Concept

The final full-scale project of the term will combine several issues we’ve discussed over the term, and will also attempt to shed light on future applications of your design.  We will continue to explore issues of the printed page in the form of booklets and packaging, but in this case we will also start to think about how to design for screen-based environments.  This project is “self-reflexive” in that it asks you to re-think the very nature of software itself.

IMPORTANT! Note that the overarching concept of this project will be to take the aesthetics of one “body of knowledge” and map it onto another.  In other words, you’ll use the “look and feel” of an existing analog field as the basis of your software design.

The Project

Like most projects, there are a number of facets to address—many of these facets might strategically overlap.  The overall idea is to generate a hypothetical software application, or computer program which will be designed around the artist, architect, or designer of your choice (Note: no games!).

Of course, the first challenge is to choose who you will investigate! Then you will need to determine the “conceptual” and “aesthetic” elements you will adapt for your design.  Oh, but there’s one catch (there’s always a catch!), the individual you choose cannot be someone living!  Please clear your choice with me before proceeding.

Keep in mind that, as you see below, you will also be designing “tools” which somehow relate to this individual.  A major part of the project is based on your ability to conceptualize and translate your chosen artist/architect/designer to the screen.  What will the tools be? Will they be image-related? Text-based? Will they go beyond the tired limitations of Photoshop and Adobe? What would a program called “Monet 1.1” actually do? How about “Kandinskyshop”? You’ll need to do more than just create pretty images—research and get into the PHILOSOPHY of this person!  If you need help in choosing your individual, feel free to ask…

Milestones:

**Subject to change**

Part A // Initial Elements

11/19

Conceptualize your project and begin to develop the look and feel.  Develop the following elements (which will be added to a nicely designed  presentation/proposal. Details forthcoming):

• a name,
• the Logotype,
• what the software/application will do
• and the beginnings of the official Splash Screen that will display when your program first opens.

Part B // Additional Elements

Drafts due on 11/24

• Build the interface, the look, and feel, window layout, menus, etc.
• Design AND conceptualize three (or more) “tools” and a bin or palette to house these tools
• Design two “windows” which somehow prompt user interaction
• Create a desktop icon for the program

Part C // 3-Dimensional

Draft concepts 05/07

• Front/back cover insert for inclusion in a typical DVD case
• Label for the included DVD-ROM

 Part D // 4-Dimensional. FINAL!

All screen and print elements due 12/03

NOTE: Presentations part 2 are on Thursday, 12/10 from 1–3 PM
+ Final presentation. Using InDesign, create an “interactive” PDF file that will allow you to navigate through the software as a demo for the final presentation.

Optional! // Page Design

Use InDesign to create a 4-page folded pamphlet to be included in pack