Final Implementation

Once the diamond prototype was completed, work moved onto the other shapes. Using a rendering work flow where only the center shape and the left reflection were rendered, then flipping and mirroring the reflection to create the right reflection, all 50 animation frames for the 8 shapes were created in the space of a week. Consolidating the three layers into one animation image also allowed the animation to run more smoothly on lower spec computers. Previously, with both reflections and the center shape being rendered individually (which meant flash had to produce 75 animation frames a second), the animation had been seriously lagging when first triggered by the user.

All hotspot and tag content was created in Photoshop, animation and symbols are consistent across all face shapes. Some shapes were forced to break the center column rule due to excessive length.

Developed during the final implementation was a way to allow all shapes to fade out at any of the three perspectives. Now, when the user clicks on a shape in the dock, it automatically animated a fade in of a blank version of the interface, by doing this the user is able to change shape at any perspective, and even during mid rotation.

In order to add more movement to the interface and leave it looking less static, hotspots now animate in one at a time, typically in a clockwise direction. When a hotspot is rolled over, the inactive hotspot's disappear, leaving the user to focus on the selected information.

A splash screen has been developed which allows for an intro transition as soon as the application is started. Code has also been applied to the application which means if the mouse is left inactive for 25 seconds, the user is returned to the splash screen. A descriptive caption has also been implemented in the splash screen - "face shape e-learning tool", this gives the user an instant inclination as to what to project entails, this should be particularly effective at the degree show.



With the degree show in mind, it was also suggested that a help screen be added, complete with a brief description about what can be learned through the application. The help screen describes how the dock, rotation buttons, and hotspots should be utilized by the user.



Basic sound effects have been added to the project, though initially intending to include a basic music loop, I have decided to restrict sounds to the dock and the hotspot's, this means it can be used in conjunction with a speaker in a lecture.

A poster has been developed to support the project at the degree show -



Final touches before assessment include the development of a dvd cover and the production of a basic slide show. The slide show will be available from the splash screen, and will include photographs and scanned images from various stages of the project development.

The project was recently featured in Web Designer magazine's graduate showcase "Creative Careers". Alongside work from four other design schools (Bournemouth, Leeds, Falmouth, Brighton and London), DDM was praised for its 'raft of great student work'. Details of the issue can be found at http://blog.webdesignermag.co.uk/?p=30 .