Designing an interactive Going Green flash presentation

Designing an interactive Going Green flash presentation.

Keeping it as simple as possible, could have made it more
detailed if I used A5 rather then A3 paper (Draft version 1.0).

Draft version 1.1

Digital version, not yet completed

Class feedback:

• Have pulsing symbols, icons or items.
• Show good and bad examples.
• Animate, but keep it simple and don't complicate it.
• Show flys around the compost bin.
• Don't have the bike behind the car.
• Have the person with the suit case walking.

Interesting sites:

• http://www.sydneywater.com.au/Water4Life/InYourHome/InteractiveHouse/
• http://www.visyenviromaniacs.com.au/games/recycleFrenzy/
• http://gamesflash24.com/flash/Huru_Humi_Schoolyard_Recycling
• http://archive2.globalsolutions.org/multimedia/games

Smart Touch URC

Reworked with some new ideas, just need some fixes as this was done on a A4 page rather then an A3.
This is just a draft, so I can get ideas since this is a similar I'm looking at doing for the final. I'll be doing one more draft based on the feedback and will be done on a A3 page so it can be better layed out.

Evaluation of the nature of design in the iPad

1. In your opinion how important is it for mobile applications and devices to both look good and function properly? Comment on both the attractiveness of the software and the hardware. 
It is extremely important for mobile devices and applications to be attractive and function correctly, an unattractive mobile device or application will not be used or widely used by people as it may make it harder to use, not aesthetically pleasing or a fad that has run its course. Function is also just as important as its attractiveness since a poorly functioning mobile device or application will not serve the purpose that it was advertised or designed to do.

2. Who designed the iPad? Was it an individual or team? In your opinion, do people use this device because it looks good or because it functions well? Or does it do both?
The iPad was designed and developed by a small team of people, lead by senior vice president of Industrial Design, Jonathan Ive[1], who work for Apple by designing and developing new products, new features and new models for existing products. The iPad's design to look attractive and give functions to as many people, occupation and corporation as possible, in other words the iPad has almost unlimited uses.

3. How has the iPad changed the way some businesses function? Can you find examples of where businesses have implemented the iPad into their day-to-day activities?
The iPad has changed the way some businesses operate by needing less staff, as less money is spent on wages, making businesses more efficient. Global Mundo Tapas at the Rydges Hotel in Sydney is using iPads to show menus, photos of each dish, how they want their meat cooked, allow customers to order their meals and drinks and what wine goes with each dish[2]. Jetstar is planning to add modified iPads as in-flight entertainment units on its aircraft[3].

4. Overall, what other major flaws of this type of technology? Can you think of anyways in the future that this hardware will be improved to the point where it will compete with desktop and laptop computers?
The touch screen can be damaged beyond repair if it is scratched or dropped, it lacks a card reader and USB ports which most if not all laptops and desktops have, no multi-tasking abilities and lacks Adobe Flash, making it impossible to use sites which largly use Flash[4].

5. How do you think the iPad could help your day-to-day workflow? Are the answers straightforward? Is it more a case of combining this technology with others that already exist?
iPad is like any other technology, it will not replace desktops and laptops but allows the user the combine all the technologies into one powerful tool.

6. Consider the following–has the iPad shaped the way we do business? Or has business and technology shaped the way Apple developed the iPad?
Both, business wanted something different to a laptop and Apple wanted to do something different to making laptops, desktops, iPods and iPhones.

7. Is the iPad and tablets in general a passing fad? Or do you think this type of technology is here to stay long-term?
Some are fads and some will be lasting fads, depending on its features, size, weight, how it could be used or implemented in a work place.

8. Conduct a discussion with the whole class and determine based on the general consensus the pros and cons of tablet-based technology.
The portability of the iPad due to its size and weight, compared to a laptop and desktop computer, far more powerful then a smart phone, but the iPad can't make phone calls like a smart phone can. The iPad also lacks USB and a card reader, making it impossible for people to use the iPad to tansfer files from USB devices and memory cards (e.g. SD, XD). The other downside is multi tasking and performance is limited but the upside is that the iPad battery power is far more longer lasting then a laptop.

9. Many people say that the iPad is an unnecessary piece of hardware caught in limbo between a laptop and mobile phone. Do you think this consensus is accurate. Do you think that your answer could be different in five years time?
No, I think the consensus is mixed. The iPad has a lot of potential to become an every day item used for a number of tasks in multi able ways. In the next five years it would be improved so much that it could compete against the laptop and netbook but the desktop computer will still serve its purpose.

Sources:

1. Dalrymple, Jim (2010), Steve Jobs, Jony Ive named smartest in tech, 9 July, cnet News, viewed 16 May 2011, http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20010099-37.html
2. De Lollis, Barbara (2010), iPad replaces menu in hotel restaurant, 7 June, USA Today, viewed 16 May 2011, http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2010/06/ipad-replaces-menu-in-hotel-restaurant/95656/1
3. Hopewell, Luke (2011), Jetstar's iPad plans leak, 9 March, ZDNet, viewed 16 May 2011, http://www.zdnet.com.au/jetstar-s-ipad-plans-leak-339311007.htm
4. Apple's iPad hit with criticism, 30 January, BigPond News (2010), viewed 16 May 2011, http://bigpondnews.com/articles/Business/2010/01/30/Apples_iPad_hit_with_criticism_423060.html

Websites:

• http://www.apple.com/au/ipad/specs/

Billboard design brief

Topic: The world's oil reserves could be exhausted by 2040
Client: Renewable energy organisation
Target: Effects of oil extraction, the limitations of reserves and effects of not having oil
Proposed ideas:

• The environmental damage caused by oil extraction

• Limitations of reserves in the World

• Cost of production

• What will happen if no new “renewable fuel” is found when the oil reserves run dry

• Possibility of conflicts/wars over oil

• What oil is used for other then use as a fuel

The yet to be completed billboard image

• Effects on transportation on not having oil 

Idea: The results of what will happen when the oil runs dry by using an a abandoned petrol station and a rusty car.

Desired outcome: Getting people to act that we need to move away from oil to alternative biofuels.

Images used for the billboard:

• Wittenoom - Doc Holidays.JPG by Five Years, licensed as GNU Free Documentation License 1.2 and Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
• FQRustyChevyImpalaSide.jpg by Infrogmation, licensed as GNU Free Documentation License 1.2 and Creative Commons Attribution 2.5

Websites: 

• http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0406/feature5/fulltext.html
• http://www.oilposter.org/index.html 
• http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/06/world-oil/roberts-text 

Archive of links of images:

• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PolandAvGasPump1211.jpg
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:ReggioLANoGasRegularUnleaded.JPG
•  http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PolandAvGasPump.jpg
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PolandAvGasPumps35.jpg 
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wittenoom_-_Doc_Holidays.JPG 
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_petrol_pump,_Pen-y-fan_-_geograph.org.uk_-_262364.jpg 
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Stewart_Isbell_2.jpg 
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special%3ASearch&search=rusty+car 
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Rusty_land_vehicles 
• http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Damaged_automobiles 
• http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1343208 

Week 10 learning photoshop

Using photomerge and content-aware.

Rotating the photograph and using content-aware.

ARTC evaluation

Week 10 - Writing Content for a Range of Media

Does the copy get to the point quickly?
Depends on what information you're after, it does tell the reader that the Army isn't an easy career to work in but doesn't entail what makes it hard and what is different in the Army compared to your average nine to five job.

Is the copy shy about the offer or incentive?
Yes, they need to tell more on what there is to offer in the Army and the incentives which comes with it, like most job adverts in the newspaper which makes it more attractive.

Is it easy to respond to?
No, the main page (the home page) of the ARTC has no link to it aim (getting the reader to join) as there is no join now button located on the page which can put off the reader. Having a join now page with a form or ways the reader can apply to join linked on the home page saves time.

Does the copy overcome every objection to replying, leaving the reader with no choice but to act?
No, it leaves the reader to question if they should join or not. The reader would need to navigate to another page the benefits of being in the Army, not just the negatives.

Does the copy use simple words?
Yes, there are no complex words on the home page and is easy to read but could be a little more detailed.

Does the copy use active language (does it address the site visitor as ‘you’)?
Yes but still needs more active language to make it less broad and more attractive to the reader.

Is the copy broken down into simple sections and bullet points?
Not really, it is in three paragraphs rather then two with a bullet point section of the challenges.