Video Sharing

Video sharing is a tool that allows people to share videos via the Internet. Other people can watch these videos, comment on them, and share them with other people. Companies are even creating videos to promote themselves on video sharing websites like YouTube.

Social Media

Social media are web-based and mobile technologies used to create a level of interaction that is beyond mere social communication. Various forms of social media such as blogs, podcasts, and social networking, allows a unique form of communication between individuals and organizations. Blogs allow for readers to provide comments, creating a level of interaction. Microblogging is a variation of blogging where users brief updates frequently throughout the day (i.e. Twitter). Podcasts are digital audio files that are distributed through the Internet for playback on a computer or portable media device. Photo and video sharing is a way for users to share photographs and videos with other users. Another source of social media that I believe is overlooked are MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) such as World of Warcraft, Star Trek Online, and Meridian 59, which allow for a unique experience in which players can interact at a social level via their characters.

The Design Process

Step 1: As a designer, I have to start off by knowing exactly what my client needs of me. I need to know about his or her product. I have to know what kind of audience the product will be targeting. I need to know what information needs to be presented in order to cover the scope of the problem.

Step 2: From this point, I can can create a brief, an organized document that will help guide me and keep me focused on the project at hand. The brief is a sort of map or blueprint, guiding me step by step through the design process.

Step 3: The next step is to develop personas, imaginary users, and scenarios in order to test how the design works on various users and in various situations. How does the design appeal to individuals or certain demographics?

Step 4: From here, prototypes such as presentations and storyboards can be created to show to a control group from the target audience. Gauging the prototypes' level of success, I can figure out what needs to be tweaked and improved. At this point, I can publish a design for the client.

Sensorial Design

Sensorial design is an all-inclusive category of disciplines involved with the creation and presentation of media. It includes visual disciplines such as graphic design, typography,animation, photography, etc. Sensorial design also includes auditory (hearing), tactile (feeling), and olfactory (smelling) disciplines. Thus, sensorial design also includes things such as music, and even scratch-and-sniff advertising found in magazines. These disciplines always stimulate the senses in order to communicate information (Shedoff 298). Sensorial design requires a mastery of media literacy and an understanding of the human senses.

Applying sensorial design elements to my blog will help provide numerous options for stimulating the senses of my class-mates. However, its easy to go too far. An important aspect of sensorial design when it comes to websites is to keep bandwidth in mind -- too many design elements can cause websites to become slow and buggy. Another thing to keep in mind is that different class-mates will be using different Internet browsers, which causes websites to look different from system to system.

What Is Information Design?

In the broadest sense of the term, information design is the visual presentation of information. This visual presentation of information is one of the most effective methods of communication. That is why we are surrounded all our lives by signs, billboards, and a plethora of other visual objects. However, this visual presentation of information comes with its own obstacles, so information design strives for efficiency. In fact, efficiency is the name of the game. Information design is about offering the best solutions possible. On one hand, data must be successfully portrayed in a visual format. On the other hand, art must be infused with information that is easily and effectively communicated.