Christmas/New Year Period

These concept images have been created regarding the issues in the previous post. The multiple color scheme has been dropped for and orange panel, gradient has also been applied to create the illusion of 3d space. The navigation panel now sits on the floor for the spiraling navigation float on.
I am aiming to develop a vector line image similar to hair which will appear in the background, it will appear to have depth. It will animate into the scene, and the navigation system will hopefully rotate round strands.

Week 12

After discussion with Cameron regarding the aesthetic look of the project, it has been suggested that I experiment further with color palettes as the current color scheme doesn't work well together. After looking at products in the hair industry, I have decided to experiment with a monochromatic color scheme in orange. Also, though gradient has already been implemented in the design, Cameron suggests that I push this further to create an illusion of 3d space in which the content area's can be suspended.

In regards to navigation, I have discovered an interesting tutorial which shows how to create a 3d rotating spiral navigation system. If changed to a horizontal setup, this resembles that a of a spiral curl of hair. This system would sit well in a 3d space.

It is becoming more and more likely that the object imagery will be dropped along with the grid paper texture, this could be replaced with hair strands and smooth curves to support a more contemporary design solution. The 3d models may no longer have the wire-frame visible.

In week 13, I will be mocking the new interface concept, and taking it into flash.

Week 11

This week I have been developing a tab interface concept that will provide a much sturdier navigation through the project content -







As seen in the concept images, the aesthetic theme can still be used by implementing the appropriate imagery on each tab and applying the grid image to content area's. In week 12 I am aiming to develop this concept by experimenting with transitions and interactive flash media. These experiments are likely to include the application of a scrolling image gallery and text box, and some tests for 3d media control.

Week 10

After discussion with Cameron regarding the shell interface, I spent week 10 revising interface concepts. The design needs to adhere more firmly to design principles in order to look professional, for example, the selection of images need to line up, and the font should be more readable.

New concept images -




Two sources of reference have been examined this week - the first, relating to an introduction for the interface is the "Nip/Tuck" introductory sequence. The use of mannequins in this sequence is similar to the aesthetics that are frequent throughout my concept, looking at this sequence has lead me to think about the development of an animation that utilizes a variety of camera angles and pan's across a range of realistic, wire-frame, and clay style models. At the end of the animation, I am considering a zoom effect into a wire-frame which will lead to the grid backdrop in the interface.
The second source is the personal portfolio website of David Moles (www.oeta.co.uk). This site utilizes a number of graphic and transition techniques that result in a professional aesthetic and design. Key to this sites success is the use of gradient and drop shadows. Gradient allows imagery free panels, but still allows the inclusion of subtle color. It also helps create a 3d illusion across the interface, drop shadows reinforce this illusion. In regards to navigation, tabs are used with corresponding colors and imagery, this makes the site simple to use and easy to follow.

With the idea's regarding these sources in mind, week 11 shall see further development towards a final interface concept with solid aesthetics and navigation, it is possible that the panning website idea could be dropped due to the unprofessional layout that is it likely to require. Storyboarding for an introduction may start this week.

A second meeting with the collaborator has been set up, this time focus will be purely on content issues.

Week 9

A lot of time has been spent in further rendering tests this week. Using a combination material in the mental ray render, I have finally managed to produce the wire frame texture over a solid mesh, furthermore, with specific lighting setting a "clay" style effect can also be achieved -




Further development towards an interface with an appropriate aesthetic has also progressed. Using the stock photography I collected last week, and working with the "technical drawing" concept, I have produced the following shell for the interface to be contained within -



Sketch work is continuing to develop the "panning" interface concept.
The interface will focus on a desk that has a selection of implements placed on it, each of these will relate to a content section, and when the user selects an object, the interface will then pan across the desk to the appropriate area.

In week 10, further navigation concepts will be produced, the aesthetic shell will be finalized, and animation concepts will be produced to bring the interface to life.

Week 8

Work this week has been mainly focused on the dissertation to support the project, this means that little studio work has been carried out since week 7.

However, time has been spent sketching layout ideas for the interface with the elements required to convey the content. With the addition of a gathering of stock photography, I am beginning to mock up aesthetic interface idea's. In particular, I am interested in pursuing a moving background image, this will operate in conjunction with the user navigating around the content. If the user was to select face shapes for example, the background image would scroll across to an image of a "technical drawing" style face.

In week 9 I aim to complete the dissertation so that focus can resume on the studio project in time for a scheduled meeting with the collaborator on the 28th of November.

Week 7

I have completed the head tutorial set by Dave and experimented with the hair modifier with successful results. On top of this, experimentation with rendering and material techniques has began to help carve the aesthetic style of the project. One technique I am particularly focusing on is the addition of a wire frame material, this gives the "blueprint" style feel that I have been pushing in the project from the beginning. A test render can be seen below -



With the research analyzed, I have managed to produce the final content listing for the project. From this, I am beginning to sketch visualization concepts that best suit each of the topic area's, these mostly include the use of short animation and rotation.

Research on aesthetic styles in personal websites has given me some insight into how a site can look scientific though the use of subtle 3d elements, grid backgrounds and technical labels on imagery. Also, BA magazine has highlighted techniques when displaying several forms of media on a single page, in particular, it describes a good layout technique that makes text easily readable amongst a lot of imagery by placing it in the center of the screen. An examination into the new "iphone" website has highlighted the use of colour being saved for purely central items of interest, in my case, this would most likely be the 3d models.

In week 8, I am aiming to have a selection of draft layout concepts for the interface completed, these will then be presented to the college collaborator for discussion. I have borrowed a book titled "the human interface" for examination, it looks at the theories behind effective user interfaces, this should help when creating concepts.