Documentation

tl;dr; Beautiful, articulate and informative documentation is part of the grading process for this course.

Documentation

All projects will require video, photo, diagramatic and written documentation to be submitted in a single post on the class Gallery. For most projects, the quality of documentation is part of the grading rubric.

  • Video:
    • Thoughtful lighting - use lamps, lighting equipment or natural light. Avoid shooting final documentation in the lab using flourescent lights
    • Use a tripod! Handheld video rarely turns out well.
    • Take process documentation! Remember to take video of the work as you’re developing it.
    • Use text or voice-over to help the viewer understand what they are watching
    • Concise and to the point - viewers should be able to understand the big picture of your project without having to read accompanying text.
    • Examples of beautiful video documentation:
  • Photography:
    • Use a tripod
    • Use DSLR whenever you can
    • Shoot as much as you can.
    • Consider composition: what are you trying to show the viewer?
    • When shooting architecture or larger projects, keep your lines parallel!
  • Diagrams:
    • Can you draw a simplified version of the project using simple lines and shapes?
    • What components exist?
    • What is the data flow?
    • How does the feedback loop work?
  • Writing:
    • What can you tell the reader that they can’t infer from images, video and diagrames?
    • Be concise. Do not ramble.
    • Do not philosophise unless you actually have something meaningful to say.
    • No BS.