Fake 3D

currently there are many websites that navigate well and seem 3D but are still created in 2D software. Though they seem 3D they are actually just a series of layered images that move in reaction to the users mouse giving the image more depth. Though websites like this are look good they are not utilizing the background and foreground depth that gives the impression that you are navigating through space. Here are some links to examples of fake 3D.

http://www.mauriciostudio.com/

http://www.dragonhunters-thegame.com/

http://www.erguvanplatin.com/

http://www.comcasttown.com/

http://www.sensisoft.com/

none of these websites utilise the X, Y and Z axis of navigating through information, though they may have a level of depth they work on the usual way of navigating content by going up, down left and right.

Experimenting With Navigation

I decided to layout a few squares behind each other all of the same size but varying in shade to differentiate them and use the camera in After Effects to try and navigate between the shapes, I am happy with the final out come and think this could be possibly be used in my final design of navigation.

Possible Way of Navigation

I created a cube in After Effects to show my basic ideas on how the program may look, it was also a way for me to get more of a grip with After Effects and give me a better depth of knowledge on how the software controls work as this software will be vital to me when I am creating my 3D navigation. The final outcome of the video is below.

Each side of the rotating cube would have the different icons of the adobe software and when clicked it would launch the software, the cube would then change to the correct colour that corresponds to the program that you are using. When clicked the cube would then fold apart covering the screen and then the software would load.

Searching for Inspiration

To come up with an original idea of how to navigate through information in 3Dspace first I have to have a basic understanding of what existing types of 3D navigation there are, I started my search on the internet, though this is not the only place where navigating 3D space exists it is easily accessible to begin my search.

I started my research looking at how you could create 3D images in software such as Photoshop. The first image I came across was an image of some MP3 players arranged in a similar way to the 3D cover flow that Apple has incorporated into many of their creations. As I am hoping to create something that is easy to navigate as well as understand maybe I can incorporate some of the usability into my idea's.

image taken from http://www.smashingapps.com/2009/03/24/43-really-useful-photoshop-tutorials-for-excellent-3d-effects.html 

 

On the same website I also found an image of three different cubes with the Photoshop logo which cave me the idea of creating a program where you could launch different adobe software from a single 3d environment and it would also allow you to switch through different programs seamlessly. Though the idea is good its already been done and this would be purely for aesthetic purposes.

 

image taken from http://www.smashingapps.com/2009/03/24/43-really-useful-photoshop-tutorials-for-excellent-3d-effects.html

The final idea that I liked was the navigating through a corridor, this is a common idea for 3D navigation but as I want to try and create something with a level of originality I will either have to develop this idea vastly or rule it out all together.

image taken from http://my.opera.com/m2m99/albums/showpic.dml?album=658228&picture=10371530

Navigating 3D Space Initial Idea’s

The first idea that I came up with was to have titles of the different information you want to navigate through in a circle that will react to the left and right movement of the mouse. Then when you were over the title you could navigate through the information either by clicking and dragging the mouse or by using the scroll on the mouse.

My second idea was to display information on top of a title and when the user clicks the link it zooms into the title and the specified information is displayed, I have created a mock up example of my idea which is displayed below.

Contemplation Volume One

The capacity of humans to exercise introspection willingness and openness to learn more about your purpose as a digital designer.

Self Reflection = The contemplation of one’s self.
Extrospection = The observation of things external from them.

“Why should we not carefully and patiently review our own thoughts and thoroughly examine and see what these appearances in us really are?” Plato, Theaetetus 150


COGNATIVE PSYCHOLOGY

What is the scientific method?

Scientific method refers to a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge. To be termed scientific, a method of inquiry must be based on gathering observable, empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning.

Wikipedia

It operates on the principals of Gershtalt "The whole is greater than the parts".

Problem Solving
In heuristics if you cant find a solution then work backwards, solve a general problem first, the more. Be open to chance and sudden inspiration!