wemakedotcoms

Dashboard and content bubles...

After sitting in limbo for a while TATA Communications and STC Associates finally launched the updated New World Ready site. Due to launch in October 2009 and subject to a very aggressive timeline for completion, I decided to use the GAIA Framework to build the site. On top of SEO optimization and Deep Linking, GAIA handles dynamic assets loading (like XML Data, Images, etc…) flawlessly. A real time life-saver.

Developed for the earlier version of the site, I had to update the 3D quiz to run in the flash site. I also developed a simple but custom video player. Coded in Flex and designed in the Flash IDE.

Video of interactive 3D projects

While going through some of the recent interactive 3D work I produced, I thought it would be nice to create a video showcase. I also wanted to explore the workflow for capturing and editing these flash projects in action. Music is by Danger.

Shot in Claude's Workshop

While in the South West of France I took a series of shots of my friend Claude Merlet to illustrate the process of restoring an antique armoire. I took these and created a small video to showcase his work.

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The STC Logo re-created using only AS3

This project is (so far) the most complex implementation using Away3D I had to develop. It is used to display the visual portfolio of STC Associates on the new site.

The application includes an extensive configuration and all the data for galleries via external XML files.

It includes re-creating the logo in code at run-time. Using AS3DMod, I was able to dynamically deform the cube to match STC’s logo. Adding a Perlin noise over time creates a nice wave animation that brings the whole thing to life. The logo becomes the gateway to the various projects and the central interactive element.

I made extensive use of Away3D’s Object3DContainer to create a smooth animated carousel to display the projects. Including a flip to show galleries.

The latest revision can be viewed here.

I am not too happy with the way the final integration was done, you can view the live version on the STC site here. Some of the sections are empty while others have too many items. I think I also gave too much control in the configuration XML!

Results of the Quiz

As part of a global brand awareness campaign, I was tasked with developing a flash quiz for TATA Communications. To spice things up we agreed to use Away3D to render the questions and results and make this a richer and more entertaining experience. I also added Javascript interfaces to integrate with Google Analytics and back-end answers collection.

Visit the New World Ready site or Take the  quiz!

Frame from the 3D animation

Originally part of an interactive flash piece for the Managed Hosting Service micro-site, I was asked to create 4 animations to illustrate various concepts around the service. I extended a 2D mock-up, created by Dave Huffman at STC, using server racks of various sizes to show scale. From there I created the 3 other visual renderings.

You can view both original mock-ups and final renderings in the video below.

Motifs of the TCL Interactive Card

The 2009 version of the TCL holiday card was to offer multiple options of colors, motifs, logos and message.

Click to view the Flash card and the External Interface Controls via Javascript

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Tokyo Starfish likes Chad...

Happy Birthday Chadster!

Chad and I have been trying to create his site for a looooooong time. I know we will eventually get it done… In the mean time I wanted to post some of the beta tests:

Old Beta: AS2. Neat little slide mechanism for the sections.

Latest Beta: AS3, Away3D…

Detail of TCL's 2008 MPLS Service Map

In this post I wanted to explore the evolution of the network and services maps I created for VSNL International and Tata Communications (TCL) over the years. I covered the interactive version in a previous post. The static maps were a huge undertaking. Up to the beginning of 2008, I was more or less designing and maintaining all these maps for the client.

Detail of the 2005 Global Footprint map

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3D Stacks created in Illustrator...

Aside being the resident Flash & Map guy at STC, one of my main task was business illustrations… Cleaning up Powerpoint Illustrations to make them shiny and pretty. I actually started doing all the re-makes in Illustrator and gradually extracted icons and elements to use directly in Powerpoint. I tried as much as possible to add depth to otherwise pretty borring stuff. Illustrator’s 3D capability was a huge time saver.

I helped develop an icon library that is still used to quickly create illustrations. Using vector art allowed us to use illustrations for print, web, PDF and Powerpoint distribution. It also allowed me to quickly port items or entire illustrations to flash for animation.

Below are samples of some of VSNL International’s illustrations (now TATA Communications) I created.