g3-envision

 =Contextualization= Index | Phase 1: Envision | Prototyping | User Testing | Refined Prototype toc

Problem Definition and Focus
The CCCA project is meant to find a solution that will enhance the user experience for accessing the Canadian Art Database. We have decided to focus on the aspect that contextualizes the content and finds way to visualize the interconnections between data. Our goal is to place the site contents (artists, works, movements, styles) into cultural context which includes the social, political, geographical, historical, and personal influences.

Initial Brainstorming
Here are some initial ideas that we came up with to narrow down our focus. These were presented to the class on Week 02.
 * to open up the strict categories and have it more fluid
 * to be able to relate data in many ways
 * to simplify the current CCCA interface, to create a system of navigation and cross-referencing that can be applied to the site in general
 * to take advantage of technology: to provide context via mobile access as artworks are viewed in a museum environment

//Class feedback.// We have received the following suggestions of things-to-consider:
 * Nonlinear timeline
 * Visually representing aspects of artwork such as frequencies (i.e. changing size, making more prominent things bigger)
 * Inter-relation of things/ideas. How they connect i.e. similar artworks around the same time period
 * Provide background information on artwork, which isn't offered anywhere else
 * Wide range of users: to make it less intimidating (in tone and visually) thus making it more accessible and friendly to casual viewers and younger audience
 * Ability to sort things in a variety of ways
 * Content frames data in a sense but the viewer would have the choice of going deeper in the information given about the artwork

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Analysis
> All users from casual viewers to researchers will benefit from effective cross-referencing by placing artworks and artists into context. For casual viewers, contextualization through cross-referencing allows users to access related information, providing points for further exploration and enhancing awareness of Canadian contemporary art. For researchers, curators, and students, context not only augments learning and understanding, it provides a basis for critical and scholarly thinking about the art. Artists can also use this capability to record inspirations and personal information about their work, allowing them to document their process.
 * //Who is using the current system?//

> There are art and musuem sites existing, but few present a complete cultural context in an engaging way, especially on as large a scale as the CCCA database. In addition, concept maps are the closest conceptually to our proposed route as it shows interconnections (and relationships) between objects. > Example: [|MoMA], [|San Francisco MoMA]
 * //What other systems currently exist?//

> The option to view works in a chronological timeline can be useful to view an artist's work over their life time. The viewers are also able to compare several timelines to compare artwork. In addition to the timeline, the user has the option to view art in thumbnails or in a 'detailed' view which allows them to view the same set of information in different ways depending on their needs.
 * //What are the current interactions available? How are they beneficial?//

> Information can be presented in a variety of different ways depending on the type of data and user. For instance, researchers might require advanced searching with filters and more text heavy results while casual viewers might see more visual presentations with more interactivity. There is also an opportunity for a "concept map" stucture to display interconnections between art, artists, and context. > Example: [|DiggLabs]
 * //In what new ways can the vast amount of content be accessed/presented ?//

> Context (or complexity or way its presented of context offered) can potentially be tailored to the audience (ie. high school student vs. researcher; layers of info) but in all cases, it is essential to understanding the art or artist. Related information such as images, videos, recordings, and exhibitions can also be linked.
 * //What can be added/deleted to enhance the user experience?//

> The design of the site should be simple and clean, allowing artwork to become the main area of focus. Also, the interface should be inviting for the wide target demography consisting of many age groups and backgrounds.
 * //How can the design be improved visually ?//

> The current CCCA site provides little to no sense of orientation, navigation, or cross-referencing. Organization and structure as well as content of the site needs improvement. The categories need to be less restricted to solely type of artist and medium and made looser with the inclusion of 'softer' terms such as mood, inspiration, imagery, or cultural influences.
 * //How can the overall user experience be more enjoyable, informative and efficient? Consider from visual and interactive design perspective?//

> **Challenges** > Part of our main challenges is narrowing our idea down/focus to a specific user or area. Contextualization is such a broad topic that it is difficult to envision it without having to consider how it will be perceived/received by all the users of CCCA, varying from students, to researchers, casual viewers, etc. as the presentation will inevitably affect one from another. For the purpose of this project, we have decided that including a curator, a casual viewer, and a student would suffice to at least, however roughly, cover the range of audience.

> **Action Words - Functions** > compare, juxtapose, deduce, explore , discover, contrast, connect , browse, prove, appreciate, assess, conceptualize, classify, make sense, identify, educate, illustrate/visualize abstract concepts, expose, impose, focus, suggest, investigate, integrate, interpret, analyze, refer, narrate, navigate, immerse, outline, clarify, highlight, rank, search, add to favorites, rearrange/reorganize , extend, share, present, access, entertain, engage , teach, showcase

> **Possible Relationships** > The following outlines what usually needs to be considered in comparing one artwork to another:

> Information can be visualized/arranged according to spatial relationships (i.e. geographical, or value), > chronologically (i.e. historical accounts), and themes (i.e. subjects, motifs).

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Requirements
We have formulated three defining verbs that would help direct the purpose of the system: to engage viewers, to organize information, and to connect inter-related areas.

From there, we have attached functions that meet those requirements.
 * engage || * search by user input (autocomplete)
 * random search
 * related artworks ||
 * organize || * chronological
 * socio-political
 * personal
 * cultural ||
 * connect || * color coding
 * related artworks
 * tagging (metatags, tag clouds) ||



This is a more refined list in bulleted form:

[[image:dscbook245.jpg width="800" height="285" link="http://3005-w09.wikispaces.com/file/view/dscbook245.jpg"]]
> **Interconnections** > Some resolutions for displaying relationships include:
 * related keywords (tags: encompassing themes, subject, events)
 * related artworks (either socio-politically, historically, culturally, geographically) ← This could be displayed in random, or color-coded, or would have a filtered setting such that they can display artworks that are related historically only, etc.
 * related artists (perhaps they have similar work, or are friends, or had similar influences)
 * artwork by artwork comparison (could have 2 to 4 artworks compared next to each other)
 * artwork by artist timeline comparison
 * timeline by timeline comparison

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Scenario and System Map Development
These are various iterations of our flowchart and/or map.



**Possible Scenario**
User enters the keyword they wish to use to search || **Random Artwork:** User taken to artwork’s information page: contains general information about the piece as well as the social, political, historical, geographical and personal influences of the piece. || User clicks on a link and the database returns related artwork about the issue || //(Loops to clicking on information)// ||
 * User enters site ||  ||
 * User decides to either keyword search a specific piece of artwork or click on a displayed piece of work on front page of site ||  ||
 * **Search:**
 * **Search:**
 * Search returns list of possible artworks, user clicks one ||  ||
 * || User clicks on the piece of information they want to know more about ||
 * || User can search related artworks based on the issue or look at the other information about the piece ||
 * **Search related artwork:**
 * User clicks on a piece of artwork of interest ||  ||

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**Layout of combined map and scenario**
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Final
[|context-scenario1.pdf] [|context-scenario2.pdf] [|context-scenario3.pdf]

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Links
//(References / Best Practices)//
 * Information Visualization Techniques - http://www.mixed-up.com/markb/iv/proposal/techniques.html
 * Art History Compare/Contrast Outline (what to consider)- http://arc.academyart.edu/writing/essay.asp
 * Visual Analytics - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visual_analytics
 * Infographics Being and Doing - http://www.uigarden.net/english/infographics-being-and-doing-part-ii
 * Rise of Visual Browsing, TED talks - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_jdn-N_wwM
 * Cover Flow, Visual browsing in iTunes (from the guy who conceptualized it) - http://web.archive.org/web/20051225123312/thetreehouseandthecave.blogspot.com/2004/12/dissatisfaction-sows-innovation.html
 * wall of media - http://www.cooliris.com/
 * ThinkMap architecture regarding visualizations - http://www.thinkmap.com/architecture.jsp;jsessionid=4797D51C4A3EF90F2D09435A8A71818F
 * [|San Francisco Museum of Modern Art] - Interesting home page, very organized and intuitive. Has interactive image exploration component as a side app ([|artscope]) but does not seem to link to the actual pages for the images.
 * [|Digg Labs (pics)] - Fun way to view dynamic images in different categories. Digg labs also explores other ways of showing new diggs.

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