Why would a project manager or business analyst need to know how to create a storyboard for a Flash animation? You could argue that this is the dominion of a graphic designer or animator, and you would be right. But using storyboards is an effective method for determining the cost of an animation, and certainly budgeting considerations are a responsibility of a project manager.

To begin with, we should have some kind of definition of what a storyboard is. At the most basic level, a storyboard storyboard artists gives a series of pictures which map out the sequence of an movie or animation. It’s widely accepted that a functional specification should be produce before any coding occurs, so why wouldn’t you use some form of planning process prior to creating a Flash animation?

Before you say “but I can’t draw. Last time I drew a stick figure, people thought it was a potato”, you need not worry. Artistic skill isn’t as important as you may think, sequence is of greater significance (e.g. first, many camera flashes go off, then the limousine drives up, etc).

The format I use for a storyboard is very basic. This is intentional since it needs to be understood by both graphic designers and clients.

The structure is as follows:

Document Purpose – this is for the benefit of anyone picking up the document for the first time. It’s a brief statement of what the document is about. For example; this document presents a storyboard for the animation appearing on the Blue Widgets website. The idea is to present a series of illustrations in order to help visualize the sequence of the interactive animation.

The Animation – this is where you say what is going to happen in the animation, and in what order. It’s also where the ‘illustration panels’ appear, nothing fancy is required, its enough to put in labeled squares or circles (e.g. a circle with ‘client logo’ in it, the text ‘tag-line’, a box with ‘button 1’ in it, etc).

Below the illustration panel will be a series of bullet points. These describe what is happening in this particular portion of the animation. This is why you label the shapes in the panel, so you have something to refer back to, for instance; ‘the client logo will fade-in gradually’, or ‘the bouncy ball will move across the screen from left to right’.

The bullet points are where the real detail goes, hence why artistic skills aren’t such a big requirement for this style of storyboard (leave the artistic stuff to the experts). The more detail that goes in here the better. You want to make statements about what happens when the user interacts with particular elements of the animation (e.g. when the user places their mouse over the client logo, a yellow glow appears around it and a pleasant chime sound plays once). Timing, or saying how long things will go for is important here (e.g. the slogan text will fade-in over a period of 1.5 seconds). This is also a good place to specify what images, URLs or text will be used on the panel (e.g. when the user clicks the client logo, they will be taken to index.aspx).

As the saying goes, ‘the devil is in the detail’, and this is where the bullet points come in handy, they serve as an important tool for clarifying what the animation is really meant to be. The bullet points are designed to generate discussion (e.g. client: “we don’t want a male model in our banner, our target market is female, they’re the ones that tend to buy our lipstick”).

Don’t forget to say what the state of the animation will be when it first loads up, will there be a progress metre because the animation is expected to be large? What will the initial banner image be? Will any buttons be highlighted by default?

Appendix – this is the last section of the storyboard document. It can contain anything else which you think needs to be documented (e.g. screenshots, mockups, JPEGs to be used for reference purposes, etc). The two standard sections I place in the Appendix are: Support Files, and Technical Notes / Non-requirements. The Support Files section is actually a ZIP archive embedded within the MS Word document. The ZIP file contains any relevant graphics files intended to be used with the animation. The benefit of packaging these files together is that the most up-to-date graphics travel with the storyboard document itself. This is especially helpful when the document needs to be emailed to off-site contractors. Of course, this only works if the ZIP archive is below 2-3 MB in size.

The Technical Notes / Non-requirements section is where you say what you’re not going to do. For instance; there will be no sound-effects or music used with the animation, no special effects will be used within the animation other then fade-in/fade-out, the animation will run for no longer then 30 seconds. In addition, you may want to give specific instructions which are relevant only to the Flash developer, such as: the completed animation should be no more then 1 MB in size, all text appearing in the animation should be retrieved from a XML file, etc.

A big part of creating a storyboard is helping a client translate what’s in their head into something more tangible. Failing to do so could result in an iterative cycle which is not only costly, but unnecessarily time consuming.

Louis Marshall, Project Manager

My tech blog: pm4web.blogspot.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Louis_Marshall/262307

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1843611

Are you planning to remodel your kitchen? Whether you are planning a major kitchen renovation or simply enhancing one or two aspects of your kitchen, it is essential to think twice or even up to a hundred times on how you will do it. Your kitchen renovation is an important undertaking as a successful kitchen remodeling project may translate to recouping a substantial portion of your investment in terms of added value and aesthetic appeal and effective draw to potential buyers, if you are planning to sell your house. A good mood in cooking your food sometimes rely on modern kitchen designs Sydney. Owning a dog can provide hours of fun and enjoyment for the whole family but they can be a little demanding at times you need also to make sure that they are comfortable by providing them shelter and having a Sydney pet doors designed when they enter their home.

There are several considerations that will play important roles in your decision-making. Basically, your kitchen remodeling will largely be dependent on the kitchen design that you like and the budget that is required by your kitchen remodeling. You also have to do your own research regarding the imperative steps in kitchen remodeling before starting with your project. You cannot expect to have a good kitchen design if you hastily go through your renovation project.

There are several steps that you have to follow in order to be assured that you will end up with a good kitchen design. First, you have to make your research about various kitchen models and designs that are relevant to your current theme and style. It is better that you gather several kitchen ideas as it will provide you more choices in terms of the most appropriate kitchen remodeling design.

You may check out new ideas in magazines, builder’s model homes, showrooms or even in the homes of your friends and neighbors. In searching for great ideas, it is essential that you consider how each design can enhance your lifestyle. It is recommended that you harness your creative juices and your imagination when exploring interesting and unique design ideas for your dream kitchen. You can also make a compilation of pictures, structures and drawing of the kitchen models that you like best. These can serve as points of discussion with your home interior design specialist or home improvement contractor.

Once done with the preliminary activities, you can proceed to the next phase which involves careful assessment of the current structure of your kitchen. This is the particular stage where you will decide which essential appliances go in your new kitchen model. Since the refrigerator, stove and sink are the essential appliances in the kitchen, they should be strategically located in the layout of your kitchen where you will be allowed to move them around easily.

The last step entails the determination of the best kitchen model or design that complements your personal needs and preferences. This is where you will have to consider the combination of fabrics and colors that you plan to incorporate into the new kitchen design.

One important consideration that you always have to take into account when planning your kitchen remodeling project is your budget. You will see that kitchen remodeling is not a simple undertaking especially if you pull in all the necessary elements required by the project. These include the budget and space limitations, technical aspects like electronic wiring and plumbing and material selection. That is why it is recommended that you consult an expert kitchen designer to help you in your remodeling project. It is best that you wisely use all the space available to ensure that you are not just throwing your investment away. An expert in kitchen designing and remodeling will likely know the best answers and solutions to the management of kitchen spaces.

You will also have to consider your kitchen size when remodeling your kitchen. Most old kitchen models use limited space. That is why homeowners usually opt to extend their kitchen space. There are several ways where you can extend your kitchen space while saving up on a few dollars. You have the option of using the space that was once devoted for the pantry, entrance way or porch. You may also opt to get rid of the rarely-used portions of the dining room. These are few of the practical solutions that you may choose in order to remedy the problem of limited space in your kitchen.

Remodeling or updating your kitchen is an important undertaking. It is important that you follow the right steps in order to be assured that you are making a sound investment that would really enhance the value of your home.

Learn how to sell your own house here: For Sale By Owner

If you’re looking to buy a home from an FSBO listing check here: FSBO Listing

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Laurel_R._Lindsay/430470

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4143582

One of the first decisions to make in the new home process is rather to go with a production versus custom home builder. Do you know the difference? Choosing between production versus custom home builders Sydney is one of the first decisions to consider as you plan your new home.

As you plan your new home, one of the first questions to consider is whether working with custom home builder or a higher volume home builder (also referred to as a production builder) is the best choice for you. Both types of builders are excellent options and each can deliver a great new home for you. Much of the decision will rest in how many choices you wish to make — as well as how much design input you’d like to have during your home’s construction process. At its core, the difference between a production home builder and a custom home builder is simple: A production builder simultaneously builds a community of homes based on a library of floor plans, each with a limited array of personalization options.

A custom builder typically creates a one-of-a-kind home that offers an even greater range of design choices that’s often built on a single lot.

Custom BuildersAs the name implies, the process of building a custom home is less scripted because there are no pre-defined choices or menus to choose from.

The Production Home ProcessA production builder can usually deliver the same size home for less money than a custom builder. The reasons lie in volume purchasing power when buying building materials and land and a higher volume, often systematized approach to construction. Buying the right type of land is a big part of a production builder’s strategy. Many larger builders construct homes in large, master-planned communities.

A production builder’s scale and access to a large number of lots in such communities also allows the construction process to be fine-tuned for greater efficiency. Higher volume builders can also pass on cost savings by purchasing building materials in bulk. Just as large airlines can lock in low fuel prices by ordering in volume, production builders can use their size to order materials for hundreds of homes at a time, often at lower prices. An advantage of production home communities is that the community developer also works closely with each builder to insure an attractive mix of homes. In addition to mixing models or floor plans from several builders, each floor plan typically offers multiple elevations to vary the look of the front of each home. By changing the placement of windows, gables, and the size and shape of the front porch, a single floor plan can be built in several different looks. To add further design appeal, each elevation can usually be constructed with a differing type and color of exterior. A given model home can be built with various in brick, siding, stone or stucco and varying shades of color to offer pleasing diversity and individuality. As a buyer working with a production home builder, you’ll typically start by selecting a lot for your home and your favorite floor plan from the builder’s library of plans. The next step is to select an elevation. Many production builders also offer the opportunity to specify the use of a bonus room; based on your needs, a bonus room can be built as an extra bedroom, a study or even a media room. Next, you and the builder will work together — often in a design center— to further personalize your new home by selecting design options, home styles, colors, finishes and other key products in your home such as appliances, cabinets, countertops and carpet and flooring. Buyers who select a production builder typically cannot change the basic structure — i.e. the layout of rooms or square footage — but each model has a wide array of attractive options to choose from to personalize your home in many respects. The Custom Home Process Expect to pay more for a custom home than a production model of similar size and floor plan; after all, the typical custom builder doesn’t enjoy the economies of scale and labor efficiencies that a production builder does. Of course, the actual price will depend on a number of variables — the most obvious being the size of the home, the intricacy of its design, the building products and materials you select, and the land you purchase. While many people associate custom homes with large and expensive homes, a custom home can range from a simple ranch-style home to a more elaborate and multi-story floor plan designed around your lifestyle. Once you select a custom builder, you can supply your own floor plan or work with an architect to design a home from scratch. As a custom-home buyer, you can select most of the details in your home and you can even work closely with your builder to design a floor plan that works around existing trees on your land and that places your windows to take advantage of the best views. When building a custom home, your choices are nearly unlimited. The main restrictions are your budget and any building code or zoning limitations. If you find that freedom to create a home from a blank sheet of paper to be exciting, then building a custom home is likely for you. The key to working with a custom builder is to establish a realistic budget and to stick to it, even when you’re enticed by a lovely but higher-cost option. While most buyers realize that additional customization will increase the home’s price, unexpected land-related costs can take you by surprise, so it pays to do your homework. At one end of the scale, you may hold the deed to a flat suburban lot with in-ground utilities already available at the curb. Such a finished lot is ready to build on. On the other hand, you may be considering wooded, rural or steep hillside property. While such land is no doubt scenic, the upfront costs of preparing previously undeveloped rural land for construction is typically a significant additional cost in addition to the purchase price of the land. Site prep — building a driveway, bringing in water, electric and sewage lines, and excavating the foundation — can be quite expensive. Your builder and architect can help you estimate those costs, too. Even if you’re building on already developed land, you and your architect and builder need to carefully research zoning or deed restrictions. To avoid surprises, have an attorney clarify all restrictions and get estimates on site work (either via the builder or on your own) before completing a land purchase. Because the process of building a custom home is, not surprisingly, truly customized, you’ll typically spend a lot more time designing and constructing your new home than you would if you work with a production builder. That said, knowing what to expect at each stage — and especially what choices you’ll make and when — can make your custom home process smooth and result in the home you’ve always dreamed about.

Charlie Wardell has twenty years of experience writing and editing about home building for Architectural Record, BUILDER Magazine, Coastal Living, Fine Homebuilding and The Journal of Light Construction. A licensed builder, Wardell has also built new homes.

The eBook will be delivered to your inbox. We will not share your email address.

Check your email to download your eBook.

Selecting a builder is a key step in the journey that leads to your dream home. These 15 questions will help you select the best builder for you and give you confidence in your choice.

Learn who’s who on your building team and understand what each highly trained professional will do to help build your new home. Know how to best work with each member of the building team and be ready for choices you’ll make.

While the process varies somewhat by builder, these 10 steps summarize the process of building a typical new home. These steps will help you understand the major stages of construction, what will occur when, and key decisions you’ll make, in partnership with your builder, to create your new home.

Home Search New Home Search Please enter a valid location (city, state, zip code) or community name.

Bedrooms Any 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ Bathrooms Any 1+ 2+ 3+ 4+ 5+ Home Search New Home Search Please enter a valid location (city, state, zip code) or community name.

Join our research panel & influence the home builder industry!

We at NewHomeSource.com update the content on our site on a nightly basis. We seek to ensure that all of the data presented on the site regarding new homes and new home communities is current and accurate. However, we do not assume any liability for inaccuracies. It is your responsibility to independently verify the information on the site.

NewHomeSource.com is a trademark of Builders Digital Experience, LLC and all other marks are either trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.