Sonia

The textures, materials and layers look fantastic. Definately cut back the video length. The section at the start with the paper could be chopped in half. There isn't any dialogue to maintain the user's attention so you need to keep the graphics changing/ variety to hold our focus, rather than have really long chunks. Think like a film clip maybe? Chopping up the sections and putting them in defferent parts of the interactive is a great idea.

Making the user find their way to the next screen will work with the concept of finding one's identity. It will evoke in the user feelings of frustration and ocnfusion, so they get a sense of what it's like to be a migrant.

With the audio it might be nice to treat he project like a movie, using dynamics to create diffferent experiences for the user. Sections of just dialogue could contrast with the full on music of the video sections. Louds and softs, whispers and screams.... Just a thought.

The project is excellent so far. Can't wait to see it when it's finished!

Matt

The use of randomness is a great idea. The handwriting section works well. You could use scratching in, drawing and rubbing out of type and images even more if you want to (animation, interactivity). This will give the sense of time and written records. I say really experiement with this one. Whatever little choices you make it is going to work either way so have fun with it.

The navigation is very clear. Minimalist aproach works well. The video's work well to create a sense of ambience. Once the resolution is fixed they'll be great.

David

Watch the colour combinations (you don't want to go too fluoro and spoil the lovely natural, textured, organic look of the sections). Keep the aesthetics consistent. Do this with the audio as well, keeping with the oriental theme (the 80's rock guitar was bit out of place). This way you get a whole sensory exploration happening. It will be beautiful. The piece is coming along really well.

author: eve | 03:01 | comments

Eve and Bona's comments

Okay I'm really annoyed. I just spent half an hour typing out all my comments and then just before I went to post the computer screwed up and I lost everything so I have to type it all again.My computer doesn't like me this week (either that or I'm just hopeless). NOT happy Jan. so here we go again....

Michael:

The use of the new 3d interface is definately more dynamic. Myabe instead of having so much white speace you could put a very faint graphic in the back ground on the home screen. So the navigation isn't so overwhelming you could use some kind of a graphic map on the page to show the user where they are and the different sections. I think a graphic of a guitar chord diagram with the lines and finger naumbers coul work nicely. The numbers could instead correspond to the different sections and the user can click on the circles (with the numbers inside) to access the idfferent sections. It could use persepctive to continue the 3d effect if you wanted. This way the user can see exaclt where they're going. Just a thought though.

With the audio you don't want to shock the user or annoy everyone in the household so fade ins and outs are a great idea. Maybe use different guitar timbres as well and styles, (electric, acoustic, flamenco, jazz) to give variation and to demonstrate to the user the varying applications and styles of the guitar. This will inspire them and cater for different musical tastes. Not every guitar player wants to be a rock star. What about elderly men or mums who have decided to pick it up after all these years? he he he. Slim Dusty.... Just a thought.

The colour changes as you scroll over the disks were a bit confusing (probably just cos I was watching and not actually using it). Just be careful to make it blatantly obvious at any one time which disk you are on cos I got a bit confused. Maybe not vary the colours so much? I don't know. Just a thought.

It's a great project. You've worked really hard on it and I think it's going ot be excellent.

Eleanor

My main suggestion is that you make the colours more vibrant for impact. The scroll navigation works well but to solve the roll over member change issue and the moving taxt, maybe just put a button you can click on to go to the next screen with the next set of headings instead of having to scroll down. That way none of the texts moves. It makes it much easier for you and achieves the same effect. Myabe make a yellow box appear around the text when you scroll over it, or the text highlights yellow. I'm not sure but you can play with the idea of rectangles etc as it's part of the whole road rule aesthetic (zebra crossings etc etc). Just a thought.

Put a tunnel in the mountain so the road doesn't just end.

Work more with the animation as it makes the piece really dynamic.

Project great so far. You look like you really know what you're doing. Great work.

FROM DAVID TOE:

Bona & Eve

Journey

The overall appearance works well with the narrative, with its prominent illustrative style that depicts a sense of ÒmysteryÓ therefore enticing the user to explore the content of the piece.

Considering there are different variations of stories it is imperative that there are indication for the users to which story have been explored, perhaps the text menu could be differentiated after chosen and the content explored.

With its prominent illustrative style the ÒbackÓ button could be treated illustratively as well to maintain consistency or perhaps a hand written style would work better.

The sense of mystery generated from its style and music is very strong which works extremely well to support the narrative. Further interactivity such as Òrub the screen to reveal an imageÓ would further enhance this mysterious piece.

FROM SONIA:

Eve and Bona_ you both always come up with diffrent ideas to develop into a work.. and i think its good.. also like the way inwhich u use illustraive material through ur work, rather than using straight computer programs to develop up the content.. adds dimension.. i however think u can use the screen space more effectively, rahter than smack baming the images in the middle of the screen... add depth and layering maybe?? i also had problems picking up the story? look forward to seeing the end product!!

FROM ADRIANNA:

JOURNEY Ð Eve & Bona

The style and use of graphics and illustrations evoked great initial interest. Although I wasnÕt too sure where I was to click and what I was supposed to experience. I searched frantically with the mouse for any links, I was a little disappointed to have clicked the heart link and not be taken somewhere. Is there another link from the heart? Then, when searching for the next item I have found the wallet.

The point I would like to make on the next screen is that although the graphics are very consistent, the fonts do not suit the style and overall feel of the illustrations. I would have liked to see a very gothic looking font or one that resembles a very old typewriting Ð a font, which would match the overall look of the scene.

I would also like to have read an explanation or some kind of introductory phrase at the initial scene, which described what the overall project is about. Having seen it fully I am still a little confused as to its main theme.

The illustrative graphics, as I have stated before are very nicely precented and kept consistent which makes this project interesting.

Overall a great piece of work, however I would like to suggest a tiny elimination of confusion through the use of descriptive short phrases to emphasise main points of the project or scene.

Michael:

Eve & Bona:

Overall it is good, an introduction explaining what it's about would help

the user at the beginning as it would help understand that the work needs

to be thoroughly explored.

As was said streamline the story to reduce workload but create the same

effect. Has a script been created to know how much work is involved.

Matthew

Interface could be developed more to integrate with the final piece. Good

indication as to which section you are up to.

I really like the way the text writes, how did you do that.

Comments From Sonia and Rodina:

Micheal_ micheal i love ur work.. and also like i said to david u can really see the ime and effort spend into the project.... really shows through...just think about ur naviagtion.. let other people play around with it whilst you sit back and watch.. just to see where the gaps in the navigation sit, question ur self if its clear to the viewer... otherwise fantastic!!!

author: sonia | 11:19 | comments

David_ ok david.. from ur work we can all see that u have spend quiet some time developing up this project.. i like it and think its a good piece of work.. however after trying to interet with the work, various sections made me fairly frustrated, i gave up at the section when the guy says " quit touching me" just couldnt figure out where to go..and people who will interat with this will give it 2mintues otherwise will basically quit..i think u have all the content there and its very strong as a piece, just need alittle fine tunning to make it more inviting i guess for the user... well done!

No comments for the other works???

ann

Comments to Sonia and Rodina:

Eve and Bona's comments

Sonia

The project is excellent so far. Can't wait to see it when it's finished!

FROM DAVID TOE:

Sonia & Rodina

Unable to Sign

The use of visuals and textures depict a sense of richness in culture; precisely represent the theme of this piece. Using envelope in the introduction section is very effective metaphorically.

The challenge would be to strike a balance between the need of a clear navigation structure and the need to keep the users guessing as to what to do next.

The music needs to be adjusted to accommodate the voice over; perhaps text could be introduced for viewers to read to enhance comprehension of the content in the introductory part.

FROM ADRIANNA:

MIGRATION WORK Ð Sonya +

Although I was interested in the initial graphics and look of the project, I could not hear the words, as the music sound was too loud. I feel that the voice for this project should be more dynamic. Perhaps a male voice? You could emphasise words more instead of making things sound as though you are reading them out. The introduction section could have been shorter as the viewer tends to get distracted.

Labelling of sections could be taken into account to allow the user to understand each section more thoroughly.

The graphical layouts are nicely presented and kept consistent which adds to the interest of the overall look. Although the graphics are highly representational the project lacks common navigation. The user is unaware of the linked space. Perhaps more labelling of space would be appropriate with the use of a common font throughout, which would reflect the background type-writings of the scenes.

Overall, you are using a great subject matter for the project. You have captured the graphical implementations within the layout quite nicely. The only suggestion I would propose is to make the navigation more apparent and the use of labelling of sections delicately would be of great help for the user to interact with the project on a higher level.

FROM MICHAEL:

Sonya

Background sound in the intro is a bit loud. Cut down the introduction to

the piece as it tends to drag on. Needs a skip intro if user/s have

already seen it. Tryout different settings for exporting your videos

because this could ruin the overall look. Needs help or instructional

text to help the user navigate or understand the piece.

David

Needs tooltips or rollovers, even though the sections are separated with

colours, users might get frustrated trying to search for particular

sections. One section where there were maps, they need to be labelled.

Look at the visual content properly for example colour use interface

colour look too bright or it has been altered by the projector, dull some

colours or test out other colours.