xamlhouseSilverlight Exploration

• Edward A. Baker• Kevin Thomas• Anna Demas• Andrew Carolla• Nathanael Wolfe• Jess Davis• Sarah Merchant• Matthew Robinson• James Alexander

Project Overview• We have been given the opportunity to explore the

Microsoft Expressions software and Microsoft Silverlight plug-in.

• First, we have decided to develop a web application using the said technologies, which will help families share their everyday lives, communicate easier, and manage multi-media.

• Second, we want to document every step of our exploration, challenges and failures, successes and innovations via our blog, www.xamlhouse.com. We want to craft this blog in such a way that it becomes not only our story, but also a resource for developers and designers alike.

Project Objectives1. Research the potential of Microsoft Expressions software

and Silverlight plug-in.2. Explore basic user interactions from both design and

developer perspectives.3. Explore development beyond Javascript. Utilize C#

programming language and the Visual Studio 2008 environment.

4. Explore the implementation of Adobe software into both Microsoft Expressions software and Silverlight.

5. Document explorations via our blog, www.xamlhouse.com.6. Develop a web application.

Target Audience

Xamlhouse.com Blog• Any designer, developer, or enthusiast who is interested

in the potential of these Microsoft technologies.

Web Application• Families who use, or wish to use Internet based

technologies to communicate at a more integrated level.

Deliverables List

Xamlhouse.com Blog• A running deliverable that showcases Microsoft

Expressions software and Silverlight plug-in.

Web Application• A finished web application that showcases Microsoft

Expressions software and Silverlight plug-in.

Blog Outline• Installation• Designer• Developer• General• Widgets

Blog Design

Web Application Features• Customized Family Member Tabs• Family Tree Structure With Individual Member Profiles• Photo Gallery with Commenting Capabilities• Video Gallery with Titling/Text Features• Text Messaging/AOL IM API (optional)• Calendar/Schedule/Alerts• Stories/Gossip/News Bulletin Board

Web Application Usability• Limited sharing with extended family.• Easy and simple to use. Icon Driven.• Easy up to update.• Secure and safe for all ages.• Tool tips for main features.

Moodboard

Design Comp

Equipment & Technologies

Operating System• Windows XP/Vista

Organizational Tools• Base Camp• Google Docs

Equipment & TechnologiesSoftware• Silverlight 1.1 Alpha• Microsoft Expression Design• Microsoft Expression Blend 2• Microsoft Expression Web• Microsoft Expression Media• Microsoft Visual Studio 2008• Adobe Creative Suite 3

Languages• XAML• C#• Javascript

Client Responsibilities1. Provide Software for exploration past 60-day trial.2. Provide found resources and professional contacts to

further our research of these Microsoft technologies.3. Critique and follow our process on a regular basis.4. Inform Xamlhouse team of Effective UI’s projects that

potentially explore the said technologies.5. Inform Xamlhouse team of how our research and

exploration will benefit Effective UI in industry.

Team Organization• Project Manager - Ed• Art Director - Nate• Content Manager - Jim• Head of Technologies – Anna• Developers – Andy, Jess, Anna• Designers – Matt, Kevin, Jim, Ed, Nate, Sarah

Project Schedule

Winter – learn, plan• week 1 - “what is silverlight?”• week 2 - waiting for software/ reading blogs• week 3 - installing software• week 4 - exploring software / toolbox and examples• week 5 - brainstorming for project, research• week 6 - research, project plan outline, presentation• week 7 -  further wireframes and comps• week 8 -  refine comps - explore technologies• week 9 -  refine comps - explore technologies (examples)• week 10 - refine comps - program components, paper usability testing• week 11 - refine comps - program components, paper usability testing

Project ScheduleSpring – execute, refine, launch• week 1 – execute main structure • week 2 – execute user profiles• week 3 – execute family tree/ tabs• week 4 – execute photo gallery• week 5 – execute video gallery• week 6 – execute calendar, begin usability testing• week 7 – execute bulletin board• week 8 – execute live chat• week 9 - tweak and refine, final usability testing• week 10 – tweak and refine• week 11 – tweak, refine, launch live web application.

Critical Success Factors1. Showcase the Potential of Silverlight/Expression2. Ease of use, simplicity, Icon driven3. Cross generation appeal4. User attraction/satisfaction

Research

Creative• geni.com• myheritage.com

Functional• my family.com• thefamilypost.com

What They Do• Cluttered, Rigid, Overwhelming design• Not for the technically challenged• overwhelming amount of features• Membership levels, the better ones cost money• Heavy application look and feel

What We Will Do• Symbol and Icon driven for greater usability• Minimal design to reduce clutter and increase emphasis• Clean, timeless design that isn't trendy.• More emphasis on communicating and sharing as

opposed to simply connecting.• Environment based• Free to register

Office Matters• The less offices/posessions signify rank, the happier and more

creative employees will be o Give all workers a view o Take room that would have been for executives, and make it common areas

that encourage meeting and discussions. • Watch the fine line of filling the space with employees to make a

more filling, buisier workspace.  o Make sure not to squeeze everyone in like sardines. o However, to much space is like having to much time for a deadline, we'll

gladly take it, but it doesn't necessarily help get the job done • Creativity grows if people are allowed to personalize their space

without repercussions.•     Toolboxes with others work, and random items help the starting

processes.

Happy Accidents & Misconceptions

• Allow your product to go with the flow. Many products become famous for uses that they were not originally intended.

• Sometimes accidents create products

Happy Accidents & Misconceptions

Cross-Polination • "Subscribe and Surf"

• Look at various websites and magazines for new innovative ideas • "Play Director"

• Break the world down into scenes like you are a movie director• "Hold an Open House"

• Invite people to come in and give you suggestions on what you are doing, with food, pictures and get comments and ideas

• "Inspire Advocates" • Have people who have areas where they are passionate, and who you can go to for

resources• "Hire Outsiders"

• Hire people whose backgrounds are slightly different than what you do.• "Change Hats"

• Become the person who will be using your product and see what they would want in the product

Outside The Box

Barriers & Bridges• There are many things that keep people from being

creative, and many things that help them • Barriers:

• Hierarchy-Based • Innovation and structure don't mix

• Bureaucracy • Having to fill out forms before every project does not

encourage creativity • Anonymous

• Places where you have to play it safe do not encourage creativity

Outside The Box

Barriers & Bridges• Clean

• If you desk has to be clean and restricted, you can't "think outside the box"

• Experts • Being an expert may cut you off from learning new things and

doing things differently

Outside The BoxBarriers & Bridges

• Bridges: • Merit-Based

• Ideas can come from any source • Autonomy

• Being able to control your own destiny means you might take risks. Some of those risks might be great

• Familiar • Being close to your co-workers makes a more comfortable area and surroundings

to work in • Messy

• Having a place that you can make your own, means that you are more comfortable when you create

• Thinkers • People who are thinkers are tweaking things and improve themselves and their

work and bring projects to new levels

Outside The Box

Good Products or services are like generous hosts • Sounds on computers • Record Albums • Aspirin

Humans are habitual people • Wine Corks • "Good Rituals don't die, they just get reinvented"

• Legos Going beyond typical processes

• Running with Al Gore • Isuzus