Andrew Robbins

After the class discussing and feedback on my capstone idea, I believe that I have a clearer and more developed idea of what I would like to accomplish with my capstone project. I have developed my plan for the climbing app as my project.

The idea is that I will start using a local area that already has a guide book developed for the area, this way I can find the specific rocks with ease and I will eventually be able to compare the ease of using my app against that of the traditional guide book. I would use this local area as a prototype to test the app on. In the later versions, the user will be able to choose from a variety of climbing areas, but the app for the capstone project will launch with this one specific area. I plan to travel to the area and make a database for the area containing names, grades and gps locations. From there it should not be to amazingly difficult to write a program through which you can search for by name, difficulty and even popularity. It would be nice be able to use augmented reality in this app. If the user could just show up to an area and hold up the phone as if to take a picture, and see a beacon hovering in the woods leading you to the boulder, even though you cant see through all the bushes and foliage.

I think that there could be an opportunity for some sort of social networking experience to be had with this project. As I said, the idea is that as the prototype, it makes sense to keep it local and contained to really develop the project as best as possible. However, as a connected part of the project that could potentially extend the projects life into a sustainable app would be the opportunity to interact with the app through a website developed for the app. Maybe even an extended part of the app itself. Users would be able to upload new climbing areas or new rocks with in an area. They can upload the name, grades and even some comments on the area or climb itself. This would then be updated into the app itself. The reasoning for the separate website is that I think it would be smart for this app to run off-line. Many of the climbing areas around this part of the state do not get very good reception so, like some other apps, everything is already stored in the database and any new content will be available by just getting an update which can be promoted through the website.

Capstone Purposed Budget:

Andrew Robbins

MMD498

As a first draft proposal for my capstone project, I would like to, in some way, examine our use of brand identity in our culture. I have not totally decided what direction to take the project in, but I am confident that it is the subject I would like to focus on. I really enjoy the idea of branding. Not so much from the corporate end of things, but rather the aesthetic value of the marks as well as the concepts of design for purpose and the idea of strong symbolism.

I obviously have to link the project to new media in some way and this is where I am having trouble finding direction. There are several ways I have considered designing the capstone. It could possible take the direction of showing the prevalence of branding within our communities through some sort of narrative story using only brand marks in hopes to exemplify our ability to determine a course of events simply through the brands that are shown. This medium could be animation or video or possibly photographic. Another idea that I have been playing around with is that people have begun to brand themselves as individuals much like corporations do, I would like to somehow play with new media themes such as social networking and link it with individual branding and identity in some way.

I think that it is important to keep in mind themes such as many to many when designing my capstone. I understand that in branding identity design it can often seem to be a one to many situation and I look forward to finding a way to work with the concept on a many to many platform.

Exercise One:

In response to Problem One, I think that solution B would be the appropriate many to many solutions. I think that the idea of keeping the languages alive through a form of communication much like they used to back in the day. Not only would this solution offer a look back in time and a history lesson, but would promote communication between generations as well as offering educational links and resources.

In response to Problem Two, I think the most appropriate action would be Solution B. While a documentary would be entertaining, it seems to be only one or a few to many. If we were to execute solution B, we would be able to expose and share the beauty of the abandoned buildings while still offering the user to ability to leave their mark on the project as well as share with others.

For Problem Three, I would have to choose Solution A. While neither solution seems like it holds true to the many to many characteristic, I find that the first solution offers more interactivity and a better user experience. I think that anytime we have the opportunity to allow the user to help in the experience or find their own way through a problem or in pursuit of information that is usually the most effective means.

For the final problem, I think that solution B is the more practical of the two. The first solution has too many ways to go wrong and would also rely on trusting people to not vandalize and or steal the food. The projection idea is not only more feasible, but more than likely it is cheaper as well and offers more versatility. I think that this solution would also serve as a showcase for the NMD department being set in such a populated area of campus.