing an index and t-shirt. The T-Shirt is a special gift from the sponsor U.S. Bank. That people can wear with a sense of pride that will also spread the message. To reach the businesses we will be sending out a mailer that will appeal to the businesses sense of professionalism, teaching them the importance of keeping receipts. Inside the mailer will be a sticker that will be placed in the widow of the businesses to remind the customer to ask for a receipt  and remind the employee to remind the customer to get their receipt. 

WHAT THREE THINGS WOULD I DO TO IMPROVE OR EXTEND THIS PROJECT:

If I had a bit more time I would do the following to improve and/or expand this project:

• Consider and explore a Receipt Keeper Wallet option for men. Not that the box isn't or wasn't designed to be unisex but currently the box serves better in a purse or bag rather than a pocket. 
• Attempt to make the current Receipt Keeper Box and possible Receipt Keeper Wallet out of a sturdier material like some kind of polymer or plastic. 
• More customization options inside the Receipt Keeper Box to support other kinds of financial documents at the discretion of the owner. 

WHAT DID I LEARN FROM THIS PROJECT:

I'd say that firstly it was very nice having the experience of a "design for good" based project and to chase a problem down across a broader range of platforms/channels. Being able to experience the poverty simulation for this as well as a better understanding of the related social issues.

The other thing that I learned over the course of this project was the basics of communication theory. I can now, with some authority dissect a communication problem with the proper terminology. This is definitely helpful in better understanding a communication breakdown, which is obviously the base of every design problem. I also learned how to better manage a project of this nature across a particular time constraint. I don't feel as though we were particularly rushed durring the course of this project.

FINAL IMAGE OF FULL PROTOTYPE SET:

Receipt Keeper, T-Shirt, Letter, Stickers, Bus Ad.

Insist Presentation 2 The Problem:

People within the community are failing to insist on their receipts

Due to lack of education, apathy, or pride

This is resulting in unnecessary consequences to those who may be already financially unstable

Evictions, Property repossessions, Double payments

The Solution: 

Insist is an organization who wants to:

Empower the public to insist on their receipt

Give them an container in which to keep and organize their receipts

Insist on a higher level of mutual respect and professionalism between the customer and the employee

Branding:

Our logo represents a receipt being torn off.

The logo takes the form of an exclamation mark suggesting the importance of insisting on receipts.

The colors, from red to black, implies regained financial security.

Audience: 

The financially unstable and the business owners/employees

Insist targets each party with a universal message of the importance of receipts 

as well as a more tailored message to both the customer and the employee.

Bus Advertisement:

The bus advertisement will be displayed on the buses with routes near partnering businesses.

The ad will inform the viewer of the importance of insisting on a receipt.

It will also tell them about the function of the Receipt Keeper, what comes with it, and where to pick it up.

The ad will also reflect the three different community locations closest to that particular bus route for ease of picking up.

Location: 

The Receipt Keeper will be available for pick up at locations in the neighborhood:

Locations like:

Community Centers, Churches, Community Banks.

These are locations we believe to be easily accessible by bus, bike, or foot.

Receipt Keeper:

The receipt keeper is an organizer with an index for three different receipt categories that people can name themselves

The box includes information about the importance of keeping and organizing receipts on the inside

T-Shirt:

As a special gift from the sponsor U.S. Bank the receipt keeper comes with a free shirt.

Having this shirt to wear can give people a sense of pride and empowerment in asking for their receipts, as well as spread the message to others

Mailer:

Inform the the business of the importance of keeping receipts

Appeal to their sense of professionalism

Be polite in reminding the customers

Sticker:

Placed in the window of the business

Reminds the customer to ask for their receipt

Reminds the employee to remind the customer to get their receipt

Narrative Project Goals

For my proposed narrative project I would like to tackle the question of how to reveal new info using 3D space by giving a 3D tutorial on how to use 3D space in After Effects. This would both show the possibilities of the tool in a visually pleasing way as well as give a step by step narration on the process of basic set up and how to use the camera functions. Things to be explained would be the use of the different axis points as well as keyframes needed and angling tools. The elements in the video should be visually consistent with those in After Effects.

History of Motion Graphics!

So in response to the history of motion graphics video I can say I'd never have defined motion graphics as they did until now. The idea that the main line between motion graphics and film is whether or not a character is able to express themselves, had never occurred to me. The other thing that really struck me was the revelation of why I love motion graphics so much, or at least a sign as to why I should pursue them more. In watching this video and its reel of all of the more current animation pieces, a reoccurring thought came to me. Why did I not make that? More than any other thing I always try to analyze how motion graphic pieces are done. Probably a sign.