The Real Life Experience
Lecture, Case Studies and Exercise
Module 1: Thursday, June 6th through Friday, June 7th 2002
Abstract
putting a concept from paper to screen
- production methodology
- conceptor + team
- user demands
- scripting + storyboarding
Using practical examples from existing multimedia projects the seminar explores
the wide range of skills and responsibilities a concept developer has to apply
during different stages of a production. I will demonstrate how to successfully
translate the theoretical work on paper to the often contradictory needs and priorities
of designers, programmers and clients. At the end of the seminar participants
will be asked to develop their own creative solutions for problematic situations
and scenarios.
Course Outline
What this seminar is all about
This seminar highlights the different roles and responsibilities in the production
of interactive environments and explains how designers, programmers and concept
developers need to interact and cooperate in order to provide new challenging
media experiences.
Main issues raised
- what is the cultural significance of new media?
- how do they change traditional ways of learning, communication and interacting
with the world?
- how do they challenge traditional systems of meaning making? what are the
cultural and social implications of interactivity?
- what does the paradigm shift introduced by new media mean for the responsibility
of its developers?
- how do authors, designers and programmers share this responsibility? which
are the most crucial elements/stages of a production where they have to cooperate?
- how do concept developers, designers and programmers communicate throughout
the production process?
- what are our criteria for discussing and developing a project? the client?
the user? our intuition or ego? and who has the final say?
- how does the author make sure his conceptual thoughts are effectively realized
by the rest of the team?
- how does the client participate in this process?
- how do we position him in the conceptual development of a site? how do we
protect him from his own desires if they are counterproductive or even killing
a project? where do we stop consulting and just exercise his wish?
- what role does the user play?
- how do we know what he wants? can market screening and usability testing
provide final answers? what other sources of information can we use?
Summary of the seminars goals:
- explain the key roles and responsibilities in interactive media and highlight
their the broader cultural implications as meaning making tools
- provide practical examples to discuss key areas of interaction and cooperation
within a production team
- discuss different ways of balancing the often contradictory expectations
and skills involved in the development of a project (client, concept development,
design, programming)
- provide practical examples and tips what to do in critical situations
Media
Media Studied During Session
- Books and Articles
LAUREL, B. (ed.), The Art of Human-Computer Interface Design.
MANOVICH, L. The Language of New Media.
TUFTE, E, Envisioning Information.
ROGERS, R. Technological Landscapes.
DUNNE, A. Hertzian Tales, Design Noire.
BUSH, V., As we may think.
CASTELLS, M, The Rise of the Network society, Redesigning Democracy.
MURERO, M. Internet Users and Non-User Bevhaviour
- Internet and Digital Media
- Information Portals (Mentor, CSAP, CNN)
- E-Commerce sites(Amazon, Telekom)
- Entertainment sites (Becoming Human, 360degrees)