Friday, February 02, 2007
Thursday, February 01, 2007
Production Processes update2
Breakdown of all the different design elements used to produce an interactive banner for the npower brief - Final Development
Mask created to act as a spotlight rollover
npower logo and banner box to contain the interactive advert
Panorama made up from a series of still shots
Tagline - Uncover your savings by switching to npower
Simplified image of the panorama that is uncover by the rollover mask
Blur of the above image to help create the sketchy animation effect
Still of the final advert
Mask created to act as a spotlight rollover
npower logo and banner box to contain the interactive advert
Panorama made up from a series of still shots
Tagline - Uncover your savings by switching to npower
Simplified image of the panorama that is uncover by the rollover mask
Blur of the above image to help create the sketchy animation effect
Still of the final advert
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Production Processes – Understandings of Project Management
To understand more about the production processes used by professional organisations, I arrange to meet up with two different companies to ask them about the production processes they use.
The first company I talked to was Sequence, who employ over 30 skilled staff, are one of the 50 fastest growing digital companies in the UK and the largest new media house in South Wales. There I talked to one of their account managers.
The second company I talked to was Filco which is a family run supermarket chain in South Wales and I talked to their Advertising Designer.
So as not to overwhelm them with too many questions and take up too much of their time I settled on five questions to ask.
Q1. Is the majority of your business client based or speculative work?
Sequence
At Sequence about 40% - 50% of their business is client based but the rest is speculative work, where they pitch ideas (invitation to tender) to companies like the BBC and other clients (existing and non-existing) based on what they might like.
Filco
At Filco all their work is produced solely for the supermarkets they own and for their website but of that work about 70% is client-based, and that is dictated by the Directors and what they specifically want to promote on a week by week basis. The other 30% is speculative designs pitch by the Advertising Designer to the Directors.
Q2. How is your team structured in terms of in house and freelance expertise?
Sequence
At Sequence they try to keep everything done in-house as much as possible to avoid complications and keep the costs down, but they will on occasion, when deadlines are tight or they need experts to produce complex Flash productions bring in freelancers from a pool of people they’ve worked with before. The Executive Management team at Sequence is built upon the dynamic professional model and they claim that this is without doubt key to their ongoing success. They also claim on their website that the direct ‘hands on’ approach exhibited ensures continuing client satisfaction, sustained business development, as well as excellent ongoing commitment from all employees.
All paper based printing is done outside of house.
Filco
At Filco all their work is produced in house by the Advertising Designer and his assistant, who liaise directly with the Buying Director and Director who are all based in the head office. Even though it’s a smaller company than Sequence in terms of design output they produce all their paper based printing in house from A4 to wall sized posters.
Q3. Do you use a standardized project cycle model on each job?
Sequence
At Sequence they use different processes for different jobs i.e. a graphics leaflet would use a different process to a website or game. DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method) is used on the majority of their work because it assumes that the client will want to change things along the way and suits a more flexible way of working and keeping the client involved.
They also use Prince 2 on projects that need a more controlled environment especially when dealing with companies or government agencies who use this model in their own departments.
Filco
At Filco they use a project life cycle passed around Prince 2. At the start of a project they formulate a plan of action, which involves
• Planning
• Initiating
• Directing
• Controlling
• Managing Product Delivery
• Managing Boundaries
• Closing Project
At lot of the work produced is adapting previous designs with this weeks offers so once your past the first few stages the Advertising Designer and his assistant are pretty much left self directed for the rest of the project.
Q4. How do you encourage collaborative working and successful communications with your clients/employers?
Sequence
At Sequence they believe that customers shape the project. They believe that you have to have an equal partnership and make them feel like their involved every step of the way. Right from the start employees are chosen for specific projects based on how well they think that they will get along with the clients. When they’re given a brief from the client they specifically ask what are the MUST HAVES, SHOULD HAVES, AND WON”T HAVES to make sure that right from the start your going in the direction the clients want.
Clients have easy access to the account and management departments who can inform them on the progress of their projects and are always kept in the loop.
Filco
At Filco they have a very open office based structure, with everyone based in the same office at their main supermarket. As it’s a family business passed down through the generations they still hold family values at the heart of its operation and encourage an open approach to projects where everyone is involved in equal measures no matter how much input the might have in the end design.
Q5. How do you test your work before completion; I.e. User / Expert Testing?
Sequence
At Sequence they mainly use in house expert testing. Elements of their work are first tested in isolation e.g. a flash button, and then the whole project is tested for full functionality. The Design and Development teams work together to bring the project together as a working product. Then the development team test the work, before they pass it onto the Quality Inspection team who test the product (using profile testing – role playing as the user that will be using the product) before they pass it onto the client for them to test.
They will sometimes use expert testing – special testing is often required for disability websites, where they use people with disabilities as expert testers. They also sometimes use children to test sites if it’s possible and necessary.
Filco
At Filco the Advertising Designer and his assistant perform expert testing before passing it on to the Directors who perform their own usability testing. They rely mainly on their own experience and marketing skills.
The first company I talked to was Sequence, who employ over 30 skilled staff, are one of the 50 fastest growing digital companies in the UK and the largest new media house in South Wales. There I talked to one of their account managers.
The second company I talked to was Filco which is a family run supermarket chain in South Wales and I talked to their Advertising Designer.
So as not to overwhelm them with too many questions and take up too much of their time I settled on five questions to ask.
Q1. Is the majority of your business client based or speculative work?
Sequence
At Sequence about 40% - 50% of their business is client based but the rest is speculative work, where they pitch ideas (invitation to tender) to companies like the BBC and other clients (existing and non-existing) based on what they might like.
Filco
At Filco all their work is produced solely for the supermarkets they own and for their website but of that work about 70% is client-based, and that is dictated by the Directors and what they specifically want to promote on a week by week basis. The other 30% is speculative designs pitch by the Advertising Designer to the Directors.
Q2. How is your team structured in terms of in house and freelance expertise?
Sequence
At Sequence they try to keep everything done in-house as much as possible to avoid complications and keep the costs down, but they will on occasion, when deadlines are tight or they need experts to produce complex Flash productions bring in freelancers from a pool of people they’ve worked with before. The Executive Management team at Sequence is built upon the dynamic professional model and they claim that this is without doubt key to their ongoing success. They also claim on their website that the direct ‘hands on’ approach exhibited ensures continuing client satisfaction, sustained business development, as well as excellent ongoing commitment from all employees.
All paper based printing is done outside of house.
Filco
At Filco all their work is produced in house by the Advertising Designer and his assistant, who liaise directly with the Buying Director and Director who are all based in the head office. Even though it’s a smaller company than Sequence in terms of design output they produce all their paper based printing in house from A4 to wall sized posters.
Q3. Do you use a standardized project cycle model on each job?
Sequence
At Sequence they use different processes for different jobs i.e. a graphics leaflet would use a different process to a website or game. DSDM (Dynamic Systems Development Method) is used on the majority of their work because it assumes that the client will want to change things along the way and suits a more flexible way of working and keeping the client involved.
They also use Prince 2 on projects that need a more controlled environment especially when dealing with companies or government agencies who use this model in their own departments.
Filco
At Filco they use a project life cycle passed around Prince 2. At the start of a project they formulate a plan of action, which involves
• Planning
• Initiating
• Directing
• Controlling
• Managing Product Delivery
• Managing Boundaries
• Closing Project
At lot of the work produced is adapting previous designs with this weeks offers so once your past the first few stages the Advertising Designer and his assistant are pretty much left self directed for the rest of the project.
Q4. How do you encourage collaborative working and successful communications with your clients/employers?
Sequence
At Sequence they believe that customers shape the project. They believe that you have to have an equal partnership and make them feel like their involved every step of the way. Right from the start employees are chosen for specific projects based on how well they think that they will get along with the clients. When they’re given a brief from the client they specifically ask what are the MUST HAVES, SHOULD HAVES, AND WON”T HAVES to make sure that right from the start your going in the direction the clients want.
Clients have easy access to the account and management departments who can inform them on the progress of their projects and are always kept in the loop.
Filco
At Filco they have a very open office based structure, with everyone based in the same office at their main supermarket. As it’s a family business passed down through the generations they still hold family values at the heart of its operation and encourage an open approach to projects where everyone is involved in equal measures no matter how much input the might have in the end design.
Q5. How do you test your work before completion; I.e. User / Expert Testing?
Sequence
At Sequence they mainly use in house expert testing. Elements of their work are first tested in isolation e.g. a flash button, and then the whole project is tested for full functionality. The Design and Development teams work together to bring the project together as a working product. Then the development team test the work, before they pass it onto the Quality Inspection team who test the product (using profile testing – role playing as the user that will be using the product) before they pass it onto the client for them to test.
They will sometimes use expert testing – special testing is often required for disability websites, where they use people with disabilities as expert testers. They also sometimes use children to test sites if it’s possible and necessary.
Filco
At Filco the Advertising Designer and his assistant perform expert testing before passing it on to the Directors who perform their own usability testing. They rely mainly on their own experience and marketing skills.
Future Schools
Saw this feature on BBC Breakfast this morning.
Follow the link to read and watch the full story
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/6315991.stm
Things aren't what they used to be in the classroom. Breakfast's Sarah Campbell has been to Broadclyst Community Primary School to investigate
Follow the link to read and watch the full story
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/6315991.stm
Future school
 Mission control or the school of the future? |
Where once pupils stared at blackboards - they're now almost as likely to be peering at podcasts.
New technology is being used to help the way our children learn.
One primary in Devon has invested £250,000 in state-of-the-art kit.
Every pupil has their own computer terminal and podcasting and web design are all part of the
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Entrepreneurship & Professsional Practice - BBC Commissioning
The Commissioning Process at BBC Wales (New Media Department)
The BBC states that its relationship with independent companies and the programmes they produce are a fundamental part of achieving our overall aims and objectives, and is keen to commission cross-media productions.
The main examples of these are:
• Websites - integrated programme sites, live webchats or online community applications such as chat rooms
• Interactive TV - Enhancement of linear programmes through additional audio or video content, voting, messaging or gaming
• Mobile Devices - Text messages, WAP content, MP2/3/4 downloads, 3G video downloads, streaming and bluetooth content distribution
BBC Wales and independent production companies...
How The Commissioning Process Works
BBC Wales has specific commissioning rounds throughout the year which are initiated by a commissioning brief. The brief sets out the programme/s they are looking for, gives an indication of particular strands with examples of previous commissions and defines the tariff range within which the license fee payable by the BBC will fall.
When the brief is issued they set a timetable within which they will make decisions regarding shortlisting, interviews and commissioning.
- Example of commission -
December 2006
Young Adults - BBC 2W / BBC TWO Wales
BBC Wales wishes to commission exciting multiplatform entertainment for a younger audience demographic. Closing date 30 January 2007.
BBC Wales wishes to commission exciting multiplatform entertainment content for a younger
audience demographic. It will lead on ‘primetime’ television with strong ‘family’ branches on
line, and possibly on the radio. The minimum television requirement will be 20 x 30, hitting
the screen May 07. We are therefore seeking imaginative, innovative and distinctive
propositions from Independent Production Companies in Wales with strong track records in
high quality and high volume entertainment programmes for young adult audiences.
Premise:
Content for a younger BBC Wales demographic (18 – 30): a popular entertaining watchable,
irreverent, informative brand of content that will attract younger viewers. It will give them
loyalty to BBC Wales and to its content in this ‘light’ entertainment genre. It will be talked
about, push the envelope, be different, contemporary and innovative but watched.
Brand:
The Brand will be developed for television, online and radio in various manifestations. These
content manifestations will target specific aspects of the demographic from relax, sit back, be
entertained and feel amused and ‘naughty’ to the edgy, knowing, ‘kool’, rude. We want the
Brand to change their view of BBC Wales, its content and its relevance to them and get them
to watch and use other BBC Wales content with regularity!
Content:
We imagine that it might be celebrity led and have Music and Sport as its backbone, but also
celebrity gossip, fashion, news items and live bands.
Process:
BBC Wales therefore would welcome substantial tender proposals by January 30th 2007 that
include:
1) A content proposition that matches (and expands on the above brief) highlighting,
Editorial, style and key personnel ‘on’ and off’ screen.
(Screen test dvds of any unknown or new discoveries will be appreciated)
2) A production process schedule from research to broadcast.
3) Company CV and track record.
4) a ‘style’ showreel.
Outside these specific commissioning rounds they do look out for the ‘next big thing’, so you can send your ideas in at anytime and try a convince them that you are ‘it’
It has become increasingly important in a multi-channel environment to maximise the potential for ideas and programmes put forward to BBC Wales. You need to consider BBC Network, cross genre and cross media potential and think whether a programme would work best on television or radio, whether it could have an interactive element or have shorter spin offs on 2W, for example.
Even if your expertise does not encompass these areas the BBC can help you develop, realise and maximise your ideas for collaborative ideas and formats.
Proposal Layout
• Title
• Volume and Duration
• Indication/Acceptance that the programme can be made on the allocated budget
• Delivery
• Key Talent (Intended presenter, director/producer, other relevant individuals)
• Your name and contact number on all pages (even if you have sent a covering letter with these details)
• If your proposal is centred around a specific individual or organisation you will need to state whether they have given you permission to film
• Highlight any area with potential link ups for new media and other media
• If there is a time factor linked to the project please state this at the top of the proposal
• Concept/Synopsis: No more than one side A4, stating in your first paragraph what or who the programme/s is about and what it will show us
Confidentiality
BBC Wales will treat as confidential any proposals received. The BBC adheres to the code of practice as agreed between the Alliance for the Protection of Copyright and BBC, ITV, C4 and Channel 5.
Submitting Ideas
Outside of publicised commissioning rounds, in the first instance please send your ideas through to the Commissioning Department either by email to commissioningwales@bbc.co.uk or by post to Martyn Ingram, Room 3023 Broadcasting House, BBC Wales, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ. Your ideas will be registered and then discussed with the relevant genre heads within BBC Wales.
New Media Department Details
Email:newmedia.wales@bbc.co.uk
Telephone: 02920 323077
Fax: 02920 322169
Address: Room M2001, Ty Oldfield, BBC Wales, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ.
Links
http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/newmedia/index.shtml
http://www.bbctraining.com/newMedia.asp
http://informitv.com/articles/2006/07/19/bbcannouncesradical/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/04_april/25/newmedia.shtml
This is the one
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/info/commissioning/content/newmedia.shtml
The BBC states that its relationship with independent companies and the programmes they produce are a fundamental part of achieving our overall aims and objectives, and is keen to commission cross-media productions.
The main examples of these are:
• Websites - integrated programme sites, live webchats or online community applications such as chat rooms
• Interactive TV - Enhancement of linear programmes through additional audio or video content, voting, messaging or gaming
• Mobile Devices - Text messages, WAP content, MP2/3/4 downloads, 3G video downloads, streaming and bluetooth content distribution
BBC Wales and independent production companies...
How The Commissioning Process Works
BBC Wales has specific commissioning rounds throughout the year which are initiated by a commissioning brief. The brief sets out the programme/s they are looking for, gives an indication of particular strands with examples of previous commissions and defines the tariff range within which the license fee payable by the BBC will fall.
When the brief is issued they set a timetable within which they will make decisions regarding shortlisting, interviews and commissioning.
- Example of commission -
December 2006
Young Adults - BBC 2W / BBC TWO Wales
BBC Wales wishes to commission exciting multiplatform entertainment for a younger audience demographic. Closing date 30 January 2007.
BBC Wales wishes to commission exciting multiplatform entertainment content for a younger
audience demographic. It will lead on ‘primetime’ television with strong ‘family’ branches on
line, and possibly on the radio. The minimum television requirement will be 20 x 30, hitting
the screen May 07. We are therefore seeking imaginative, innovative and distinctive
propositions from Independent Production Companies in Wales with strong track records in
high quality and high volume entertainment programmes for young adult audiences.
Premise:
Content for a younger BBC Wales demographic (18 – 30): a popular entertaining watchable,
irreverent, informative brand of content that will attract younger viewers. It will give them
loyalty to BBC Wales and to its content in this ‘light’ entertainment genre. It will be talked
about, push the envelope, be different, contemporary and innovative but watched.
Brand:
The Brand will be developed for television, online and radio in various manifestations. These
content manifestations will target specific aspects of the demographic from relax, sit back, be
entertained and feel amused and ‘naughty’ to the edgy, knowing, ‘kool’, rude. We want the
Brand to change their view of BBC Wales, its content and its relevance to them and get them
to watch and use other BBC Wales content with regularity!
Content:
We imagine that it might be celebrity led and have Music and Sport as its backbone, but also
celebrity gossip, fashion, news items and live bands.
Process:
BBC Wales therefore would welcome substantial tender proposals by January 30th 2007 that
include:
1) A content proposition that matches (and expands on the above brief) highlighting,
Editorial, style and key personnel ‘on’ and off’ screen.
(Screen test dvds of any unknown or new discoveries will be appreciated)
2) A production process schedule from research to broadcast.
3) Company CV and track record.
4) a ‘style’ showreel.
Outside these specific commissioning rounds they do look out for the ‘next big thing’, so you can send your ideas in at anytime and try a convince them that you are ‘it’
It has become increasingly important in a multi-channel environment to maximise the potential for ideas and programmes put forward to BBC Wales. You need to consider BBC Network, cross genre and cross media potential and think whether a programme would work best on television or radio, whether it could have an interactive element or have shorter spin offs on 2W, for example.
Even if your expertise does not encompass these areas the BBC can help you develop, realise and maximise your ideas for collaborative ideas and formats.
Proposal Layout
• Title
• Volume and Duration
• Indication/Acceptance that the programme can be made on the allocated budget
• Delivery
• Key Talent (Intended presenter, director/producer, other relevant individuals)
• Your name and contact number on all pages (even if you have sent a covering letter with these details)
• If your proposal is centred around a specific individual or organisation you will need to state whether they have given you permission to film
• Highlight any area with potential link ups for new media and other media
• If there is a time factor linked to the project please state this at the top of the proposal
• Concept/Synopsis: No more than one side A4, stating in your first paragraph what or who the programme/s is about and what it will show us
Confidentiality
BBC Wales will treat as confidential any proposals received. The BBC adheres to the code of practice as agreed between the Alliance for the Protection of Copyright and BBC, ITV, C4 and Channel 5.
Submitting Ideas
Outside of publicised commissioning rounds, in the first instance please send your ideas through to the Commissioning Department either by email to commissioningwales@bbc.co.uk or by post to Martyn Ingram, Room 3023 Broadcasting House, BBC Wales, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ. Your ideas will be registered and then discussed with the relevant genre heads within BBC Wales.
New Media Department Details
Email:newmedia.wales@bbc.co.uk
Telephone: 02920 323077
Fax: 02920 322169
Address: Room M2001, Ty Oldfield, BBC Wales, Llandaff, Cardiff, CF5 2YQ.
Links
http://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/newmedia/index.shtml
http://www.bbctraining.com/newMedia.asp
http://informitv.com/articles/2006/07/19/bbcannouncesradical/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/04_april/25/newmedia.shtml
This is the one
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/info/commissioning/content/newmedia.shtml
Monday, January 29, 2007
Entrepreneurship And Professsional Practice 1
Information regarding the Entrepreneurship & Professsional Practice module will be posted at http://dfim-e-and-pp.blogspot.com/
Input session from Simon
Employment - contracts - scales of business - me(1) -definition of scale of business - number of people - working self employed in bigger businesses - why do larger companies sub-contract employees? - advantages/disadvantages - cost.
BBC assumption - used to be a big employer of smaller companies project by project - sub contract and part time contracts - mid 90's went to full time employment in house. (SME's) small to medium sized enterprise.
Look at NMA - New Media Age magazine.
See what BBC are saying about its New Media Dept.
How do you go about getting work with the BBC? Cardiff/Bristol - List of Suppliers - Open days for perspective clients.
How do Channel 4 get their new media stuff done?
BBC has to have a percentage of its work done outside of London.
Endemol UK producers of Big Brother for Channel 4 - break up of companies for bigger competion
http://reader.kaywa.com/
http://www.shotcode.com/
Input session from Simon
Employment - contracts - scales of business - me(1) -definition of scale of business - number of people - working self employed in bigger businesses - why do larger companies sub-contract employees? - advantages/disadvantages - cost.
BBC assumption - used to be a big employer of smaller companies project by project - sub contract and part time contracts - mid 90's went to full time employment in house. (SME's) small to medium sized enterprise.
Look at NMA - New Media Age magazine.
See what BBC are saying about its New Media Dept.
How do you go about getting work with the BBC? Cardiff/Bristol - List of Suppliers - Open days for perspective clients.
How do Channel 4 get their new media stuff done?
BBC has to have a percentage of its work done outside of London.
Endemol UK producers of Big Brother for Channel 4 - break up of companies for bigger competion
http://reader.kaywa.com/
http://www.shotcode.com/
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