Platt Portal

Your assignment is to create an entire website in Flash. You have the option to choose from the following 2 clients:
1) a band/music artist of your choice
2) a company that is in need of promoting a concept / brand new product (not currently on sale) or a start-up company with no existing site.

Option 1
It can be an establish artist/band or a start-up artist (NOTE: if you choose an established artist, your website can in no way resemble their current website; I am looking for creativity, and a fresh look, as long as it fits the artist/band). The purpose of this site is to promote the artist/band and their new album. They want their fans to be able to find out about the music, get information about the band, see at least 4 photos of the band, listen to the music, link to sites where they can buy the music, find out about upcoming shows and for their fans to be able to email them. The “look and feel” of the site needs to be created by you. Since the client is a band, music integration in the site, is going to be important. You will need to include at least 4 samples of songs by the band. Your site needs to reflect, not only the look of the band, but also the look of that genre of music.
Your site needs to have the following elements:
• preloader
• non-linear navigation system
• 4 song samples (may have more)
• an off/on button for music
• list of upcoming shows
• 4 photos (can have more)
• links to other sites
• email link

Option 2
This is your opportunity to create a site for either a start-up company or a company’s concept or brand new product. I am looking for creativity, and a fresh new approach that will not only make the product stand out, but also let the consumer find out about this new product, its uses and when it will be available to the public. The purpose is to draw attention to the product; the site should be easy to navigate, informative and give the user answers to potential questions that may arise. The user should be able to see multiple pictures (concept drawings will work) of the product, get specific information, find out about upcoming conventions or presentations that are associated to this product and link to at least 2 sites that offer some sort of affiliation. The users need to be able to email the company with questions they may have. Your site needs to have background music (at least 2 royalty-free samples created by you), that would be appropriated for the product.
Your site needs to have the following elements:
• preloader
• non-linear navigation system
• 2 background music choices (may have more)
• an off/on button for music
• list of upcoming convention/trade shows
• 4 photos and/or drawings (can have more)
• links to other sites
• email link

Both Projects
• Your swf(s) file size shouldn’t exceed 600k, unless you choose to stream your sound in which case, the swf(s) –excluding sounds–should not exceed 350K.
• You will need to set up an HTML front page letting users know that they are about to enter a site using Flash, what that means and where they can go to get the plug-in. You can also use a plug-in detect instead that will let the user see the animation if they have the plug-in and push them to an HTML page, created by you, that explains them about the plug-in.
• You must submit a proposal, at least 2 interface designs and site map to the client (me), BEFORE final development begins. Be prepared to present this in a professional manner, and make sure the storyboard reflects the design concept and proposed navigation, color scheme and movement accurately. Make sure to get signed off on the proposal, concepts and storyboard BEFORE beginning any final work.
• Upon completion of the project, turn in an accurate invoice and an accurate time sheet. Include a personal assessment (statement of purpose) of the proposed bill vs. the actual bill and how accurate your assumptions were. Also, discuss any problems you had, how you overcame them and other pertinent information about the development of the site.
• All the paperwork needs to look professional, and be printed on your own stationery. Presentation and spelling count.
• You final site needs to be hosted “live” on a web server. Write the URL in your personal assessment.

Presentation
You must present your project on the teacher’s station, but make sure it works just as well on the Mac platform and in both browsers, as I will be checking it in all the aforementioned formats. Be prepared to present this in a professional manner, as if you were doing a client presentation. You need to sell your website to the client.

Paperwork/Digital files to turn in (due at beginning of class)
Due on October 15:
• Proposal and sketches.
Due on October 17:
• Final site map and final interface design (you can use any application you like).
Due on October 31:
• Final invoice
• Final timesheet.
• Personal assessment. Please include the URL where your site is posted
• At least three color screen grabs of the site, printed and mounted
• Your website turned in to the appropriate folder on the teacher’s machine. You must include your swf(s), HTML file, music files, .fla file(s) and all other pertinent files. Please separate in folders the final files that will be uploaded to the server from the working files.