Rerelease Metadata Interface Prototypes using DENIM

A couple of months back we released some interfaces for discussion/feedback and used the Gabbeh tool to design and present them. As this was a prototype we have had a few technical problems. At the Emerge meeting in York we had some interest in the parent tool to Gabbeh, Denim. This is a more stable version, and while it does not have the comments feature we liked so much in Gabbeh it does provided a whole host of features for interface design. In light of this we decided to re-release the prototypes as Denim files available here. To accompany this we have also produced a questionnaire as a means of feedback. Please enter the code ECAT9 when completing the questionnaire.

 

Gabbeh Prototypes

As part of the development process we have been looking into how auto-metadata could improve eCat’s interface. This has been a two way process as the examination of eCat’s current interface has supported the development of ideas for the auto-metadata generation. From this several paper prototypes, focusing on the interface, have been designed.

We have used a new tool developed by Amirmohammad Naghsh called Gabbeh. This extends the prototyping tool Denim by enable collaborative users to add comments to the interface designs. The zip file Gabbeh_Prototypes.zip contains the Gabbeh application, instructions and three paper prototypes. You will also  need to download the Denim tool. Please feel free to download and add comments to the prototype. Instructions on how to unpack, use and return your comments are included.

Using Gabbeh

I have recently been designing potential interfaces for an adapted version of eCat. To do this I have been using an extend version of Denim called Gabbeh developed by Amirmohammad Naghsh for his PhD.

This is an interesting tool for collaborative interface and web site development. Built on Denim, Gabbeh adds a communication tool to an already intuitive application. There are two modes. The design mode which allows for the development and editing of the interface, and a none-design mode that allows colleagues to interact with the interface but not to edit it. Comments can be added in both modes and are attached to the interface page being viewed at the time. They can be colour coded to reflect what they are discussing. Comments can be viewed and sorted by author and colour.

There are a few problems to sort out. In the design mode comments fill the whole of the screen in certain views. Its best to add them once the design is done. There isn’t a spell checker yet, but the original Denim application is focused on freehand drawing not masses of text. Consistency between modes is hit and miss with the comments. Sometimes their there sometimes there not, depending on where they were added or edited.

This has been a fun application to work with and for me, a natural pencil and paper person, very intuitive. It works well with a mouse and standard pc but is much better on a tablet pc. Being able to draw your ideas add some hyperlinks and show people how your designs interact is really good. The comments add an extra dimension enabling the designer to describe the functions behind the interface elements.