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Design Stage 2 - Content Selection and Analysis.
1. Introduction.
2. Overview of Activities.
This design stage involves a large number of activities which can't really
be expected to take place in sequential order. The following will be interleaved,
with emphasis moving down the list as time progresses:
- Construct an initial thematic map of content, setting out major headings
and their interconnections.
- Make an action plan setting out how content will be acquired, and
set that plan into motion.
- Analyse content as it is collected, placing it under major headings
and developing sub-headings as required.
- When collection of content is reasonably complete, revisit the original
thematic map and modify/expand it as required.
- Organise narrative/time-based content using overview-level storyboards.
- Construct a prototype asset list, a grid cross-referencing topic
headings and media, and listing the assets under topic/media headings.
3. Initial Mapping of Content.
Use a thematic map to organise your ideas on the major areas of content
of the site. This map should detail the main headings under which you will
collect content, and the connections/relationships between them. This map
will develop as ideas are refined and material is collected.
4. Content Gathering.
A student project will nearly always involve the collection of content.
This may be an extended process, but it is useful if as much content as
possible is gathered in the early stages of a project - only then will its
true scope and nature become apparent. The major headings for the content
should have been decided during the initial mapping. It is now necessary
to construct and then carry out an action plan for the gathering of content.
This may involve:
- library searches, the use of relevant text books, reference materials
and archives;
- interviews with clients and others connected with a project;
- field-work to photograph, video and sound record original material.
5. Analysing Content.
With a rich collection of possible content available, an analysis phase
should begin: a careful sifting of material under your main headings and
any thematic sub-headings which have emerged. The content must be fully
understood and organised before a project can proceed.
6. Detailed Thematic Map.
Your understanding of static, structured content should be recorded in a
detailed thematic map, which will help determine the architecture of the
multimedia system which you construct.
7. Overview Storyboards.
Some of your content may most naturally be structured as a narrative which
unfolds over time; in this case the most appropriate structuring method
is a storyboard. Storyboards may also be used to construct interaction scenarios
- narratives about typical routes which users will take through your multimedia
system, used to test your ideas about content and structure.
8. Prototype Asset List.
The content which you have collected can be organised into a prototype
of the asset list which you will develop during the later phases of design
and implementation. At this stage the list will be a matrix, plotting
themes against media - with the elements of the matrix being a list of
materials in a particular medium, dealing with a particular theme.
As I indicated above, you can't expect progress under
all of these to be a smooth sequence. However, it is good practice to
draw yourself of flowchart, or some similar representation, of these activities,
and set yourself a deadline for completing them. It is also useful to
set up either a paper or digital filing system to hold your materials
under these headings, then you can keep an orderly record of a disorderly
process.
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