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Doll-it-Yourself: ITGM 709-OL Final Project Design Document Professor David Meyers Megan McGrath Spring 2010 Doll-it-Yourself

ITGM 709-OL Final Project Design Doc

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Meg McGrath's Final Project Design Document for ITGM 709-OL at SCAD, Spring 2010

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Doll-it-Yourself:

ITGM 709-OL Final Project Design Document Professor David Meyers

Megan McGrath

Spring 2010

Doll-it-Yourself

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Table of Contents

Final Project Assignment 1

Project Overview 1

Suggestions for Projects 1

Project Requirements 1

Project Guidelines 2

Project Timeline 2

Project Submission 2

Project Rationale 3

Original Intent 3

Revised Direction 3

Doll-it-Yourself 4

Design Document 4

User Goals 4

Audience Definition 5

Content 6

Functionality 7

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Final Project Assignment

Project OverviewUsing the interactive authoring software of your choice (Macromedia Flash or Director are suggested; Flash is preferred),

create an interactive project of original design and concept.

Suggestions for Projects

GAMES:

1-player or multiplayer, logic games, shooting games, games that involve the interaction of characters; the virtual version

of a popular playground game

INTERACTIVE GUIDES:

A complex instruction manual, an online catalog of products, an interactive tutorial, a catalog of products or files (mp3,

video, etc.), an interactive recipe guide

ARTIFICIAL LIFE:

A system that can be altered based on user input and/or time. For example, a garden that depends on the user to water

it and otherwise care for it, a virtual pet, a virtual society in which elements interact with one another and induce change

NON-LINEAR STORIES:

Stories that unfold based on user input and interactions (e.g. the user sees a traveler and has to drag a map into her

suitcase)

INTERACTIVE PLAYTHING:

Experimental interface for the user to explore and create artwork, music, onscreen motion, etc.

Project Requirements• Your file must be well-designed and include details that guide the user through the interactive elements.

• You will be graded on the basis of design, concept, craft (sophistication of overall artwork), and technical success.

• You are expected to push the limits of your skills and be ambitious in planning interactivity.

• You will be asked to present the final product of this project during a peer critique session.

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Project Guidelines• Think about your audience!

• Organize information based on a hierarchy of importance

• Keep the style of your graphics and gestures consistent. It should look like one coherent piece

• Keep the file size as small as possible by reusing elements

 

Project Timeline

Date Task

Unit 2 Initial sketches, project brief (descriptive paragraph), rough storyboards

Unit 3 Initial project design: present 3 comps (screen image stills)

Unit 4 Final design comps of main interface, project timeline, updated site map and wireframes

Unit 5 Initial build; fully functional main interface

Unit 7 Prototyping and testing

Unit 9 Final piece due

 

Project SubmissionyName_final.fla and yName_final.swf, with "y" indicating the first letter of your first name and "name" indicating your

last name. (In other words, jSmith_final.fla). The "Final" refers to this as the final project for ITGM709.

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Project Rationale

Original Intent

When I registered for this class, I had hoped to spend the quarter working on designing the interface for a large scale

social media project which I had been thinking about creating as a commentary on the construction of identity within the

arena of social networks. I had hoped that this project would help me work out some ideas to further my research for my

thesis project which investigates the ways in which identity is produced, manifested, and performed and how technology

can be used to expose many preconceived notions about who we are.

However, after reading the project description, I realized that this project would be better suited for a class that

preferences the conceptual development and documentation of the behind-the-scenes mechanisms of the system rather

than the visual manifestation of the interaction provided. Instead, I selected a project where the functionality could be

programmed within the timeframe allotted and the visual interface design could be equally refined.

Revised Direction

The new direction I will be taking with the project is to develop a service that offers parents a way to provide their child

with a playtime experience that is less grounded in the consumption of commodities and more in creation. I believe that

if children are given the opportunity to utilize technology at a young age to create content while also learning real world

skills, they will be better prepared to become creative thinkers and problem solvers later in life and will have a “heads up”

on other children who have forgotten the joys of learning tangible skills in the wake of digital culture.

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Doll-it-Yourself

Design Document

User Goals

Overview:

Doll-it-Yourself (Doll-I-Y) is a service that allows children to have a more fulfilling and creative play experience.  These

children are asked to participate in the customization and the design of their new doll which will foster creativity and

develop a more intense connection with their new toy.  When the doll arrives at their door, they will then follow the

instructions to sew the doll themselves, or with the help of a parent or friend.  Participating in the actual construction of

their toy will help them build real world skills, encourage creation over consumption, while giving the children a sense of

accomplishment and pride in creating their new toy.  Parents will be satisfied knowing their children are utilizing their

playtime for skill-building and creativity.  Children can continue to participate in the creation process by drawing and

customizing textile patterns for additional accessories for their dolls and learning new sewing techniques on the website.

Short Term Goals:

To create a service that provides children with an interactive experience to customize a sewing kit to create a doll and

provide instructions and tutorials for easy assembly.

Long Term Goals:

To create a service that fosters creativity in children while helping them to acquire real world skills, encouraging creation

over consumption, and instilling values of cooperation and teamwork in a new generation of high tech children.

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Audience Definition

Primary Demographic: Children

The primary target demographic for Doll-it-Yourself will be children between the ages of 7 to 11 years of age. They will

be predominantly female. However, ideally, a service like this would interest young male children as well and actively

encourage the acquisition of creative skills for all interested parties. The children Doll-I-Y targets are inquisitive, creative

and love taking on new projects. They have a familiarity with computers and are comfortable with navigating web

interfaces. Prior experience with creating digital products is not required as the interface will be designed to be

accessible to a wide range of skill levels.

Children’s Needs

• to feel as though they are in control of the design process

• to design a doll that is totally unique, just like them

• to be able to feel as though the process is doable and is not overwhelming

• to be able to showcase their work

• to get feedback from others

• to ask for help if they are confused or stuck

Secondary Demographic: Parents

Parents are the secondary demographic because they are most likely only going to become interested in the service

once their children do. As they will be the parents of the target demographic, they will likely fall between the ages of 30 -

48 years of age. The mother will likely be the more interested party since men of this generation often shy away from

participating in acts perceived to be “too feminine.” These parents will likely have an average to high computer skill level

as they are comfortable with giving their children access to the machine and the internet. They will have a sense of

adventure and be moderately to very interested in participating in do-it-yourself projects with their children. They will not

need to already possess sewing skills as the doll kit will only require the most basic techniques and instructions, tutorials

and help files will be readily available.

Parent’s Needs

• to know that they can afford the product

• to know that their child is safe on the website

• to know that the experience provided to their child is rewarding

• to know that their child can still participate even if they do not possess skills necessary

• to know that the product they will receive is safe to play with

• to know that they can help their child through the process without feeling overwhelmed

• to know that the product they receive is durable and worth the investment

• to know that they can access help if they or their child is confused or stuck

• to know that this isn't just another toy that will end up at the bottom of the toy box

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Content

Doll Creator

Functioning similarly to an avatar creator, the doll creator will present the user with a variety of pre-designed choices for

creating a customize doll. These choices will include:

• Eye shape and color

• Eyebrow shape and color

• Nose shape

• Mouth shape and color

• Ear shape

• Face shape

• Facial features

• Skin tone

• Hair color and style

• Body shape

Clothing Designer

This will contain options for the user to customize their doll’s clothing type, style, and fabric choices. The clothing types

will include:

• Pants and shorts

• Skirts

• Dresses

• Shirts

The user will also be able to select a variety of styles within each type and select a custom fabric for each style of clothing

selected.

Fabric Customizer

This will contain pre-designed patterns that the user will be able to customize with their own color selections to create

unique and customized patterns. These patterns can be applied to any of the clothing items selected.

Account Creation and Management

Users will be able to create an account and manage their information within this area. They will be able to see the dolls

and accessories they have designed, their order history and status of any currently open orders. When the project is

expanded to include more social networking functionality, this area will also include ways to manage communication,

user generated content as well as their online identity.

Tutorials and Help Files

Tutorials will be readily available to teach users how to complete the customizing, ordering, and assembly process of

creating a Doll-it-Yourself kit. Help files will be available to answer concerns about every step of the process and will be

customized to the needs and concerns of both parents and children.

Marketing Material

Testimonials and sales material will be accessible to help convince children to become excited about designing and

creating a Doll-it-Yourself kit as well as to set at ease any concerns parents may have about purchasing one of these kits

for their children.

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Functionality

Functionality for Children

• learn about what Doll-it-Yourself is quickly

• get them involved in the design process as soon as possible

• view doll designs and completed kits created by other users as inspiration

• create a customized doll design

• select a custom outfit for their doll

• customize the fabric pattern and color choices for their doll’s clothing

• create an account to save their designs

• be able to log back in to continue working on designs later

• get parents help to order kits

• showcase their designs

• watch tutorials to learn about designing and sewing

Functionality for Parents

• learn about what Doll-it-Yourself is quickly

• make sure the website is safe for their child

• learn about cost, materials, skill levels required, etc

• monitor their child’s behavior on the site

• create an account to store their child’s work

• keep track of order history

• view status of current open orders

• access help to answer questions and concerns

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