concept

What collection are you working with? What is important about it? What does it mean? What needs to be conveyed? Why? How? How will you solve the large collections problem? What are you trying to say? Who are the target users? What experience do you want them to have?
Write a 2-3 page statement of concept that describes the underlying motivations and methods of your final project.

ontology

What, very specifically, is the underlying knowledge structure that what you want to convey? What significant attributes, values, and relationships describe the ontology? Is it more graph-like, or more tree-like? Is it a combination of both? How does the ontology connect with your concept?! How does it relate to your collection? How will the ontology support your dynamic map(s)?

Create an ontology for your collection. Write a DTD to describe your ontology . Create a sample XML example that instantiaties your ontology. As part of your statement of concept, explain what this ontology entails, and why it is appropriate for your project.

dynamic map

How will you use space and color, visual design to present the information visually? How will you use proportion, and length? What will be dynamic? How will the user trigger it? How will your program respond? Again, how will this method embody the principles of your concept? How will the map serve as navigation?!

Make still sketches (lightweight prototypes) of different states of the dynamic map that will be the heart of your final project. Explain how the interaction will work. In your oral presentation, plan to do a "Wizard of Oz" demo with these sketches.

evaluation criteria

originality and thoughtfulness of concept

connection of ontology and maps with the innate characteristics of the collection.

visual design criteria

interaction design criteria

overall experience

fun