Presentation

Once seeing all the groups showing their ideas to Tony I was really impressed with what everyone's finalised templates looked like. I particularly liked Vinnie's groups idea of the microwave. I thought it was really effective and the students would really like it as it's more of a fun approach to learning than a set block template that matches the Polytech website.

I also was really impressed with Zina's DVD. I thought it was very stylish and modern and I hope that Tony picks it for the DVD template.

After it is all handed in it is a relief but still think there are many things that I would have liked to change. All in all I am very happy with my design outcome.

The results from the surveys

Mark's group and our group combined to research together by doing a survey in the Hospitality department.

The survey showed results that were much needed to successfully design the website and DVD to the best of our abilities.

The results showed

· Most people play video games sometimes

· Bebo favoured over facebook and myspace

· ‘easy to use’ aspect of websites was most appealing

· Face to face communication with Polytech preferable (email was second followed by phone, text, web)

· Slideshow/powerpoints and text+pics/diagrams preferred format for digital course content

· Kinaesthetic learning style prevalent

· Classroom was the favoured learning environment followed by home then kitchen.

· 79% of those who responded used an iPod, video capable phone or similar device.

· 56% would like to be able to download and view course material with their devices.

Final Results

Website Templates

I designed a possible template to use for our kitchen websites.
The words will light up as the mouse runs over it instead of having buttons. The actual words i plan to be the buttons. These could also have drop down menus instead of having a separate page for each.

Nike Website

I found this site and although it isn't so much an Interactive site I really like the layout of the website. The colours contrast well together and I like how the links or pics glow when the mouse is run over then instead of clicking.

This also reminds me of the Adidas website, except the Adidas site is more interactive that Nike. I really like how when the Adidas site is loaded up the video automatically starts to play and grabs your attention

Kitchen Photos

For our Kitchen interface project we went up to "Mellors" and took some photos of their kitchen. This was to give us an idea of what kind of environment the students were used to working in and that would help us come up with the metaphor of the kitchen in their interactive site.

Kitchen Bobitchen

We went as a class to the polytech restaurant "Mellors" to check out there kitchens and there environment to help us along in the process of making there interactive website etc. I will post photos soon of what we found...

good free food...


nothing else to report as yet!

Unreal Tournament Baby!

We started to play this game "Unreal Tournament" one day in class and it rocked! We were all out for ourselves trying to kill as many classmates as possible.. We played this for about an hour and everyone was on a computer turning into serial killers and going on killing sprees!

It was a great way to begin our journey of learning into the exciting world of the interface

Laserforce

On the Laserforce website they define it as:
Laserforce is a highly innovative laser game played in a massive arena themed as a space station. Players are equipped with a vest style battlesuit and a laser unit. The objective is to score points by zapping opponents. Everything is fully automated and computerised right down to the scoring. Up to 20 players can stalk the maze at once.

I found that by playing Laserforce instead of just learning about it was a much better way to see how the interface of Laserforce works. The sound controller on each individual vest keep you updated on the game and also include some sound effects that keep you wanting more. I felt that the use of the mirror metaphor was more a literal thing when interacting.

Although while we were playing I'm sure no one was really focusing on the real reason we were there but it was very easy to get lost in the game and actually feel like we were in some sort of intergalactic fight. I found myself screaming at times cos I actually thought I had been shot. But I think that I find this much more real than a computer game such as Unreal Tournament. I felt it was easier to understand the interface concept of Interactive Design by physically participating in the game.

Interactive Website Analysis

The interactive website me Jocie chose to look at was "Posten - Real Postcards". It was a website based on the user being able to write interactively with the computer to create a message onto a virtual postcard that will be printed and sent, if ordered on Posten. The idea is done with bright and colourful graphics and clever so that its fun to use. It was a really clever idea and it was fun to create a virtual message being the user.

The other website we found to analyse was the "Bob The Builder" website which catered well for there target audience being toddlers and young children but also having an area on their website for parents as well which gave them background information on the site like the brand history, promotions and product information. This flash created site uses big bright buttons and simple graphics to interact with the user.

Both websites are classic examples of an interactive site.