Design 573: Fundamentals of Multimedia Design
Department of Industrial, Interior, and Visual Communication Design

Senior Lecturer

Andre Christopher Murnieks
e-mail: murnieks.2@osu.edu
im: amurnieks


Project

Goal

Starting with an existing web site, propose, design and build an improved Internet experience for the intended user by applying the techniques and technologies covered in this course.

Description

Your assignment is to devise and create a usable web site prototype. You are responsible for the on-line presence of a business or organization. This is something you can't take lightly. It's much more than learning HTML or Dreamweaver. Your design must represent the client and the organization as much as any employee in their brick and mortar facilities. In a business environment, delivering information in a manner that satisfies the user is key.

Your target audience must be real and reasonably populated. The web site can be for:

  • an existing on-line business endeavor
  • an existing on-line organization
  • an existing on-line resource

There must also be a clear purpose for the site whether it is promoting a product or offering a service, e.g., a minor in design is a product that the department wishes to promote to perspective students.

The web site design cannot be for:

  • yourself to just laugh at
  • cats and other domestic animals (they can't quite use the mouse yet)
  • family or friends

Phases

Proposal

  • define the project and content
  • define your audience
  • deliverable: project proposal (due week 3)

Architecture

  • hierarchical structure
  • story board; flow diagram, etc.
  • deliverable: site architecture (due week 4)

Concept

  • screen layouts
  • visual language
  • navigation
  • midterm presentation: project plan, architecture and concept (due week 7)

Prototype

  • implement visual language
  • fully interactive
  • usability
  • final presentation: prototype presentation (due final week)

Documentation

  • final deliverable: summary of quarter's project (due final week)

Evaluation

This project will clearly express the concept and demonstrate:

  • usability
  • application of effective interface design
  • application of color theory
  • strong typographic principals
  • screen legibility
  • appropriate and effective interactive structure