case study 02: national student show and conference 18

I first found out about the National Student Show and Conference (NSSC) by the Dallas Society of Visual Communication last year. I basically love everything about the nature and mission of the conference: “inspiring graphic arts students from across the U.S., enhancing their design education, and preparing them for the real world.” As a graphic design students, I must say the website for the NSSC 18 by The Matchbox Studio is a true testimony of that mission.

NSSC 18

Project Overview

• The National Student Show and Conference focuses on inspiring graphic arts students nationwide, enhancing their education, and preparing them for professional life.

• The theme “Breakthrough” emphasizes experimental design aspects, prompting the use of interactive technologies for an innovative website experience.

Functional Requirements

• The website serves various purposes such as ticket purchasing, event calendar, competition submissions, bios of judges and speakers, and location information.

Unique Interface Design

• Experimentation with animation and scale to infuse unconventional characteristics into standard interface elements.

• Aim to create unexpected interactions with traditional elements to align with the theme of experimentation.

Innovative Content Presentation

• Implementation of physics simulation code into an expandable drawer system for presenting extensive information in the design competition section.

• Allows users to explore and interact with the content in a unique and engaging manner.

Mobile Optimization:

• Given the primary audience of design students, emphasis placed on flawless functionality across all screen sizes, especially mobile devices.

• Main animation on the home screen designed to be controlled via the gyroscope on mobile devices, adding an interactive touch.

takeaways

• Embrace Experimentation: with innovative approaches in their designs, inspired by the unconventional interface interactions of the National Student Show and Conference website.
• Prioritize Functionality: prioritizing functional aspects in design projects, ensuring they effectively serve their purpose.
• Innovate Interface Elements: animation and scale creatively into interface designs for engaging user experiences.
• Creative Content Presentation: find inventive ways to present information, like using physics simulation for interactive content exploration.
• Optimize for Mobile: optimize designs for mobile devices, leveraging features like gyroscope control for added interactivity.