AF103: Design For The Web

Today I start the new (final!) brief; 'Design for the Web'.

Project Aim
It's all about web design and responsive web design, and the aim of the project is to "produce a responsive website that will display on Desktop, Tablet and Smartphone devices". In creating this website I will ensure there is a consistent visual style throughout all of my products (Desktop version, tablet version etc) and I will develop my own approach that is carefully considered and designed successfully.

As well as using a range of software to design the visual style of the website I will also hand code the website. To do this I will use a text editor, and the suggested programs include: TextWrangler, BBEdit and NotePad++. In order to hand code the site I need to develop my own knowledge of a variety of web languages, those include: HTML5, CSS3, Media Queries and some jQuery (to add further interactivity), and these are all languages I am going to look into and (hopefully) become accustomed to and (somewhat) learn during my research and throughout website development.

Requirements
As the main product of this project, my Responsive Website must contain (at least) the 3 following elements:

• A navigation system that is not only robust and works correctly, but that is user friendly and uses a 'Responsive Navigation Design Pattern'.
• A selection of text, images/illustrations, sounds and moving images.
• Some form of animated navigational elements. These should accompany the content of the website and should be successful at enhancing the user experience. I can do this through the animation being relevant and applying a good design style.  

As usual, my blog and sketchbook shall document my progress throughout this project. They will contain: a detailed production schedule, some analysis of existing responsive websites (good and bad examples), research into different industry standard navigation design patterns, and some good visual and interactivity research.

Pitch

At this moment, the proposed pitch date is Tuesday 6th May, so I am working towards that. In my pitch I will put forward my proposal for my responsive website. This will include explanation on how I have developed certain elements of the site - the design style, the navigation system and it's responsive qualities. I will also include wireframes, developed logo and header designs as well as interface designs and my considerations of UX design.

Crit
On Tuesday June 3rd I will crit my website to the class. Here I will receive feedback that is hopefully constructive and will give me ideas on how to improve. It also gives me time to fine tune the site before submission. By this point the entire site and navigation system should be there and working with few issues - my aim is to present a 99% finished product to the class.

Submission
This project will be submitted on Wednesday 4th June by 4pm, with any proposed improvements applied and (hopefully) a design and overall product I will be happy with!

AF105: Time Based Media

Short Sharp Shock
New Brief - my understanding

Plan, shoot and edit a 15 - 20 second film that depicts a journey of some sort. This could be as simple as making breakfast or travelling to college.

This film must contain at least 30 edits - 30 cuts.

This film can have a 3 second title and end screen, but this does not count towards the 15-20 seconds.

Sound effects can be used in the film to add effect and dynamism, but a soundtrack must not. (e.g. do not create a music video). All sound effects that are used must be noted down and an asset register must be created that documents their source and any usage licenses that apply to them. Any sounds that are used must be Royalty free.

In order to produce this film, you must analyse a variety of different films and create a number of storyboards that experiment with different ideas. You must submit one, full developed storyboard in a .PDF format.

Continue to update this blog alongside the project, and use it to document progress on the project and present any research.

Summary of the Brief: AF101

Our new assignment is to design a book cover for 1 of 2 books as part of the Penguin Design Award. The Outsiders by S.E Hinton or What A Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe. I've ordered both of these books, and will read them to gain understanding of each and then I'll make a decision on which to pursue.

Outcomes of the assignment:

• PDF book cover 
• A2 promotional poster
• Sketchbook documenting research, preparatory work and progress throughout the project
• Blog documenting research, preparatory work and progress throughout the project
• Written statement of 500-1000 words 
• Branding Guidelines

Restrictions

• Written statement - (double-spaced, Helvetica or Arial, as a word doc/x or PDF)
• Poster - size A2
• Book Cover (for entry to Penguin competition) - PDF format, 300dpi, CMYK, 5mm bleed, trim and crop marks included, max file size 5mb. Either colour coated to ISO coated 39 or ISO uncoated 29.