n.
1. A surface forming a common boundary between adjacent regions, bodies,
substances, or phases. 2. A point at which independent systems or
diverse groups interact: "the interface between crime and politics
where much of our reality is to be founded" (Jack Kroll). 3.
Computer Science. The point of interaction or communication between
a computer and any other entity, such as a printer or human operator.
We are
all savvy users of existing digital interfaces: the GUI desktop, the
color wheel, the Internet Browser, the gun-toting protagonist in a video
game....each was developed using our pre-digital experience as a metaphor.
How is this successful? How is it limited?
Develop
an interesting interface that actively uses a metaphor of something
not specific to the Web itself. Think of how this may relate to the
previous assignment, and if you would like to develop the final as an
extension of the previous assignment, you are welcome to. You are encouraged
to collaborate on this final assignment. No project groups larger than
3. All projects must be interactive, using whatever tools you please.
We will
look at common and uncommon examples of interface, prioritizing both
the relevant content as well as in relation to a conceptual metaphor.
In developing the final project, you may either use your own content
for your project, or you can redesign an existing site. (i.e.. Yahoo
as a dream, a library, a stream...).
Due
on Thursday, Feb. 22nd: One page description of your project: typed
and spell checked. Please describe what the project content will be,
your metaphor, your intended strategy, and if in a group, what each
person wants to work on.
>>
Today: Work
in class today on deveoping your idea, with your partner or alone. Make
Kevin your friend.
Assignment
#2: A problem in Los Angeles
Create
a project that is about a problem in Los Angeles. (Here, read
the emphasis on 'a', not the biggest and most generalized problems).
Your problem can be from any time (past, present, future) and can even
be fictionalized. Your problem can be personal, political or abstracted--this
is up to you. The only thing that is required is that you make your
project specific to Los Angles.
In thinking
about this, ask yourself what your relationship to the city is (are
you a native, a newcomer), what you think the mythology around the
city includes (your own perceptions or those of others), and things
that are unique to the city itself (what is it's history, how has
it developed, who lives here, what is it known for, what does not
one ever talk about?)
You may
choose to provide a solution, and can describe your problem in either
a linear or non-linear format. Let's not be obvious in declaring the
problem, thing of ways you can have it speak for itself.
I am encouraging collaboration for this project, but you must articulate
what each persons role in creating this project is to be.
Due
on Thursday: A storyboard and project partner description, if collaborating. Due Week 6: Your project online, with some aspect of Flash. Collaborations
will go on Thursday, single authors will go on Tuesday.
Assignment
#1: Search and Re-design
1. Choose
your favorite color today
2. Ask the person next to you to think of an adjective they associate
with that color (for example: with 'green' > envious or environmental;
with yellow > optimistic or bright)
3. Do a search on these two words together, in quotations. e.g.. "optimistic
yellow". This will narrow the search to pages.
4. From the first page that you choose, you will have to take least
one aspect from, to re-design as your project. Click carefully!
>>Create
a 3-5 page sequence that re-designs some aspect from this site. This
aspect can be a phrase from the text, an object or idea. You do not
have to use the actual site content or site intention.
The goal
is to take inspiration out of something small, and seemingly random.
What you decide to create the site into is up to you: it can become
a poem, a story, an abstraction, a self-portrait, a dream, a manifesto.....
Your sequence does not have to be linear, but should relate in some
way to the idea of a narrative. You can use only images, only text or
both. You are encouraged to generate unique imagery, but more importantly,
find a compelling way to design your idea.
Due
this Tuesday: One photoshop layout of the first page, using layers
and a one sentence description of your idea and the phrase that you
searched.