Proposal

=Proposal (worth 5%)=

** 1. Proposal (5% of grade for this assignment, due Feb 23. 2010). ** This will be a concise, research proposal indicating: a) the exact nature of the question or hypothesis that the team intends to examine, b) a list of the theoretical concepts that the team expects to be most significant for their analysis, c) a breakdown of roles and assignments for each team member, and d) a short description of the expected final deliverables. This proposal will be submitted in hard copy and digitally in the form of a wikispace entry in the team’s wiki.

SUBMIT THE CONTENT BELOW THE DOTTED LINE WHEN COMPLETED: -

CCT370 – Computer Visualization Instructor: Norman Valdez Team #6, Lab #2 Members: Michael Graham, Nengi Adoki, Synthia Truong, Olumakinde Olayato-Aribo Due: February 23, 2010

__**A) ADDRESSING THE ISSUE**__

The issue our group will examine is the use of customization through use of 3-D technologies in the industry of casual, athletic, and specialty footwear. We will be examining this issue in depth in relation to the product of a shoe specifically for dancers to protect their feet during performance and further increase comfort and fit of the shoe on the foot. Using 3-D technologies, our group will construct a prototype shoe for the dancers that is form-fitting by accurately creating a perfect frame for the shoe around the foot. This molded shoe will protect the many areas of the foot that often come into contact with exterior sources during dance performances, as well as reduce blisters and bruises on the surface of the feet. This technology can also be applied broadly across the industry of footwear, specifically in the use of 3-D modeling to create form-fitting shoes that would eliminate the time needed for a consumer to go out and find the right size of shoe they need.

__**B.) THEORETICAL CONCEPTS**__

A list of the theoretical concepts for our analysis will include:
 * Ergonomics, the science of designing the job, equipment, and workplace to fit the worker. Proper ergonomic design is necessary to prevent repetitive strain injuries, which can develop over time and can lead to long-term disability. Our design is user centered and ergonomics will be a major factor in the design of the shoes.


 * Visualization is (1999) "[the] use of computer-supported, interactive visual representations of data to amplify cognition." Computer visualization provides a clear image of the design, and will enable users to better understand the function and aesthetics of the design. Specific focus is placed on texture and form of the product, including the usage of colour that is aesthetically pleasing. The theory of texture will also be examined and used in the design of our product to ensure that the textures used in the different material that comprise of the dance shoes are eye-catching, comfortable, and flexible enough to protect the entire top of the foot from harm during a routine.


 * Highlighting enhances user understanding by bringing to attention the specific parts of the product that will enhance comfort. Specifically for our product, this includes the customized mold of each shoe to the foot of the customer, as well as the custom fitting of the Stomatex material over the top of the foot. Stomatex describes its unique material as (2004) "a high-performance breathable neoprene fabric material for protective clothing." (http://www.stomatex.com/breathable-neoprene-fabric-material.html)


 * Of the eight Gestalt principles, we will focus primarily on continuity, symmetry and closure. These elements portray the shoe's design as a whole and real object, capable of being competitive in the modern footwear industry. Continuity enhances the shoe's texture's look and feel while closure gives definition to the lines of the designed shoe, as well as the unique configuration of the shoe which allows for a special fabric to be placed on the top of the shoe to better protect the foot. The dynamic lines in the shoe due to this extra material create a very unique appearance.


 * Lastly, we will employ the use of of the three stage model of perceptual processing. These three stages are outlined below:

__Stage one__ : Low level parallel Processing--This is rapid and information should be presented in simple forms, such as information that (2010) "[entails] extraction of features, orientation, color, texture and movement patterns." (http://cct370-w10.wikispaces.com/Class+Slides) __Stage two__ : Pattern perception--This is when a user/viewer (2010) "divides visual field into regions and simple patterns, [the user is] active(but not a conscious process) [and] Task performing will influence what is is percieved". (http://cct370-w10.wikispaces.com/Class+Slides) __Stage three__ : Sequential goal-directed processing which is (2010) "[Objects constructed from available patterns providing answers to the visual queries]."(http://cct370-w10.wikispaces.com/Class+Slides).

__**C) ROLES & DIVISION OF LABOUR**__

Michael: Construction of 3-D model, project leader.

Nengi: Final presentation compilation, colour and line design.

Synthia: Textures and lighting on 3-D model.

Makinde: Animation component.

__**(D) A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF EXPECTED FINAL DELIVERABLES**__ They would be many outcomes that would be achieved from the usage of 3-D modelling technology in the footwear industry. This technology is intended to reduce ankle sprains, blisters and bruises by reforming the shape of the shoe to fit that of the user. This 3-D technology is also intended to make shopping for footwear more convenient. The customer would not worry more about the beauty and style of the shoe than finding a shoe that actually fits.

Our group will deliver a 3-D model of our product, fully designed with visual representations of the texture and aesthetic appeal of our product. As well, a dynamic animation will be included of how our product hugs the feet of our customers in the most comfortable and ergonomic way possible that allows for maximum flexibility and maximum protection of the foot in areas that dancers themselves have specified to be problematic zones. A presentation will accompany this model, explaining the design of the product as well as its ideal usage and aesthetic and technical features.

__**REFERENCES**__

Valdez, N. (2010) //Week 4: Visualization Context: Color// [PowerPoint sldes]. Retrieved from http://cct370-w10.wikispaces.com/Class+Slides

Stomatex Ltd. (2004) //Breathable Fabrics and Breathable Materials for Clothing//. Retrieved on January 27, 2010, from http://www.stomatex.com/breathable-neoprene-fabric-material.html

Ware, C. (2000). //Information visualization: Perception for design//. San Francisco: Morgan Kaufmann.

Card, S. K. (1999). In Mackinlay J. D., Shneiderman B. (Eds.), //Readings in information visualization : Using vision to think//. San Francisco, Calif.: Morgan Kaufmann Publishers.