Abby MArie's Forrest Succession Research Project

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Forest Succession

Abby Marie Chryst



Forest PROCESS

Phase 1:

This was our first meeting with Gerardo, in which he explained the fundamentals of Forest Succession and how he would like to improve the educational factor concerning the topic. We had an ideation and brainstorming session, and asked many questions concerning the stages of Forest Succession.

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Our group discussing initial strategies and key components.


Initial Ideation

Sept. 24, 08’

Gerardo Celis explaining the stages of Forest Succession.

Maria Rogal and Gerardo Celis working on a progressional Forest Succession diagram.

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Objective:

Problem:

Discovery:

During the project, we explored innovative and appro-

A common problem facing the understanding for many

Through this design project, we explored the possibilities

priate ways to communicate a particular process. We

concerning Forest Succession, are the diagrams, tools,

of working with an interactive design that allowed us to

worked with real-world case studies and real world sce-

and visualizations of the process. Many of these visual-

present our scientific data in a menaingful, integrative,

narios as a starting point, in order to develop a strategy

izations are inadequte and greatly reduce the complex-

and experiential manner for a broad audience. We looked

for communicating the process of Forest Succession in

ity of the process and therefore do not truly explain what

at exploring the visual landscape of visualizing science,

a meaningful fashion. We worked on such real-world ap-

is happening. Complexities such as time, interactions,

as well as the documentation of antecedents and influ-

plications with the aid of Gerardo Celis, a PhD candidate

and interdependencies are left out and therefore do not

ences. We worked both in print media and web-based

in The University of Florida’s School of Natural Resources

allow the viewer to have the opportunity to understand

designs.

and Environment (SNRE) as well as a couple of other col-

these occurrences. During the project we worked at add-

legues: Joel Zak and Don Hagan. Together we have col-

ing in these complexities to the process as well as creat-

laborated and spent many hours in order to try to find

ing a usable interface which would not be overwhelming

a way of visualizing such data so that a broad majority

to the viewer.

of people will be able to understand the complex issue of Forest Succession; which, according to IFAS, is “the natural process, following a disturbance, in which one community of plants and animals gradually replaces another, in response to changing enviormental conditions.”

- “Forest Terminology for Multiple Use Management,” http://edis.ifas.ufl/edu/FR063, 21 Sept 2008.

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Process:

Definition:

Design:

We began the project with a research phase of ways in

We began our design by defining our problem, the pa-

We focused a great deal on developing our conceptual

which to visualize our data, and ended the design proj-

rameters involved, and then devising how to approach

models as well as metaphorical explanations and key-

ect with our own interactive and time-based designs.

these issues. We decided upon parameters concerning

words. We worked with many palettes and revisions of

Through collaboration, field work, and design initiative,

the format of our exploration, as well as our audience,

these palettes, considering carefully, color, type, image,

we concluded the project working with flash animations,

which we decided would be for a broad range of viewers.

and key terminologies. We created many iterations to ex-

metaphorical synopsis, and websites aimed at informa-

We wanted our designs to be used in the most versatile

plain our ideations, which follow in this book.

tive design and ways in which to relay complex subject

of ways. For instance, we were interested in how our ap-

matter in a hierarchical and structured way that is far less

plications could be used in a web setting, on an ipod,

confusing for the viewer. This book is a detailed collec-

or even dowloaded to a phone. Considering these op-

tion of my process and design work for this project.

tions, we focused first on our animations, and then on our website designs. We wanted the animations to function in multiple settings, for audiences such as children, as well as for teens and adults who might see it presented in a meeting or at school while browsing the internet.We considered the limitations, such as the complexity and the level of detail we would be working with as well as the scale of the design. Perceived values played into this as well, and we all considered the inherent value of the project and asked questions while designing such as: who was the project valuable to? Why is it important? What is the potentiality of lessons learned and the many trajectories of such a process?

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Seminar Group Ideation

Sept. 29, 08’

Our graduate seminar brainstorming, ideating, and gathering information for our initial designs.

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Initial Concepts & Keywords

Oct. 6, 08’

CONCEPTS:

PROPOSAL:

- “The ends justify the means”

For this project, I am proposing a completely interactive experience for the user, one in which will express time, space, and complexity through layering. From the main page, the viewer will find many buttons, all associated with graphic images, and or sketches. They can access these areas through these buttons. Off of the main screen, are secondary windows which all have other buttons leading into even more complex issues. For instance, from the main home page, the user can navigate towards different variables which cause different effects within an ecosystem. From here, the user is directed to an animation, or another window where they can choose which animation they want to see. This animation will have buttons, that allow the user to pan and zoom in particular scenes. So, the idea here is to become more detailed and in-depth, by layering, and allowing the user more interactivity within each screen. I also propose

- Regenerative growth - Survival of the fittest - Complex food chains - A society….just as in human society… different species…different races…different genders, different colors, leave types…hair types…etc. These concepts can be applied to plant life as well as human life. - Thinking of forest succession as more of a type of society…very old people as well as there are very old trees, societies grow and change overtime, they add layers and complexity…all of this relates and correlates with forest succession, and the ideas of growth and change over time.

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to incorporate real imagery with sketched imagery. I feel that photographic images equal intimacy and show existence. The viewer can readily associate with a photographic image, even if a particular species of plant does not exist within their own ecosystem. The viewer can still understand that this is a living, and breathing entity. Also, by mixing in real imagery with that of sketched animations, the user is able to understand the real time effects that occur in the process of forest succession. I am also proposing that this website be built so as to be added to later. I think that one of the fundamental and most important aspects of forest succession is the complexity that lies within each individual ecosystem, and by creating this feeling for the viewer, they will begin to understand the complexities as well. So, for instance, on the main page I have proposed a button linked to a blog site, where people form lal over the world can add imagery and information concerning forest succession where they are.


Initial Color Palettes This way the viewer has the ability and the opportunity to really place themselves within the ideas expressed, and can see real-time how forest succession varies from continent to continent and place to place. They can also see how and what people are doing about forest succession and techniques. The blog can be used to express feelings also, and can be used to discuss steps that should not be taken as well. I think that over time this site will be able to be added to and complexity can grow within the site, just as complexity grows within a forest.

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Updated Concepts & Keywords THE FOREST AS A SOCIETY: KEYWORDS:

“The Forest as a Society” is a beginning metaphor that I associate with the forest. I personified the forest, by referring to a human society, one that is ever changing, dynamic, and interacts with each other; much as the process of Forest Succession is never ending and all of the parts interact to create a whole. These parts are living beings that grow, live, die, evolve, and effect each other and interact on many levels.

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- Succession - Communication - Form - Analysis - Movement - Global - Color - Intangibility - Time - Personal - Progression - Symbols - Observation - Start - Diagram - Language - Aesthetics - Interactive - Vernacular - Information - Overlap - Intimacy

Oct. 8, 08’

- Processing - Sound - Layering - Bridging - Dispersal - Expression - Complexity - Detail - Intimacy - Viewport - Breakdown - Pattern -Paradigm - Parts - Foot Print - Angle - Separation - Coding - Direction - Feeling - Interface - Characteristics - Emotion - Interpretation - Network


Process Notes From Meeting with Gerardo, Joel, and Don

Oct. 8, 08’

- Relationships - Organization - Personification - Connection - Visualization - Effect - Gaps - Graphics - Tangibility - Existence - System - Data FINAL KEYWORDS: - SIMPLICITY (Have a color palette reflecting this). - DYNAMIC (Means movement). - INTERACTION - RELATIONSHIP(S) (Between interactions). - PROGRESSION - IDENTITY - INTELLIGIBLE

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Process Notebook.

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In Progress Meeting With Colleagues

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Oct. 8, 08’


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Our Trip to The Forest

Oct. 15, 08’

Abby Chryst and Maria Rogal Investigating

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American Beauty Berry

Fore


est Collections

Gerardo Celis illustrating scale differentials

Gerardo Celis explaining a “forb” (AKA a “weed”)

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Revised Color Palette from forest

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Initial Diagram of Site Navigation

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This initial concept came about from my original proposal to create a complex site where different screens and animations were embedded into each other; therefore touching upon the complexity of Forest Succession, while at the same time addressing the issue of usability for the viewer. These conceptual site navigations were the beginning point of how I wanted to weave complexity into the design of the project, as well as a prototype of how more complexity could be added to the site over time, such as a blog, comment space, and search engine.

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Initial Site Design:

Ecologists

Forest PROCESS

Lab Design

Phase 2:

Search Engine About Us Forest Succession Photo Gallery Videos

Articles and News

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Donate Now


Quercus laurifolia Laurel Oak

Duration Perennial Growth Habit Tree Active Growth Period Spring and Summer Lifespan Short

Ecologists

Lab

Quercus laurifolia Laurel Oak Design

Duration Perennial Growth Habit Tree Active Growth Period Spring and Summer Lifespan Short

Search Engine ch Eng g About Us bout U Forestt Succe Succession Photo Gallery to Gall Videos

Tell a Friend

Contact Us

Tell Us How We Are Doing

Articles and News

Donate Now

Tell a Friend

Contact Us

Tell Us How We Ar Are Doing

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Initial Vegetation Sketches:

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Revised Vegetation Palettes:

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The vegetation began from sketching images of real vegetation, and creating simple line and dot drawings. From these, I rendered them with color digitally. I eventually forewent using actual renderings of vegetation, and simplified my vegetation to circles, dots, and other amorphous shapes. This can be seen clearly in my animation, and preparatory work for the animation.

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Revised Visual Look of the Site and Parts: For the visual look of the site, I focused mainly on creating a navigation system that was user friendly and easy to work with. Visually, I wanted it to be reminiscent of architectural drawings, and be simple, modern, and clean. I used a top down approach working mainly in plan view. The original approach to the design of the buttons was to have them be moveable, so that the user could rearrange them on the screen how they pleased. This would also relate to Forest Succession in that the forest is dynamic and always changing, and so I wanted to create an initial button system that looked like the canopy system of the forest, as well as an evolving system that would emulate the dynamics of the growth and change of the forest. I experimented with button styles, (flat or three dimensional), scale within the home page (canopy system, and forest backdrop), and with the color schematics.

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Forest Succession

Lab

Videos

Design

About Us

Ecologists

Gallery Articles & News Search

Articles & News Search

Contact Us

Donate Share How Are We Doing?

Schematic 1


Lab

Forest Succession Videos

Design

Forest Succession

About Us

Ecologists

Lab

Videos

Design

About Us

Gallery Ecologists

Gallery

Contact Us

Donate Share

Articles & News Search

Contact Us

Donate Share

How Are We Doing? How Are We Doing?

Schematic 2

Schematic 3

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Forest Succession

Forest Succession

Lab

Lab Videos

Design

Videos

Design

About Us

About Us

Ecologists

Ecologists

Gallery

Gallery Articles & News

Articles & News Search

Contact Us

Donate Share How Are We Doing?

Schematic 4

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Search

Contact Us

Donate Share How Are We Doing?

Schematic 5


Animation and Roll Out Info Window Screens

Quercus laurifolia Laurel Oak

Quercus laurifolia Laurel Oak

Duration - Perennial Growth Habit - Tree Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer Lifespan - Short

Duration Perennial Growth Habit Tree Active Growth Period Spring and Summer Lifespan Short

Quercus laurifolia Laurel Oak

Duration Perennial Growth Habit Tree Active Growth Period Spring and Summer Lifespan Short

Quercus laurifolia Laurel Oak

Duration Perennial Growth Habit Tree Active Growth Period Spring and Summer Lifespan Short

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Revised Site Design (Again):

Forest Succession

Forest Succession

Lab

Lab Videos

Design

Articles & News

Videos

Design

About Us

About Us

Ecologists

Ecologists

Search Gallery

Gallery Articles & News Search Contact Us

Contact Us Share

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Share


Videos Forest Succession Lab

Forest Succession

Ecologists

Lab

Design Articles & News

Videos

Design

About Us

Articles & News

Ecologists

Search Gallery

About Us Search

Contact Us

Gallery Contact Us

Share

Share

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Revised Animation Screen with Roll Out Menus, Timeline, and Graphs

Quercus Laurifolia Laurel Oak

Duration: Perennial Growth Habit: Tree Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer Lifespan: Short

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Quercus Laurifolia Laurel Oak

Duration: Perennial Growth Habit: Tree Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer Lifespan: Short


This revision of the roll out menus, animation screen and graphs, works with transparency and overlap, with the main home page underneath the loaded screens. Videos Forest Succession Lab Quercus Laurifolia Laurel Oak

Ecologists Design

Articles & News About Us Search

Contact Us

Gallery

Share Duration: Perennial Growth Habit: Tree Active Growth Period: Spring and Summer Lifespan: Short

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Yet Another Version of the Main Homepage Screen with Navigation:

Forest Succession

Videos

Share

Forest Succession

Design

Videos

Videos

Share

Design

About Us

Contact

Gallery

About Us

Contact

Ecologists Ecologists Articles & News

Search

About Us

Ecologists Articles & News

Search

Lab

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Gallery

Lab


Forest Succession

Videos

Share

Design

Forest Succession

About Us

Forest Succession

Videos

Contact

Gallery

Share

Share

Ecologists

Design

Contact

Gallery

Design

About Us

Ecologists

Articles & News

Contact

Search Articles & News

Articles & News

Gallery

Lab

Search

Search Lab

Lab

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Forest PROCESS

Phase 3:

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The final site design consists of a home page where the animation, graphs, photo gallery, and other information such as search bars, tool bars, etc. will all load into one container. From here, the user can access all parts, and the windows will roll up and down so that there is less confusion when navigating the site. The photo gallery will have a component applied to it which will allow the photos to be sifted through horizontally and rotate for the viewer. The viewer will then be able to click on any image and view a larger image that will pop up in a window, loaded inside the main homepage container. The animation will correlate with the graphs, which all roll out and down and can be clicked off by choice. The information about species is located above the graphs, and is formatted like a field notebook, so that the user can flip through the vegetation and learn baout the egion, climate, soil types, and otabr information concerning the plants and animals as well as view images.


Final Site Design and Animation:

SPECIES: Quercus virginiana Live Oak SPECIES: Quercus virginiana Live Oak

Live oak occurs on the lower Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States from southeastern Virginia to Florida, including the Florida Keys, and west to southeastern Texas.

Live oak occurs on the lower Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States from southeastern Virginia to Florida, including the Florida Keys, and west to southeastern Texas.

LIFE FORM : Tree, Shrub COMMON NAMES : - live oak - Virginia live oak - West Texas live oak - scrub live oak

LIFE FORM : Tree, Shrub

Live Oak

COMMON NAMES : - live oak - Virginia live oak - West Texas live oak - scrub live oak

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Final Site Design Showing Roll Out Graph Layout Windows SPECIES: Quercus virginiana Live Oak Live oak occurs on the lower Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States from southeastern Virginia to Florida, including the Florida Keys, and west to southeastern Texas. LIFE FORM : Tree, Shrub

Live Oak

COMMON NAMES : - live oak - Virginia live oak - West Texas live oak - scrub live oak

carbon

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diversity

light


Final Site Design Showing Schematics and Navigation

SPECIES: Quercus virginiana

Animation (conceptual) - plan view - correlates with flip book imagery - correlates with graphs - gives viewer sense of interaction: - light growth - death replacement

Buttons: - canopy design - homepage - clickable, load into one container - resources

Live Oak Live oak occurs on the lower Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States from southeastern Virginia to Florida, including the Florida Keys, and west to southeastern Texas. LIFE FORM : Tree, Shrub

Live Oak

COMMON NAMES : - live oak - Virginia live oak - West Texas live oak - scrub live oak

Flip book of imagery - correlates directly with animation - shows images, stats, and names - loads in same container

Graphs: - carbon/biomass - nutrients - diversity

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Final Site Design Showing Image Gallery SPECIES: Quercus virginiana Live Oak Live oak occurs on the lower Coastal Plain of the southeastern United States from southeastern to Florida, Forest Virginia Succession including the Florida Keys, and west to southeastern Texas.

Videos

LIFE FORM : Tree, Shrub

Share

Design

About Us

Live Oak

Contact

Gallerycarbon

Ecologists Articles & News

Search Gerardo Celis holding a “Forb”

Gerardo Celis holding a “Forb”

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COMMON NAMES : - live oak - Virginia live oak - West Texas live oak - scrub live oak

Lab

diversity

light


Button Styles:

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Animation Storyboards and Objects:

Animation Backdrop

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Trees:

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Flowering shrubs and bushes: Amorphous shrubs:

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Logos:

Fruit Bushes:

Forest Succession

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Retrospection: In retrospection, I began this project knowing very little about Forest Succession and the correlated processes. I am finishing this project having gained a wealth of knowledge, and insight, as well as being able to relay that information through animation, print, and web-based / interactive design. I struggled in the beginning with the tiers of complexity, and trying to understand how I could fit them all together in a concise and knowledgeable manner. I am pleased to present this work and any successive work that I produce concerning this project. Working with other individuals outside of the field was a wonderful experience. It was interesting to work with science based students who thought about such processes presented here in a different manner. I learned a lot about how to communicate to these different audiences through this design initiative and this was a great project to truly push the boundaries between fields and begin to create a more comprehensive and transdisciplinary design field.

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