Final Animation

I am not happy with the Version Three (final), I feel as if I have tried an idea which is slightly too complicated for the first time using the software. I understand now that I should have remained with a simpler idea- and concentrated on my After Effects skills. I am frustrated with my final result I have many changes which I would like act upon if I get the chance, however If I do not have the time to make another edit, I will take the lessons I have learnt from this module and take it forward with me to my next design project.

I feel that my earlier versions (one & two) were more successful than this final version. This is because It stuck to a specific style. This style used simple drawings and sketches which I then added onto background and used an photographic image to finish the animation. This simplistic style worked really well and was not too complicated for my first animation.

The things which I think work well were:
• The background, the glow I added on the brush tool on Photoshop, adds another dimension to the stars and lets them stand out. Also how the layers move together in the background. I used five different layers which each moved slightly differently; creating a space effect.
• The Gaussian Blur was used to experiment with composition and dimension, this was added to try and add depth of field to the animation. This worked well but If I was to complete another version I would try and play around with this more, using the space ship to dodge in between the planets.
• I changed the photographic image from the 'screaming guy' to an image of an eye. I think both of the photographic images visually stand out, and I think that I could have used either of them in both of the animation. I am happy with the eye, because it creates a relationship between the composition., and transitions really well into the space scene.

The main elements of the animation that I would like to change, would be the planets, as I have mentioned before- I was much happier when the planets appeared two-dimensional, because It generated an audience of younger children, whereas the final version seems to have lost its purpose.
This is something which I definitely want to reconsider, the axis which the planets rotate on isn't as accurate as I would like. It has given me much practice on After Effects and in DP2 hopefully I will be able to take what I have learnt and will not make the same mistakes as I have.

Animation: Version One from Zoe Stroud on Vimeo.

Here is my first version of the animation. I have not created an animation before, so I was intrigued to get started. When I first saw the software I was a little bit concerned that I would not be able to use it confidently. I have carried out some experiments so I understood the basic elements; because I have done this I am happy to be able to complete a second version.

For me, the space theme works really well. However after seeing it as a completed piece, there are some significant changes that I want to carry out. Although I really like how all the different layers move for the background, I think the colour and appearance could be improved. I am going to adjust the background so that it is darker, I am going to experiment with the glow effect and the brush tool to create some shapes that look like stars. 

Although I think the background and the photo image work well together, I want to try and make the lines on the image smoother; currently they look quite rough. I am going to try and create these images now on Adobe Illustrator. The pace of the animation is a lot slower than I though it would be, I need to increase the speed so that more can happen which will include the spaceship. I want to try and add even more layers and animmate the layers to move at different speeds. 

Animation Insipration

This is just such a beautiful animtion, plus its from one of my favourite films!

15:32

I have now completed the second version of my interaction project, I feel that it was important to do the second version so that I could make important improvements. I took the tutors feedback and changed it due to advice I was given. I am quite happy with this version, however I plan to gather some more feedback to try and to complete another version with more improvements.

My target audience is children aged between 6-9 year olds, I think that my project achieves the aim for this audience. The drawings/ sketches with I have used are basic, 2-D shapes which I believe appeals to children. The colours/fonts and language used have all been specifically picked so that they are 'child friendly'. I think that my project achieves its aim of being user friendly. I am happy with most of decisions I have made, and I am very glad I have been able to become used to the software, because now in my next project I will be able to create a more complex idea- maybe developing a game or an detective interaction piece.  

The sketches and images which I have used were purposely drawn to be two dimensional so that they would look like cartoons. I found it quite tedious when I first encountered the HTML coding, but after an afternoon of playing around on the programme, I soon picked up the basic skills.  My first edit was initially quite basic, but I added a second option in my second version, this enables the user to have more choice. If I complete another edit, I hope to change the links so that one option can only be chosen at a time.

Improvements that could be made include, changing the text so that it isn't as harsh, maybe changing the opacity on the black background.  This will make it contribute to make in more user friendly. Another improvement that can be made would considering adding music, or sounds that when they are clicked on- they encourage the user to become more involved, this would be the next stage in the process and is a key development for my project.

Feedback: Interaction

After speaking with the tutor yesterday, I received some feedback on my interaction project, version one. I knew myself that there was still more work that I wanted to do to it, but I was not sure on what. I was given some constructive feedback which I feel will help my project move forward.

Here are the main points:

• Add another option from page three- this way the project will be more diverse and keep the children engaged
• The tutor mentioned she really like the colours and themes of my idea, and thought it generally worked well.
• I have to remember the target audience of children, so cannot use anything too graphic
• I was told to have the hotspots on the birds instead of words, as it makes it easier to navigate and it is what children would naturally want to click on.
• Add a bridge image of him flying home, to show how the time is moving and progressing
• On the page where it shows mushrooms & birds I was advised to take out the lettering and just have the images.
• Keep words simple like I have been doing eg. Mr Bird, Mr Fox.

I'm happy with the feedback I received and I am going to make these changes over the next few days, ready for the project to be completed. Also I plan to test my product out on school children- aged between 6-7, this will help me a lot when evaluating as I will have comments and reactions from the intended users. 

Form vs Function

During our seminar yesterday with Jools, I found this interesting video on form vs function by Porshe. I think it introduces a new concept.. Thought I would share, take a look:)

Version One: Interaction Project.

I have completed my first version of my interactive project- I was surprised that I enjoyed learning about the HTML and CSS as much as I did when creating this project. I thought that I would find it difficult, after practising a few times I soon picked up how to navigate and use Adobe Dreamweaver.

My first version uses nine pages, which give the user option to select and navigate through the site. I think that the navigation is clearly labelled and is easy to move through the space without struggling to find where to click. The illustration and images I have used work better together than I first thought, and it has enabled me to expand my skills on drawing, photoshop and dreamweaver. In our seminar on Tues, I hope to gain feedback from the tutor to help me progress my project further. I want to add another section onto the project, guidance and feedback will help me to achieve this.

Sketches for Interaction

Images for Interation Project

Above are the my selection of images that I am going to use for my piece. They were taken in the Lake District last year- I am very happy with the photos & feel as though they will combine well with some of the illustrations I plan to use.

Development Interaction Project

Idea Two: 'I'm like a bird'

I picked this idea because its quite diverse and enables me to use illustration & photos. The idea looks at decisions an animal would make, this instantly would appeal to the audience of children due to the interaction with animals.

The idea features an image of birds which the user is persuaded to click, the bird has to decided what to eat & there are options which give the correct and incorrect choices. The user interacts and choses and learns from the experience. The user is able to be transformed into the bird, visually seeing things from its point of view. I think this idea is more varied with the possibility with me being able to be creative.

I don't want piece to just show a random selection of images, I think its really important that the user experiences emotion, perception, action and cognition. It needs to explain something and also tell a message. I think that this is the strongest idea which is able to let me develop it in several different ways. Although I like the first idea, this is stronger. Idea two is the idea I have chosen to use for my interaction project.