DAT204: background and asset design for Blue November HTML5 canvas game groupwork

As part of our groupwork for HTML5 canvas game development, I was commissioned by the team to design a background for the game, Blue November (link: http://giantkiwi.co.uk/sites/aotbn/). I've designed the background using Adobe Illustrator, and made use of Bézier curves to emulate the waves, as our game takes place in the sea:

In addition, I've also vectorised an existing asset that will be used in the game's introduction page. Because the carrier needed to be simplified, I've toned down the details:

DAT203: Idea for kiosk platform: Raspberry Pi

Since the release of the miniature Raspberry Pi system last week, this has given an idea of cutting down the footprint and cost for the information kiosk systems. Costing only £22 each for the Model B variant (with Ethernet), Raspberry Pi reduces the need to build large housings for the touchscreen terminals, and due to the open nature of the platform, it also doesn't require licensing, unlike the Windows-based embedded systems.

DAT203: Information column and stands: other ideas

There seems to be problems with existing information kiosks being underused, and this could be down to the fact that there is not enough function that could make them more useful. The idea I came up to ensure that the kiosks can do more is to also use them to display passive information, in addition to providing interactive information. Vertical text has been used in countries like China for many years, and, whilst it is very useful for fitting in a lot of information in such a tight space, it can also be used to display information that only requires minimal space.

Heres some examples of how they could be mounted in the planned installations:

The information column outside of the RBS building could display graphical imagery, in addition to vertical text, whilst the information stand, below, could display text information vertically on the column:

The text information is collected from a central server, and will be syncronised to ensure accuracy, especially when it comes to the time. Because some foreign tourists that come in by coach would need somewhere to check the clock, and if they don't notice the overhead-mounted displays, the kiosks can provide them information, since they would be placed in prominent locations, such as near the exits and by the RBS building, near one of the entrances to the Bus Station.

DAT201: essay summary, ponies, artefact ideas and how to make it all complete like magic

During my research on hacktivism and tactical media, I've noticed something that may seem quite out of the ordinary for a research topic, especially for the latter, but whilst I was exploring that area, I've found something very intriguing that boosted my research, and as a result, I've understood the culture of it a lot more, and became part of it at the same time. Now, in terms of tactical media, you'd not normally expect the presence of multi-coloured equines to appear in such form, even on a website that is arguably well known for its tactical media (4chan), and the memes that resulted from it, but since the 10th of October 2010, postings of pictures from the new animated TV series of the My Little Pony franchise, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, became commonplace.

This then resulted in one of the fastest-growing fandoms in the world, especially considering that the huge majority of fans, never before experienced in MLP's nearly 30-year old history, are male (female fans exist as well), and are mostly between the ages of 13 through to the 30s. The phenomenon even went as far as to spread worldwide in many forms of media, and outside of 4chan as well, as a result of a ban that resulted from a 'flame war' (since lifted) in early 2011. The birth of bronies (from a portmanteau of 'bro' and 'pony') has resulted in an increase in the usage of a form of tactical media, but rather than being used for a political cause (as many past examples show), it is being used to promote the TV series, and to recruit more people into the fandom.

An idea I had for an artefact was to produce a series of posters referencing MLP, but done in a subtle way like most forms of guerrilla communications, whilst another was to explore the possibilities of performing interventions in digital spaces. However, it then came to my mind that I wanted to actually take the research I've done in my essay, and transform it into a sort of 'cook book', or manual, to show brony digital artists on how to apply digital arts practices used in tactical media to promote the TV series, the fandom, and the mantra: "Love and Tolerance", which fits perfectly for not just the fandom, but also world problems as well, because in this world, there doesn't seem to be enough love and tolerance, given today's political and economic climate.

DAT203: Interactive Information Column/Kiosk for Bretonside

This is a mockup of one of the information kiosks that are being proposed for Bretonside; this one is situated outside one of the entrances to the Bus Station outside the RBS building:

The kiosk will provide information about the city, a map to help visitors find their way around the city, and advertise events. Touchscreen monitors will be placed in a hexagonal configuration, with the screens tilted back at a slight angle. The software will be provided by PCs that will be mounted behind each display, and both the PC and the display will have weatherproof casings to protect the equipment from harsh weather and interference. Auxiliary information, such as the time, weather, outside temperature and events feeds will be broadcast from a scrolling dot-matrix display that will be mounted around the column structure.

DAT202: Research into the HTML5 platform for our educational application

As part of our assignment for the Creative Industries module, we were given a task to produce an educational application for a charity that promotes expeditions. Our client, ETE (Education Through Expeditions), are about to go on an expedition to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee by going to the highest point of the British Commonwealth in the Arctic Circle (source: http://www.etelive.org/content/contentete.numo?id=172). We decided to base our application on this expedition, as it provides an insight into the facts about the expedition, the area and wildlife, to the application's intended target audience: school children.

Because there's no restriction as to what platform we could use to base our application on, I came up with the idea of putting the new HTML5 platform into good use, not only because we already have another module that is teaching us about the platform (specifically <canvas>, the main component of which has been highlighted as a replacement for Flash), but also because we saw it as a perfect opportunity to break away from the confines of using proprietary media, and reinforce our learning of the platform at the same time.

To break down the research I've done on HTML5, here's a SWOT analysis:

Strengths:

• HTML5 is a new platform that introduces new features never seen before in the history of the HTML standard
• HTML5 is platform-independent; it works in browsers that support it, and in fact, a vast majority of browsers in use today already support it
• <canvas> is especially important, because, for rich, dynamic media content, it reduces the need for Flash as many capabilities, such as animation, can be used inside the tag

Weaknesses:

• Not all browsers support the features in HTML5, especially some of the proposed features
• <audio> and <video> does have compatibility issues, due to different browser developers favouring incompatible standards over established standards, although the issues are being eliminated within time as developers are still deciding on a final, agreeable standard
• One aspect that was highlighted was that some schools may have neglected to upgrade their browsers, although with support for IE6 being discontinued and some schools even moving away from Windows, the uptake of HTML5-compatible browsers are increasing

Opportunities:

• HTML5 will eventually replace Flash and other plugins for many purposes that HTML5 replicates, such as rich media
• HTML5 has a lot of potential to mature into a platform that will eventually eliminate issues in a completely open-source environment

Threats:

• Complacency in the industry and schools means that uptake of HTML5 is still slow, and with the aforementioned issues regarding compatibility in <audio> and <video> due to differing standards, Flash still remains dominant
• Until schools start upgrading their systems, market share for HTML5 will still be in a niche

DAT203: Ideas for Bretonside: interactive, visual and architectural features

After we identified key areas of improvement at Bretonside, we've outlined some suggestions for our project:

• Installation of interactive kiosks inside the bus station, and at the information column outside of RBS
•  A full, proper facelift of the façade, including some architectural sails (similar to the Sainsbury's in Marsh Mills, but done in a style that is closer to the sails that feature in yachts, thereby reflecting Plymouth's sea-faring heritage), and the interior
• Visual effects and light features installed on the exterior, and projections onto the station floor through translucent tiles on the public footpaths that run above the station interior
• A collaboration with the local College of Art to produce a mural on one of the walls
• Installation of interactive departures and arrivals boards for bus and coach services, to be placed at convenient locations, and to be linked with the GPS systems utilised by local bus operators (Plymouth CityBus and First Devon & Cornwall)

The idea of an interactive departures and arrivals board came from a coach journey to Edinburgh; whilst waiting at London Victoria Coach station, an airport-style information board detailing the departures is used, and this is very useful for providing more information to passengers, something of which Bretonside lacks. The idea has been taken further to become an interactive feature, with a wealth of travel information provided for passengers.

As we didn't notice the translucent tiles on the footpaths that run above Bretonside, we were given the suggestion to provide environmental and interactive projections that can project images, moods and effects onto the station floor, which would brighten the atmosphere for the bus station and make the environment safer for visitors.

In addition, we also suggested that the information column outside of the RBS building could be converted into an interactive information kiosk, since it has become under-utilised, slightly vandalised and fly-posted over the past many years it has been standing. Because the information column is situated closer to the city centre, and to the footpath leading into the main shopping district, it made sense that we also included that in our plans, because a rather under-utilised feature could be put into good use in an era of interactivity.