|
3. DOCUMENTING
THE PROCESS
The process
of visualisation and the process of keeping a record of the work done
are mutually influential. Through hindsight, the recorded methods used
can be improved. The visual mapping itself then becomes a record of the
development of the design, and allows it to be compared (or visual elements
applied) to other similar projects.
The main
elements of record-keeping are a journal, diagrams and tests or prototypes.
A journal will record the administrative decisions, meetings and workings
of decisions. It may also record the originals and sketches of some of
the models used. The diagrams may have more than one version; the refinement
of design will be apparent when early designes are compared to the later
ones.
In Blurred,
the main diagrams became also the inventory of media and the progress
chart to the degree of completion of the project. In Ethics, being the
first multi-player game i had developed, the systems used (and the journal
of the process) will be very helpful in future projects. The strategic
plan developed for Eyewear Now was used in other internet projects shortly
afterwards, and the interface design on override.com.au was the final
version of a model that had evolved from Warwick Shire Council (www.warwick.qld.gov.au)
and the Seafood Site (www.seafoodsite.com.au).
A very important
part of the process is to keep record of the development of the project,
and the methods and models used. This helps to develop the methods further
with each time they are used, to improve them and enhance them. Furthermore,
a systematic approach to the ordering of information will develop the
ability to recogrnise and identify patterns in information, and to cross-reference
and cross-apply methodologies across the different elements of the project.
Paraphrasing
Jeff Jones (1999) it could be postulated that:
[Project
detail + journal process + throughts] = [Generic design process + applications
of process via models and diagrams]
By recording
Project details (of every project) via a journal, visual diagrams, notes
and personal experiences, similarities can be found. The recorded project
design processes, when compared, can yield similarities used to describe
a generic process with a set of specific options for generating specific
outcomes (documents).
As an example,
the 'Look and Feel' document was originally presented as a loose colour
diagram of the interface design. Through its use in several projects,
the records revealed that the client was confused about the early samples.
They paid unduly attention to detail: the latin sample text, the sample
images, some yet-undecided design elements. Over time, the models was
improved to include the real images to be used, and the final copy. The
records showed the improvement of the information flow, and it was easy
to identify the cause: a better, improved Look and Feel model.
Similarly,
the sequential mapping documents started as very simple diagrams showing
the point of entry into a web site, and the point of exit. Through use
and documentation, some further research into museum display design and
wayfinding archityectural theories, the model was improved. This document
now shows a very defined sequence of goals, tasks and instructions that
different audiences would encounter through their navigation in a website,
CDRom or other interactive spaces.
By documenting
the details of every project, patterns can be seen to emerge and generic
theories can be formulated, therefore producing better models to start
designs with.
|
