tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66252442139286417662024-02-07T11:37:36.124+00:00The Talking WallsDeborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-64877300708705280422011-06-01T23:32:00.003+01:002011-06-01T23:45:21.254+01:00What is Digital Media? End of Year Show 2011A quick note to update on a busy semester for Digital Media at the University of Winchester. Tomorrow is the culmination of our 2010-2011 academic year with a showcase of all three cohorts' work, not just our current 3rd year. You will be able to see how they develop through all three years, rather than just the outcomes of a final year.<br /><br />The students have put together several of their live projects to demonstrate their interpretations of the project briefs set. There are interactive projects for Winchester Cathedral and local companies such as Atelier Studios, Marmalade on Toast, INTECH, Vivd Interactive and Winchester City Council.<br /><br />The End of Year Show is being held in the BoardRoom, King Alfred's Campus, University of Winchester from 4-7.30pm. The students would love to see you and be able to explain their part in the projects and their specialisms as they move through the 3 years on either the BA Digital Media Design or BSc Digital Media Development programme.<br /><br />There are some exciting new live projects coming onboard over the summer, come along and talk to us about them or any projects you may have.<br /><br />We look forward to seeing you.<br /><br /><a href="www.dmd-winchester.org.uk ">www.dmd-winchester.org.uk </a>Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-81550465450784255052011-02-24T09:22:00.007+00:002011-02-24T10:04:26.441+00:00UpdateAn interesting past year - <a href="http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/">The Talking Walls</a> <a href="http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/Beaulieu/">Beaulieu Abbey kiosk</a> has now been working and entertaining / informing visitors to <a href="http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/beaulieu/lotstosee-beaulieu-abbey">Beaulieu Abbey</a> for nearly a year in the Domus museum and my energy has now been diverted to enhancing two great undergraduate programmes at the <a href="http://www.winchester.ac.uk/Pages/home.aspx">University of Winchester</a> as their new programme leader - <a href="http://dmd-winchester.org.uk/dmd/">BA Digital Media Design</a> and <a href="http://dmd-winchester.org.uk/dmd/">BSc Digital Media Development</a>.<br /><br />We will run an MA in Digital Media Practice this coming academic year with the possibility of a jointly delivered MA with the University of Calabria to run alongside it. The Archeaological aspect is key here with Calabria students wanting to learn how to use digital media to enhance the artefacts / sites they work on in Italy. We have had excellent interest in all of the Digital Media programmes, a great plus for us in light of these economic times.<br /><br />A departure from my normal work you may think, but no not really, the students work on live projects such as iPhone / iPad / Android applications for local industry from the second year upwards - just up my street really. We also look at games design, animation, interface design and user experience - all the things that I have studied and worked on in the creation of <a href="http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/">The Talking Walls</a> and other design work achieved through <a href="http://www.goclearthinking.co.uk/">Clear Thinking</a>. I am encouraged to continue with my professional practice as it benefits the students, a great way to continue my own learning and pass it on to the students.<br /><br />Our latest news is that the <a href="http://www.winchester.ac.uk/studyhere/Pages/MA%20Digital%20Media%20Practice.aspx">University of Winchester Digtial Media</a> programmes are now part of the <a href="http://developer.apple.com/programs/ios/university/">iPhone Developer program</a> giving us access to superb support / conferences and knowledge. This is great news for the BSc students, a real bonus for their employability.<br /><br />There are some exciting things ahead for Digital Media at the University, and also for The Talking Walls. One of which is our new 'End of Year Show' covering students' work from all three years. This is being held on Thursday 2nd June 2011, 4pm - 7.30pm. Invites will be sent out nearer the time, meanwhile if you are interested in attending, please pencil it in your diaries.<br /><br />More news to come - a little more regularly now I hope..Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-39266307210207927642010-05-24T18:13:00.016+01:002010-05-26T22:06:00.369+01:00The Talking Walls - Beaulieu Abbey Launch 2010On Wednesday 19th May, at Beaulieu Abbey, the launch of The Talking Walls - Beaulieu Abbey multimedia kiosk application took place in front of a large group of invited guests. This was the culmination of several months of organisation between myself, a group of Southampton Solent University's MA Marketing students and Beaulieu.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bCHv3BMmctXtX5hD-Alu-0BBjSDVFBSjbvwlLOX6-bNi6XHEXDO-ITZ23DB8yiChbzcGbCSaKL3j6hT7xir-u-v4PjghyKO0bwk-nzv-FEU4Nqaav7qS4H24Hxo60sTihJ-9boPAbG7W/s1600/DSC_0015small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4bCHv3BMmctXtX5hD-Alu-0BBjSDVFBSjbvwlLOX6-bNi6XHEXDO-ITZ23DB8yiChbzcGbCSaKL3j6hT7xir-u-v4PjghyKO0bwk-nzv-FEU4Nqaav7qS4H24Hxo60sTihJ-9boPAbG7W/s320/DSC_0015small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474906068248684594" /></a><br />The event was perceived as a success, according to feedback. The guests showed considerable interest in the application. They were interested in how it would eventually evolve to mobile handsets, the way that adults, professionals and children would be able to access information at their own level in successive versions, and how additional content would be added to continuously engage these groups.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUVdvehEtHlvOw8s5MjPgvQW2KFfM3_EusA_o97L3HWk0kkw-WV5IptX3Nf74orN6KcsOcJ5iVqpJKIfM2rIXz8APNV90b9ckM-wnPGWnY_lIH-hpXHf3L3p9-Wv7cDMu8mxvwzhNQIqc/s1600/DSC_0036small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJUVdvehEtHlvOw8s5MjPgvQW2KFfM3_EusA_o97L3HWk0kkw-WV5IptX3Nf74orN6KcsOcJ5iVqpJKIfM2rIXz8APNV90b9ckM-wnPGWnY_lIH-hpXHf3L3p9-Wv7cDMu8mxvwzhNQIqc/s320/DSC_0036small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474918581678949266" /></a><br />Mary Montagu Scott introduced The Talking Walls, explaining how it would help visitors to learn more about the abbey from the characters that lived and worked at there over it's lifetime. Lord Montagu watched as I demonstrated how to navigate through the rich multimedia content - 9 characters each with their own 'twist' on the animated tours of the abbey. The feedback from Mary and the Bealieu team was very positive. Mary is particlarly pleased with the depth of the information that can be explored, whilst at the abbey or once back at school / home. A great success as far as fulfilling the brief is concerned, I think.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JVhJir1WA3v7dthz-Kjoxt2KKWO1-fmq3YKPGbXZj_hQcT_AOldG0eMbJ7ezGREURY_HZQApHFwvIuehj63qfhxVTMTeJKOaxdKMBU92a04HR34SKJcuO_fxrW7Gltb7KQWKAmqFNiLG/s1600/DSC_0029small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8JVhJir1WA3v7dthz-Kjoxt2KKWO1-fmq3YKPGbXZj_hQcT_AOldG0eMbJ7ezGREURY_HZQApHFwvIuehj63qfhxVTMTeJKOaxdKMBU92a04HR34SKJcuO_fxrW7Gltb7KQWKAmqFNiLG/s320/DSC_0029small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474920063750851234" /></a><br />Susan Tomkins, the archivist is also pleased and looks forward to seeing this working on mobile handsets. In the future it is hoped that the visitor will be able to access areas of the application on their own smartphones and explore how the abbey looked whilst standing in the ruins, or play with the educational games whilst sitting in the grounds.<br /><br />Several of the feedback questionnaires completed requested more than one kiosk, having had to queue to explore the virtual abbey and it's characters. The mobile application would solve this, as people would then be able to access the content on their own devices. Another response was how they would like to see the content for the different groups mentioned above (the current version is a generic age group). This is planned for a future version, with content gradually building and being separated as it grows.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXVPT-AqLeW5MtxVGBYBCFxdn1BoMzpxIecOf2PNrCaRySAZ0F3GZsbdmma3N2dSPLrt3rWK5yUWWIm7daPcR_aN89YirMwiUDk6u6zHhYQ2JPAqZO-I57d-F0GCOpMgOa7IGC_wfgh1V/s1600/DSC_0047small.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXVPT-AqLeW5MtxVGBYBCFxdn1BoMzpxIecOf2PNrCaRySAZ0F3GZsbdmma3N2dSPLrt3rWK5yUWWIm7daPcR_aN89YirMwiUDk6u6zHhYQ2JPAqZO-I57d-F0GCOpMgOa7IGC_wfgh1V/s320/DSC_0047small.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5474919200845957202" /></a><br />I would like to thank all the guests who came to the launch and for everyone involved in helping make the launch a great success. If you would like to watch a 3-part video on YouTube of the launch speeches, please follow this link for <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS9pyOZJVhU">part 1a</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIDPVXwv3CQ&feature=related">part 1b</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rs1ZuGId8K4&feature=channel">part 2</a>.<br /><br />The kiosk is permanently installed in the Abbey museum, visitors to the abbey will be able to visit and explore the virtual abbey and characters during their visit and afterwards on the website: <a href="http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/Beaulieu/">www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/Beaulieu</a>Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-86625883550921412532010-04-23T16:12:00.006+01:002010-04-23T17:34:17.822+01:00Further DevelopmentsSince October several things have happened which have kept me really quite busy. I am now enjoying life as a full-time Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Winchester (started end of Jan 2010). It has helped considerably by having already taught part-time on the course last semester, so it is not too much of a 'new start' but more a continuation and extension of what I was already doing.<br /><br />In this role, I am involved in the single honours programme - <a href="http://www.winchester.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/digital+media+design+%28ba%29.aspx">BA / BSc Digital Media Design & Development</a>, of which Mike Seignior is the Course Leader, and a new <a href="http://www.winchester.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate+research/digital+media+practice+.aspx">MA Digital Media Practice degree</a>, for which I am Course Leader, starting in October 2010. A reasonable amount to be getting on with, and a challenge to ensure it works well and becomes successful. <br /><br />The undergrad degree is approaching the end of its first complete run through of students, having only started 3 years ago, becoming more popular each year, so we now have 14 students ending their first year this summer. It will be interesting to see how the MA Digital Media Practice is received by prospective students in October. The MA (full and part-time)will be an excellent opportunity for those already practicing digital media and who would like to convert their knowledge into a Masters qualification, at the same time improving and learning new skills. <br /><br />A new course website is currently being designed to showcase current BA/BSc students' work and provide a 'meeting place' and information portal for everything relating to both degree courses and their students. I will post the url as soon as it is in place.<br /><br />As well as all of the above, <a href="http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/launch.htm">The Talking Walls - Beaulieu Abbey</a> application is being launched on the 19th May 2010, with a demonstration of how the application works. This will be on a new kiosk recently installed specifically for the Talking Walls-Beaulieu Abbey application in the Domus Undercroft at <a href="http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/beaulieu/lotstosee-beaulieu-abbey">Beaulieu Abbey</a>. It is quite exciting seeing the development of this product finally come together. It is even more exciting knowing that visitors to Beaulieu Abbey will be able to explore the history of the abbey and see / hear about the different characters that lived there in the 13th - 16th centuries over the years to come.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-EX-FN6xrlY_K65v2JAyp9yCKiGQO03qkupPwXBOmjyVAROWoHcDxv4dpkUfI2T0mPp5vOcOLQ56jbypwYSay4XmiAL61O6uogHbCiNZLrd0QONeYfezdgWY2e29pjVtPVUDHlFBBK96/s1600/IMAG0431.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-EX-FN6xrlY_K65v2JAyp9yCKiGQO03qkupPwXBOmjyVAROWoHcDxv4dpkUfI2T0mPp5vOcOLQ56jbypwYSay4XmiAL61O6uogHbCiNZLrd0QONeYfezdgWY2e29pjVtPVUDHlFBBK96/s320/IMAG0431.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463362861543301394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCYMFycSvUNJwUdVzT5EonPmJZIoezKIUqW9DytllPhozoafj6KiLs4W8WTPCqeT9rAvosldoIJyoHj6TC3VusCGWfWvor9iROisDFRcm6nxEp7vFjzxLJbSQFSI9QjDlpfI0e4xsicuf/s1600/IMAG0426.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCYMFycSvUNJwUdVzT5EonPmJZIoezKIUqW9DytllPhozoafj6KiLs4W8WTPCqeT9rAvosldoIJyoHj6TC3VusCGWfWvor9iROisDFRcm6nxEp7vFjzxLJbSQFSI9QjDlpfI0e4xsicuf/s320/IMAG0426.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5463363259694574562" /></a><br />We have a group of excellent MA Marketing students (Southampton Solent University) working on the launch with me, ensuring that we have various press officers attending, suitable press releases and managing the guest list's rsvps. A great deal of work has already gone into organising the event, with many thanks to Beaulieu in assisting us with this and making it possible.<br /><br />We will also be trialling the use of mobile handsets at the event so that guests will be able to walk around the abbey grounds and explore in their own time and in the spaces they want to explore. Digital Media students from Winchester and Marketing students from Southampton Solent University will be able to test the application and give feedback on usability / content of the app on both the kiosk and handsets. Guests might also like to provide feedback, allowing us to explore how well (or not!)the design works and which method of use is the most popular.<br /><br />If you would like to be included in this event, please contact me at: launch@thetalkingwalls.co.uk and we will send you an invite or discuss how you may be able to help.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-4009138136739286822009-10-29T15:26:00.006+00:002009-10-29T16:28:55.866+00:00Different Roles - or should I say wallsSeveral developments since the last post which have kept life pretty busy. First of all though, I had several emails resulting from the Jane Austen demo posts, showing interest in the project. One in particular was from Linda Robson Walker, the author of <a href="http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol26no1/walker.htm">'Why Was Jane Austen Sent away to School at Seven? An Empirical Look at a Vexing Question'</a> which formed the basis of The Talking Walls' virtual build of Steventon Rectory. Linda mentioned that the first few paragraphs of the last blog were quite technical in the terminology used, for which I apologise. I forget that readers may not be familiar with animation terms so I will explain a little.<br /><br />The house had been built in 3D for the earlier demo that was posted. The little clip of just the house spinning and looking dark brown, was an experimentation in another piece of software, where the materials previously shown on the house were discarded in preference for a flat beige colour. This was to help decrease the file size in order to upload it, the file size was initially large due to the program through which it had originally been built. I hope this is a little clearer, the original house can be seen more clearly on this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0mV6Qi5n7s">link</a> <br /><br />Thankyou Linda for your response and contact, it was wonderful to receive such a great email (I will be in touch). <br /><br />Regarding the title of different roles, I am very lucky to now be a part-time lecturer at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, in the subject of branding and marketing to the 2nd and 3rd year students. Alongside of this, I am also lecturing at the University of Winchester in Animation & Games (Specialist 1 module)for the 2nd year BSc students on the Digital Media Design course and also about professional processes (Processes 3 module) for the BA and BSc 2nd year students. Extremely interesting and varied subjects, and great places to work. <br /><br />This leaves me some 'spare' time to continue with various projects for The Talking Walls and continue researching for my PhD. As part of all of this, I was honoured to be invited to talk at <a href="http://www.e-network.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=95">Winchester ENetwork</a> by my Director of Studies, Dr David Birks, last Tuesday at the <a href="http://www.winchester.ac.uk/?page=9735">Winchester Business School</a>. This was my first visit to the Business School, and I was amazed at how the building had been adapted for use as an art gallery, seminar, conference and study rooms. The 'room' in which the talk was being held could not have been better, it was in the old chapel with a vaulted beamed ceiling, beautiful windows and yet all the modern technology for giving presentations / conferences. I think my voice was a little lost in the vastness of the room and the fantastic turn out - approximately 100+ people from the University, local business and support organisations such as Business Link.<br /><br />My talk was about the challenges I have met in the development of <a href="http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/news.htm">The Talking Walls</a> since its conception in 1996. The title was <a href="http://www.e-network.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55&Itemid=71">Building Talking Walls</a>, an apt title in many ways. From the feedback, it seems to have been received extremely well, and has brought me into contact with several people who I would not have met otherwise. Thankyou David and Professor Neil Marriott for inviting me to talk and welcoming me so warmly.<br /><br />Winchester ENetwork is an excellent opportunity for students and businesses to network, an ideal way for prospective creatives to understand how other creative businesses started in their chosen field, and learn from their success and the many pitfalls that can occur when first starting out in business.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-3486836212108718392009-09-09T13:08:00.006+01:002009-09-09T13:35:51.505+01:00Steventon Rectory (Parsonage) rebuilt<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwylG47-8G7kMxEd8cEF4gpbWvMMBmlWDf2DObVLPHy-usSTUotlm0uYYGQqwryflWMx7sOAf1pTwGHytlNEg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />The above is a cel shaded anim of just the Rectory (Parsonage taken from the original 3D file of the demo and passed through <a href="http://www.erain.com/products/swift3d/">Swift 3D</a>. Initially with the idea of creating an interactive <a href="http://blog.papervision3d.org/">Papervision3D</a> file so that users can rotate it and explore the building. Unfortunately, due to the building having been created in <a href="http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?id=3781831&siteID=123112">Autodesk Revit Architecture</a> and then exported to <a href="http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/pc/index?id=13567410&siteID=123112">Autodesk 3DS Max</a> as an .fbx file, there are too many faces and Papervision struggles to show them all. A rotation only was then decided on, until more time can be allotted to simplify the 3D model.<br /><br />The small amount of research committed on this so far brought to my attention that there seems to be a discrepancy on what the building actually looked like due to conflicting sketches. The fact that the building no longer existed made it a prime consideration for being the first of Jane's homes to be re-built in 3D, discovering the uncertainty in how it looked made it more of a challenge.<br /><br />Below are the sketches in question:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajW0rTPZbYdVVHAMiN5wAtOUW0CExl0amz2kEi4GMQUxhD0aewwBdEbB767upYSSRUyJBlU-PybE3sYfG5WeMhcwDpuQQ9cNT-6WafyU6UzpKVuUWuQ-_bSG2ONBb8Csc18zinfPz0drX/s1600-h/Walker+1_SteventonRectfron+480x360.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajW0rTPZbYdVVHAMiN5wAtOUW0CExl0amz2kEi4GMQUxhD0aewwBdEbB767upYSSRUyJBlU-PybE3sYfG5WeMhcwDpuQQ9cNT-6WafyU6UzpKVuUWuQ-_bSG2ONBb8Csc18zinfPz0drX/s320/Walker+1_SteventonRectfron+480x360.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379421276000572786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoKpumNBrMJcdJfG2y9rYwQJxREGYTqhmwbuL5uyRoNkjJ2rcNntorSQC-lsZKPkyD3DW6QC0qb7A7Rs51hBABUfy4rbAGqLrb3nimRGxrRw1zFDAO9sGDAY7Os1hgMTQxY2NE4sXagz5/s1600-h/Walker+3_SteventonRectback.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeoKpumNBrMJcdJfG2y9rYwQJxREGYTqhmwbuL5uyRoNkjJ2rcNntorSQC-lsZKPkyD3DW6QC0qb7A7Rs51hBABUfy4rbAGqLrb3nimRGxrRw1zFDAO9sGDAY7Os1hgMTQxY2NE4sXagz5/s320/Walker+3_SteventonRectback.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379421623667351762" /></a><br />The two images above show a much smaller building than the two below, although each image states that it is Steventon Rectory (Parsonage).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OHzE5PNyCRZK_hoE4kB6VkZ0TPLdWXiPNUJArHvZFhCfoGXkCzFSfD5Hu5E-KJ2KDYWUIrWGN0uEdVSruW7UOsNrjsAMU0kxs1kxId44XZ7sqIpvsjkEc9UEXC5Ha9fCyXsUbleekHee/s1600-h/parsonage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 209px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OHzE5PNyCRZK_hoE4kB6VkZ0TPLdWXiPNUJArHvZFhCfoGXkCzFSfD5Hu5E-KJ2KDYWUIrWGN0uEdVSruW7UOsNrjsAMU0kxs1kxId44XZ7sqIpvsjkEc9UEXC5Ha9fCyXsUbleekHee/s320/parsonage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379421988315635746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignhlWLK7MZZm7I5bjQbiQRRRLsCMwfOH6qTeYp6cmKuTplOUfWkIoLqvxnGT3sJWF48ZaxRlm2PKfJTqk9Yhvn9UFRaLQRaORV7oKARA_qr5NZZ4xONNqzj5fzHFIE4tO07iUMkwyoPF-/s1600-h/steventonfront.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 270px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEignhlWLK7MZZm7I5bjQbiQRRRLsCMwfOH6qTeYp6cmKuTplOUfWkIoLqvxnGT3sJWF48ZaxRlm2PKfJTqk9Yhvn9UFRaLQRaORV7oKARA_qr5NZZ4xONNqzj5fzHFIE4tO07iUMkwyoPF-/s320/steventonfront.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379420914829821314" /></a><br />These two images although on first look appear similar, the chimney placement is very different. There is a central chimney in the lower image, and not in the one above, although they both have a side chimney, which is not visible in the top two images.<br /><br />There is a theory that the lower images are actually depicting Ibthorpe House, you can see the likeness to this building in the image below. Certainly the top of the second set of images above looks very similar - except for that central chimney.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpdzoDhPYTtBRNaOneOolkpilPVq6b-wxt80Hyntr5wKEPHwTvCgA37viezuhrDJjv70AiGr5-H6xY_hgOFIbwmWb46aiZ856Oe9nbJQx43fB-NT0OL4_4gcYJ2ZzrbNfpQrFBR3frB_5/s1600-h/Walker+11_ibthorpe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpdzoDhPYTtBRNaOneOolkpilPVq6b-wxt80Hyntr5wKEPHwTvCgA37viezuhrDJjv70AiGr5-H6xY_hgOFIbwmWb46aiZ856Oe9nbJQx43fB-NT0OL4_4gcYJ2ZzrbNfpQrFBR3frB_5/s320/Walker+11_ibthorpe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379423655618169730" /></a><br />I puzzled over this for a while and read various articles from Jane Austen experts such as <a href="http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol26no1/walker.htm">Linda Robinson Walker</a> in order to come to a decision as to how I portrayed the building. Within Linda's document <a href="http://www.jasna.org/persuasions/on-line/vol26no1/walker.htm">Why Was Jane Austen Sent away to School at Seven?<br />An Empirical Look at a Vexing Question </a> there was this image of the land around the house which helped considerably in making that decision along with the logical explanation / view given by Linda Robinson Walker:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjd_-8-pTJNyI5uurqfwULdMfvwrHEh8e4HHphGOWyvfHzFCSNQPawP4F9x1wB3Mr1SZjYKxPSHCfJfV7-9qMy8Aqdos2HN8x3aaUCH67B9rgkojRl_MqdQgQlKLpW26t6mNa2TC3z9-yl/s1600-h/1821+Glebe+land.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 277px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjd_-8-pTJNyI5uurqfwULdMfvwrHEh8e4HHphGOWyvfHzFCSNQPawP4F9x1wB3Mr1SZjYKxPSHCfJfV7-9qMy8Aqdos2HN8x3aaUCH67B9rgkojRl_MqdQgQlKLpW26t6mNa2TC3z9-yl/s320/1821+Glebe+land.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379429749736509154" /></a><br />This image certainly helped place the building in the surrounding landscape and provided very useful information in regard to the outbuildings and garden. There may be further information available from the Jane Austen Memorial Trust and / or other organisations that would clarify this further, as it stands the look of the animated building has been created from the information found only on the web.<br /><br />Many thanks to the organisations / people who have posted this information on the web, the sources mostly used were:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.janeaustensoci.freeuk.com/pages/biography.htm">Jane Austen Society of the UK</a><br /><a href="http://www.jasna.org/info/about_austen.html">Jane Austen Society of North America</a><br /><a href="http://www.astoft.co.uk/austen/">Astoft</a><br /><a href="http://www.janeausten.org/">Jane Austen</a><br /><a href="http://www3.hants.gov.uk/austen/deane-parsonage/steventon-village.htm">Hantsweb</a><br /><a href="http://www.pemberley.com/janeinfo/janelife.html">Pemberley</a>Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-91261604956250744042009-09-08T15:22:00.005+01:002009-09-08T15:58:17.260+01:00Jane Austen demo now on YouTubeFinally succeeded in posting the Jane Austen demo up to YouTube. I say finally, as it has taken most of the day. Codecs, converters and then disabling all firewalls, anti-virus software on the laptop. This last part was because the 'old faithful' BT HomeHub kept losing signal - a few brain scratches later and my grabbed-at theory worked - Windows Defender, Kaspersky, Windows Internet Security and Pop-ups, all disabled, and hey presto, the file uploaded successfully.<br /><br />I would love to know how you are supposed to know these things and plan your time accordingly. You are left with such a choice of what it could be: wrong codec, wrong converter program, wrong fps (frames per second) - all of which were thankfully clearly explained on the YouTube upload page. Having made sure you have now complied with the standard settings, and it still it will not upload, where do you go now? Could it be a problem with BT, or YouTube, a compatibility issue maybe, firewall on the router, on the PC? Maybe Kaspersky, ZoneAlarm? Very frustrating. <br /><br />Still, with the above stated brain scratching session, I turned the whole lot off and risked catching a serious cold, but at least it worked, and so far no cold has appeared. I shall know this now and when I come to upload some more animations, I will be prepared.<br /><br />Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy the Jane Austen - Steventon Rectory demo on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0mV6Qi5n7s">YouTube</a>.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-13536730993646028482009-08-21T16:08:00.014+01:002009-08-21T17:01:46.723+01:00Jane Austen 'themed' Talking Walls application<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE0-EoDSXv647dFC4e48ZYutHBLugeUYiL07QWxUNSOMGDQPweepuI9ruAIIIpvq-5T31CRzJ692J97eS2AjRKC27Qxvq_dlLPq4Yvaz8iOJZj9vrHUwFzxWhtGkE8LLaip7UEYMNi8Nu/s1600-h/jane+and+the+rectory1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkE0-EoDSXv647dFC4e48ZYutHBLugeUYiL07QWxUNSOMGDQPweepuI9ruAIIIpvq-5T31CRzJ692J97eS2AjRKC27Qxvq_dlLPq4Yvaz8iOJZj9vrHUwFzxWhtGkE8LLaip7UEYMNi8Nu/s320/jane+and+the+rectory1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372398278739525538" border="0"></a>This is an idea we have had since before Christmas, and at long last have found some free time to work on it. The demo has taken barely a week to produce from initial research through to the final editing of all the different elements. It always takes longer than you think it is going to, this time mostly due to research and putting some finer details in to make it that much easier to watch.<br /><br />The general concept is to create a Famous People 'themed' Talking Walls series, covering the homes in which they lived, their family, friends and their work. Jane Austen is planned to be the first of these. The series could include famous figures such as William Shakespeare, Henry VIII, The Bronte Sisters and Charles Dickens, building a rich architectural, heritage and digital storytelling resource.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz8F2zyDuqbMs5a7fy67sGAGCgsT5jDwaQyvwsiPkuFmhYyVNVblehvDeYK2BqTzgcT2YDwiJCi95J0i6ZRge0c463FpvkCe8m7Lf5-UIN2VLdR05QGAoksB-HAxLx_sQJ1AlIwJ_EgJE/s1600-h/regency-ball_000.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFz8F2zyDuqbMs5a7fy67sGAGCgsT5jDwaQyvwsiPkuFmhYyVNVblehvDeYK2BqTzgcT2YDwiJCi95J0i6ZRge0c463FpvkCe8m7Lf5-UIN2VLdR05QGAoksB-HAxLx_sQJ1AlIwJ_EgJE/s320/regency-ball_000.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372405667197568882" border="0"></a><br />We hope to receive funding from interested parties to develop this project into a full Talking Walls application, exploring the buildings over their lifetime, pulling in the work they created there and their stories whilst living there.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ-gVYSENan9MtLXty1mrUAewJHmpWMhfNf-Tf8DUKUU3FC1580z0mj37yfL0TpLIkS9iZUWE3kL0g0Dg9HEoi4ZWb9NEKYmXJ2yY2raz8gRaFWz2b6vCFkrOHx6a67zq_yPb-ncTuKRb/s1600-h/side+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQ-gVYSENan9MtLXty1mrUAewJHmpWMhfNf-Tf8DUKUU3FC1580z0mj37yfL0TpLIkS9iZUWE3kL0g0Dg9HEoi4ZWb9NEKYmXJ2yY2raz8gRaFWz2b6vCFkrOHx6a67zq_yPb-ncTuKRb/s320/side+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372404896818239282" border="0"></a><span style="font-style:italic;">The raw Revit file before taking into 3DS Max.</span><br /><br />The application (as in all Talking Walls applications) would be available for iPhones, smartphones, handhelds and kiosks, accessed via The Talking Wall web server so that you would be able to visit any one of the homes, viewing the real space and exploring the virtual with your phone or provided handheld, continuing over the web once back in your own home / country.<br /><br /> <iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dygrY3Z3zqqte5WhTMzR1Cr44Hx6YFt1p-KT8t01OcYJJMqbd57C2yWzPWJ6WSwjZ-iXNqOB3ccpS-OtesBGg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />The demo above has been greatly reduced in quality to fit within the guidelines for uploading video on this blog, nonetheless it still gives a good idea of Steventon Rectory, how it was positioned and its closeness to the church. This has been modelled based on several hours worth of research over the web. A better quality version can be seen on our website www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk. The images it is mostly based on are shown below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaG6YhWyCBZTjTS_viPY4d68I7flItbP5DZOAP1jO1xlcoSx9N0ND2tklYGeIAfl3NJHNNnAPD6ntpVgyEUGMIEtNt4yonmgnPSxeeaLdyQHp5f7JwbYfFv-IjvoiGMEhgvf95AWEpYC0/s1600-h/rectory.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 161px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilaG6YhWyCBZTjTS_viPY4d68I7flItbP5DZOAP1jO1xlcoSx9N0ND2tklYGeIAfl3NJHNNnAPD6ntpVgyEUGMIEtNt4yonmgnPSxeeaLdyQHp5f7JwbYfFv-IjvoiGMEhgvf95AWEpYC0/s320/rectory.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372441400321310146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxddjcaMVXiyrUG7jF-sAmflURb2La-q94160wAb00UamMKBS4QjEISz7jRp2t2_PWK4jGVjxKgWofY3aLb6r7zClh8fRQNwY5JqA_8YTfv7YPAByjLT25yvrBQ9FxfaGunTXu2yy8SNW/s1600-h/Walker+3_SteventonRectback.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 175px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSxddjcaMVXiyrUG7jF-sAmflURb2La-q94160wAb00UamMKBS4QjEISz7jRp2t2_PWK4jGVjxKgWofY3aLb6r7zClh8fRQNwY5JqA_8YTfv7YPAByjLT25yvrBQ9FxfaGunTXu2yy8SNW/s320/Walker+3_SteventonRectback.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372442284637556754" /></a><br />More images will be placed on The Talking Walls website soon, with information gleaned albeit mostly on the rectory. If you have any information that may help with this project, please contact me, I would be grateful for any help clarifying the structure of the building. ThankyouDeborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-75152257990044299122009-08-14T15:18:00.018+01:002009-08-14T17:02:31.927+01:00The Talking Walls - Beaulieu Abbey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZUrmWdR0YtfPYvpo8ZbdLPMHMUvmYK9tBB1V17TpNhttYHcKAjtlQOyzXl06Nrxwp05Bhv3IkLhtHXxymQjUoJNN_iXCNt_tnzaM2eP__Ff6ZlNEe9jk30jf9WOaDPNwVwnLIhrDVsKh/s1600-h/monk.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZUrmWdR0YtfPYvpo8ZbdLPMHMUvmYK9tBB1V17TpNhttYHcKAjtlQOyzXl06Nrxwp05Bhv3IkLhtHXxymQjUoJNN_iXCNt_tnzaM2eP__Ff6ZlNEe9jk30jf9WOaDPNwVwnLIhrDVsKh/s320/monk.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369844364846466482" /></a><br />The <a href="http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/Beaulieu/">Beaulieu Abbey</a> pilot is now live on our <a href="http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/">website</a>. This will be free for a trial period which will continue until the kiosk has been installed at Beaulieu Abbey. After the installation, there will be a product launch, and after this the web version will only be available on a membership basis, with content available for download at a small cost (similar to Apple's iTunes app store). The kiosk and web / mobile version will then have the 'Abbey Slices' section uploaded and any tweaks / amendments completed. <br /><br />Abbey Slices is the real nub of the application. This allows the user to explore the building in the different 'time slices' (major architectural changes based on research and available footplates), and jump to the different centuries to see what the building looked like and how it was used. It will be very worthwhile to re-visit once this goes live. <br /><br />Imagine having this on your smartphone as you roam around the physical space of the abbey, standing in the apse of the great church and seeing how vast the internal space of the abbey was, or in the cloisters with the buildings complete in all their glory around you. The visitor / user will then be able to re-visit once back at home via the web and explore in more depth, using the fact sheets and lifestyles, or quizzes.<br /><br />There are nine characters who can 'escort' you on your 'Tour', which can be the full 14 sections or specific ones you are more interested in. The characters have their own little snippets of information about how they lived there, the roles ranging from Abbot Sulbury through to Percy Warbeck, a pretender to the throne seeking sanctuary in the 1400's. They also 'own' a category of the Abbey, such as Medicines and Herbs, 'owned' by the Infirmarian, Brother Thomas.<br /><br />Nine is the key in this application, created by one side of the KubeMatrix, a tool developed for simple navigation of the content, primarily for mobile use. This takes me on to explain the design and navigation in a little more depth. <br /><br />The central panel of the application is what you will see once the application is loaded onto a mobile device (Flash players will need to have been installed prior to use). The side panels are for accessing the same content in other ways, the same as in most software programs. This means that the core design does not have to be re-designed to fit multiple screen sizes - or at least that is the theory I have developed.<br /><br />With regards to the navigation it might help to read the following tips:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Home page:</span><br />1 - Spinning matrix = goes back to Home page to choose another section<br />2 - KubeMatrix = rollover tool tips to help you choose which section i.e. Characters, Quiz'Ed or another<br />3 - Side bar = chooses sections i.e. Characters, Quiz'Ed or another <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W1qhABu_DKYkrD87byekR84D5O0_d-HtPIbyFliZPxJ3dgDigG6cWijelvpL2IJaxj28UrsSzjB3DCU5nlURDAj82gz27n757KKy96nm_Q12tDk5oeHJzIvbQTb5HWLe7xXbMUbWFICi/s1600-h/INTRO+guide.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8W1qhABu_DKYkrD87byekR84D5O0_d-HtPIbyFliZPxJ3dgDigG6cWijelvpL2IJaxj28UrsSzjB3DCU5nlURDAj82gz27n757KKy96nm_Q12tDk5oeHJzIvbQTb5HWLe7xXbMUbWFICi/s320/INTRO+guide.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369841078267163490" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Sub pages:</span><br />4 - Nine KubeMatrix = chooses sub-sections i.e. the individuals in Characters or puzzles in Quiz'Ed <br />5 - Thumbnails = chooses sub-sections i.e. the individuals in Characters or puzzles in Quiz'Ed<br />6 - Side bar = chooses sub-sections i.e. the individuals in Characters or puzzles in Quiz'Ed<br />7 - 'EXPLORE' strip = goes back to Nine KubeMatrix to pick another sub-section<br />8 - 'MORE' strip = goes back to full KubeMatrix to pick another section<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiupUrPiJHN9wmfzypbyMwY3UPwQRQH-SRH2asIRDv-C7piY9R43sSZ-8vFOpTjZrUDzGLll8-WyimAGyg5St2wFFRCgICe37Hz4vi8deKBri7kMpth6klvETGBwE-AAhMt6P4jcKlWRo0/s1600-h/SEND+A+POSTCARD+guide.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiupUrPiJHN9wmfzypbyMwY3UPwQRQH-SRH2asIRDv-C7piY9R43sSZ-8vFOpTjZrUDzGLll8-WyimAGyg5St2wFFRCgICe37Hz4vi8deKBri7kMpth6klvETGBwE-AAhMt6P4jcKlWRo0/s320/SEND+A+POSTCARD+guide.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369841288027035234" /></a><br />Each further sub section has obvious buttons in how to progress, but if anyone has problem with navigating further into the application, please let me know. Example of further subsection below:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqch1ik5WxU6mJU8KSDBBKWaNyI6VE1P3C0q8U-ubvBYusnVUlvyqhmRmcPYif-ClLb3Gd-GsGk5h95yLREta03zaGeggIc3OVxR413PqLLpcqG_mjkY-GOa9n4ulEmVhS6f1EvOFkmQo/s1600-h/sample+nav.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqch1ik5WxU6mJU8KSDBBKWaNyI6VE1P3C0q8U-ubvBYusnVUlvyqhmRmcPYif-ClLb3Gd-GsGk5h95yLREta03zaGeggIc3OVxR413PqLLpcqG_mjkY-GOa9n4ulEmVhS6f1EvOFkmQo/s320/sample+nav.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369842183188121010" /></a><br />Once installed at Beaulieu, the plan is to gauge and capture user experience with the application on the kiosk, handhelds and web, improving the concept and final application.<br /><br />Work has started on a Jane Austen themed Talking Walls application, a small animation of Steventon Rectory, the Austen's home before it was demolished, and will hopefully be posted in the coming week. Meanwhile enjoy the free trial and let me know what you think.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-35788310878573190932009-07-07T09:15:00.005+01:002009-07-07T10:35:16.376+01:00EventsIn the last month I attended a couple of events where I was able to talk about The Talking Walls and the research I have undertaken within my PhD. <br /><br />The first was <a href="http://www.southeastmedianetwork.co.uk/events/eventdetails.html?id=194">SEMN's Commercialising Innovation</a> and pitching event held at the <a href="http://www2.surrey.ac.uk/">University of Surrey</a>, Guildford. As with all SEMN events I have been to, it was very well organised, with an interesting mix of people attending. We were shown the research areas at the Guildford campus with explanations of some of the amazing research that is taking place there - on the agenda for the day it was entitled 'Advancing the State of the Art', what we were shown was certainly doing this. For me with the areas I work in, it was fascinating. <br /><br />In the afternoon, I took my turn in the company pitching presentations. The two before me were also in the area of 3D, but in a completely different field. There was <a href="http://www.atomfireproductions.com/">Atom Fire Productions</a> pitching 'games expertise on multiple platforms and devices' by Dominic Mason and <a href="http://www.drivedesign.co.uk/">Drive</a> pitching for collaborative projects using their 'digital modelling and CGI visualisation techiniques' by Chris Longmore. Both were established companies giving very polished presentations, which although great to listen to and watch, made me feel anxious about my own presentation that would follow.<br /><br />My pitch was for a 'technology partner to provide hardware, network connectivity and web server information hosting for mobile, kiosk and handset installations at heritage sites'. This is something that would really benefit The Talking Walls, allowing us to approach sites with a complete solution. The pitch seemed to go well with several people coming to talk to me afterwards saying how much they enjoyed it, with contacts of people who may be able to help. I am still in the process of following these up, if anything comes from this I will let you know.<br /><br />I would particularly like to thanks the organisers at the University of Surrey and Kay Henning of SEMN for inviting me to pitch at this event and for making it such an interesting day.<br /><br />The second event was more about the PhD research. This was the <a href="http://www.lassconference.110mb.com/index.php?p=1_5_LASS-Graduate-School">LASS PGR Conference</a> - Human 2.0, held at the <a href="http://www.turnersims.co.uk/">Turner Sims</a>, <a href="http://www.soton.ac.uk/">University of Southampton</a>. It is an annual event for research students to put across where they are with their research, display posters and present papers. This is the first of its kind that I have attended and was quite nervous in the build up to it. I had been placed first to present. Having not attended one before, I was quite anxious as to what was expected and being first, I would not able to adapt to anything that would have gone before.<br /><br />Nonetheless, once I started talking, the nerves abaited, heart was still racing but I managed to think about what I was saying and not 'waffle' and go off track. For me, that was quite amazing! The other speakers were as nervous I think, and gave some really interesting presentations and discussion. It was a shame that there were not as many people attending as expected by the organising team, but there were certainly enough there to make you want to do your best and give them an understanding of your research. Again, many thanks to the conference team in doing such an excellent job of getting us organised, the venue and attendees.<br /><br />For those that may be interested, posted below is the abstract of my paper submitted for the conference. The other speakers' abstracts can be found on the LASS conference <a href="http://www.lassconference.110mb.com/index.php?p=1_16_Full-abstracts">website</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">'My thesis aims to investigate methods of capturing user-experience at ‘cultural heritage’ sites with multimedia applications on mobile devices, their interaction with the site, and family / friends, using a case study of a pilot application ’The Talking Walls®’ at a cultural heritage site, which encompasses story-telling and visual narrative.<br /><br />Through qualitative study, data collected will include observation and interview notes, audio, video, field notes, documents produced by the visitor (s), photos, visual images, mood boards and individual / group reflections, both the observer(s) and visitor(s).<br /><br />The research will investigate the meaning(s) of ‘cultural heritage’ for the user(s) and for the cultural heritage site owner(s) / organisation, and why people visit cultural heritage sites. In order to measure and understand methods of capturing user-experience, it will be important to understand what ‘experience’ is and what may form a ‘good’ or ‘poor’ user-experience with a mobile device at a cultural heritage site.<br /><br />This study will then explore how technology might be used to link these areas together and capture user-experience, how it is being adopted at cultural heritage sites for visitor use and how this may impact on the methodology for designing a multimedia cultural heritage application for mobile devices.<br /><br />Keywords: user-experience, cultural heritage, mobile devices, digital story-telling, multimedia'<br /></span><br />Deborah Wilson - PhD student, <a href="http://www.wsa.soton.ac.uk/">Winchester School of Art</a>, University of SouthamptonDeborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-69075550790837513012009-06-15T00:08:00.003+01:002009-06-15T00:27:24.850+01:00Le Mans 24 Heures 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mUbVm-6YKPAT5L9KlcpfNsOT93LeQQRl2BQqbZ1rjmss_0oGYtNSBJj7vEM_Qff5Sg1UwgATUKzzrTDIU-EpTxDgjNq7gB8P4RZ2Fsw11c9a1_dzfH42NQWUGvPvc_U4dls2x8Tc2I53/s1600-h/DS_0072.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mUbVm-6YKPAT5L9KlcpfNsOT93LeQQRl2BQqbZ1rjmss_0oGYtNSBJj7vEM_Qff5Sg1UwgATUKzzrTDIU-EpTxDgjNq7gB8P4RZ2Fsw11c9a1_dzfH42NQWUGvPvc_U4dls2x8Tc2I53/s320/DS_0072.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347328756810302850" /></a><br />Just back at the hotel (Sable Sur Sarthe) from the Le Mans 24 Heures race - Peugot 1st and 2nd, Audi 3rd, and Lola Aston Martin 4th. Well done Peugot. <br /><br />The changes here since I used to come with the TR lot in the late 80's / 90's are considerable. The fair ground has moved down the hill, no longer up by Dunlop Bridge. The amount of French people attending has really increased, Parking Bleu used to be filled with classics and supercars, not many there now, the fields behind were just that - fields, now more camping and parking, and a huge prevalence of ordinary cars, followed by performance cars.<br /><br />We went to the Great British Welcome on Friday, first time attending this part of the event, very good, lots more classics to look at, with a Morgan celebration / anniversary. Missed the town centre parade unfortunately, stopped at Arnage instead and watched the general buzz and queue of interesting cars / vehicles feed by. <br /><br />Photos on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/39450029@N07/">FlickR</a><br /><br />Off to the cottage tomorrow in the Marcos, hope the rain stays at bay.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-64006826303137402312009-06-09T11:06:00.009+01:002009-06-09T11:47:29.765+01:00Thoughts on user behaviour with websites and multimedia applicationsUser behaviour is continuously being researched for web applications by experts such as <a href="http://www.asktog.com/">Bruce Tognazzini</a>, <a href="http://www.useit.com/">Jakob Nielsen</a> and <a href="http://www.sensible.com/">Steve Krug</a> who have been testing consumer usability since the 1990’s. The research into Web usability appears to have high importance, and justifiably so. There is a rich resource of articles online, blogs and web sites regarding this, as well as books. With the web constantly evolving and changing, the primary resource for exploring this area in more depth, needs to be as up to date as possible, books by the time they are printed are often outdated. <a href="http://www.useit.com/">Jakob Nielsen’s</a> Designing Web Usability (2000) has been updated recently with his book Prioritising Web Usability (2006). Reading the two books, it is very interesting to note the predictions and how Nielsen’s view of web usability has evolved with the faster technology available, especially in the area of video and rich media, but it is still primarily web based.<br /><br />The importance of understanding how the user works with websites seems to be accepted by the majority of good web design companies. What I have found difficult to ascertain is the difference in user behaviour with websites and multimedia applications. In the various articles and books researched in regard to usability, the platform is invariably the World Wide Web and the sites designed have been done with the knowledge that most users are information foragers, snackers, people with little time to find the information they require. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcGwpmLhWHHKbGRHykOEZi51wscJSY27_NsLWZSjldy5DUPDbtUEhyAd-hlfvYHqL0t6kJozYBaZLQFUzJCWTncdXYOOFkujAoB7z0-qjV3U0X1AoPCKxVdZGYitosOWdkZpK9U1Bsufe/s1600-h/CHARACTERS+GRID+P2+rollover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcGwpmLhWHHKbGRHykOEZi51wscJSY27_NsLWZSjldy5DUPDbtUEhyAd-hlfvYHqL0t6kJozYBaZLQFUzJCWTncdXYOOFkujAoB7z0-qjV3U0X1AoPCKxVdZGYitosOWdkZpK9U1Bsufe/s320/CHARACTERS+GRID+P2+rollover.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345274817325701970" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/">The Talking Walls®</a> as a multi-platform multimedia application does not quite fit with regards to some of the web usability guidelines, as will other heritage applications on offer at museums and historical sites. This may be due to the primary goal to be enjoyable learning, entertaining, fun, aesthetically pleasing and informative in a specific cultural heritage context, but still a ‘snacking’ tool and possibly to more than one user at a time. <br /><br />The visitor using the kiosk application will use it in perhaps a very different way to how they would use the web at home / work. They may want to see what it does, how much content there is, if there is any entertainment on offer and what they may learn from it, but it will be closed off to information relevant only to the heritage site, the visitor will not be able to jump to non-relevant areas, as they can with the web. There are constraints. Then, instead of a solitary session on the web, they may be with a partner, their family or friends so the interaction of the group, their interaction with the application and their surroundings will be different to that of the web and therefore important to discover and analyse. This is really user performance, how they interact and their experience. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhudfZv7wvE2-3UukIELM9tCPGRQNSWxj_MVaQsyyBDsbtF5X7vN7_5AMYvTpAmu9hpKZ9ruyWAkbM6UBVMjNDZmt9zL8WLRWYaoSei6PrrqrQ2htjmSbPH2_kQdOu2sYDgK-rx_4xjW3/s1600-h/CHARACTERS+GRID+P2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhudfZv7wvE2-3UukIELM9tCPGRQNSWxj_MVaQsyyBDsbtF5X7vN7_5AMYvTpAmu9hpKZ9ruyWAkbM6UBVMjNDZmt9zL8WLRWYaoSei6PrrqrQ2htjmSbPH2_kQdOu2sYDgK-rx_4xjW3/s400/CHARACTERS+GRID+P2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345273746037648210" /></a><br /><br />There is a further issue of the same content being displayed for a mobile / handheld device. It is predicted that the mobile phone will become an ‘entertainment device’ (Loader 2006) that will consist of communication, navigation, TV, music, radio, camera / video, games, web, GPS technology, and more including paying for your shopping (Hanlon 2008). The future of the mobile phone as an all inclusive device is already becoming a reality although the ultimate success relies heavily on a number of issues: technology, creative content, a simple interface and consumer’s acceptance of the new technology (Brill 2007).<br /><br />Designing for mobile has a number of issues that need consideration. Having created web usability standards, designers need to explore the best way of creating the same content on a much smaller screen. There has been a lot of progress over the last year or two with several successful interfaces appearing such as the <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/">iPhone</a> and <a href="http://www.google.com/mobile/android/">Google’s Android</a> interface, both of which have been possible with new technology and new ways of interaction with the interface, such as <a href="http://www.htc.com/www/product/touchdiamond/touchflo-3d.html">TouchFlo 3D</a>.<br /><br />The problem here is that this creates another style – one for print, one for mobile, one for web. The same issue appeared in the early days of the web, when people were redesigning their printed brochures to become web pages (Web 1). With the development of the internet, the designs for web became more animated, more information appeared in formats unachievable via print, and with Web 2 there are users as well as designers creating content and uploading to template interfaces or personal blog sites. It is a general concern as to how the majority of web sites and user generated content will translate to the small screen devices that are becoming ever popular. There will need to be new guidelines / standards developed for designing for new platforms such as the mobile device, in fact the mobile could be considered the new web for how content should be designed i.e designing for the lowest common denominator.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiDCUGWtH2xpjckB8IrMqXdf5jbB9_ZLV4sBg2lWlI59pD5VSMOfr5sW1fMT5JkscLcMUm8DosZonElJ0EMKB1FQdoRXbBTteiEge_xu4BDVx7jspQJwL5xZN3u1pCgjqUJ1c_jB8IA-1/s1600-h/CHARACTERS+P2.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtiDCUGWtH2xpjckB8IrMqXdf5jbB9_ZLV4sBg2lWlI59pD5VSMOfr5sW1fMT5JkscLcMUm8DosZonElJ0EMKB1FQdoRXbBTteiEge_xu4BDVx7jspQJwL5xZN3u1pCgjqUJ1c_jB8IA-1/s320/CHARACTERS+P2.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345274530782774258" /></a><br /><br />There is then the issue of the type of content to be designed. A cultural heritage application is likely to be designed very differently to football club site or a shopping site application through how it is used and the typical type of content expected, required or desired.<br /><br />Part of my research will observe user behaviour, types of audiences, how they will perceive and use the application, their choice of platform and technology and how this may reflect their age and gender, how they will interact with the software and technology during their visit, singly or in groups and how this will impact on their experience, their involvement and buy-in to the learning narrative and imagery.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-55555901457529944462009-05-14T09:17:00.008+01:002009-05-14T10:15:02.365+01:00About to go live....'The Talking Walls - Beaulieu Abbey' application is almost ready to go live. We are just waiting for final approval from Beaulieu and then we can make the website live, such good news. <br /><br />It has been almost a year of part-time hours in the making, fitting in the commercial training, PhD and normal day to day life. A very full year. <br /><br />I have a lot of thanks to give to all my very patient friends who have hardly seen me over the last couple of years (took almost a year to develop the funding application for the Micro Project from FSE/SEEDA!), obviously my family for the same reason and then there are the 'helpers' who have helped create this application. They are:<br /><br />Alex Hogg - for six of the characters voices<br />Rebecca Furse - for some of the character illustrations and proof reading<br /><a href="http://www.seaninejoyce.com/">Seanine Joyce</a> - for the music<br /><a href="http://www.oriongraphicdesign.co.uk/Graphic%20Design.php">Sandy Whitehead</a> - for some of the illustrative 3D models and some of the characters<br /><a href="http://www.kimpotter.co.uk/index.php">Kim Potter </a>- for producing the web structure that pulls all the content together<br /><a href="http://www.nfpp.com/index.htm">New Forest Post Productions</a> - for the use (and help) of the recording studio for the voice overs.<br /><br />Without their added help, I think I would have been up every night til 1-2pm, as opposed to only half. The music is fantastic, something I would not have achieved on my own and adds so much to the whole, and Alex's voice overs, watching him change the way he spoke for each character and sustain that for half an hour at least was amazing, I struggled for just two, but six, no way. Kim used to work with us years ago with Clear Thinking, the fact that she was back in England and able to help us with the code needed to pull everything together for the web was fantastic, so conscientious, knowing what we needed, how we wanted it to work and producing on time - thanks Kim. <br /><br />There have been a lot of other people whose confidence and support over the development of 'The Talking Walls' right up to the Beaulieu Abbey project, including <a href="http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/ipus/beaulieu/index">Beaulieu</a>, have made this possible, thankyou all. Finally, thankyou <a href="http://www.financesoutheast.com/businessgrants/?id=1328">FSE / SEEDA</a>, without the match funding through the Micro Project scheme, this just would not have been possible.<br /><br />Once the site is made live, I will post the link here and spread the word online as well as through traditional means. The site will have free access for 4-6 months and then the 'Interactive Abbey' part will be completed and membership to the site will be active. So please make sure you visit the site within this time and explore. Your thoughts and feedback will be very welcome, and will help provide an insight into how the design bears up to use, and what may need changing / adding / adapting.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-29179077094570775132009-02-16T17:14:00.010+00:002009-02-16T20:06:09.831+00:00Nearly ThereAfter a very busy month or two, the Beaulieu Abbey project is nearing completion. Content is still being produced whilst Kim and Paul are 'knitting' all the content together.<br /><br />Beaulieu Abbey has been a large project needing a wide range of skills, the most recent of which was script writing and editing followed by recording the voice overs for each of the nine characters. This was quite a feat and we feel quite lucky in being able to have someone we know, Alex Hogg, complete 6 (plus additional sub characters) of the 9 voices for us. This took a whole day at <a href="http://www.nfpp.com/">New Forest Post Productions</a>' recording studio with Nick's help and supervision. Paul and I returned a few days later to record the last three voices. I must say, it was much easier writing the script than being a voice. I had to do two voices and make them different, very difficult for me as I am not at all good at mimicking accents, let alone for half an hour's reading, so I am full of admiration for Alex who managed so many and all very different. <br /><br />These scripts are for the Tours(each character can guide you around the Abbey), then there are the story strips and introduction for each character. Nine characters, 3 scripts per character, as you can see, a fair bit of work in just this. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_X9CbCPlJsX7Gipsnh7gZNvKidOn2PUaOrkHhMyVL6-xvUhIKqy7tADA_8v5Rpk4psp2PKUve8FPkIewwQ_Ib0WApO6BYtlSvZ8IQt7ZnAjlahSn1jvZ5hxC-H-EtK1dfNBdj4s8Zri6/s1600-h/KING+JOHN+STORYBOARD+small.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr_X9CbCPlJsX7Gipsnh7gZNvKidOn2PUaOrkHhMyVL6-xvUhIKqy7tADA_8v5Rpk4psp2PKUve8FPkIewwQ_Ib0WApO6BYtlSvZ8IQt7ZnAjlahSn1jvZ5hxC-H-EtK1dfNBdj4s8Zri6/s400/KING+JOHN+STORYBOARD+small.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303483844562266210" border="0"></a><br />(I have had trouble uploading the sound file but it can be heard on this link - http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/beaulieu_KingJohn_Story.htm)<br /><br />The tour script is based on the new audio script now available on <a href="http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/ipus/beaulieu/lotstosee-beaulieu-abbey">Beaulieu's abbey website</a>. This was only recently put in place and sounds really good. The delay in putting this in place also caused a slight delay for our pilot as we had to wait for an approved final script before we were able to have a copy. This copy has been adapted to suit each character and the time in which they lived. These 9 adapted scripts, the intros and stories have all needed to be approved by Beaulieu to ensure the detail is correct. The script has been quite fundamental to a large and important part of the application. Fine detail to the abbey model in accordance with the script, animation of the tours, again in accordance with the script, and obviously the voice overs of the adapted character scripts are all now able to be done. <br /><br />A busy week ahead! It will actually take more than this, probably at least a couple of weeks so the pilot should be ready to install end of March, hopefully in time for the summer season.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-26003495952322414802008-12-27T13:23:00.019+00:002008-12-27T15:14:49.075+00:00VisualisationHow many people I wonder, have spent a fair bit of the Christmas holiday watching the television or playing computer games as opposed to reading? How many have taken video footage of their family unwrapping presents as opposed to photos that catch just a moment in time? With the technology we have in our hands now, I wouldn't be surprised that most people have been watching / taking some form of animated image over the holiday. Even the way we display our 'still' photos on the computer or on digital photo frames becomes an animated process via 'slideshows' where even the transition from one image to another is animated.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTslq6cx4g1sefAXjdkyphPxaZ9wCLkrTtxN8AIkimQuP1salIwLw560dTbApd7PK9-WYYkbCil_d2fowlFOBw925qJZBeomj52qLQFf4aPMn2LLgIVYx3Y2VgqcGApVOgUrvY_KKyRvG/s1600-h/dre0675l.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 143px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPTslq6cx4g1sefAXjdkyphPxaZ9wCLkrTtxN8AIkimQuP1salIwLw560dTbApd7PK9-WYYkbCil_d2fowlFOBw925qJZBeomj52qLQFf4aPMn2LLgIVYx3Y2VgqcGApVOgUrvY_KKyRvG/s200/dre0675l.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284484846971545378" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.ProfessionalAnimations.com"><img src="http://www.ProfessionalAnimations.com/GAImage/Animations/Holidays/Christmas/santa/Chimney.gif" width="65" height="63" border="0" alt="Animations - chimney"/></a><a href="http://www.ProfessionalAnimations.com"><img src="http://www.ProfessionalAnimations.com/GAImage/Animations/Holidays/Christmas/santa/Santa_in_sled.gif" width="330" height="33" border="0" alt="Animations - santa in sled"/></a><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Which of the images above holds your gaze the longest?</span><br /><br />Are we really surprised that the majority are more stimulated by a moving image than a static one? Why? We have amazing works of art all around us from paintings to architecture, man-made sculptures to nature's own, we visit and look, ponder and exclaim on the skill of the creator and then move on, but the minute something moves it captures our attention and holds us there so much more. Would we really look at a painting for an hour or more?<br /><br />Film, the moving image is a huge testament to this, and with the coming of the digital age, computer graphics and special effects allow us to see things in motion that we were only able to imagine previously. The 'dreaded' powerpoint presentation is a common example of how we seem to prefer to watch things move instead of static images. The times I have watched text, bullet point and goodness knows what else animate in from the left, right top or spiral out and zoom away. The audience is no longer looking at the presenter but at the presentation, wondering what it will do next.<br /><br />So why does the moving image capture our attention so much more than a still image? Is it because we are intrigued as to what will happen next? Whether it will fall in line with our expectation or unfold the story we have imposed upon it? The moving image (animation) brings things to life helping to create a story that we can follow however short.<br /><br />Evidence of this is seen in the following quote from James Robinson's article in the <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/dec/26/wallace-and-gromit-lead-bbc-to-christmas-ratings-victory">Guardian's TV Ratings</a> page on 26th December:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">'The BBC trounced ITV in the Christmas Day ratings war, with an average audience of 14.3 million tuning to watch BBC1's Wallace and Gromit film A Matter of Loaf and Death, the highest rating of any TV show all year.<br />The specially commissioned 30-minute episode of the Nick Park animated drama recorded an audience share of 53.3% last night, 25 December, according to unofficial overnight figures.'</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzpefmSN-B2cqNEmo3v83S4_7u8dDigEqm-71mUX6HeSGljLhtch7nXpfh_hFnTce8crsFCT8NZQNJjvDK0leQfG3GK8yqr6ZrVpbJO1xc87g17XUUcXheShfNeLcqTwkuI4pw-VmbvYX/s1600-h/WGpreviewA460.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzpefmSN-B2cqNEmo3v83S4_7u8dDigEqm-71mUX6HeSGljLhtch7nXpfh_hFnTce8crsFCT8NZQNJjvDK0leQfG3GK8yqr6ZrVpbJO1xc87g17XUUcXheShfNeLcqTwkuI4pw-VmbvYX/s400/WGpreviewA460.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5284474511432480722" /></a><span style="font-style:italic;">Wallace and Gromit film A Matter of Loaf and Death drew 14.3 million viewers to BBC1. Photograph: Aardman/BBC</span><br /><br />Why was this the most watched program on Christmas Day? Why are the stories of Wallace and Grommet so intriguing - is it the cleverness of the way it is put together, or the suspense of the story? This type of animation is probably the most relevant in highlighting the still versus moving image theory above. Stop frame animation - if we were to view only the static frames as individual images, we would become bored as there would be far too many images for us to take in, so we would move on. But process all those images into an animated sequence and it becomes immediately more appealing, easy to watch and assimilate. Rendering a computer animation into individual frames amounts to the same thing - understanding the story as individual frames is nowhere near as easy than watching them once pinned all together.<br /><br />Is it the possible story that is about to unfold that holds our attention or purely the 'moving' aspect? Are we looking at an image and subconciously, or even consciously, creating a tale that we can then assimilate and learn by? Do our brains take information on board much more easily via a story that is being told by a sequence of images or from pages of text, or even the way it is told? <br /><br />For instance, the funniest comedians (for me anyway) are the ones that relate observations, tales from everyday life that they replay in a different format which then become immediately hilarious. The comedian knows that we will recognise the observed stories in ourselves or in people around us and if related in an exaggerated way, with gestures and over emphasis, we will find it amusing. Once again, is it the story or the 'animated' telling that hits the button, or the way it is told?<br /><br />This has always intrigued me and hopefully through observed research into the use of The Talking Walls pilot application at Beaulieu Abbey, I aim to discover more about our perception of the way people learn and assimilate information through images.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-54773149405858838682008-10-27T15:56:00.003+00:002008-10-27T17:07:53.937+00:00Update on Papervision3DA very busy period at the moment but I thought I would just post an update on where we have reached with Papervision3D. <br /><br />Success, basically. We now have our matrix as a 3D object within Flash which we can rotate and move around. We also have movieclips assigned to the individual cubes which animate if we want them to etc. The last part is not quite there. This is the part where you click on the movieclip'd cube which takes you to another image. So close to sussing it, a few scratching of heads and hopefully we will get the last little bit done, and this can finally become part of the Abbey project.<br /><br />The hold-up for us was the Collada file. If the Max model is not set up correctly with material ID's etc then the Collada file will not work. We even took the Max model as a 3DS file into Swift3D, and then immediately exported it out to Papervision3D. (This creates a folder of sub folders containing all the information required, including an AS3 file, which does not happen if you export to a Collada file from Max.)<br /><br />It needed me to realise the problem was with the materials, Paul as a Flash designer understands how to pull it into Flash, the publish settings, parameters etc but not Max and materials within Max. So when the Collada file refused to see the materials within Flash, we wondered if it was how the Collada file is created / exported. Using Notepad to look at the code within the Collada file, I saw it mention material ID's, so went back to Max, made sure that each material used was saved to the library with it's own material ID. The file then newly exported and brought into Flash worked. <br /><br />I will post a step by step tutorial on this blog once the Beaulieu Abbey project is finished, as we found some of the tutorials we have visited have assumed software knowledge on the part of the user, and if they have not used the software before i.e. Max as a Flash designer, the tuturial then fails and frustration rises. Hopefully it will help other newcomers to Papervision3D and Collada.<br /><br />Hopefully next post you will see the KubeMatrix in action...Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-71283118081076267122008-08-14T09:41:00.007+01:002008-08-14T11:29:27.831+01:00Interaction with Papervision3D<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhnd85iKCB0j5TLtpK7KF5avor1vuWd2KnEPSK6owP1BfZ-Dhz5ZdXj5saRZXD71uksRETV51tuRaIU2sBampegXn-Qdv0yDagSOkT0Fio_uEVniyI5kiV7ISbvn1U_MhUmCpjfC519L1/s1600-h/ivanov.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhnd85iKCB0j5TLtpK7KF5avor1vuWd2KnEPSK6owP1BfZ-Dhz5ZdXj5saRZXD71uksRETV51tuRaIU2sBampegXn-Qdv0yDagSOkT0Fio_uEVniyI5kiV7ISbvn1U_MhUmCpjfC519L1/s400/ivanov.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234291517544592402" border="0"></a><br /><br />The above image has been created with Papervision3D by <a href="http://www.cleoag.ru/labs/flex/parkseasons/">Den Ivanov</a> and can be viewed on his website. It is a lovely piece of work and shows some of what Papervision3D can achieve. <br /><a href="http://blog.papervision3d.org/category/demos/"><br />Papervision3D</a> enables Flash / Flex users to use 3D content for the web. Flash was originally designed for just 2D input / output, however interactive. Macromedia Director was the tool that designers used to create interactive 3D interfaces for CD-ROM's / DVD's, not Flash. This is changing rapidly with this rather fantastic render engine. <br /><br />I am not an expert on this but in trying to see how it works, there does not seem to be an interface that most of us would recognise, such as in Mental Ray. Once downloaded and installed, within Flash, you then have Papervision3D as an AS3 scripting page. Already, those of you who have any experience with code and Flash will know that this is new to me. What I have learnt is that it is an open source 3D render engine for Flash, the programming behind this only enhances the fact that there is a whole world of very clever people out there, making my skillset miniscule by comparison.<br /><br />To explain - my husband is the Flash / Web designer, I ususally stick to my 3D work, and between us we are looking to use the interactive capability of Papervision3D in The Talking Walls project for Beaulieu Abbey. Unfortunately, neither of us are expert in code - of any sort. Paul uses CSS, AS2 etc as part of his job but his background is in graphics not programming. (Traditionally the two were always separate - not the case now, with programmers designing, and vice-versa.)<br /><br />As for the 3D modelling aspect of Papervision3D, we are able to bypass this part of the coding, as we have <a href="http://www.erain.com/">Swift3D</a> and <a href="http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=5659302">Max</a>. Papervision3D /Flash will import 3D content from either Swift3D or Max, using <a href="http://www.collada.org/mediawiki/index.php/Main_Page">Collada</a> as the export from Max, and Papervision3D export from Swift3D.<br /><br />We have searched high and low for step-by-step tutorials for what we want to achieve. Looking through the web, there are some absolutely wonderful examples of Papervision3D, some of them showing exactly the kind of interactivity we want to incorporate. <br /><a href="http://www.jonathandc.com/"><br />JonathanDC</a><br /><a href="http://labs.blitzagency.com/?p=388">Blitz</a><br /><a href="http://www.kelloggs.co.uk/whatson/tut/Explore.aspx">Tutankhamun</a><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFGUza-akUs&eurl=http://blog.papervision3d.org/category/demos/">arTYPEcture</a><br /><a href="http://www.velloff.com/?p=32">vellof</a><br /><br />But how to do this evades us at the moment. I know it won't be too long before we work it out, we already have interactivity on a single object thanks to this <a href="http://www.gotoandlearn.com/player.php?id=68">website</a> we just need to know how to add the other cubes and make them interactive at the same time, and still allow the user to rotate the KubeMatrix. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyORXm5vZ1y3SKG5al2mEWnKtD9QgCwXO2j-yj0uQhRVLCBF7OXoODEoFq10hOR9QjnlpzfrE3lyJuEh456O5G0VJKZr9sUP2Tp0lZGo1guwMY-pENAaoBMtZrO6tsG9kDmvrOmdenshL8/s1600-h/TOURS+TEST.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyORXm5vZ1y3SKG5al2mEWnKtD9QgCwXO2j-yj0uQhRVLCBF7OXoODEoFq10hOR9QjnlpzfrE3lyJuEh456O5G0VJKZr9sUP2Tp0lZGo1guwMY-pENAaoBMtZrO6tsG9kDmvrOmdenshL8/s400/TOURS+TEST.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234305303438875474" border="0"></a><br />In Director, this would have been fine, but we would really like to create the whole application in Flash.<br /><br />If anyone reading this knows the additional code to make each cube interactive i.e. click and go to another page, then we would love to hear from you. It needs only to be the full faces on each cube, i.e the faces without the connectors, not every face.<br /><br />Meanwhile, perseverance and determination (and stubborness) will succeed I am sure. As soon as we have worked it out, via help or otherwise, we will post the tutorial on this blog.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-42138823096319249372008-08-12T09:35:00.007+01:002008-08-12T10:31:53.373+01:00Building Beaulieu Abbey - Revit Architecture 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ux_OZOHKeju6ClmGk2iWau1vfeDU5qDT9VFeYAxNZpmenZPD4teVG8Wwgn6sGh-zHAeLzXq7fmse6e7XWrInqd9VmfKKKzuk-OiuUAhXFj4BVFl10a2o3JyaT475O_Pes2qLWNvW6tjj/s1600-h/the+abbey+july+08+-+Rendering+-+3D+View+8_41.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Ux_OZOHKeju6ClmGk2iWau1vfeDU5qDT9VFeYAxNZpmenZPD4teVG8Wwgn6sGh-zHAeLzXq7fmse6e7XWrInqd9VmfKKKzuk-OiuUAhXFj4BVFl10a2o3JyaT475O_Pes2qLWNvW6tjj/s400/the+abbey+july+08+-+Rendering+-+3D+View+8_41.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233548278872050082" /></a><br />The image above is my first render 'out the box', i.e. using the standard settings within Revit Architecture 2009. This is perhaps the biggest area of change within the latest release of Revit Architecture. Mental Ray has been incorporated in the new version which is a great boon for all the architectural practices who do not have access to follow on programmes such as 3DS Max. It allows their scenes to be rendered much more realistically, with soft shadows using the Mental Ray Sun and Sky. The previous render engine, Accurender was very good, but gave a less photorealistic image, more illustrative, although you did have the option of Radiosity for interior scenes, which produced some excellent results.<br /><br />There are a few set backs though. The trees, for me anyway, are too soft, almost fuzzy. These are RPC trees, the ones you would have used in the previous version will not render in the new version, they now need to be these RPC trees. They render very softly and are not sharp in detail - or shadow - as the previous type. They are far better for Elevations though, as they show the flat shape of the tree, showing as grey. This can be overcome by using a paint fill on the pertinent face.<br /><br />For the people used to using Max, they will be disappointed with the lack of settings that Mental Ray gives them in Revit Architecture 2009. Mental Ray is so powerful within Max, but in Revit Architecture 2009 it has been whittled down to presets, some of which you are able to customise. Both programmes now have Pro-Materials. The images below are on Medium at 300dpi - this gave quite large images which have been compressed for uploading:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJCUEtIeCwOjudRTetYCrn7QmwJMJQ1lBPhxqWGu_OkfY0utcBrd74_GNFeTe7pR7imQw5LFxRuAqoGx85AtYTug3LNoX97ap2Txtmvv7y7spX_nV0ehB6AQlBigQjex9frb18ZPaI9Sw/s1600-h/Copy+of+3D+View+9.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvJCUEtIeCwOjudRTetYCrn7QmwJMJQ1lBPhxqWGu_OkfY0utcBrd74_GNFeTe7pR7imQw5LFxRuAqoGx85AtYTug3LNoX97ap2Txtmvv7y7spX_nV0ehB6AQlBigQjex9frb18ZPaI9Sw/s400/Copy+of+3D+View+9.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233554269654525106" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuUY4hx2Sff1BDS0dlzAU3ds8Tc3yyAJu6drrzVz1wYasy9nLnsKdo5SL1YTV2CmbzSQTG2qbt3mKQUKq5Tx0dtRn_pMrUTHv9oIldZhaTndfYLOQ69hbIB7oLQs3InsDfdqHQ6SN_-9d/s1600-h/3D+View+8.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuUY4hx2Sff1BDS0dlzAU3ds8Tc3yyAJu6drrzVz1wYasy9nLnsKdo5SL1YTV2CmbzSQTG2qbt3mKQUKq5Tx0dtRn_pMrUTHv9oIldZhaTndfYLOQ69hbIB7oLQs3InsDfdqHQ6SN_-9d/s400/3D+View+8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233554562226007378" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_U9CFU1Z6HdQbTyemz7v1kuWJmvLyDO0mev7-NSRQ-suiL7Bmaftb0G21UYs_BOPvUW61wd7rhDLUg5LMKNDAVC47rhQYB6Qd4MjVvRUgXtFpzqAIcyClH2KHQLQ9ZgK9hyphenhyphenWEwKgy9rt/s1600-h/3D+View+8+sliced.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_U9CFU1Z6HdQbTyemz7v1kuWJmvLyDO0mev7-NSRQ-suiL7Bmaftb0G21UYs_BOPvUW61wd7rhDLUg5LMKNDAVC47rhQYB6Qd4MjVvRUgXtFpzqAIcyClH2KHQLQ9ZgK9hyphenhyphenWEwKgy9rt/s400/3D+View+8+sliced.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233554699651606738" /></a><br /><br />As you may remember from the previous post, the shadowing is much more realistic, giving a very much nicer image. <br /><br />I would recommend though, that if you want far more control over how this renders, including the trees / plants, then it would be worthwhile exporting from Revit Architecture 2009 as a '.fbx' file and take it into Max (or equivalent). Then add your trees, using Max's own. With the fbx format the materials, unlike a dwg import, remain with the model, so you will not need to adjust unless you actually want to. It depends on how far you need to take the image. Revit's rendering with Mental Ray may be all that you need, the images above are not too shabby considering they are from purely bringing in the model and pressing Render.<br /><br />The Abbey, since the last post, has been added to with work now started on the interior of the Abbey and the surrounding buildings. It will not be long now before this goes into Max, to create the finer details. These are often less easy to model / manipulate in Revit, as you cannot get to the vertex / edges / faces. The strength of doing as much modelling as possible in Revit Architecture, is that it is easier to see the construction by creating sections as and when required, and easier to model to the correct size by using styles, dimensions and levels.<br /><br />Back to work....Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-85364628886879248192008-06-10T20:31:00.014+01:002008-06-10T22:51:16.875+01:00Building Beaulieu Abbey - Revit Architecture 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtMtNujgBsvq7npLYbGDkps5o_nkoJ4u4dOecguyW_mDcAUDgDvUs8T61Feex5vy4RcQ2tybP-M8W9EbsiXYZEE-6mZEfnXAQrGfdy0AD2142tCU6SE8Qa0ytgadueYRdRyTWDXZdkJ85/s1600-h/elevation+south+June+08+-+Elevation+-+Copy+of+South.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtMtNujgBsvq7npLYbGDkps5o_nkoJ4u4dOecguyW_mDcAUDgDvUs8T61Feex5vy4RcQ2tybP-M8W9EbsiXYZEE-6mZEfnXAQrGfdy0AD2142tCU6SE8Qa0ytgadueYRdRyTWDXZdkJ85/s400/elevation+south+June+08+-+Elevation+-+Copy+of+South.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210364661377046034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlclshCTrxkeXA_y4ma9E7LqKyzLHSqnoIThgZCB4lTgKAV0WqzVZYVx0GYP9O4v_n0Y1rm7aHNYu-kJ5QNDfRm1QmTB1Nb2SYlGCLm_-MyDv91B7i7F5k1-9Ma2aXmwg9naBVS19PwAJ3/s1600-h/eye+view+entrance+and+domus+June+08+-+3D+View+-+eye+view+entrance+and+domus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlclshCTrxkeXA_y4ma9E7LqKyzLHSqnoIThgZCB4lTgKAV0WqzVZYVx0GYP9O4v_n0Y1rm7aHNYu-kJ5QNDfRm1QmTB1Nb2SYlGCLm_-MyDv91B7i7F5k1-9Ma2aXmwg9naBVS19PwAJ3/s400/eye+view+entrance+and+domus+June+08+-+3D+View+-+eye+view+entrance+and+domus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210348192702519746" /></a><br />For the last few days I have been working on Beaulieu Abbey using <a href="http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=8479253">Autodesk's Revit Architecture 2008</a>. The software is the ideal tool for creating 3D buildings whether old or new, and the Abbey is certainly proving its capability for old. I have a floor plan and artistic sketch to guide the way the building used to look before it was torn down in the 1500s. These are by an authority on Beaulieu Abbey, <a href="http://eng.archinform.net/arch/26008.htm">Harold Brakspeare</a>, drawn in 1901-2.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdp491iE7XIxLyWG3PfelR1-FvPi6gKyxZi82Esq2WRjr_RUPMberTHUyH3X1acPdQ2-lpggGDMcG_72H-xMntDrlqqvQjfjdXc_LPq_EtCKIYAQekXAIpyDL_ePaCr9iNqkc_fRbwKtC/s1600-h/BeaulieuAbbeyIllustrationBr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdp491iE7XIxLyWG3PfelR1-FvPi6gKyxZi82Esq2WRjr_RUPMberTHUyH3X1acPdQ2-lpggGDMcG_72H-xMntDrlqqvQjfjdXc_LPq_EtCKIYAQekXAIpyDL_ePaCr9iNqkc_fRbwKtC/s400/BeaulieuAbbeyIllustrationBr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210352982527778642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzfhPQL9C4TbqKvUgEGunHeCNEhPNAwUv2sEX2rY82nGq9T-XSWizlWXLVcvv_nVk98ni2IbyKOZzMSBGVxXXqOTHPdmRklX8Lb-mgGY8WVcPbb_2CD_XWRh85pD5Ku903UB_2v-ESdaF/s1600-h/BeaulieuAbbeyPlanBrakspear1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwzfhPQL9C4TbqKvUgEGunHeCNEhPNAwUv2sEX2rY82nGq9T-XSWizlWXLVcvv_nVk98ni2IbyKOZzMSBGVxXXqOTHPdmRklX8Lb-mgGY8WVcPbb_2CD_XWRh85pD5Ku903UB_2v-ESdaF/s400/BeaulieuAbbeyPlanBrakspear1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210353522583596034" /></a><br />Other references have been remaining Cistercian abbeys such as <a href="http://paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/France/Cistercian%20France/Pontigny/Pontigny.htm">Pontigny</a> in France, one of the very few reasonably intact examples, and the reference material mentioned in an earlier post. The area that I have scratched my head about more than anything else are the heights involved, windows, doors, roof. And with Revit, it is important to know this, as soon as possible really.<br /><br />The doors, windows etc are components, (termed family files in Revit), and can be made to your exact measurements, they understand that they cut holes in walls and when removed the wall fills in. They are parametric, Revit is parametric, a building information modelling solution for architects. Everything created in the project builds a database. This database can then be called upon to give almost any information relating to the project, or edited via schedules. Which is all very good, but you need the information first, hence the importance of heights and widths above.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hH_50zB_ZtKIoi2eMGjBMqLsD-B-KxP41e5MJTR_HJvaEWuNg1CvTxZlbHctecjIuSYeKxjoBxY_n4coZ7tO4lIypP8fh83XO9TthJCk9WudphUZwuKkgCKB1YB509VRts55HG2V4p-k/s1600-h/elevation+east+June+08+-+Elevation+-+Copy+of+East.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hH_50zB_ZtKIoi2eMGjBMqLsD-B-KxP41e5MJTR_HJvaEWuNg1CvTxZlbHctecjIuSYeKxjoBxY_n4coZ7tO4lIypP8fh83XO9TthJCk9WudphUZwuKkgCKB1YB509VRts55HG2V4p-k/s400/elevation+east+June+08+-+Elevation+-+Copy+of+East.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210365431379868098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIhBX6qnrAQk9CUyUOt8Yqvtg4uyhXbMVFzTgMbg2uZm7zTHbTfw4_uO6CMHUHmRMwv3hsZhHcQq9x7Gj6a0qEz6GjRv6bq97BRmG-fUrf2lhImFI94MvGBBTIMeCcB004pkg8j0a7tIc/s1600-h/elevation+west+June+08+-+Elevation+-+Copy+of+West.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIhBX6qnrAQk9CUyUOt8Yqvtg4uyhXbMVFzTgMbg2uZm7zTHbTfw4_uO6CMHUHmRMwv3hsZhHcQq9x7Gj6a0qEz6GjRv6bq97BRmG-fUrf2lhImFI94MvGBBTIMeCcB004pkg8j0a7tIc/s400/elevation+west+June+08+-+Elevation+-+Copy+of+West.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210365792472306354" /></a><br />This is one of the programs that I teach, over the last two years or so, pretty consistently on behalf of <a href="http://www.excitech.co.uk/industry/aec/intro.asp">Excitech Ltd</a>, who 'lead in the provision of design solutions for the construction industry and for facilities management'. Not being an architect and therefore not using the software everyday, it is projects like this that really help to push my knowledge of the software, and allows me to understand a few of the problems that the people I teach may come up against. <br /><br />Revit Architecture 2008 has been really great over the last year, and certainly over the last month, but I will shortly move the project into Revit Architecture 2009, as there are several really good enhancements in the latest release, which will make my life a little easier again. For me, the best has to be the FBX export to Max. Whilst still modelling, either 2008 or 9 will be fine, it is when I come to develop the animations, walkthrough's, and full renders that I will need to have it in 2009 to export it completely to Max. <a href="http://autodesk-revit.blogspot.com/2008/06/revit-2009-to-max-design-2009.html">David Light</a> expands a little on this via <a href="http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=10155245">Autodesk's whitepaper.</a> on his excellent blogsite. <br /><br />These images are a month's worth of work - in between training, and are only shaded rather than rendered, but they give a reasonably good impression of the work completed to date. The buildings are accurate to the measurements provided by Brakspeare, and follow cistercian references / style as much as possible. There is a lot of finer detail still to produce, columns, archway details, wall and window tracery, which will take a little longer again, but they are still easier to create accurately in Revit, than in Max. This would have taken much longer to have created completely within Max, so thank goodness for Revit.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-8176659440907048312008-06-02T09:05:00.004+01:002008-06-02T10:20:03.652+01:00ChangesA busy month with various events having happened as well as the work on the Beaulieu project.<br /><br />I am now studying my PhD (MPhil/PhD in Design) with <a href="http://www.wsa.soton.ac.uk/">Winchester College of Art</a>, University of Southampton. The reason for moving from Solent to Southampton is mostly due to the creative design support from my new supervisory team at Winchester, <a href="http://www.qsrinternational.com/FileResourceHandler.ashx/RelatedDocuments/DocumentFile/121/XSight_Case_Study_University_of_Southampton.pdf">Dr David Birks</a>, Ed d'Souza and Professor Ashok Ranchhod. It will also allow me to submit a practical (the TW application) as well as the thesis. This was not impossible at Solent but also not the norm, with Winchester it is expected from a design student. <br /><br />The PhD therefore has had a little lapse whilst waiting for the paperwork to go through. I am now desperately trying to get back into it, a little difficult with the break in study and the Beaulieu project, but thanks to the encouragement and focusing guidance from Dr David Birks, I am starting to write again. The more I am reading about ethnography and case study research, the more I can see how the PhD will be invaluable to the development of the Talking Walls application. <br /><br />I wanted to study at this level primarily to discover how people would want to use this type of application in a heritage environment, how they prefer to learn about their culture, what aspects of their culture were they interested in and how to provide something that would engage and encourage them to learn more. I thought that if I looked at these areas, I would be able to build these results into a template, giving the public something that they wanted to use and were able to use easily, adapting it to their own level and learning preference. This has always been the basis of The Talking Walls. <br /><br />Technology has become an integral part of this now. When I first embarked on this concept, CD-ROMs were all we had, then DVDs and kiosks. Now we have the web, mobiles, PDAs, interactive TV, intelligent whiteboards as well as DVDs and Kiosks. With this hardware, we also have touch screens, gps, bluetooth, RFID and wireless. Instead of confusing the issue, i.e. which platform do I design for, this technology allows The Talking Walls to expand by becoming multiplatform, offering the user a choice in how they would like to interact with the application. This might be dependent on age, culture, wealth or class.<br /><br />I like to think that I am a fairly good observer of people, reasonably sensitive / intuitive, and empathise with different people's situations, therefore observing how people use and interact with the application and the environment they are in makes perfect sense to me. Studying people this way might take longer than doing a survey with a heap of questions, but it will hopefully give me a really good insight and help in creating a user friendly, entertaining, educational heritage application. Here's hoping!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7BfePcOiXB-BZxqMJLwdz5CXiuItl049WETKoErlHS5MEHYDVy0Go84iVTYG3q5Dgijd930xJyeJebPnE25jfgL7r9Hveu1WMKHBnMG8ilNdcjOGpTHe9f8XuFk6oZeSH4PeQ2PslGIS/s1600-h/welcome+screen.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7BfePcOiXB-BZxqMJLwdz5CXiuItl049WETKoErlHS5MEHYDVy0Go84iVTYG3q5Dgijd930xJyeJebPnE25jfgL7r9Hveu1WMKHBnMG8ilNdcjOGpTHe9f8XuFk6oZeSH4PeQ2PslGIS/s320/welcome+screen.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207211043317483250" /></a><br />A new website, <a href="http://www.thetalkingwalls.co.uk/">same web address</a>, courtesy of my other half Paul, has just been uploaded. It is now down to me, through Contribute (web editing software) to update the information and provide more images. It will also have a staging area for people to view the application as it develops, so if you are interested email me and I will send the link.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-39635606222341913492008-05-06T12:57:00.006+01:002008-05-06T13:59:53.611+01:00Beaulieu Abbey ProjectToday is the official start of the Beaulieu Abbey project. It has seemed a long month with quite a bit happening including the final event of the Digital Horizons year long programme of masterclass seminars (more about this later). This day has been long awaited, the first day of working on a real TW project which will culminate in a fully working Talking Walls application showing how a site changed over the years, with the lives of the people who lived and worked there - a form of architectural, digital storytelling with animated visually-rich timeslices. <br /><br />The prototype was of <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-dunstercastle/">Dunster Castle</a>, a National Trust property, near Minehead in Somerset, this pilot will be of <a href="http://www.beaulieu.co.uk/beaulieuabbey/introduction.cfm">Beaulieu Abbey</a>, in Hampshire. The Abbey was a Cistercian monastry, the largest built in the UK, and provided a working life for many people as well as the monks that were based there, during and after it had been built, a process that took several years. <a href="http://www.paradoxplace.com/Photo%20Pages/France/Cistercian%20France/Pontigny/Pontigny.htm">Pontigny Abbey</a> in France is the closest example in size and style, and is luckily, still standing in most of it's glory. <br /><br />The 3D model will be based on sketches, floorplates and images found in the very few books written about Beaulieu Abbey. They are:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">The Cistercian Abbey of Beaulieu, in the County of Southampton, by W.H. St John Hope Esq., M.A. and Harold Brakspear Esq., F.S.A.<br /><br />Beaulieu King John's Abbey, by Dom Frederick Hockey O.S.B., F.R.Hist.S.<br /><br />A History of Beaulieu Abbey A.D. 1204 - 1539, by Sir James K. Fowler K.C.V.O., M.A.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Studies in Cistercian Art and Architecture Vol 2, ed Meredith Parsons Lillich<br /><br />The Barns of the Abbey of Beaulieu at its Granges of Great Coxwell & Beaulieu St. Leonards, by Walter Horn and Ernest Born</span><br /><br />Some of these books have been very kindly loaned by John Pemberton of Ipley Manor, which once was an outlying farm of Beaulieu Abbey, and others recommended by Susan Tomkins, the archivist at Beaulieu. <br /><br />Other resources to aid the rebuild are photos of the site and the remaining artifacts, maps and paintings by various artists over the years. Obviously the accuracy of the 3D rebuild will depend on the information available, but it is hoped that the final outcome will be a true example of the Abbey, how it was placed and how it came to be what it is now.<br /><br />The application will also tell the story of the Cistercian monks, what they farmed, how they lived their lives and their interaction with the community that grew with the Abbey. This will become a rich resource for students and pupils for their studies and history projects, as well as monastic societies.<br /><br />As King John's Abbey, Beaulieu saw a lot of royal visitors and these will become some of the characters that the user will be able to choose to tell their story whilst being guided around the site.<br /><br />There will be educational quizzes and various other elements to entice the visitor to explore further, and learn more about the Abbey, it's inhabitants and surroundings. <br /><br />The visitor will initially be able to explore and view this information via a kiosk, a handheld application will also be available, along with a fantastic new Talking Walls website in which people will be able to delve deeper.<br /><br />It is just as well I love history, architecture, and research, as it is going to be a busy seven months. If anyone reading this has stories about Beaulieu Abbey, or knows of other books or websites that might be relevant, please contact me.<br /><br />I will post images of it's progress, meanwhile please wish me luck for the start of this very exciting project.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-91325259348346539772008-04-07T21:28:00.005+01:002008-04-07T22:42:25.341+01:00How about this new and very useable interface?I have just come across this very user friendly interface for smartphones / pda's via <a href="http://www.nextechnews.com/PermaLink.aspx?guid=b2d6e19b-b196-4f6a-9cb5-f6681390d816">NexTechNews'</a> website, searching in fact for the generic screen size for mobile / handheld devices. Apparently not yet ready for PocketPc (my phone's system) but running really well on Windows Mobile 5 and 6. <br /><br />The company is <a href="http://pointui.com/">PointUI</a> and they are offering free downloads of the software. I really think it makes navigating through content much simpler as those who have an iPhone may also agree.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qRw1T-N5dic&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qRw1T-N5dic&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />Then of course, looking at the same site - <a href="http://www.nextechnews.com/PermaLink.aspx?guid=5030ffef-4056-4dd7-9d42-fe630b2cb0d6">NexTechNews</a> - there is the AT & T Microsoft Surface. Absolutely amazing - so many applications, including (typical woman here) recipes whilst cooking? The Talking Walls would be amazing using a Microsoft Surface - perhaps in kiosk mode. Excellent - I wonder what the cost will be?<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fSAVIueUS1M&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fSAVIueUS1M&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />The same but being used in a retail environment, T-Mobile, allowing the customer to discover more about the different phone models, tariffs and accessories, and choose the ones they want on their own. Very neat.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ktZsiuq8KBE&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ktZsiuq8KBE&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />The gadget I am waiting for is the Garmin Nuvifone - a very cool gadget (if cool is still 'cool' of course!!) This is due out in the third quarter and has some very nice touches, including 'Panoramia'. This is where you are able to take a photo of where you are, send it via 'PeerPoint' to your partner / colleague. The GPS position is included allowing your colleague to easily find you. You can continue your conversation whilst getting there, dock the device and it changes to the GPS Navigation, still allowing you to talk, hands free. Sounds very good, I hope it matches up to our expectations and roll on 3rd quarter!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TfV4rHHHpbQ&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TfV4rHHHpbQ&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br /><br />I have just treated myself though, to a new gadget - an <a href="http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Products/ProductDeskNoteDetail.aspx?CategoryID=8&TypeID=38&MenuID=95&LanID=0">EliteGroup UMPC</a>, a tablet PC running Windows XP. The interface on this is very Mac-like, but the system itself is full Windows XP. The 7" screen size makes it a reasonable size for carrying around, and absolutely ideal for writing / researching on those train journeys to London. It plays video, music, slideshows exactly the same as a PC, and has made my Archos AV700 redundant (now on Ebay!). The new gadget has WiFi and Bluetooth, so emails and web browsing will be more enjoyable than my current squinting on the smartphone. All in the name of research, of course!!<br /><br />Happy Viewing!Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-38122310332774052322008-03-24T21:55:00.007+00:002008-03-24T23:23:31.117+00:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_1ntJhcgyMdENUSNlnva8Or7BUs0A3IazzD9T1nt1RZlgC4pg4y5boNAHb_J3efR6D1F59JpSSZSuUeSkzQ4TvVq2WWqtI5gHfCZIbP6tqP6G8sJ3QQLKENi5XnVj6cW9kACm6jUY1wX/s1600-h/Manifesto_cover_banner.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_1ntJhcgyMdENUSNlnva8Or7BUs0A3IazzD9T1nt1RZlgC4pg4y5boNAHb_J3efR6D1F59JpSSZSuUeSkzQ4TvVq2WWqtI5gHfCZIbP6tqP6G8sJ3QQLKENi5XnVj6cW9kACm6jUY1wX/s200/Manifesto_cover_banner.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181431207061962498" /></a> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This is one of several sites I have come across during my research. It is full of links to all kinds of articles but more importantly the description of the term <a href="http://creativegeneralist.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html">Creative Generalist</a> is what caught my attention. <br /><br />I have always considered myself to be a jack of all trades, and have been able to put my hand to most things. For example, I can carve wood, plaster walls, sew dresses, design and lay patios and help rebuild my Triumph Stag. I am able to train 5 - 6 pieces of software (Autodesk's Revit, 3DS Max, Combustion, ADT and AutoCAD and Maxon's Cinema 4D) and use them for various design jobs, but am I a master of any one? <br /><br />They are all creative skills, but that is just it, it is a skill, one that gets better with use and experience. But in order to understand these skills and how to use them, I also need to know how they fit with other areas that will then make a whole - for instance a multimedia project. For example, if I was a Master in Photoshop, would that mean I knew this program inside and out? Would I then know how to use it for graphic design, print, web, textures for 3D or just for one or two of them, or even none, or would I just know what it could do? <br /><br />In order to fulfil a role as a Web designer, I would also need to know several other areas, Photoshop would be only one of the many tools I would need to be successful in this role. This would be the same for a Graphic Designer or 3D artist.<br /><br />Therefore, surely most that consider themselves as Masters, are probably jack of all trades as well? There is a need to understand each skill in relation to the whole - such as a jigsaw piece in a puzzle. It is also important to know how these work with each other to be able to create something new and explore new ideas.<br /><br />I am not sure if this still happens in Industry, but there used to be a time when you started at the bottom and worked your way up through the company, so when or if you reached the top, you had a complete understanding of everything below, giving a thorough insight to the way the company worked, what was expected of each position and the people themselves. Having reached the top, your own experiences may have helped forge new ways / methods in doing things. You have a handle on everything - so are you a Master, or jack of all trades?<br /><br />Another site, linked from <a href="http://creativegeneralist.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html">Creative Generalist</a>, is Mark McGuiness's <a href="http://www.wishfulthinking.co.uk/blog/2008/03/11/is-it-better-to-be-a-creative-generalist-or-a-specialist/">Wishful Thinking</a> which explores this further and pitches Steve Hardy's Creative Generalist theory against that of <a href="http://scampblog.blogspot.com/2007/07/creative-generalism-rears-its-head-once.html">Scamp</a> - Simon Veksner, a very interesting read.<br /><br />Finally - there was also this one by Joyce Wycoff <a href="http://www.thinksmart.com/mission/workout/creative_person.html">www.thinksmart.com</a>. A good exercise if you feel like being creative. Have fun!Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-19663145315562529902008-03-13T22:45:00.004+00:002008-03-13T22:49:18.194+00:00Catch Up - a very busy FebruaryGreat news!<br /><br />The Micro Project funding application (Research and Development - SEEDA) submitted at the beginning of January has been offered. This is absolutely fantastic news as it will enable The Talking Walls to finally get a project in place, the first one. The development of the existing prototype into a fully working pilot for Beaulieu Abbey will start from the beginning of May and complete by December.<br /><br />The pilot will allow visitors to Beaulieu Abbey explore what the Abbey used to look like before the dissolution and how the monks worked and lived within the community. It will also help with the research for the PhD, observing how the pilot is used and it's acceptance by the visitor. It is not just the application but also the technology being used that is important. The results next year will be very interesting and will lead to further development for future applications. So, all in all, very exciting.<br /><br />At the same time, the Creative Industries programme has been launched by the Technology Strategy Board. This is a huge project and is available to creative SME's, technologists and academics to forge partnerships and collaborations, working together to develop projects using and expanding on the skills available in the collaborative partners. This is ideal for The Talking Walls and hopefully we will forge partnerships with other companies to make the most of this opportunity.<br /><br />It does feel that after years of researching and working hard developing the concept of The Talking Walls, that is is starting to happen. By next year, TW will be in use at Beaulieu Abbey, with hopefully another being built for Bucklers Hard, maybe another for Jane Austen societies and with this new collaboration opportunity, who knows what else.<br /><br />Thankyou to everyone who has helped me with the funding application for Beaulieu Abbey, and for the current support with the new collaborative funding.Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6625244213928641766.post-57303945240617605852008-01-25T23:00:00.000+00:002008-01-25T23:03:49.403+00:00Frustrations of FinanceA busy week or two past and more interest gleaned for The Talking Walls. This is all great and obviously encouraging, but oh, how frustrating at the same time. I would love to work on this and get a model in place - I even have a site who would like this as well, but as all developers / innovators / inventors know, development of the idea to a working model is incredibly difficult to finance. Well, this is the stage I am at currently. Micro project funding has been applied for and now waiting for the outcome. Everything is crossed as you may imagine.<br /><br />My anxious waiting aside, in various discussions with people about this, it has become clear that funding for small companies / entrepreneurs is either non existent or is an incredibly long process. Unless you are incredibly lucky and meet a fantastic contact at that fantastic moment, you will begin the journey of learning where you need to go, who you need to meet, the types of funding available, the funding-specific business plans that need constant guidance on terminology and definitions (thank you Bernard), and a considerable amount of time. And, none of this will be definite, it may be refused, more work required, or further evidence needed. A very long process indeed.<br /><br />BUT - there may be easier ways depending on your personal circumstances. I have listed some of the ones that immediately come to mind and ones that you would be asked if you had considered when speaking to advisers:<br />1. A much quicker way would be to apply for various credit cards and use these to fund your time - this would certainly help to get the development work done and possibly a completed model, but how long would it take to pay back the credit cards and what with? What if you already have exhausted this avenue or cannot get anymore credit?<br />2. Another way, taking more time and a business plan would be a bank loan, again the same problem of a negative cashflow and time to pay it back, interest rates and goodness knows what other expenses.<br />3. Raising money from family and friends - mmm, wouldn't you be popular if you were not able to pay it back should one of them have a crisis and need their investment back quickly? And if you are anything like me, this just wouldn't be an option, the funds are just not there.<br />4. Raising money from the family home, with the cost of buying the house, you are probably stretched just to afford this, let alone borrow on top.<br />5. Finding an investor who is interested in what you are doing and wants to help you to develop it and become part of the company - or even own a considerable chunk. We all know about Dragons' Den, but there are smaller investors who might want to work closely with you.<br /><br />So after all these very attractive options, what are you left with? There is a great deal of funding available, some of which is grant based, often match funded. A grant is good as you often do not have to pay it back - but it will be for a specific purpose and checks will be made to ensure that the money is spent exactly as you have specified in your cashflow and business plan. The bug bear is that it is often match funded - i.e. you will need to find the same amount (or more), so you could be back to the beginning, and it is often paid retrospectively.<br /><br />If you are a charity or a not-for-profit organisation, then the available funding increases considerably. This is great, but if you want to run your own business and make money, this is not going to work.<br /><br />You could tie up with another organisation - in my case, it could be English Heritage, the National Trust or similar. Whoever you approach will either be pro-active and write the funding business plans and all associated paperwork, tying you in to working with them, and more than probably, part own the rights which would curtail any further opportunities with other organisations. Or, allow their name to be used as co-applicant wth you doing all the paperwork, and still curtail any further opportunities.<br /><br />There are other ways such as Business Angels and Venture Capitalists (VC's), all of which can be found on Business start up sites such as Business Link and Flying Start, but all of them - other than the credit card method, need business plans, cash flows / forecasts and profit / loss accounts. This is the part that takes a great deal of precious time, the precious time you need to continue developing the idea to a fully working model. And, maybe this is just a completely alien area to you as a creative? Wouldn't it be fantastic to have someone who knows you, knows what you are trying to achieve and can prepare all this for you, negotiate with the funding body, keeping you in the picture and everything ticking smoothly? This would be my idea of a business angel.<br /><br />What would be your idea of a business angel - or your method of funding? Meanwhile, I will continue to wait anxiously and bury myself in research and writing papers - oh yes, that is another thing, with funding applications, you cannot start on the specified project until you have the go ahead. It will be worth it though!!Deborah Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01035551225680050052noreply@blogger.com0