What is the intended idea / concept behind the proposed project?
The concept behind ‘Plan/Play’ is to create a platform in which the Cosplay community can find advice and track the progress of the cosplays they are creating, whilst sharing advice and finished costumes to the rest of the community on a social platform.
The output of the project will be a website and app that will allow the user to find pictures, advice, tutorials and patterns to help them in the creation of there own cosplays. The project will also contain a social element in which Cosplayers can talk to each other, arrange meet-ups, seek advice on their different costumes, and act as a social network. ‘Plan/Play’ will provide a safe environment for the Cosplay community to come together and share ideas, whilst enhancing their own.
It could also provide a business platform for some; as models, photographers and costume creators will be able to showcase and share their work with others. Patterns can be purchased straight from the platform as well as it putting you in direct contact with businesses/clients in order to enhance your overall experience.
Justify the idea / concept in terms of the needs for its existence (if purely for entertainment, state this and how the output will be innovative/original and creative):
Although similar models of Cosplay tutorials and planning exist, there is not one platform that contains both of these elements. By giving people a clear place where they can find all the information they need and keep it saved. It also allows each person to kept track of there own progress, and will be an easy way for someone to expand on what they need to do.
Current social network models do offer places for Cosplayers to come together, however they are not specifically designed for a Cosplay. Lots of posts are pushed down and missed by many; and posts that are not serious or posted to gain a negative reaction from people can dominate over people asking for help. A specific platform designed for Cosplay will allow people to be inspired by and connect with people who share their interests more directly than current online platforms.
I shared the idea for my concept with some Cosplayers; who stated that although there are already similar apps out there, one that combines all the features could be more convenient. Also, some of the features, such as a QR/NFC way to connect with people would be very beneficial.
Describe the intended audience:
Although many different types of people are a part of the Cosplay community; my project will be aimed at a smaller section of the community as a whole. The intended audience will be around ages 16-34; as they are most likely going to be the most involved in the Cosplay scene, as well as having both the time and the money to create there own cosplays.
The audience will be informed around the idea of Cosplay as a whole; although some will be more experienced than others. It can use some specialist terms, but will also have to be applicable to novices and veterans of Cosplay at the same time.
The product will have to be released for a device that can be accessed anywhere, and should ideally be mobile friendly. This will allow the user to work on their Cosplay wherever and whenever they like, whilst still having access to the project. The app and website will be linked by the same account, allowing the user to work across multiple devices by just logging onto the website/app. The project may also have to have offline elements, as this will allow the user more range as to where they can take it; such as events where they may not be able to access the Internet.
How will this project extend your or your team’s creative and technical skills?
My technical skills will be tested as I have only done a minimal amount of website programme and design, and no app design. This will require working on a project that I have had no experience of working in before. My technical knowledge will be expanded, as I will be able to improve on these areas in the project as well as in the future.
Due to the constraints of time, I will not be able to develop a full working version of the product. An outline of the project’s contents, with designs and details of what is to be included can be developed. A prototype with some of the basic features of the project may also be possible in the time frame; and can be developed into a full project at a later date.
The project will improve my creative skills as, although I will benefit from the projects creation, I have never designed a product aimed at an audience outside of myself. Not only will the product have to be designed effectively and clearly; these elements will have to come across to a larger audience.
Outline how the practical work will be carried out by you / the team (division of labour) and the time-scales involved for each task:
The project has a schedule of 12 weeks in order for it to be created. This time will be divided into different sections with strict deadlines in order to ensure the project will be completed in time. Progress of this will be tracked on my blog.
The first stage will be R&D; taking place between weeks 1-4/5. This will be where the idea takes shape, and the main elements of the project will be realised. The aesthetic, purpose, and application will be determined in this time, as well as research into competitors, the target audience, and other essential elements.
Once R&D is completed, that information will be collected and used in order to create a prototype of the product. Due to the large scope of the idea, not all elements will be contained in the prototype. A website containing a few of the ideas, plus the plans to further create the project may be created alongside a small prototype. This part will take place in weeks 5-9.
When the prototype has been created, it will be shown to the intended audience and tested. This will yield results about what the project has done successful, what needs improving, and what can be instantly changed. These results will be enacted upon in order to improve the first realisation of the project, and take place between weeks 10-12. This will allow the prototype to be as effective as possible at the end of the project timeline.
What other work (by animators, designers, film-makers, writers, digital media producers, etc.) is relevant to your project? (This work may either be relevant for its conceptual or technical similarity):
http://www.aminoapps.com/popular/cosplay/ Cosplay Animo; a Cosplay social network. This app will be an inspiration in which to base my project upon, as it contains some of the social elements I wish to implement into my final project.
http://www.cosplaytutorial.com Cosplay Tutorial: A collection of different costume tutorials. The information and layout of this website will be useful in both the designing and the content provided in the project.
http://cosplanner.catokusanagi.com Cosplanner; an app that allows a user to plan out there Cosplays. An ideal basis for the design/planning element of my project.
List any critical texts that are relevant to your conceptual intentions:
Web Application Design Handbook: Best Practices for Web-based Software, Susan L. Folwer and Victor R. Stanwick 2004
This book will outline some of the techniques I will need to take forward when designing my project as a whole. Although this will not cover the app development side, it will be beneficial when creating the website itself.
http://nathanbarry.com/app-design-handbook/ This handbook will talk me through the basics of app design, and help me in the development process as I create the prototype for my project. This will then allow me to use further research to improve my basic model, but will assist me when creating the skeleton of my project.
https://teamtreehouse.com/library/mobile-app-design-for-ios This 2 hour online course will help me outline what I need in order to create the best possible app (specifically for iOS) by teaching both design for user-orientated works as well as some of the skills needed for creation.
http://www.monkfishwebdesign.co.uk Monkfish Web Design are a company with a base in Lincoln; they would be able to take the project further after the initial development stage. However, they would not be needed during the planning and prototype development stages; and are an option for further development if necessary.
Don’t Make Me Think 2nd edition – Steve Krugg http://www.avis.it/userfiles/file/Dont_Make_Me_Think_A_Common_Sense_Approach_to_Web_Usability_2nd_Ed_2005.pdf This book will help me with designing the project for an outside user, and making it both easy and simple for an outside user to navigate
http://javascriptbook.com Javascript and JQuery; This will help me with the coding and creation of the project through the use of HTML5 and CS6; allowing me to both lay out and design my website to the highest possible standard.
