The Publication

This year's Production class will launch a Web publication that will be carried on by future classes. In addition to the content for the first annual issue, you'll create the information structure and the graphic design (see below).

First though, I need to come up with a name (see Technical Assignment 1). To help you help me with this task, and to assist your thinking about content topics, here's some further information:

Purposes

• To explore emerging technologies, expressive possibilities, and business concepts;
  
  
• To bring credit and visibility to the Publications Design program;
  
  
• To assist current Pub Design students thinking about Final Seminar projects;
  
  
• To inform Pub Design alumni about emerging trends.

Audience

• 25-45, college-educated, probably more female than male;
  
  
• Professionally involved with technology but not electrical engineers, programmers, or other specialists.

Features

• Informative, issue-oriented summary/commentary pieces (white papers);
  
  
• Interviews with experts or opinion leaders;
  
  
• Annotated resource lists designed for the uninitiated;
  
  
• (Optionally) proof-of-concept demonstrations.

Content

See the page on possible Research Topics.

Information Design

• Each group is responsible for file naming, management, and linking conventions within its assigned directory on the server;
  
  
• Information design must be clean and sensible, avoiding duplication and detritus;
  
  
• Groups must communicate effectively with the Managing Editor so that s/he can integrate their work into the general context.

Graphic Design

• Each content group may develop its own graphic approach, provided that it incorporates certain elements agreed upon by the class as a whole;
  
  
• Your designs should be readable and accessible (this isn't an art project);
  
  
• At the same time, you should try to be engaging and imaginative (this is a design program).

Platform Assumptions

• All work must perform adequately in both Netscape 4.7 and Internet Explorer 5.0 for Windows--that means limited support for Cascading Style Sheets;
  
  
• If you don't have a Windows system, use the Hypermedia Room to test your work--Mac dependency is no excuse for unworkable designs;
  
  
• Plug-ins and other special features may be required as long as you provide suitable alternatives, preferably through automatic detection;
  
  
• ColdFusion is not currently available on Crow, but that could change during the semester; consult with me if your project strongly requires application support.