| If you're here from Boxes and Arrows, or got my handout at the IA Summit 2002, welcome. I'm working on a new set of pages to wrap around this initial proposal page. The models have changed substantially from what is pictured below. Several people have asked for patterns, and I plan to release them on this page soon. If you want the raw layered Illustrator files, drop me an e-mail. The poster will be expanded into an article for a future issue of Boxes and Arrows. <mike> |
Dimensional Deliverables:
Exploring the Realm Between Paper and Screen
[jump to references or photos, or my web log]
Updated January 21, 2002
Presented at the ASIS&T IA Summit 2002 on March 16, 2002
Abstract
The evolution of the Information Architect's project deliverables has, out
of necessity, become a process focused on flat representational site maps —
a controlled jumble lines and squares on paper or on a screen. If web sites
are dimensional information spaces, then what do IAs miss by typically presenting
artifacts in two-dimensions? The experimental paper and plastic sheet forms
in the project test the possibilities for adding physical dimension to paper
deliverables by using basic office supplies. This process was limited to the
simple actions of cutting, folding, bending and gluing working with adhesive
substrates that can be printed on by office copiers. The resulting patterns
could now apply to real world client engagements, and to solicit feedback from
the Information Architecture community.
Poster Content
In five stages, the poster will describe appropriate and cost-effective methods
for dimensionally enhancing Information Architecture deliverables. Three primary
approaches will be shown along with some variations of each, and future directions
of the overall effort will be outlined.
The poster will begin by outlining the requirements for a controlled exploration of ways to add dimensionality to common IA paper deliverables. The first requirement was to limit the materials to those paper and plastic substrates that can be imaged by office photocopiers and laser printers. Visio graphics can thus be adapted for printing on each type of map. The maximum dimensions of the substrates were 11 x 17". Only commonly available office tools and adhesives were used.
The exploration followed a logical progression of ways to manipulate paper. The actions were grouped into three categories:
Each map construct was designed to accommodate a basic web site hierarchy down to two levels. The corresponding levels on each are colored coded.
A Circular Cutout Book Map, inspired by astronomy charts used in the 15th century [1], is a series of paper discs with progressively smaller holes in the center stacked and bound together as a book. The holes are larger on the top of the book to smallest at the bottom. The inner edges of the holes have tabs to represent web pages. When the closed book is viewed, the tabs form concentric rings similar to the wavefront style of web site map. The home page is in the center of the bottommost page. When the book is opened, blank space is revealed around each concentric ring of tabs to provide more regions of text information or symbols.
The Collapsible Step Map is based on the techniques of origamic architecture [2] in which a grid of carefully pre-determined intersecting cuts and folds in a single-fold sheet of paper are pushed out to form three-dimensional steps that pop-up when the paper is opened. A three-step pattern was used as a base for displaying a web site map.
Moving beyond paper to transparency film, the Concentric Transparency Map consists of three concentric arcs of clear film anchored to a base of paper to form a series of embedded half-tubes lengthwise. Each clear sheet is printed with a web site map level. Pairs of alpha-coded dots on each level indicate links between site maps levels and are viewed in alignment through the tube layers.
Each of the three base maps will be shown plain and rendered with color map boxes, labels, and link arrows.
The poster will conclude with a brief assessment of the pros and cons of each type of map, and a web site will provide the patterns in PDF format for all the map experiments with instructions.
[1] Bruce Stephenson, Marvin Bolt, and Anna Felicity Friedman. The Universe Unveiled: Instruments and Images through History. Cambridge University Press, 2000.
[2] Baud and Bui. Origamic Architecture. http://www.baudandbui.com/plier/plier.htm
Martin Dodge and Rob Kitchin. Atlas of Cyberspace. Addision-Wesley,
2001.
Keith A. Smith. Structure of the Visual Book, Third Edition. Keith A.
Smith Books, 1998.
Jessica Helfand. Wheel Charts: A New Spin on Complex Information. EYE,
11(5):30-41, Autumn 2001. (Note: Jessica's article is now a
book from Princeton Architectural Press)
David A. Carter and James Diaz. The Elements of Pop-Up: A Pop-Up Book for
Aspiring Paper Engineers. Little Simon, 1999.
Malcolm McCullogh. Abstracting Craft: The Practiced Digital Hand. MIT Press, 1996.
John Seely Brown and Paul Duguid. The Social Life of Information. Harvard Business School Press, 2000.
Supportive photographs for Dimensional Deliverables Poster Proposal
[Poster Layout Sketch, 154k JPEG]
All the map prototypes shown with images used for concept inspiration. The prototypes are unprinted. Grid patterns for each of the maps have been created in Adobe Illustrator. The base grids will be imported into Visio to have web map graphics applied.
The Circular Cutout Book Map with pages partially lifted. Holding the large half-circle on the right level keeps the 1.0 Home disk label label no matter which way the map is rotated. All map box IDs and labels will be printed to always read correctly in the bottom quadrant of the map as the whole book is rotated. The pages are all cut from 11 x 17" card stock that will be printed via color laser.
The Collapsible Step Map. Pulling the top flap down to close also collapses the dimensional map levels. The front facing squares of the extruded levels will have web page thumbnails. The top faces will have corresponding ID numbers and labels. The paper base is 11 x17" card stock that will be run through a color laser printer.
A sketch of the Step Map labeling. We are limited to 3 or four levels, and maybe a couple dozen facets per level on an 11x17" sheet. A web site architecture map that is limited by the paper it's visualized on might be a good thing.
The Concentric Transparency Map without graphics applied. The next prototype will incorporate the ability to collapse the transprent sheets.
The Concentric Transparency Map with map box and link placeholders. These are 8 1/2 x 11" transparency sheets that will be run through a color laser copier to have custom Visio map graphics applied. I will explore how web site map symbols interact and re-cluster across multiple transprent planes.
The next steps before the IA Summit will be to create a series of these prototypes with actual web site maps applied.
E-mail Mike Lee