technical difficulties...

I had intended to supply the client with the necessary files for updating and altering the dvd content. However when i tried to compile this today i was faced with some annoying problems. The video content that was linked to the Encore DVD project was very large in size,
and i couldn't copy them from the courses folder into a new folder due to low disc space. Also, even if i managed to free up enough space it was going to be a very timely exercise copying such a mass of video and it was only a few hours til hand in. My plan was to group together all the video content and the individual menu files (photoshop) along with the Encore file and relink the associated videos and menus. This way i could simply burn this folder to a dvd and the client would have everything he needed. If the client was to run with our project then i would definitely endeavour to complete this but since the DVD that i produced was just a prototype and was incomplete anyway i decided to flag it.
I would have liked to supply this to the client today so that he could have a go at using Adobe Encore but if after seeing the prototype he does want to go in our direction i would definitely supply him with the material to be able to alter the dvd content.
I ended up handing in the student dvd and cover, my report, and the manual to updating the dvd content. I printed the manual as a small booklet which fits inside the dvd cover which would contain the disc with necessary files for updating the DVD.

finito!

Packaging our final Product

Mike and I discussed options for how we might present or final product. My solution consisted of a resource dvd for students, instruction manual for updating the content and a disc containing the necessary files for updating/altering the dvd content.
We acknowledged that a card envelope would be the cheaper option for packaging the discs but decided that a more durable plastic dvd case was the most appropriate packaging as the dvd is designed to aid in a full year of study - a card envelope just wont last.
I therefore designed a cover which can be slipped into the dvd sleeve. The cover is simplistic and is in keeping with the aesthetic of my dvd menu design. Little information is displayed on the cover. I did it this way so that when the dvd is updated from year to year only the year (ie 2007) needs to be edited. I included an area on the back for the student to write their name and student number so that if lost it can be returned easily.

Presentaion to Client

Today we presented our prototype interfaces to our client. It was a very informal occasion and each group explained the basics of their solutions. We decided to present all of our work- two website template designs and two interactive DVDs. Initially (when we decided to each design our own interface) we thought that we would chose our best ones to present and hand. Instead we offered all of our work so that our client could have a wider range to choose from and a greater selection of elements from which to pick and choose.

DVD interface

Problems regarding navigation through the dvd using remote control have been sorted - buttons on a menu can be numbered in Encore to indicate which one is selected upon entering the menu.
The following are some shots of the general style of my dvd interface.


I have used similar neutral tones to that of the current Otago Polytech website to create some continuity and familiarity (although the Polytech website is likely to change soon). The overall aesthetic is one of clean lines, cool neutral tones and modernist spatial layout which helps to communicate the cleanliness, hygiene and cool temperature of a good commercial kitchen. Literally simulating the kitchen space as a navigation system for the course resources proved difficult and not so effective in providing a simple navigation system. I therefore adopted a very plain, linear system for structuring the content.
The first menu has two options: Level 3 content and Level 4 content.
Each level has its content separated into one of three categories: Course Outline, Videos and Lectures and Notes.
The 'lectures and notes' button provides a link to further categories - hors douvres, fruit and veg, pasta etc.

Having built most of the dvd it has become apparent that with much more video content it may be that Level 3 and 4 would have to be on separate dvd's due to the disc space required. However, it makes things simpler for administration and cheaper for production to include both courses on the one dvd.

Results for Survey of Hospitality Students

We joined with the SUPER FRIENDS and circulated a survey for the students for whom we are building an interface and came up with the following results. 40 completed surveys were returned which did not provide a very big pool of data. Also, the students often selected more than one option for each question so it was difficult to calculate an accurate average. However, some conclusions could be drawn and it did help us to get a better understanding of our user's requirements.

Interactive Design Research SurveyCommunication Design Year 2

Gender
Male - 41.03%
Female - 58.97%

How often do you use a computer?
Almost never - 5.13%
A few times per week - 20.51%
Once a day -25.64%
A few times per day - 30.77%
Many times a day - 20.51%

Which website(s) do you use frequently?
Bebo - 17.72%
Facebook - 8.86%
Myspace - 3.80%
Youtube - 7.59%
Wikipedia - 8.86%
Blogs - 1.27%
Trade Me - 6.33%
Email - 6.33%
Travel Booking Sites - 1.27%
Internet Banking - 8.86%
Google - 2.53%
Forums - 1.27%
MotoGP Live - 1.27%
Yahoo - 12.66%
NZ Dating - 1.27%
Polytech Blackboard - 6.33%
Xtra - 1.27%MSN - 1.27%
Sports sites - 1.27%

What about these sites do you find appealing?
Easy to read - 7
Easy to use - 22Fun - 14
Familiar - 13
Informative - 15

What is your preferred method(s) of communication with the Polytech?
Phone - 9 Email - 21 Face to Face - 26 Text - 6 Web - 2

In what format would you like to receive course content in a digital form?
Text - 10
Text and pics/diagrams - 20
Pictures/diagrams - 4
Video - 7
Slideshow/Powerpoint - 20
Printed Handouts - 10
Digital PDF's - 1
Verbal instruction/Demonstration - 9


Do you play video games?
Never - 23.08%
Sometimes - 69.23%
Frequently - 7.69%

Which is your preferred learning style?
Visual - 13
Auditory - 3
Kinesthetic - 32

What is your preferred learning environment?
Home - 15
Classroom - 17
Kitchen - 13
A quiet room - 1
On the job - 1
Library - 1

Do you use a video iPod, video capable phone or similar device?
Yes - 69.23%
No - 28.21%

Would you like to be able to download and view your course materials with this device?
Yes - 38.46 %No - 56.41%

Most people play video games sometimes

Bebo favoured over facebook and myspace

easy to use’ aspect of websites was most appealing

Face to face communication with polytech preferable (email was second followed by phone, text, web)

Slideshow/powerpoints and text+pics/diagrams preferred format for digital course content

Kinaesthetic learning style prevalent

Classroom was the favoured learning environment followed by home then kitchen.

79% of those who responded used an iPod, video capable phone or similar device.

56% would like to be able to download and view course material with their devices.

It was unfortunate that we didn't get onto focus groups sooner in our design research paper because we felt that a qualitative approach would have been worthwhile.

Slight Problem Encountered

I had been designing a template for displaying the powerpoint slides supplied. It employed a simple layout as shown above but forgot to take into account a very important factor. The user would not be navigating with a mouse (my navigation for designing) but with a dvd remote which allows the user limited movement: up, down, left and right - not 'free' navigation as with a computer mouse.

I therefore had to re-jig my layout because as the user navigates to the next page the first button becomes highlighted (which in the case of my initial design would be the 'return' button. ) This is not desirable as i want to make it very easy and quick for the user to navigate directly through the slide show. In order to move from slide 1 to slide2 to the user would have to move from 'return' to 'previous' and then to 'next' to get to the next page. I need the 'next' button to be the first button on the page so that all the user needs to do is hit enter to get to the next page. Dvd players/menus are known to move relatively slowly any way so any measures to make it faster and easier should be taken.
I tried changing the configuration of the buttons but then hit a new problem:



In order for 'next' to be the first button highlighted it must be the top/left most button on the menu. In the layout above 'next' occurs before 'previous' which just doesn't make logical sense (since we read left to right). It isn't chronological and it seems a bit awkward. Not sure how to resolve this - can i just rely on the words to communicate?

It would be quite good if i could keep with my original template but program the menu so that 'next' is the first button selected even if it doesn't occur first in the layout. - need some technical advice.

The Power Point content which was supplied is to be included in the DVD as well as on the website so that it is readily available to the students (computer/internet not required). A simple linear structure would be appropriate (simulating the ppt structure). The buttons "Previous" and "Next" navigate from page to page and a return button can take you back to the last menu. This navigation style is very simple and easy to use. It is not great for skipping many pages (eg. trying to get from slide 2 to slide 16 - "Next" has to be clicked fourteen times ) however, this sort of use would probably be quite rare. It would be best if lecture slide shows had relatively few slides (one which was supplied had over 100!) However, it seems to cover many topics and could therefore be divided into a series of shorter slide shows or chapters. This should be easy to create on Adobe Encore by making each page or slide a separate menu and linking each page by the 'next' and 'previous' buttons.