wemakedotcoms

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!

Interactive map for TATA Communications

This post actually covers a project that spanned over the past three years, culminating last February with the launch of the TATA Communications brand. Started as the VSNL International network map, this application grew to various connectivity and services maps. I was responsible for the design and production of the Illustrator maps but also their porting to flash and development of an interactive application.

The creation of the maps was in itself a huge undertaking. Especially as the network grew in size and complexity. A lot of time was spent researching the data. I created all the icons, services and data structure. For three years I was dubbed “Mr. Map” as I created or updated all the major maps used by the organization.

For the launch of TATA Communications I redesigned all the maps and also rewrote the original application from the ground up. The new version uses OOP and is more manageable. All the data is external (maps, layer data, configuration, etc…) The 2008 version included the following new functionality:

• Layer visibility management
• Interactive layer palette
• Fullscreen mode
• Scrollwheel support
• Custom printable view
• Full OOP (30+ classes and sub-classes)
• Vector only GUI (full use of flash effects and filters)

The actual application (GUI & code) is only 44kb. The Most complex map came in at 100kb. Pretty amazing

View the interactive Global Footprint Map.

The interactive maps can be accessed from the Our Network page.

A little experiment with a 3D map chooser…

Below are samples of the static map designed for this project.

Detail of the GUI

Flash Video doesn’t need an introduction. Thanks to sites like YouTube, Flash is the de facto solution for deploying videos online. On top of leveraging the Flash player install base it offers excellent scripting to allow for interactive video applications.

Globalnumberportability.org’s flash demo uses Flash Video and incorporates a navigation and close captioning to synch the text with the animation. It also includes navigation controls to jump to a specific section. It uses an XML playlist that also include the copy for captions and cue points info.

I created both design and animations for the videos. These were produced in Flash and exported as videos.

3D renders of one option for a new logo icon

In late 2006 STC was commissioned by Arbinet to re-brand and re-design their site. As part of the exercise, I was asked to design some of the comps that were to be submitted to the client for review. Although these were rejected, I think they are cool enough to make it here…

Detail of the homepage design comp

For this project (developed through Cyber Sytes) I was contracted to design the site and create all the flash elements. Including a brochure application using a flip book effect. The brochure used a dynamic back-end and an XML layer to carry data to and from Flash. Created to be flexible this book is still online today. It generates revenues via ad placements.

Functionality included: Search/Filter, bookmark and custom printing of listings. Coded in AS2 the application uses OOP and Classes to manage elements and ensure modularity. At the time this was one of the most complex application I had created.

Click here to view the brochure application.

The site’s homepage design has been changed from the original one I created (see comps below).

detail of the GUI

Yet another New York eatery… But now in Flash 7! We produced the site as the restaurant was being built. I say we because my dear friend Dave modeled and texture the space seen in the homepage video from the architect’s blueprints. I then rendered and integrated the video into the site. Flash 7 introduced better scripting of FLVs and also new encoding. I also used XHTML and the newly supported CSS to load and format menus and most text content at runtime.

I also created the audio soundscape.

You can visit the archived site
(keep in mind some of the links may be broken)

Homepage

Events Page

Flash 6 goodness

Take Flash 6, TextField.getFontList(), HTML text support, a list component and a textfield: you have the STC fontBrowser. A few thousand users later we have a hit. It helped STC’s site rank higher and generated a buzz around the agency’s interactive production. Pretty nice considering that it was a very simple tool to develop.

Click here to use the original STC fontBrowser.

An updated version of the fontBrowser in AS2 and with a new GUI.

Following the success of the fontBrowser I developed the STC Timetracker an online tool to keep track time spent on tasks. Although a lesser success I still get emails from people using it today.