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MTE Coursework - 2004/05
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On progress (will be online by September 2005)
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MSc's Diploma Thesis
- 2002
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'A
Cognitive Ergonomics Approach to the Process of Game Design and
Development' is now available online:
 [Full
Version, 139 p - 3'240 Ko]
My Master's thesis aims to study in depth the whole process of
Game Design. Based on a first draft
that was focusing on a more detailed Taxonomy of Virtual Reality
User Interface (VRUI) and on the Usability of Games User Interface,
it finally appeared far more interesting and feasible to work
on the process itself of Game Design. Furthermore academic studies
on Games are usually focusing on gamers, mainly from a sociological,
educational or/and psycho-cognitive perspective. Using ethnographic
research techniques the main features of Game Design will then
be underlined.
By analysing the process of creating a game I wish to give a hand
to Game Designers, Developers and Artists to know more about their
own task. Ultimately it might also help both the product to be
improved in quality and the players to be more considered from
a user-centred point of view.
The initial project was to work on an analysis grid in order to
apply the main features of Game Design into the Web. But so much
as already been done for the Web that I then decided to restrain
my work on User Interface for Games, to finally work on Game Design
Process.
The challenge is great for the gap between researchers in the
field of HCI and executives in the Game Business Industry is still
huge. As Norman (2001) says it on a recent article
:
"The goal is to transform the relationship with marketing into
a positive, supportive one. Marketing does understand why customers
purchase items, which may have remarkably little relationship
to their actual needs or their actual behavior with the products."
Thus before making any product usable and accessible, it seems
more and more crucial to well understand the way games are designed.
Another collegue at EPFL, Nicolas
Nova, is also working on Awareness
Tools in computer games, as well as on mobile technologies
applied to CSCW/CSCL.
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TECFA Coursework
2000-2002
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- Virtual Reality
Prof. Thalmann's Workshop on Augmented Reality - January 2002
This work was part of the evaluation of EVMs course at the Computer Graphics Lab from the EPFL University based in Lausanne. HTML pages on two topics were rendered:- Mobile Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) systems;
- Special and innovative VR devices that were not described in the course (no HMDs, gloves, CAVE, 3D mouses etc…).
- HCI
Multiple Choice Testing on AI - January 2001
This work is a simple evaluation tool for people who are willing to master their knowledge in AI.
Usability Testing (password required) of an on-line Store - June 2001
Might be available upon request
This paper was a detailed Usability Testing of an e-business Web Site designed by IBM for a national firm in Switzerland (VAC). Further improvements have been recommended to both improve the quality of the global navigational display and the information visualization. Financial loss have been discussed due to bad user-centered Interfaces. To know more about usability and e-business, read this alertbox from Nielsen.
Working with Roberto Ortelli.
- Multimedia Course
Virtual Art Galerie - January 2001
Available upon request
Using Multimedia tools (Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop, CoolEdit 2000, Mediator) were the basic requirement for this coursework. Starting from a series of paintings created by a Swiss Artist - Christine Egger - I had to do the story board and the navigational prototyping before implementing the art galerie. At the end of a 200 hours' manwork, a CDRom was rendered as a final product.
- Internet Design
Small talk on the evolution of XML - May 2001
First this talk aims to underline the main features of XML. Then the differences between HTML and XML are listed and a short overview of recent articles is presented.
Virtual Library in Transcultural Psychiatry/EthnoPsy.com - March 2001
This first attempt has been created for further use. It is based on academic literature in Transcultural Psychiatry. The main purpose is to gather information from different database, a kind of ready-to-use library in the large field of migration and mental health. In France it is called "Ethnopsychiatry", but it stands as a vicious monopol within Clinical Psychology. This project aims to offer quality references to anyone who's interested in that particular field.
Still under construction.
- Computer-Based Learning
Virtual Teaching Environment on Vulcans - March 2001
This educational Software on Vulcans has been made with Authorware 5.0 from Macromedia. It aims to introduce the student to complex knowledge within Geology and Earth Sciences. Furthermore a strong educational structure made this work a practical exercise of what is connecting IT and Education.
Working with Catherine Bullat.
Netscape 6.0 and Shockwave's Plug-in needed
Project of a Virtual Teaching Environment on Handicap - January 2001
This project aims to offer a special trip through the handicap world. A well-structured story-board has been created for further development. This educational Software on Handicap has a strong educational feature. It could be used by anyone interested in increasing their knowledge within that particular field. We first think of handicaped people and their families, then social workers, etc.
Working with David Varone. He's now a full-time IT employee at Foyer-Handicap in Geneva.
Educational Web Site on Environmental Issue - June 2000
This Web Site was my first educational work available on Internet. Using Claris Home Page 3.0, a very ugly Soft! Above all, mind your eyes!...
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