Capstone Interview/Semester Reflection 12-9-11

Capstone Interviews

I've asked four or five capstone presenters if I could interview them. The ones I have chosen to interview are as follows:

• Tim Andrick-"Reformation"
• Jacob Daniels
• Jake Richardson-"Western Expanse"
  
• Joel Bergman/Dustin Ostrum-"Homeland-Elements of Chaos"
  

1. What has this week been like for you?

• Tim Andrick: Easygoing, had work done beforehand
  
• Jacob Daniels: Busy finishing up the project
  
• Jake Richardson: Not that bad or stressful, had most work done beforehand
  
• Joel Bergman/Dustin Ostrum: Crazy, sleepless, just trying to get everything done
  

2. If you could change anything in how you did your capstone, what would it be?

• Tim Andrick: More integration with social media/more promotion
  
• Jacob Daniels: Wouldn't have procrastinated
  
• Jake Richardson: Lower Poly Count, More interactivity
  
• Joel Bergman/Dustin Ostrum: Starting earlier
  

3. How close is the outcome to what you originally thought it would be?

• Tim Andrick: Pretty close; first issue and printed issue completed
  
• Jacob Daniels: Smaller than expected
  
• Jake Richardson: Close; happy with how it turned out
  
• Joel Bergman/Dustin Ostrum: Ended up changing a lot of things, including look of the game
  

4. If you had one more month to work on the project, what would you do?

• Tim Andrick: Comment integration with Facebook
  
• Jacob Daniels: Fix all of the Shape Tweens
  
• Jake Richardson: More buildings into which you can enter
• Joel Bergman/Dustin Ostrum: Start Earlier
  

5. What advice do you have for me about working on my capstone?

• Tim Andrick: Start Early
  
• Jacob Daniels: Start Early
  
• Jake Richardson: Start Early
  
• Joel Bergman/Dustin Ostrum: Spend a lot of time planning everything
  

Semester Reflection

1. Address the efficacy of the approach we took in this class.
In conjunction with the N490 class, I was able to finalize the best idea for my capstone and study the tools needed for the capstone.

2. Discuss whether the breakdown of the project development was advantageous.
It was advantageous because I could get a better idea of what capstone idea to use and what resources to use and how much my budget would be.

3. Discuss the advantages and/or disadvantages of the student guest speakers for forming your own approach to capstone.
• Advantages - I could get a perspective of what it's like to work on a capstone

• Disadvantages-Their experiences and projects may not exactly fit what I am personally doing on a capstone

4. Were there any assignments that you thought were particularly helpful? Please elaborate.

• The Project Development Issues assignment, because we were able to get into teams. I was able to get some resources that I may need for my project and some people that would help me on my capstone.

5. Were there any assignments that you thought were particularly useless? Please elaborate.

• Mentor Profile: I had already chosen Lykins as my mentor, and I had already taken classes with most of the MAS faculty.

• Budget: It may not be in stone, and I might not know what else I may need as I work on the project.
  

Disappointment and Lethargy 11-28-11

I hadn't gotten any farther into my project since I met with Chauncey the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

I hadn't searched for sounds, I hadn't written any scripts, I hadn't made any storyboards, not that much.

I felt like I was supposed to do that over the weekend, but I failed in doing so. I hope that I can catch up over the next few weeks before Spring Semester starts.

Project Update 11-24-11

On Tuesday, Chauncey and I had tested the SWF file again.

Everything worked well enough, so Chauncey had told me to focus on the art and story at this point in the project.

It's just too bad that I somewhat procrastinated and didn't add more interactivity to the SWF before then. The skeleton that appears when I click on the chair was somewhat last minute.

Other than that, there are no major changes to the timeline, though I did end up re-learning Actionscript a little ahead of time.

Progress Report 11-18-2011

1. What concrete progress have you made on your capstone project since you submitted your proposal and timeline?

Towards the end of October, we had taken a tour of the AVL to see how we could use the technologies in there to create the Interactive Haunted House. We had looked at the Super High Definition Monitor and the Virtual Reality Theater and discussed the idea of using what is called a “gyro-mouse” to interact with the environment.

In November, we had started testing the aspect ratio of a test sketch of one of the rooms of the Interactive Haunted House project in the Virtual Reality Theater. As it turns out, the width of the aspect ratio was slightly narrower than expected. While the original template (the largest available) was 5750 X 1050, the VR Theater’s aspect ratio was 5600 x 1050. I have started working on a SWF in Flash that could be used in the VR Theater. Currently, I’m experiencing problems with the testing ActionScript, but hopefully, I can fix it before the week of Thanksgiving Break. Thankfully, with Brian Graham's help and from what I'm learning from Polly Baker's N221 clas, I might be able to fix the Actionscript.

2. How many times have you been in contact with your mentor?

I have been in contact with my mentor almost every week since I submitted the proposal and timeline. We have discussed plans of action regarding the use of the Virtual Reality Theater for the capstone and this November, we have focused on how to make the VRT Cave work for the project.

3. How has your timeline changed thus far?

So far, I seem to be on track, except that I hadn’t made an official script, nor have I done any real storyboards for the project. I have focused on testing the VR theater to see how my interactive haunted house would work. Right now, I’m trying to create an early prototype of the project involving a Flash SWF file and ActionScript, which I had been testing earlier than usual. I was not supposed to delve into programming until next semester.

4. What do you still need to complete in preparation for the beginning of your N499 course?

I still need to make some thumbnail storyboards for the rest of the haunted house, gather sounds and record voices, and attempt to refine the art of the project. Unfortunately, I don’t truly have quite a concrete art style in mind, since few to none of my surveys earlier last month were completed and returned.

5. If there have been significant changes to your project since your proposal, please discuss them.

The only real significant difference to the project is that I am already trying to program a prototype of a room for the Haunted House capstone, when I had scheduled myself to get reacquainted with Actionscript next semester.

Haunted House project status 10-20-11

So far, I'm having a bit of trouble with the project.

1. I can't decide what to start the interactive haunted house story with:

• It takes place from the user's point of view(first-person)

• Here is a possible opening: The user's car breaks down at night in the middle of nowhere during a bad storm and his/her cell phone has no reception. He/she tries to find shelter for the night, and comes across an old (mansion/house/plantation).
  

• I don't know if I need to go further or if I need to develop it more.

2. I'm having trouble deciding whether to use a mansion, a house, or plantation. Most of the horror stories I'm familiar with contain a mansion of some sort, Addams Family, Luigi's Mansion, Casper, even the Haunted Mansion(I hadn't watched the film or gone to the attraction yet).

3. Other than the following rooms:

• Bedroom
• Bathroom
• Kitchen
• Dining Room
• Front Entrance
• Attic
• Ballroom
• Wine Cellar
• Living Room
• Library
• Garden Maze
  

I don't know what else to add. I also can't think of how to make each room scary enough for the target demographic(18-34 years old). That's mainly what I worry about: keeping target demographic in mind.

If anyone knows of any recommended viewing of horror movies or can help me get an idea on how to make specific rooms "scary" or "spooky"...maybe along the lines of Vincent Price or something like that, please let me know.

Any help on this will be appreciated.

Project Timeline 10-8-11

This timeline is as follows:

• Week of October 10:Turn in Capstone Proposal and Timeline
• Weeks of October 17-31:Script Development
• November: Learn how to program with the VR Cave Theater
• Weeks of November 7-14: Storyboarding from Finalized Script
• Week of November 21: Develop Art Direction
• Weeks of November 28-December 19: Create Art/Find Sounds and Music/Record Voices
• December 24-25: Christmas
  
• Week of December 26: Possible break
  
• January through March: Programming/Testing
• Week of March 12th: Spring Break
  
• Weeks of March 26th-April 17th: Make Promotional Materials for the Capstone
• April 29th: Day of Capstone Presentation

I started off with the script, because it is the backbone of any project. Whether I assigned myself enough time for it is the real question mark.

Storyboarding and Art Direction help decide the look and feel of the project. So that comes afterwards. I may have to consult Beth and speak with her regarding this stage, though, as not many of my Oncourse surveys have returned as of yet. They are important as they will help decide the target audience and thus the look and feel of the project.

As you may notice, the Programming and Testing takes up the bulk of the capstone process. This is because a lot of things might go wrong in the Programming stage: Glitches, misspellings, and also getting reacquainted with Actionscript, since I had not done that much with it since Mat Powers' S355 course last year.

Also, I'll have to learn how to use the VR Cave technology throughout the month of November. However, actually making a Script for it might be harder than the actual programming, since I don't currently know how the "story" of the interactive V.R. Haunted House will turn out.

Project Development Issues 9-24-11

Capstone: I'm trying to make an interactive Haunted House drawn in Flash and using the VR Cave.

• time management issues
• Not sure what she means by this...but if she means "make a schedule for this project", then I can't think that far in advance.
• I’ll need time for making a “script” for the haunted house and planning on what rooms to navigate in the haunted house
• Need time to make the art and code
• Need time to test the haunted house and check for errors
• Need time to get music and sounds
• Need time to complete business cards
• Need time to complete promo materials such as posters, flyers, etc.
• skills needed to complete the project
• I might need help getting reacquainted with Flash and ActionScript and learning some new things on Actionscript(Brian Graham said he has moderate knowledge of Actionscript)
• I need help on how to use the Cave and/or program for it
• Animation(though Beth Lykins says that I could just use limited animation)
• Scriptwriting
  
• resources needed (people and technology/materials)
• I'll need the AVL Cave, but I don't know how far in advance I need to reserve it
• I'll need Flash, of course
• I'll need royalty-free sound effects and music
• Not sure what else I'd need though.
• budget(don't know what I'd need to buy for this project)
• Business Cards
• Making promo materials for the Capstone project
• Buying CD-Rs or DVD-Rs
• team issues (even if it is just you and your mentor, that forms a team)
• I'd need someone who knows how to make Flash work with the Cave(not sure if Chauncey can do that)
• I'll need feedback after every week, so I need someone for that(Beth Lykins and maybe Mat Powers on ActionScript)
  
• other issues
• Unsure about what target audience I should shoot for.

Project Development Issues help 9-20-11

OK, here's the situation.

Yesterday, I talked to Beth Lykins about my mobile app idea problem. I then showed her some of my drawings from my S355 course from Fall 2010. She fell in love with them and thinks I should fall back on a plan B regarding my artistic skills.

So I might do something visual regarding the AVL and maybe Flash. It might be a modification of the 3D Haunted House idea, where the Haunted House will likely be drawn in Flash now. I'm not sure about an exact or even an ABSTRACT budget, nor do I know WHAT I'd need to buy at this point.

I don't remember how the AVL controller controlled , nor do I remember if it had buttons on it.

If anyone's willing to make a new team with me, please let me know. I'm looking for someone who is interested in animation, cartoon, or comic-book styled project and/or in Flash and AVL technology.

Capstone Update 9-19-11

I had met with Beth Lykins today before my N450 class, and had expressed my concerns over the capstone problem. She asked me what my strength was, and I said "I like to draw".

I showed her my drawings, and she was very impressed by them, so she has asked me to pursue a capstone idea based on my artistic skills. Maybe I should try out that AVL idea or something visual like a comic book or something animated.

So this means that I might not follow my app idea anymore. I might pick a different secondary mentor such as Mat Powers to help with the comic or visuals and ActionScript and have Chauncey Frend help me with the AVL technology if need be.

Secondary Mentor 9-19-11

What do you think the role of a secondary mentor is?

A role of a secondary mentor is to provide a “second opinion” on the project (whether he or she agrees or disagrees with the progress I’ve done) and to give additional feedback on the project. Perhaps he or she can point out a flaw that the primary mentor could not see; the necessary “third pair” of critical eyes in the team. That mentor could also cover a secondary area of specialization that the primary mentor does not cover.

Where can you find a secondary mentor?

You could find possible secondary mentors under the Informatics Faculty website at http://informatics.iupui.edu/research/. You could look under the desired areas of specialization for your project, such as Human-Computer Interaction, Data Mining, Graphics, Visualization, and Animation.

Who would NOT be a good candidate for this role (the kind of person, not necessarily a name?)

Someone who would not be a very good candidate for secondary mentor, in my opinion, would be someone who isn’t an expert in anything closely related to programs or languages needed for the project of choice. Another thing that would disqualify this person from candidacy would be if the person gave vague feedback, i.e. not pointing me towards a specific directions or pointing out specific mistakes in the project.

Identify at least 2 people who would make a good secondary mentor for your capstone. Interview them in a similar manner you did your mentor candidates.

Todd Shelton

He specializes in Web and Flash development, and has worked in PHP, HTML, MySQL, FlashBuilder, Flex, and Actionscript.

What are your expectations for a capstone student?

I think the student should have a well thought out plan on how to proceed with their capstone and be ready to do a lot of research on their own. The mentor is just that a mentor and to provide guidance not do a persons Capstone or assignments.

What is your general availability for mentoring next semester?

Available

Do you have any project types you are not interested in working with?

Interactive, web, games, mobile applications, audio, but NO Video. That is not my expertise.

What are your thoughts on a secondary advisor?

I believe this is a good fit for some students as the secondary advisor will help in some areas that the main advisor can't.

He is familiar with Flash Builder, but not familiar with Objective-C, the language for Apple iOS and says that Flashbuilder can compile to both iOS and Java (Android phones).

M. Pauline Baker

Baker specializes in Human-Computer Interaction. More specifically, she specializes in “novel technologies”, such as sensor-based and camera-based interfaces.

Expectations of a capstone student: Able to make a good plan or good idea, and carry out the plan or idea. Balance between independence and dependence on mentors.

She is available for secondary mentoring in the Spring 2012 semester.

Projects not interested in working in: None.

She has not worked in Objective-C, but has worked in C, C++, ActionScript, Java, and Lisp. Does not currently know who else works in Objective-C.

Primary Mentor Profile 9-19-11

1. State your capstone idea in 100 words or less.

I want to make a smart-phone app that helps people with riding IndyGo buses, possibly based around bus routes going to certain suburbs/neighborhoods such as Broad Ripple, Greenwood, and Downtown Indianapolis.

2. Identify and discuss 4 key components you are searching for in a mentor.

I want a mentor who:

+Balances structure and freedom

+Has a sense of humor

+Gives me frequent, specific, and timely feedback to help me on my way

+ Is knowledgeable about a certain technology, such as mobile apps

3. Identify 3 potential mentors from the MAS faculty you would like to approach to discuss your capstone. Make sure one of them is someone from whom you have never taken a class.

+Davide Bolchini

+Jennifer Kay Stewart(formerly Christine Newlon, but she did not have a Ph.D yet, so she could not do capstones)

+Elizabeth Lykins

4. Explain what these faculty members could bring to your capstone and why you are interested in working with them.

+Davide Bolchini is an associate professor in Human-Computer Interaction, which may involve interfaces in mobile apps. Since I am not familiar with programming mobile apps or human-computer interaction, he might help me develop this IndyGo mock app.

+Jennifer Kay Stewart specializes in Media Arts, Digital Literacy, and Education. Media Arts may encompass development of mobile technology.

+Elizabeth Lykins is my current mentor. I had chosen her because I didn’t have a capstone idea. I was hoping to make a video game for a capstone, but Professor John Ludwick advised against working in the video game industry because of the inconvenient, upwards-of-80-hours-a-week-from-Monday-to-Sunday schedule. I’ve had to reevaluate my capstone path, and ended up cultivating ideas for Beth over the summer.

5. Either via web research, email, phone, or in person interview, discuss the following topics about each faculty member you are interested in working with:

1. Their area of expertise

Bolchini is an expert in the area of Human-Computer Interaction, which includes interface development, may also encompass development of mobile applications.

Stewart specializes in Online Education, Web Development, and Project Management.

Lykins specializes in imagery, creativity, team building, idea development and visual storytelling.

2. Their expectations of a capstone student

Bolchini-Does not typically take in capstone students

Stewart-“I expect the capstone student to take the project as seriously as they would take a first job.”

Lykins-“they will meet at least 30 minutes a week; they will notify her if they have problems; they are willing to comprise if needed on the idea or implementation.”

3. Their general availability for mentoring next semester

Bolchini-see above

Stewart-“I am available to informatics majors only.”

Lykins-“I am already slated to work with Beth during the Spring 2012 capstone.”

4. If they have any project types they are not interested in working with

Bolchini-see number #2

Stewart-“I would not be well equipped to work in sound or video.”

Lykins-She is not interested in doing capstone websites

5. Their thoughts on a secondary advisor

Bolchini-see number #2

Stewart-“I would be happy to advise informatics majors.”

Lykins-Someone who would be strong in area of expertise needed for capstone (in my case, with the IndyGo app, I’d need Skip Comer, Todd Shelton, Jennifer Stewart, or Joseph Defazio)

6. Anything else you might want to add

Bolchini-is currently busy advising MS and Ph.D students in his Human-Computer Interaction program.

Stewart-“Unfortunately, I am an Informatics faculty and I am to work with informatics majors this semester. I enjoy working with media arts students, but it just isn’t in the cards this semester.”

Lykins-N/A