Chapter 2 Review

1. List the 4 steps in the design process and explain what occurs during each phase.

Preparation: - Establish the brief, do research and sketch ideas and plan.

Development:  Design the project, develop ideas, create moldboards, Respond to the brief, Create the digital media product, Implement your designs and develop a working prototype. 

Testing: Test the product, Evaluate, carry out technical checking, Add the finishing touches, Make any last-minute changes

Delivery: Deliver the final project, providing all required formats, Agree to ongoing commitments such as maintenance

 

2.  What is a Brief?  What should it include?

In most real-life projects the client gives you a brief. A brief can be a written document, an email, or a more direct form, spoken requirements. It is information about the project and the set of requirements the client wants and some examples are preferred color schemes, fonts, logos and the target audience they are aiming towards. A good idea is to write down the requirements in either an email or on paper, not only does this avoid misunderstandings, it also gives you a leg to stand on if you should happen to get into a situation. 

3.  What are the two categories of research? Describe each.

Visual Research: Something very important when developing the graphic style for your project. Research what's already out there, this means studying magazines, books, TV ads, you are trying to find and get in the mood for the brief that your client has given you.

Technical Research: After you've got the design aspect down, you now need to find out if want you want to achieve is physically possible and is going to work. Many producers end up making a fantastic design and ignore the technical restrictions, A good tip "don't bite off more than you can chew." During Technical research, it may also involve learning to use new software and applying those skills and techniques, push your boundaries. If you don't have the timeframe to dedicate yourself to learning techniques properly, avoid solutions that require them. Instead stick with techniques that you are comfortable and confident with.

4.  Explain what a storyboard is, what it should include, and why it is important.  Give me good insight, not just one or two sentences. 

Storyboarding is a way “sketching out” ideas before money is/was spent on expensive film production of the animation. Storyboards aren't to be confused with with comic strips with their similarities, they consist of frames of key moments (containing sketches of scenes and camera moves) and text explaining what can- not be illustrated. This allow s the director and the designers to work together, finalizing the designs, camera angles, and action before moving into production which ultimately saves A LOT of money. Storyboards ensure that everyone is “thinking along the same lines,” and they help to avoid any misinterpretations, not everybody can have the same imaginative creative minds as others.