Thesis proposal

Objective
I specialized in Interactive Design during my Digital Media study, and I am amazed in the simply and beautifully designed websites or web application. Moreover, the most useful knowledge and techniques I have learned in my master program is ActionScript programming, usability design, storytelling, typography, digital photo and video production, and sound design.

Therefore, I plan to apply all the knowledge in the above fields and develop an interactive application, delivering the key concepts and first-hand materials of waste recycling for the environment.


Goal
I plan to work on this project because recycling recyclable waste becomes more and more important as the eco-system is being damaged and more nature disasters attacked. However, most of the people still need to be persuaded or educated about the significance of recycling. My project will focus on helping people know more about waste recycling, and trying to convince them think more and do more on waste recycling.

There will be two main parts on separated pages on this project. The first part will be “Finding recyclable items in a trash bin.” It will be a trash-bin-look interface with some clickable items (e.g. cans, paper, bottles, etc.) and users can discover the information and facts about that each item by clicking and dragging (e.g. how is it recycled, why is it important, what happens after it is recycle, etc.)

During this project, I plan to interview a non-profit organization called “MassRecycle” and an electronics recycling facility. The second part will be a page with photos and videos of that (e.g. recycling process, a visit to a recycling facility, interviews, etc), while I also plan to present the contents with the consideration of interactivity and usability.

Most of the people don’t like just reading text and pictures on web pages, I believe an interactive media especially in the first part will be more suitable for letting people play around with it and then learn more. Moreover, the first-hand photos and videos in the second part would be attractive too.


Target Users
The mainstream of people could be the target users of my project, and I want it reach as more people as possible. However, the main target will be those have experience and access to the Internet, because this is a Web-based interactive application.


Evaluation
I plan to invite some potential users to test the usability and finish a questionnaire on that. I will evaluate the project success if they feel they have learned something on it, and also feel comfortable with the interactivity.


Deliverables
My final deliverable will be an interactive application which guides users through the key concepts of recycling, and provides them chances to experience the recycling process and facility.
Furthermore, I will produce a short documentary video for “MassRecycle” and probably persuade them putting my interactive project on their website.




Schedule
Date (week) Task
4/17 Do more research on similar design; create functional diagrams and basic wireframes;
4/24 Revise usability and interactions of wireframes; begin shooting photos for the “trash bin” interface in part one
5/1 Begin working on basic graphics and designs; begin working on basic ActionScript coding
5/8 Keep working on ActionScript coding; visit the electronics recycling facility in Worcester, do some interviews, and record these in photos and videos
5/15 Keep working on the videos of last week; begin creating text content; keep working on ActionScript coding
5/29 Finish the first version prototype for testing and revision
6/5 Obtain feedbacks and recommendations on the first version and begin revising
6/12 Finish second version prototype with functional features
6/19 Further revisions and finishing touches
6/30 Summit final work


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