Idea 2

Justlife Avatar

Avatar can be defined as a graphical representation of the user / the embodiment of personifications. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/avatar (01/06/2011)

To be simplified, avatar is another “you”/ “person” in virtual world which having similar personalities / functions as in real person. The idea of Avatar is widespread after blockbuster movie “Avatar” (2009) by James Cameron (director). The idea is not merely computer graphics that maybe apply onto screen play, it is now being used by multimedia designers in order to construct a representation regarding to its personalization such as doctor, teacher, mentor, mechanic, so on & so forth. These representations commonly are given roles as reminder, personal nutrition, or even best friend of yours in reality.

To some circumstances, avatar acts as perfection of oneself in virtual world because users able to customize appearance according to their preferences. For clearer picture, you may visit second life website : http://secondlife.com/whatis/avatar/ (01/06/2011)

Second Life provides a space (repository) for users to build their desired worlds, costumes, features, buildings & sculptures virtually. Avatars in Second Life are representations of users where they able to communicate through conversation and interact with artefacts within the world. You might find it surprise when looking at the appearance of avatar is totally different from a real person even that is a self representation form. In Second Life, users controlling their avatars as if they are living in that simulated world. Features of one’s self maybe perfect in Second Life. This can be included in the elements of having a customizable avatar of Justlife due to different age group of consumers.

Avatar can be programmed as Artificial Intelligence, in which an avatar may provide solutions or suggestions to user regarding to their problems in real life. For entertaining purpose, I have been exposed to a famous vocaloid (avatar singer) in Japan – Hatsune Miku. You might wonder the impact of avatar to real person in real life. Watch the concert and you may see and learn http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_RVLOsUW6U (01/06/2011).

This phenomenon is happening in Japan where it also developing its own cultural impact onto Hatsune’s fans. We might as well as foresee the impact of an Avatar in our country. It may not be as perfect as a hyper- real hologram. We shall start from introducing the avatar via mobile application as mobile phones, smart phones or iPhone has become young generation necessity in their lives.

The avatar can either designed as a representation of individual or specific roles can be injected into it. E.g. Justlife avatar works as a personal organic nutritionist where it guides user towards organic lifestyle. Or the avatar acts as one-self being an organic farmer, looking through the making processes of organic food / products. Or it becomes an AI problem solver regarding to environmental issues.

Avatar offers opportunities for users who are new to organic products and even for those who are familiar with organic lifestyle. It helps to build up understanding of eco-lifestyle among the society. It is also a database that convenience to be updated within HQ & outlets and definitely save tons of papers.

Idea 1

Interactive Web

Regarding to problems that stated in previous posts, I started my research from Justlife official website http://www.justlifeshop.com/.

Notification of existing problems based on the web page :
1. Lack of interactivity - I tend to get lost in somewhere when searching for certain products.

2. There are numbers of environmental issues that Justlife want to deliberate, but it seems restricted to video clips and images.

3. Product information - No price but heavy detail information.

4. It does not allow give and take session (e.g comments, feedback...)

As I observed, Justlife might not want to focus on web because it is merely a place for user to look through about its history, motives, several featured products, just like another official webpage of one's company.

As a Multimedia Designer, interactive web is about users interacting with the web itself rather than a page of writing/reading. For instant, if adding some backstory where users are treated as a virtual organic farmer by each visit to the page they will be given a seed to plant, seeing the plant grows (time-based design) as they browse through desired information and finally get "reward" (can be a cash voucher, discount items & etc..) By implementing elements of narrative, it may build understanding of "Organic"among new members.

Setting a mini task such as planting seed also increase user retention, as long as they spend time on web, it opens up a gateway which navigates users about the idea of being organic. Of course function of interactive web does not stop there, it may as well as allows user generate contents by posting comments on featured products. It helps to create discussions among consumers, sharing information via existing social website (facebook, twitter etc.).

Visualizing the data is part of the idea of interactive as well, designing the comments into a form of graphic. E.g. I posted a comment about product X, the comment then transformed into a leaf and hang over the branches at the corner of product X. These information are helpful because of it is genuine data that provided by consumers rather than spending millions just to advertise featured products.

Besides, I find that Justlife providing organic cooking demonstration to public. The process can be video tapped and upload into existing platform such as Youtube. It allows an alternative solution for housewives who are interesting in organic cooking. The recipes can also be included into an interactive web as it provide multipurpose for web users.

These are elements that can be achieved by using interactive web as an effective database which provide wide range of information to users.

Problem 3

Problem 3 Paper wastage

After visit to Justlife retail shop, I realized that there were many flyers about certain products. Each of the flyers contains massive information that consumers might not reading. Besides, there are also posters of eco- friendly issues hanging all over the wall as if it will present the issues to consumers but in fact, it does not work that way. Paper wastage can be avoided as digital advertisement functions better than poster. In digital form, multimedia designers are able to include interactive elements in order to increase the attractiveness among consumers.

Situation alerted!
Posters with overloaded information are not effective advertisement as promoters of retail shop need to serve consumers individually. Why can't we make the products talk to consumers instead of increasing burden for promoters in order to explain every single details to customers.
"Let's the product talk! Out loud!"

Another poster with descriptions.

Again, posters to advertise products.

Poster that describe the products.

Problem 2

Problem 2 Products are uneasy to search & lack of interaction

Top Search Engine http://www.seoconsultants.com/search-engines/(25/05/2011)

Eventually, “Google” is ranked as the best search engine in cyberspace. Why so? Does it require a set of golden rules that allows significant search for web users?

- Keywords/ Keyphrases

- Visuals/ Images

- Translation (Language)

- User preferences

Basically search engine works as an artificial intelligence answer machine.

E.g. When user type in a keypharase such as “health care product”, a series of recommended products of Justlife appear on the screen.

Interactivity

How suppose information/ products interact with users?

- Demonstration of “green cooking” via youtube (Online tutorials)

- Provides space for users to comment/upload/subscribe (User generated content)

- Responses to users click/ search

- How about narrative plays as part of introduction of new products? (e-learning)

- Provides a page of “daily green tips”, allows users to contribute ideas of “go-green”

- Mini games that helps understanding of certain products

- Create a Justlife avatar – AI reminder/ guidance to users (an application)

- Audio+ Visualize user’s input

Problem 1

Problem 1 Too much information with limited space

Information Designhttp://searchcrm.techtarget.com/definition/information-design (22/05/2011)

The detailed planning of ‘specific information’ that is to be provided to a particular audience to meet ‘specific objectives’

specific information

- organic products & promotions of Justlife

specific objectives

- educate & create awareness about the importance of eco- lifestyle

- relationship of individual lifestyle with planet health

WHY Information is important?

“When the information is relevant good, people are able to make better decisions, to be more effective, to be happier and to increase their well-being”

by Dirk Knemeyer http://64.13.255.16/articles/the_information_design_approach_to_web_development/ (22/05/2011)

HOW to deal with massive information?

Define the :

- Content (Information + Data)

- Structure (Categorization according to purpose/scope/types)

- Functionality (Request & Respond)

E.g. http://www.ikea.com/my/

Digest, Digest, Digest

Digest the project brief..

*Create a Multimedia Platform to integrated massive product information and promotion within HQ and outlets.

Problems faced:

1) Information overloaded with limited space

2)Uneasy to search (as in?) & lack of interaction

3) Paper wastage (for promotion flyers?)

What client Need:

1) Reduce confusion amongst massive information

2) Easy update of product and promotion info from HQ to outlets

3) Easy search & sharing of info for customers/ consumers

4) Effective public education

5) Increase brand loyalty & confidence

6) Budget RM 35K (RM 5K/outlet)

Proposition of client

1) Educate & create public awareness (importance of eco- lifestyle)

2) How individual’s lifestyle linked to planet health

Well, what I am going to do next is Research =)

*about Justlife (aim, targeted consumers, products categorization, motto/aim)

New Semester, New Brief, New Life

Module Title: Competitions, Festivals, Exhibitions

I analysed the module outline which was given yesterday.

Basically the entire project for this subject is divided into 3 major phases :

Phase 1 - Enquiry

- analyse,research & evaluate the brief

- prepare relevant & appropriate materials to solve client's problem

- pitch initial ideas to client and select the most potential idea to further develop

- a personal statement with 350 words according to the chosen idea (why & how)

Phase 2 - Making & Documenting

- I am doing it right now ... Maintain personal blog/log/diary

- Document entire working processes

Phase 3 - Reflecting, Preparing & Presenting

-given 5 minutes for presentation

-with presentation slides (discusses 'design decision making' along the working process)

-must be reflective & informed discussion

What to do next is to digest the project brief...