222.454 Major Research

Introduction

VCD Research Project is the largest, most significant, and usually the final paper in the Bachelor of Design with Honours degree. Reflecting 12 weeks of study, the final project is expected to embody research objectives, be conceptually strong, demonstrate an advanced level of problem solving skills, and be completed to a professional standard.

Aim

The aim of the VCD Research Project is to produce a final design solution to the research initiated at the beginning of the year. The solution will resolve key research questions, and demonstrate a considered design process. You will refine your articulation and presentation skills, and complete a substantial body of high quality work.

Schedule

You will meet weekly with your supervisor, either individually or as part of a group.

Week 1
Presentation and discussion with supervisor of project developed in first semester’s VCD Research and
Development paper, 222.453. The project’s design brief is finalised and posted onto Stream.

Week 5 – Interim presentation, 9 – 13 Aug 30%
Presentation of progress to a small audience. This is an important moment as it gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your work and receive valuable feedback. You will have 10 mins to present plus 5 mins for questions and discussion.

Week 13 – Final Handin Monday 18 Oct, 9am – 11am.
All work is to be handed in Monday October 18, between 9am and 11am. The only exceptions to this deadline are illness, accident or other serious circumstances. Hand in locations will be announced.

Week 13–15 – Final presentation, Report and Exhibition – 70%
18 – 22 Oct: The FInal Presentation is to a panel of supervisors plus at least one guest assessor from relevant industry. You will have 15 minutes to present plus 10 minutes for discussion. Project report or Poster, and Workbook A written report of approximately 800 words, or, an A1 info-graphic poster is handed in at the presentation. This report/poster will describe the process you went through to achieve your final result, and reflect on accomplishments of the design objectives.
Workbook may be physical or digital.

Exhibition
1 - 4 Nov: As part of the 70% final assessment, the work is finally viewed in-situ in the exhibition space. This will acknowledge the extra effort for projects which include the display as an integrated component. Though you will be allocated a space and basic panels, you are encouraged to add to the display as appropriate for your project.



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222.453
Alternative Narrative
Dan Byrne & Matt Jacobs
Research Brief

ONLINE GAMING FOR SOCIAL CHANGE.

INTRODUCTION/ BACKGROUND

With the recent success of social networking and user driven content, a new online phenomenon has emerged known as the Participatory Culture. There has been a transition of power from the producer to the consumer within online environments, which allows the consumer to communicate ideas and contribute as a shared community to determine design outcomes.

Online gaming uses principles of Participatory Culture where users can supply producers with feedback on how to improve game design while retaining its core values and the authenticity of the community.
Gaming has a strong online and offline following, where storylines and visual graphics can build an emotive connection
between the user and the game. This medium has the potential to be used in a persuasive manner to further educate and inform the user about a social issue.

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

Using the medium of gaming, an interactive narrative will be developed to inform and persuade users to facilitate actions of social change.

SPECIFICS/ TARGET AUDIENCE

To be addressed when a social issue has been selected.

STYLE / TONE

Sympathetic to the social issue and it’s target audience. An intimate/personalized tone will be created where the user will be immersed within the storyline.

MANDATORIES

- Create an interactive narrative that has multiple plot outcomes.
- An advertising campaign that builds awareness and creates an initiative to play the interactive narrative.
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Here are some links to my blogs from last semesters papers
http://mattmajorproject.blogspot.com/
http://mattdigitalmedia.blogspot.com/