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ABSTRACT
" Visualising information is an important stage in the design
process; discussions with the client are transformed into planning diagrams
capturing the logical groupings of information in a visual form. These
planning diagrams in turn become the basis for further discussion, leading
to the creation of a site map such as that for Britannica Online."
(Dynamic Diagrams, 1998)
This thesis
is mainly concerned with the visual communication of ideas throughout
the development of multimedia products, amongst those involved in the
project. The primary objective is to provide the designer with a collection
of visual tools (or Models) that communicate effectively. The information
generated in the life of a multimeda project. The most concrete outcome
of this work is a collection of specific models of information display,
adaptable to different situations and uses.
The criteria
by which these models have been developed is:
1. To explain
how documents can be developed that are comprehensible, rapidly and accurately
retrievable, and easy to translate into effective action.
2. To explain
how to design interactions with the information that are easy, natural,
and as pleasant as possible. This involves solving many problems in the
design of intuitive displays that accommodate very different professional
backgrounds.
3. To enable
people to find their way in virtual and conceptual space with comfort
and ease.
4. To allow
the enhancing, improving and the data-mining of the information provided
to better the final product and the processes involved in achieving it.
The proposed
visual models and processes have emerged from their practical application,
testing and refinement through many multimedia projects. The four relevant
case studies shown in the thesis are:
BLURRED
(digital video)
A multimedia performance which explores the rite of passatge into adulthood
for young Australians. The one hour play consists of acting, a soundtrack
and five screens on which the visuals are projected, performed to an audience
of 250 students.
ETHICS
(CDRom/Intranet)
A multiplayer game which educates the Public Service about Ethics - its
relecance in the work place, how to identify conflict and deal with such
situations.
override.com.au
(web)
"The first Australian web site with a TV show". A dynamic web
site running parallel with a TV show that aims at building a purposeful
cyber-community with broadcasting independence from the TV networks
EYEWEAR
NOW! (web)
A retail web site with a strong marketing web strategy. This site illustrates
a strong pre-conceptual stage; marketing analysis, marketing structure
and strategy and its application to the web site.
These projects
were well documented, so that effective patterns and methods were identified
and improved in following projects.
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