Week 9

In week 9 final tweaks were carried out on the layout of the interface. The logo has been moved slightly upwards so that the bottom of the text lines up with the tag boxes on either side, and 2 of the corners on each tag box have been feathered. It was also suggested that the tag boxes should line up with the mirrors, but experimentation with this lead to the interface becoming to visually shallow. The final layout solution can be seen below -



Completion of the pear shape layers means that two of the heads are now complete to begin prototyping. In week 10, concept and development of the animation elements will be carried out, with basic testing beginning in flash. This is likely to include the animation of the logo, the transitions required for elements to appear in the scene, and the initial composition of the interface on startup.

Week 8

Extended discussion regarding the visual hierarchy of the interface has lead to another rethink regarding the orange curve. It was decided that the curve should become more of a background element so that there is less conflict between it and the master head when rotation occurs. By doing this, it was hoped that the positioning of the tag boxes would also become more natural and clear.



As seen in the above image, the interface is now separated into four distinct layers of depth. The logo has more room to breathe and the tag boxes now sit naturally in a symmetrical layout. Increasing the size of the tag boxes has allowed an increase in the font size. Also seen here is a prototype of the dock system to allow navigation between the different face shapes.

Week 9 shall see the finalization of the remaining elements and layout, then work shall begin completing the other 7 shapes leading up to the final implementation in flash.

Week 7

In week 7 I developed the rotation buttons and the hot-spot animations.

I decided that the rotation button should be a mini version of the master head with arrow heads either side of it. When either of the arrows are rolled over, the mini head rotates to appropriate direction to simulate the master head rotation. The mini head was created using contours through mental ray -



The hot-spots are to be circular orange circles similar to a cross-hair, this is intended to attract the user to interact with them. When the user rolls over the hot-spot it will rotate in a direction relating to where the corresponding tag will appear.

Also this week, time was spent making sure that the alignment of elements in the interface is perfect. In particular, making sure the tags sit in the same position when the interface is divided into 4 corners leaves the interface looking more professional.

Work has now began creating all the content for the final implementation, a sample of the diamond shape at -45 degree's, complete with tags, can be seen below -



In week 8 I will continue making content and perhaps begin testing of the animated elements.

Week 6

Week 6 has seen the finalized logo for within the interface being implemented. An outer glow has been applied to mimic the lighting of a dresser, this also opens up possibilities for animation -



Initial testing has began to create the symbols and shapes that will appear on the models at different rotations. After working through the amount of tags for each model, I have decided to only include tags on the front view, and at 45 degree rotation in either direction. Experimentation with basic solid shapes to correspond with the heads has lead to the realization that only outlines will provide the imagery without competing with the 3d shapes in the visual hierarchy. Black dotted lines and arrows were tested first, but the use of a black looked out of place, instead, white dotted lines with drop shadows shall be implemented. Experimentation with basic text tags has began, the font I have chosen to use is Verdana due to its clarity at small size -


In week 7 I will be developing all tags and imagery for the heads and the basic interaction buttons, this will lead up to the creation of a prototype.

Week 5

Week 5 was spent with the continuation of model alterations, 5/8 of the models are now completed and have been placed within the interface scene -





Slight changes were also made to the logo with the ends of the "Style" letters being squared off to add even more contrast to the work "Design" -

In week 6, the models will be finished and work will begin on the symbols and transitions for a test scene.