Reality Skewed...
Work Samples
Work Samples
CD-ROMs and their recent cousins DVD-ROMs can be an ultimate interactive packaging of communication and ideas. A well prepared and executed multimedia presentation can entertain, inform, titillate and educate an audience. A poorly developed title can amount to just another useless "coaster" in the landfill. Knowing how to most effectively utilize the potentials and capabilities within the digital disc forms takes experience, knowledge, knowhow and planning.
Although the concept is implemented in many varied and various forms, the type of presentation used in each of these is of the same ilk. A presentation using a combination of various forms of media, imagery, sound, text, video, etc., within a unified structure and presented within a self contained medium. This description covers the widest base of project types of any of those listed here. A well executed multimedia CD-ROM or its like is a complex but highly effective communication tool.
As a typical example of a complex disc created to reach a specific, savvy audience below is a description of a CD-ROM created for potential freshmen considering the University of Notre Dame.
![](javascript:popimage("snapshots/ndcd_main.jpg",320,240); "A popup window showing the main menu screen for the CD. The image is of a typical student's dorm room desk. The different items on the desk can be clicked on to go to corresponding sections of the disc.")
When approaching a CD-ROM project the multitude of options available can appear daunting. By asking the right questions in the planning stages, an approach that addresses the expectations of the intended audience with a balanced amount of information, interactivity and entertainment can be found. With the Notre Dame Admission CD, the design took into account the perspective of the intended audience, the entering freshman class considering Notre Dame and their families. Once the audience was specified, the design was geared around a visually pleasing and youth oriented approach, while retaining the information structure required by the inquisitive parents of these candidates.
![](javascript:popimage("snapshots/ndcd_text.jpg",320,240); "A popup window showing a typical text informational section. The user can scroll the text up and down and return to the section menu by clicking on the image of the menu behind the text box.")
The extensive specialized programming for the project was geared to providing individualized access to a huge amount of information pertinient to the audience's interests. The flow of information was designed to appear seamless, navigation from one section to another would appear intuitive. A significant amount of the projects execution was targeted at making sure the end user's experience was a pleasant and informative one.
![](javascript:popimage("snapshots/ndcd_photo.jpg",320,240); "A popup window showing some of the extensive use of photographs in the CD. Interspersed throughout the disc, the photos added a more human touch to the overwhelming information available.")
By incorporating a large dispersal of photography throughout the disc the visual appeal of the campus and its environs was continually reemphasized. Graphical inventions also kept the interactive experience fresh and memorable.
![](javascript:popimage("snapshots/ndcd_voices.jpg",320,240); "A popup window showing a menu screen for selection of the different video clips available. There were a large number of personal vignettes available from all walks of ND life.")
By chosing to use an extensive set of video clips of actual teachers, students, alumni and administrators telling their stories in their own words the project brought a human touch to the presentation and hinted at the Notre Dame experience awaiting the candidate.
As in all things, a single project cannot answer all questions for all parties, nor can it last forever. But a well planned and professionally executed implementation can reach its goals and provide an effective communication of ideas and information to a target audience within a determined span of time and budget.
