#fvmobile
Fort Vancouver Mobile - A video overview
Thursday, February 16, 2012
The National Park Service messenger bags have arrived, more gear on the way!
Fort Vancouver's Chief Ranger Greg Shine just let me know that the 25 waterproof messenger bags the National Park Service donated to this project (valued at about $700) have arrived and are en route now to WSU Vancouver. Those will provide a portable and durable way for a full studio class (of 24 students and an instructor) to work together on mobile media production at Fort Vancouver at one time, while keeping the equipment organized and safe. Greg also let me know that the federal agency will be lending us several other pieces of media production equipment to be used during the next few months, as part of the continued development of the interpretive content within the app and the growing partnership between WSU Vancouver and Fort Vancouver. What fabulous news! Thanks again, Greg!
Please welcome Sola Adesope to the FVM team
At our core, we are studying with this Fort Vancouver Mobile project the ways in which people learn best through mobile technology. So I have been searching for a while to find a pedagogical researcher with a strong interest, expertise and background in new media technologies to join our team. Turns out, this ideal person was closer 
than I imagined, after a conversation today with Dr. Olusola Adesope of Washington State University in Pullman.
Sola, as he likes to be called, studied computer science as an undergraduate and through his graduate studies has migrated to the "intersection of educational psychology, learning sciences, instructional design and technology." We still are working out many of the details of his participation in the project, but at this point, he and I are eager to get our research agendas overlapping in important places and to see what comes of that synergy. ... Welcome, once again, Sola!
Sola, as he likes to be called, studied computer science as an undergraduate and through his graduate studies has migrated to the "intersection of educational psychology, learning sciences, instructional design and technology." We still are working out many of the details of his participation in the project, but at this point, he and I are eager to get our research agendas overlapping in important places and to see what comes of that synergy. ... Welcome, once again, Sola!
Initial opening screen designs
Lead designer Marsha Matta is continuing to work hard on the redesign of the Fort Vancouver Mobile app, in preparation for the app's public launch on June 9. Note here that we are transitioning from a fixed horizontal design, to a mixed-orientation design, in which the mobile device primarily will be held in a vertical orientation but that users also will have the opportunity to turn the device horizontal for some activities, such as watching videos.
Marsha wrote today to say she also is considering a new variation of this design, using the stockade gate as the primary symbol, instead of the bastion, but those designs will need to be posted later. Right now, what we have is three variations of the opening screen (the one users reach when they press the launcher icon on their home screens). ... Look carefully at the button/menu placement, appearance, icons, etc., as we also transition into a carousel effect, suggested by John Tobiason of the National Park Service. With this approach, users will be able to enter a module selection arena and swipe the screens, to carousel through interactive narrative options.
By the way, lead web developer Joe Oppegaard, also has been working very hard to make this new design possible. He simultaneously has been building the coding framework for such an approach, incorporating Sencha Touch, and we are getting close to publishing a prototype code design to house this new work by Matta.
But for now, let's focus on the designs below. What do you like? Not like? Suggestions for improvements? Please post below.
Opening screen 1
Opening screen 2
Opening screen 3
Kanaka 1
Kanaka 2
Kane 1
Marsha wrote today to say she also is considering a new variation of this design, using the stockade gate as the primary symbol, instead of the bastion, but those designs will need to be posted later. Right now, what we have is three variations of the opening screen (the one users reach when they press the launcher icon on their home screens). ... Look carefully at the button/menu placement, appearance, icons, etc., as we also transition into a carousel effect, suggested by John Tobiason of the National Park Service. With this approach, users will be able to enter a module selection arena and swipe the screens, to carousel through interactive narrative options.
By the way, lead web developer Joe Oppegaard, also has been working very hard to make this new design possible. He simultaneously has been building the coding framework for such an approach, incorporating Sencha Touch, and we are getting close to publishing a prototype code design to house this new work by Matta.
But for now, let's focus on the designs below. What do you like? Not like? Suggestions for improvements? Please post below.
Opening screen 1
Opening screen 2
Opening screen 3
Kanaka 1
Kanaka 2
Kane 1
Monday, February 13, 2012
More button designs
Lead multimedia designer Marsha Matta has submitted another round of designs for the primary app button, as we continue the FVM app redesign, in preparation for the public launch in June.
Marsha noted that by including the black bar and National Park Service logo, the design inherently gravitates toward a boxed shape, yet a more dynamic button could be created without the frame. Any suggestions for getting around this issue? Any comments on a design preference? Please post below.
Dene Grigar sent back the suggestion of stylizing the fort even more, with less detail and more visual punch. ... Here are the rough images Marsha made in response:
Response to those?
Marsha noted that by including the black bar and National Park Service logo, the design inherently gravitates toward a boxed shape, yet a more dynamic button could be created without the frame. Any suggestions for getting around this issue? Any comments on a design preference? Please post below.
Dene Grigar sent back the suggestion of stylizing the fort even more, with less detail and more visual punch. ... Here are the rough images Marsha made in response:
Response to those?
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Thanks again to the National Park Service (and The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication)!
The National Park Service once again has shown its support for the Fort Vancouver Mobile project; this time by donating 25 messenger bags to be used for the media production kits we are creating at WSU Vancouver for students in The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. These kits will include cameras, monopods, microphones, etc., for the use of creating digital media in situ at places such as the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.
We constantly will be refining the kits to adjust to the technology of the day, but regardless of what's in the bags, we still needed the bags, and Greg Shine, chief ranger at Fort Vancouver, stepped up to help us. Our first addition to the bags will be Canon PowerShot Elph cameras, and other related accessories, donated by supporters of The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication in Pullman. So thank you again to the Murrow College as well!
We constantly will be refining the kits to adjust to the technology of the day, but regardless of what's in the bags, we still needed the bags, and Greg Shine, chief ranger at Fort Vancouver, stepped up to help us. Our first addition to the bags will be Canon PowerShot Elph cameras, and other related accessories, donated by supporters of The Edward R. Murrow College of Communication in Pullman. So thank you again to the Murrow College as well!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Busy day of beta testing at Fort Vancouver
On Thursday, Feb. 2, 24 students from WSU Vancouver's Digital Storytelling class (DTC 354) visited Fort Vancouver with their instructors for the course (Dr. Dene Grigar and Fort Vancouver Chief Ranger Greg Shine). These students will be creating mobile digital content for the app as part of the class, building upon the Women Issues and Gender module. We are very excited to see what they come up with!
Here are a few photos of the group (courtesy of Cassie Anderson, Park Ranger & Historic Programs Coordinator, of the National Park Service site):
Afterward, documentary filmmaker Beth Harrington also tried the app, and we hope to be able to work together with her, too, in the future to explore the potential of mobile apps, and place-based media, with the embedding of nonfiction filmmaking into physical landscapes.
Here are a few photos of the group (courtesy of Cassie Anderson, Park Ranger & Historic Programs Coordinator, of the National Park Service site):
Afterward, documentary filmmaker Beth Harrington also tried the app, and we hope to be able to work together with her, too, in the future to explore the potential of mobile apps, and place-based media, with the embedding of nonfiction filmmaking into physical landscapes.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
FVM app is splitting (and starting new life)
Because we want to offer a polished public version of the FVM app as well as maintain our abilities to experiment and use a version of the app as a mobile storytelling research tool, the FVM app has been split into two versions.
Those of you with the FVM app already installed eventually will be getting a much more streamlined and commercially slick version, in preparation for the public launch in June. That app will be where tested material gets put to general public use.
The research branch of the app will be moved to a new version, dubbed FVM labs. This way, members of the public who just want to use and enjoy the app will not have to filter through the experimental material, or be frustrated by it, while those eager to test the latest efforts can get sneak peeks into where we are going with the project.
Those of you with the FVM app already installed eventually will be getting a much more streamlined and commercially slick version, in preparation for the public launch in June. That app will be where tested material gets put to general public use.
The research branch of the app will be moved to a new version, dubbed FVM labs. This way, members of the public who just want to use and enjoy the app will not have to filter through the experimental material, or be frustrated by it, while those eager to test the latest efforts can get sneak peeks into where we are going with the project.
Button redesign, as part of prep for public launch in June
We are redesigning the look of the FVM app to better reflect our growing partnership with the National Park Service, as we prepare to move parts of the FVM app out of beta testing and into a public product (where the other parts will go is covered here).
To recap, we want to move away from the lone arrowhead button, because of the conflicts that icon might cause with the branding of National Park Service apps in the future. We also want to match the style and standards being set by the National Park Service, through its National Mall and Memorial Parks app.
So the buttons here show the trademark black bar on the top, and the menu screen uses the National Mall app as inspiration for the fort version. The image on the menu screen is for spacing purposes only, and an image will need to be selected in the near future, if we use photography (rather than illustration; that page also could be a graphic). The menu bar is shown on the bottom here, but it also could be placed on the side. Text also likely will need to be added. ...
From here, we need to decide which of these button ideas (or suggest another one) will replace the arrowhead button we are using now and give lead designer Marsha Matta feedback about the designs, in terms of what you like, what you don't like, etc. ... We have a design committee looking at these, too, but we also want to open the process up to the public as much as possible. So, if you have a comment, please post it here.
-------
Per the comments, here are the images mentioned:
From Greg Shine:
From Kapuanani Antonio:
To recap, we want to move away from the lone arrowhead button, because of the conflicts that icon might cause with the branding of National Park Service apps in the future. We also want to match the style and standards being set by the National Park Service, through its National Mall and Memorial Parks app.
So the buttons here show the trademark black bar on the top, and the menu screen uses the National Mall app as inspiration for the fort version. The image on the menu screen is for spacing purposes only, and an image will need to be selected in the near future, if we use photography (rather than illustration; that page also could be a graphic). The menu bar is shown on the bottom here, but it also could be placed on the side. Text also likely will need to be added. ...
From here, we need to decide which of these button ideas (or suggest another one) will replace the arrowhead button we are using now and give lead designer Marsha Matta feedback about the designs, in terms of what you like, what you don't like, etc. ... We have a design committee looking at these, too, but we also want to open the process up to the public as much as possible. So, if you have a comment, please post it here.
-------
Per the comments, here are the images mentioned:
From Greg Shine:
From Kapuanani Antonio:
Monday, January 23, 2012
Columbian coverage of the FVM app
The FVM app was featured in a front-page and Sunday centerpiece of The Columbian recently, a story which covered many of the basics of the project and illustrates why we are so excited about the potential of the work. In short, we are the first group in the country working with the National Park Service on the creation of interpretive mobile apps, rather than wayfinding or expositional apps. We are creating all of our own media, doing all of our own coding, making new app designs, sharing our workshop with the public (through this blog), and learning and having a lot of fun along the way. If you would like to know more, or to help us beta test in the coming months, as we prepare for the public launch in June, please contact me at fortvancouvermobile(AT)gmail.com.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
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