Assessment series 2: on-paper prototype project

- 45% total

- group (2 people) or individual (your choice)

- 5 items to be submitted (if working as a group then only one copy of each item/group)

- submitted in workshops 6-13

OVERVIEW:

The creation of effective multimedia products depends largely on whether the design of the product meets the specification of target audience and product purpose and objectives.

The best way to test if design meets requirements of audience, purpose and objectives is to develop a prototype application.

The following assessment series requires you to develop an on-paper prototype of a multimedia work for a fictitious company.

OBJECTIVES:

This assessment item is designed to:

SO WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

For this assessment you will design and produce the high-fidelity on paper prototype for submission to the fictitious company TeachThroughMedia. The company has published the following call for titles...

TEACHTHROUGHMEDIA INC.

CALL FOR MULTIMEDIA TITLES...

TeachThroughMedia is a highly successful multimedia company. We are producing a series of small multimedia titles called HOW AND WHY?

TeachThroughMedia is looking for designers to submit a non-functional high fidelity prototype either onscreen or on paper with the intent of co-developing the title for joint sale. The requirements are below.

Each multimedia title will explain a concept or demonstrate how to do something.

The titles should be deliverable on one of CD/DVD ROM, web, mobile device.

Each title should be aimed specifically at one of the following target audience groups:

  • Pre-school children
  • Primary school children
  • Tertiary
  • Teenagers
  • Adults from a non English speaking background
  • English speaking background adults
  • Senior citizens

TeachThroughMedia will allow each applicant to choose ONE ACTIVITY/CONCEPT/ACTION for the title. Below is a list of possible topics for the titles but applicants can choose their own after checking with the company:

  • How to plant a tree,
  • How to make a simple Kite,
  • How to make an origami boat,
  • Learn about the water cycle,
  • How ants build their home,
  • How a bee communicates with flight patterns,
  • A cooking recipe (e.g. spaghetti)
  • How to play a tune on an instrument (e.g. guitar)
  • Lifecycle of a butterfly
  • Lifecycle of a frog
  • How to mix a particular cocktail
  • How to swim freestyle
  • How to throw a discus
  • The parts of the eye
  • The main parts of a computer
  • The parts of a goldfish
  • How to set up a goldfish tank
  • How to make a coffee
  • Why the sky looks blue
  • How is a rainbow made in the sky
  • What happens when you mix bicarbonate of soda with vinegar
  • How electricity flows through a wire
  • How to do a dance step
  • How to copy a file in Windows
  • How to add a transition to a PowerPoint slide
  • How set up a fishing line and hook for whiting
  • How to write the numbers from 1 to 6
  • Caring for your pet turtle
  • The notes on a keyboard

TeachThroughMedia has asks applicants to provide a project brief, storyboards, flowcharts and a written report justifying design and media choices. The applicant will also submit an 'on paper' prototype of the proposed title showing every screen and completed screen layout and designs.

TeachThroughMedia will decide on which products it will include in its title series after evaluating submissions. To help evaluate submissions, applicants have been asked to undertake a presentation of their work.

REMEMBER:

You will need to choose ONE topic either from the list given in the scenario above or your own topic. If you choose your own topic you must clear it with your tutor first. Then you must plan and design the title on paper only.

What does the prototype need to do/show?


How long/big should the prototype be?
This is really your decision based on your topic and your understanding of what a prototype should do but as a rough guide, around 5 screens would be suitable.

This is a guide only, your product may contain less or more screens.

Do I need to produce original media?
You don't need to produce original media. You may take graphics etc from whatever sources you wish, just acknowledge in your report.

What will I use to digitally produce the screen images?
You can use any software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Powerpoint etc.

On what media do I submit the prototype?

Print to paper your prototype screens in color


What do I need to submit?

Along with your prototype you will need to submit the following documents. Use the templates that have been provided for each item.

Note that the initial project brief, flowchart and storyboards are submitted in prior workshops but copies must also be included in folio submission in week 11

Item

Mark

When it will be completed and submitted

 

Initial project brief

assessment template 4.docx

5

 

Submit by beginning of workshop 6 AND include copy in week 11 submission.

 

Flowchart
assessment template 5.docx

2

Submit by beginning of workshop 7

AND include copy in week 11 prototype folio

 

Storyboards
assessment template 6.docx

3

Submit in by beginning workshop 9

AND include in week 11 prototype folio

 

assessment template 7.docx

Prototype portfolio submission:

Includes:

Initial brief, flowchart, storyboards (copies from workshop submissions) + Notes on any changes to actual project outcome from original submitted

+ reference list

Actual task breakdown and time

+ comparison with planning task break down and time

Justification of design decisions

Prototype printed in color

30

By end of week 11 workshop.

Presentation

Presentation marking.docx

5

Week 12/13 workshop