The ISMA209 Web Essentials course, taught by Professor Jim Andrews, is the first of 3 ISMA courses focusing on web design. As an introductory course, it covers the basics of the field, introducing HTML, CSS, and Javascript code. However, when it came to the application of these concepts, the options were left open, resulting in several types of projects.

Some students focused on creating personal online portfolios for their work, such as Haoqian Liu, Yos Wiranata, Robert Werner, Chloe Ezra, and Katie Dixon, while others created online games, such as Lantian Chen’s pacman and Fan Yang’s Nyan Cat.

Some websites were even used as a medium for artistic expression, instead of just a means of storing and distributing information. For example:

Claire Carsley created an interactive website in which sound clips, animated circles, words, and colors are used to represent various aspects of life;

Brandon Panasiuk represented 8 well-known hiphop artists in an interactive collage called “The 8 Immortals”;

and Sean Ostachek’s website, TactuGrid, simulated the sense of touch through the computer screen using the only senses available through such an interface: sound and vision.

Lastly, some of the websites were created for clients or grander projects.

Jeremy Domino, for example, created a webpage for a product designer, featuring the artist’s work and contact information.

Edward Yoon’s website features his career as a soccer freestyler, including videos of his performances.

Nicole Kim created a promotional site for a product designed by Jane Lee and herself, while Maria Scaglia, Zoe Hardisty, and Kiran Lakhani paired up with the Natural Capital course run by Sarah Van Borkek for their website design.

The last project is noteworthy as the Natural Capital course collaborated with the David Suzuki Foundation to create videos on Vancouver’s wetlands, educating the general public on their value. The website was designed to house these video projects, as well as information on the general project. For more information on the Natural Capital project, please view the official Emily Carr article.

All in all, the projects are all quite detailed and impressive, featuring a good understanding of the code, as well as a broad spectrum of subjects and interests, demonstrating the various uses and possibilities of web design in our modern technological age.

We are immersed in technology. It is not uncommon to see people “plugged in” as they go about their daily lives, whether wearing earbuds, a wireless headphone, or chatting into a smart phone. These technological advances, however, only begin to scratch the surface of connectivity between our bodies and technology.

ISMA 302 is a class on interactive wearables that examines the relationship between bodies and technology. Through a visual research paper at the beginning of the semester, the students were asked to develop an idea for a future interface that might exist between these two entities. In doing so, they examined and questioned notions of technology, interface, and interaction, as well as how such interaction might be inferred or limited by the interface.

Examples of these projects may be found below.

Coral: Growing Buildings | Jason Miller

Jason Miller investigated the use of coral as a building material. Outlining the possible sustainable implications of such a material, Miller accentuated its positive implications. Most notable, however, was its ability to create a deeper symbiotic relationship between humans and the living structure that they inhabit. This exploration also included living doors, esophagus elevators, and digesting trashcans.

Fashion Studio | William Wager

William Wager designed a shopping interface, allowing the user to see diverse clothing articles and accessories on a virtual copy of themselves before purchase. When shopping online, it is often difficult to imagine such purchases on oneself, resulting at times in poorly fitting clothes or undesired items. Such an interface places the human being in the technological realm, helping to alleviate the problem.

Electric Fingertip payWave Glove | MinYoung Lee

MinYoung Lee’s project focused on a new form of payment. When purchasing items in a store, it can be quite time consuming to pay, whether with a card or with cash. It can also be quite messy, creating clutter in ones wallet from the various forms of payment possible. This project designed an idea for a fingertip glove that would be scanned for payment, reducing time and clutter.

Glove Sense | Sarah Wong

Sarah Wong developed an idea for “synthetic skin”. This glove connects wirelessly to a computer, where various sounds and vibrations are downloaded. Each finger triggers a different sound and vibration pattern, and lights up when activated. By appealing to three of the five senses (sight, touch, and hearing), this glove is creating a greater connection and intimacy between technology and its user.