Discovery and Project Planning

When we begin to develop a new interactive Web site or exhibit we immerse ourselves in the subject. We ask lots of questions, conduct initial research, and talk extensively with our client and other experts.

We explore the technical and conceptual possibilities and discuss these approaches with our client. We understand the potential of social Web sites but also the importance of primary materials and unique immersive experiences. We’re experts in Flash and Ruby on Rails as well as other leading edge technologies. This provides us with extensive options in exploring various conceptual approaches.

Research

In some of our projects, we help conduct research and develop content. In the past, we've searched scientific data and satellite imagery, collections of photos, rare books, and antique maps to find materials to make our projects more illuminating and more engaging.

The Story, the Audience

We work closely with our clients to identify the messages and central themes of the project. We work collaboratively to refine the story to match the educational goals and the target audience. We carefully plan the development of the project to help ensure that we attain these goals.

Media Gathering

We work with existing materials or we can help create new media. We shoot professional high-quality digital images, QuickTime VR panoramic scenes, and time-lapse photography. We've conducted video interviews with artists, scientists, engineers, professional athletes, activists, policy makers, and cultural leaders. Over the years we've traveled the world gathering media for our clients.

Communication

Good communication is essential for any successful project. Face-to-face meetings are augmented with phone conferences and an extensive extranet worksite allows us to connect with project participants all over the world.

The more transparent the process, the better it is. Our extranet worksite contains schedules, content and site maps, design treatments, page grids, research documents, prototypes, and other information. Our clients can log in and review a project's process during any stage, at any time, from anywhere.

Design, Navigation, Structure

Design is more than window dressing; it conveys mood and enhances the message of the content. It provides the user with a sense of space and assists in navigation and usability. We strive to make exhibits and Web sites that are "self-evident" so the user knows what the exhibit is about, where they can go, and what they can do.

Test-Driven Development and Prototyping

When creating complex Web applications and exhibits it is vital to include testing and prototyping at the appropriate development stages. Our process includes test-driven development to make sure that key programming components are efficient and working properly. We also build prototypes to understand how complex elements and systems will operate under real-world conditions. Prototyping also informs the design process and can be combined with user testing.

Usability Testing and Evaluation

The usability of any Web application or electronic exhibit will in many cases determine the quality of the visitor experience. Great content and design are not enough; a successful computer interface needs to be intuitive and easy to use. Testing allows us to discover problems and make any necessary improvements.

Content Management

We create exhibits and dynamic sites with easy-to-use content management tools (CMS). Our custom CMS system allows our clients to edit, update, and add content to their Web site on the page itself. It is secure and so intuitive that even Web novices can immediately start using it. For many of our clients, having the independence to update and control their own content is important.

Completion and Results

We take pride in our work and stand by it. We make interactive exhibits and dynamic Web sites that look great, perform flawlessly, and stand the test of time. We adhere to accessibility and other technical standards. Our projects have been honored by many of the top awards in the museum and design field.

Outreach

Web promotion and search engine ranking can make the difference between connecting with your audience or having your site lost among the billions of available Web pages. We can help promote your site through popular search engines, blogs, indexes, and subject-specific sites. We’ve developed easy-to-use “viral” tools that allow visitors to share Web pages or media elements with other visitors or with social bookmarking services.