Author: Morneau, Marisa

Talkwalker Character Design

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Objectives & Target Market

The primary goal of this project was to breathe life into Talkwalker's AI voice, Tobin, through an animated caricature. Tobin, envisioned as a mid-30s, approachable, and encouraging professional, serves as the visual representation of Talkwalker's international marketplace. The target audience consists of business professionals seeking certification in the Talkwalker program, requiring Tobin to be relatable and reflective of the current workplace dynamics influenced by the COVID-19 environment.

Process

The project was executed through a collaborative effort within the team:

  • Christina, Emilee, and Ryan contributed insights into the Talkwalker program, guiding the development of Tobin's character based on their extensive knowledge.
  • Nicole and Jonathon took charge of Tobin's creation, meticulously designing character sheets and ensuring Tobin's overall visual representation aligns with the project's objectives.

Schedule

The team adhered to a structured schedule, meeting in class every Tuesday and Thursday. Additional bi-weekly sessions with Talkwalker facilitated ongoing communication and ensured alignment with their expectations.

Challenges

Several challenges were encountered throughout the project:

  • Difficulties in obtaining timely approval from the higher-ups at Talkwalker.
  • Periods of limited feedback due to Talkwalker's busy schedule.

Sketches & First Draft

Second Draft & Redesign

Character Sheets

Reactions from the Client

Client feedback played a pivotal role in shaping Tobin's final design:

  • The team maintained regular communication with the client through weekly meetings and email exchanges.
  • Client reactions were overall positive, leading to a successful collaboration and a design that aligned with their vision for Tobin.
  • A mid-semester redesign was implemented to enhance Tobin's fit with the desired vision, demonstrating the team's adaptability and commitment to client satisfaction.
  • The client expressed extreme satisfaction with the final Tobin design.

Skills Used and Lessons Learned

The project honed various skills and provided valuable lessons:

Skills:

  • Advanced character design skills were expanded and refined.
  • Understanding the intricacies and timelines involved in comprehensive character design.
  • Enhanced communication skills, crucial for effective teamwork and client interaction in a virtual environment.

Lessons:

  • Consideration of client review time is essential for successful project management.
  • Clear identification of key decision-makers within the client team is crucial for efficient approvals and feedback incorporation.

The Tobin project not only enhanced the team's design capabilities but also demonstrated the importance of effective communication and adaptability in delivering a successful client project within the unique context of a virtual environment.

Team members:

Christina

Emilee

Jonathon

Nicole

Ryan

Mashantucket Pequot Museum Spring 2021

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The collaborative efforts with the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center encompassed the successful execution of three significant projects aimed at enhancing visitor experiences and promoting safety. These projects included a website redesign, a COVID safety video, and the creation of a 2D map wayfinding design.

Website Redesign

The website redesign project sought to revitalize the online presence of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center. The objectives included:

  • A comprehensive overhaul of the existing website to reflect a contemporary and user-friendly design.
  • Improved navigation and accessibility, ensuring visitors can easily access information about the museum's exhibitions, collections, events, and educational programs.
  • Integration of multimedia elements to enrich the user experience and provide a compelling virtual tour of the museum.
  • Streamlined content management and a fresh layout, all optimized for mobile devices to accommodate a wide range of visitors.

COVID Safety Video

In response to the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, a safety video was developed to ensure the well-being of museum visitors and staff. Key project highlights include:

  • Creation of a detailed safety video highlighting essential health and safety measures, such as mask-wearing and social distancing.
  • Clear communication of the museum's commitment to ensuring a safe and enjoyable visit.
  • Production of visually engaging content that educates visitors on the protocols in place and fosters a sense of security.

2D Map Wayfinding Design

The 2D map wayfinding design project was initiated to enhance the visitor experience within the museum. Project objectives included:

  • Development of a clear and user-friendly 2D map guiding visitors through the museum's diverse exhibitions, galleries, and amenities.
  • Integration of intuitive wayfinding elements to facilitate navigation and maximize visitors' exploration of the museum.
  • Creation of a visually appealing map that aligns with the museum's branding and identity.

Conclusion

Through these three major projects, the collaboration with the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center has significantly improved the visitor experience. The website redesign, COVID safety video, and 2D map wayfinding design collectively contribute to the museum's commitment to education, safety, and engagement. These projects serve to enrich the cultural and historical journey for all who visit the museum, both in person and virtually.

Team:

Student Project Manager: Jon Pico

Harrison Burr

Matthew Gatchalian

Jonathan Pico

Dana Santillana

DMD Diverse Perspectives Series

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What is Diverse Perspectives

Based on the inequities that have historically shaped digital media content, fields, and careers, the UConn Digital Media & Design department created the Diverse Perspectives Speaker Series. The series welcomes industry professionals, artists, and scholars from film, game, design, cultural and other sectors to discuss how issues of equity manifest in their work, creative processes, and professions. This series allows us to reflect on how our own practice can support greater equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The Objective

To drive awareness and engagement for a wide array of talented and diverse digital creators through a brand-new speaker series, hosted by the Digital Media and Design Department, in a fully virtual setting. In addition, to grow the overall DMD following across social with an emphasis on Youtube and Instagram. 

Target Audience

Primary Secondary
  • UConn Students
  • UConn Alumni
  • UConn professors and staff
  • current and future filmmakers
  • directors
  • people in the industry
  • potential students
  • University students on a larger scale
  • parents of students

 

Team

Jenny Pehota

Project manager, asset creator, GDE Liaison

Bridget Sweeney

Website planner, asset creator, logo designer

Caleb White

Asset Creator, logo designer

Destin Brown

Asset creator, logo designer

Social Assets and Organization

Social Media Graphics

Social Media Story Assets

Growth

YouTube Channel Growth

The UConn Digital Media & Design YouTube page has seen a 36% increase in subscriber growth since the start of the series, increasing from 154 to 209 subscribers.

75% of viewers displayed interest in the series long-term, but our viewership did not fully reflect that. We believe fewer events would retain this viewership.

The majority of views in this series were not live. In a semester of constantly living in accordance with a virtual schedule, this is not surprising. Viewers preferred to watch the series after it "aired"

 

 

 

 

Diverse Perspectives Student Testimonial

“During my time in the Diverse Perspectives class I had the pleasure of being a Student Moderator for Dr. Heidi Boisvert's presentation. Dr. Boisvert's work includes mapping the first media genome to analyze how our brains react to the media we are exposed to. Ultimately this research is made with the hope that we can use this technology to easily predict the type of media a user would be more likely to enjoy and engage with. I was nervous for the presentation, mainly because Dr. Boisvert had conducted a large Ted Talk with over a million views last year on the same subject so I felt I had a lot to live up to. Once I entered the Sound Check, my worries wisped away. Dr. Boisvert explained her work in media and technology and I got to ask her questions from our class. It was awesome when Dr. Boisvert said, "You made my day" when I expressed my gratitude for being able to meet and interview her. Diverse Perspectives was a perfect send off to my time at UConn. Being able to expose myself to engaging pieces of content created by individuals I don't directly relate with has molded me into a mature and multifaceted digital media analyst who's ecstatic to continue to explore the diverse world of media ahead of him.”

-Joseph Schiro (DMD 5th year)

Concluding Thoughts

How We met the Objective

  • Developed series strategy while adhering to a fully virtual setting
  • Created weekly assets for promotional usage across all UConn DMD accounts, while maintaining a fresh but cohesive look
  • Worked closely with Agency X and UConn SMACC to roll out assets and measure performance
  • Engaged audience through UConn DMD Instagram page promotionals for the event
  • Grew the UConn DMD YouTube page by a 33% increase in subscribers

Skills Used

  • Asset creation through Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and Premiere
  • Communication
  • Organization
  • Time Management

What We Learned

  • Learned to operate in a fast-paced environment
  • Adapted to changing priorities
  • Advanced collaboration skills through working with internal team members, as well as through partnerships with Agency X, UConn SMACC, Good Deed Entertainment, and other organizations

Challenges

  • Creating assets with quick turnaround time
  • Last minute changes in lineups, times, headshot preferences, and bios
  • Some events were TBD
  • Having a middle-man communication style led to unnecessary confusion with deadlines, and delays in the asset generation process
  • Zoom burnout

What Worked

  • Partnerships with speakers and organization
  • Collaboration with Agency X
  • Switching off design responsibilities each week
  • Style guide & Color palette

What Didn't Work

  • Events every week
  • Quick turnaround times on approval-oriented assets
  • Final event overlapping with finals week

Moving Forward

  • Change speaker events to be on a biweekly or monthly basis
  • Leverage testimonials from people who took the Diverse Perspectives course in social posts
  • Use identified clips for future promotions
  • Post events in relevant Facebook groups
  • Assign the responsibility of creating assets to a group from a graphic design background, or make sure a students with a strong visual background is a part of the team
    • Could send out the opportunity through email to the DMD department as a whole
  • Build out time in advance for Agency X, UConn SMACC, and group members to meet and plan out marketing strategies and schedule

COEEA Spring 2021

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Who is COEEA?

The Connecticut Outdoor and Environmental Education Association (COEEA) is dedicated to building a vibrant network of individuals, educators, and organizations committed to fostering outdoor education and environmental literacy. This project encompasses a range of initiatives aimed at invigorating COEEA's branding, website, and marketing efforts to expand their reach and impact.

Project Description

  1. New Branding
  2. Website Refresh
  3. Expanding Marketing Efforts

Branding Refresh:

A significant component of this project involved rebranding COEEA, breathing new life into its visual identity, and aligning it with the organization's mission. The following key steps were undertaken:

  • New Logo: A fresh logo was designed, serving as the centerpiece of the revitalized branding, capturing the essence of COEEA's commitment to outdoor education and environmental awareness.
  • Style Guide: A comprehensive style guide was crafted, providing clear guidelines for consistent visual representation.
  • Unique Color Scheme: A distinctive color palette was established to set COEEA apart from traditional environmental brands, introducing a unique color that adds depth to the brand's personality.
  • Typography: Two unique fonts were carefully selected to maintain brand coherence across all communications.
  • Social Media Branding: COEEA's social media presence was harmonized with the style guide through branded templates and design elements.

Website Refresh:

The COEEA website received a comprehensive update to enhance user experience and engagement:

  • New Logo Integration: The fresh logo was seamlessly integrated into the website's design, reflecting the updated branding.
  • New Colors and Fonts: The website embraced the new color palette and fonts to maintain a cohesive look.
  • Improved UI/UX: User interface and experience were optimized through content reorganization and the introduction of a prominent "JOIN" button for easy access to membership.
  • Engaging Content: Large text areas were divided, and imagery was added or updated to create a more visually appealing and informative website.

Marketing Enhancement:

Efforts to expand COEEA's reach and engagement spanned various channels:

  • Increased Web Traffic: The launch of the revamped website was supported by strategic social media posts, directing the audience to explore the new site.
  • Social Media Marketing: A comprehensive social media strategy was implemented, harnessing analytics to understand audience preferences and creating posting calendars, including templates for various content types.
  • Enhancing Interactivity: COEEA's social media presence was invigorated by engaging with outdoor and nature accounts, fostering interaction and growing followers on all platforms. An email template was designed to strengthen communication with members and stakeholders.

Conclusion

The COEEA project encapsulates a holistic approach to rebranding, refreshing the website, and enhancing marketing efforts. The result is a revitalized and engaging platform for promoting outdoor education and environmental literacy, creating new opportunities for growth and collaboration within the COEEA community.

The team:

Julia Padget

Emily Saleski

Katelyn Jepsen

Marcella Vertefeuille