Introduction to Interactive Media 02. The Interactive Media Development Process

Introduction to Interactive Media What are we developing? Web sites Web based applications Educational interactives Museum interactives Games Phone Apps Help yourself kiosks

Introduction to Interactive Media Interactive Digital Media Interactive media development requires a Team – experts with specialized skills Plan – so everyone knows what’s going on and time/money isn’t wasted

Introduction to Interactive Media Interactive / Iterative Process What is this process like? –Interactive—team members share expertise and ideas during the development cycle. –Iterative—revisions result from development feedback.

Introduction to Interactive Media Team Members Project manager –Responsible for delivering the product with promised features, on time, and on budget. –Oversees the business aspects of the development process. –Must be organized, focused, and task oriented. Information Architect – –Responsible for overall structure of content Project designer –Responsible for the look, feel, and functionality of user interface.

Introduction to Interactive Media Team Members Content expert –Has detailed understanding of the topic. –Some projects may require the client to provide content for project. Writer –Create original text for the project. –Provide written requirements of the project such as documentation, contracts, help screens. –Technical writing skills are useful.

Introduction to Interactive Media Media Specialists Responsible for preparation of individual elements in a multimedia application. –Graphics specialist Artist skilled in design principles, illustration and graphic software. –Sound specialist Trained in traditional sound production and has a working knowledge of a sound studio. Familiar with digital tools for creating and editing sounds.

Introduction to Interactive Media Media Specialists –Animator Understands the principles of composition and color and can produce drawings. Understands the elements of motion and can envision action sequences. Knows computer animation programs and techniques. –Videographer / Video Editor Videographers who have knowledge of film techniques, writing, sound, and digital video production and editing.

Introduction to Interactive Media Media Specialists –Programmer Responsible for computer code that unites the media elements and provides the product's functionality. –Acquisitions Specialist Knowledgeable about sources for copyright- protected content and process of securing permissions. Establishes agreements to protect the creative work of the project developers.

Introduction to Interactive Media Development Plan Addresses three essential tasks: Definition Design Production. Progress markers or rewards are identified at each stage. Deliverables are sent to the client as project takes shape. Payment schedules often tied to deliverables. Development is an iterative process: earlier stages are re-shaped as development progresses.

Introduction to Interactive Media STAGE 1: DEFINITION Identify goal. –What should the application accomplish? Identify audience. –Who are the intended users? Identify media type –What is the content, what form is it in and how much is there? Identify forms of interactivity required.

Introduction to Interactive Media Key Documents in Stage 1 Preliminary Proposal –Short description of the proposed application. Includes project goal, audience, projected outcomes, description of media, types and uses of interactivity, preliminary cost estimate. –Often includes a flowchart. A box diagram that outlines the structure of the application.

Introduction to Interactive Media Sample Flowchart

Introduction to Interactive Media Key Documents in Stage 1 Storyboards (also called wireframes) –Series of sketches of major screens. –Rough drawings of media elements such as photos, animations, or videos are sketched in. –Navigational aides are identified. –Used to: Communicate with the client during the definition stage Communicate project goals and requirements to the development team.

Introduction to Interactive Media Sample Storyboard

Introduction to Interactive Media Key Documents in Stage 1 Functional specification –What media content will be included? –What type of interactivity will there be? –Where will this be deployed? - In what format will it be produced?

Introduction to Interactive Media Stage 2: Design Design is inspired by goal and functionality needed. At the end of the design phase, the goal is to have a working prototype How would different goals affect the design of a product? Can you provide an example?

Introduction to Interactive Media Interface Design User interface defines how user experiences the content on the screen. Interface designers mock up key screens in the application.

Introduction to Interactive Media LET’S LOOK AT SAMPLE INTERFACES AND SEE HOW GOAL AND TARGET AUDIENCE INFLUENCED THE DESIGN.

Introduction to Interactive Media

Introduction to Interactive Media Virgin Radio App for iPhone

Introduction to Interactive Media Comcast TIVO TV Interfaces

Introduction to Interactive Media Self-Checkout Kiosk

Introduction to Interactive Media

Introduction to Interactive Media Good Interface Design Intuitive. –Immediately understood by the user. –Common strategy is to use a metaphor. Consistent. –Common backgrounds and consistent location of user controls. –Predictable and reliable. Similar actions should produce similar results. Identical actions produce identical results.

Introduction to Interactive Media Prototype An incomplete working model of product. Functions of prototype: –Refine, Test, Guide further work Generally built in the authoring application as final project.

Introduction to Interactive Media Sample Prototype

Introduction to Interactive Media Stage 3: Production The production process varies considerably depending on what you are making Generally involves coding and assembling the media elements in the structure.

Introduction to Interactive Media User Testing Done in different ways, but essentially letting users use the product and seeing what happens. Leads to A LOT of unexpected results. E.g. Software companies release early versions of new applications to selected users to try them out so that they can get feedback and improve the product.

Introduction to Interactive Media Rolling it out… Often interactive products are rolled out in stages: –Alpha version: includes most media elements but also many "bugs.” –Beta version: includes all media but still has a few bugs. –Gold master: complete, bug-free application.

Introduction to Interactive Media Project Wrap-Up Completion of release notes, manuals, and packaging. Project materials are systematically archived. –Archived files may resolve disputes between client and developers. –Project may need revisions that use archived files. –Copyrighted materials may be used in future projects.