I like to think. I am not ashamed of this, in fact I love to think, deeply and analytically, until I am ready to execute my concept. Yet I am learning that executing a concept is not always a requirement for explaining a concept, especially with web-related projects.
There are many factors that lead to the best answer for this question. Many factors are surface-level, chiefly being fairly understandable and easy to evaluate. Time, proficiency, ability, resources – all these are generally surface factors. In many of my efforts, these factors have not hindered me in execution. Others, however, are subsurface, and are primarily unexpected, unplanned, or may be constraints in which to execute.
With my senior project starting in a few weeks, it is time to start developing the logistics of my concept and begin to work though possible constraints placed upon my project.
Hindering my ability to execute my concept are three major factors: time, ability, and the medium in which to create. While the first two are understandable, the third requires some information. Although I am pursing a career in interactive design and development, the core focus of my curriculum is graphic design. Web development is not stressed in the program, and the two courses offered in this area are optional. I have taken independent studies to continue my education in web design and development, but the overall purpose of the department is graphic design. I need to evaluate what is more important, executing the design and limited development of a site or executing a design of a site and corporate identity?
In regards to my career, the former options would be my better choice. But, does execution of development really help me? In the value of everything, the latter options makes more sense, as it all comes down to what is going to give me the best education and abilities of skills.
Senior project focuses on the presentation of the execution of work over the course of 12 or so weeks. The presentation is an opening show with four full days of viewing in the gallery of the art department. While printed graphic design displays are not difficult to show as part of your presentation, interactive works are more difficult to present both the concept and the work. You cannot expect everyone to interact with the software to understand what your concept was and how you executed it. And since development execution is not beneficial to this situation, what will be the best way to present an interactive work without the interactive?
There is one solution that solves the problem of both: video demonstration.
Instead of worrying about connectivity, uptime, and whether anyone will even attempt to interact, a video demo can highlight concept features, explain the concept, and demo interactivity that I may not be able to complete in the allotted time. A video demo also frees up development time to focus on feature exploration, graphic identity, and other graphical components.
In the context of the situation, a video demonstration with other printed material best present the concept. While such options may not be fruitful for every situation, it is important to question each step, and evaluate the execution of concepts for the sake of presenting the concept.
