The web is a unique platform for creating multimedia experiences. Although web projects often resemble forms in art, literature, film, theatre or music, it also goes beyond those forms. Because of the extensive technical expertise and production work required for the web, most websites are built by a team of people whose web of relations influences the projects. The power of the web lies in it's ability to use hyperlinking, interactivity, integration, immersion and narrativity to create a unique user experience. See if your final project team can employ one or more of these five conceptual strategies to create a user experience that could not be duplicated by another medium. Additionally, Above all, imagine that you are creating another world through which the user can explore. Your project may take one of the following forms:

1) A Journey

Create an experience that immerses the user in a world that they can explore. How can you employ the capabilities of the web so that the user isn't just observing a record of an exploration, but actually experiencing the discoveries and hurdles of a real experience? Avoid trying to tell or demonstrate - give the user the direct experience. Some examples of possible journeys are:

• Geographical: a trip down the Amazon
• Historical: a journey through Ancient Greece
• Fantastical: a trip to Jupiter, 3012 AD
• Personal: a walk around your neighborhood
• Psychological: the world through the eyes of a spider
• Conceptual: exploring the layers of a metaphorical object, such as a rose or diamond

2) An Experiential Poem

A Poem is a collection of powerful images that speak to our soul. Those images can be created through the use of text, pictures and sound. How can you use the web to create multimedia images which the user may navigate through at their own pace? Avoid illustrating a poem that you have already written. Try to conceptualize a poem as a multimedia piece.

Examples

• Between The Lines

3) A Dream

Our dreams give us a powerful glimpse into the rich depths of the symbolic world. Perhaps you have had a dream recently that you would like to use in your art. However, do not illustrate your dream or tell it to us in the same way it happened. Instead, recreate the experiential feeling of the dream for the user. Try to use your art making experience to re-enter your dream and continue exploring it through your creative process. As you work to create the experience, you may also discover valuable insights into your dream.

4) Alternative Ideas

If you have an alternative idea that does not relate to any of the project concepts, but that you think could be a powerful user experience, then please see me in person to discuss.

Examples:

• Apple
• Superbad

Technical Guidelines

For your project, you are expected to use the following programs:

• DreamWeaver
• Photoshop
• Fireworks and/or Image Ready

You may also use:

• Flash for specific pieces that cannot be achieved by other means

Your project must meet the following criteria:

• 20+ Web pages
• Original navigation graphics
• Maximum page size (html,graphics,sound, etc.) should not exceed 150k
• Tables within Tables
• Pixel shims (pixel.gif)
• Original Photographs and Graphics
• 2 Uses of Javascript Behaviours (not including rollovers)
• All Formatting completed in Style Sheets
• Above the fold design fits 800x600 browser window (760x420)
• Tests the same in IE, Safari & Mozilla on MAC OSX

Your midterm project grade will be based on this:

• Pre-Production - working in class with your partner (20%)
• Meeting the technical criteria above (20%)
• The clarity and effectiveness of your navigations strategy (20%)
• How your visual and interaction design supports your subject (20%)
• Your ability to create a user experience unique to the web medium (20%)

All project must be ftp to your account on pixel.csuhayward.edu prior to the final critique.