Introduction


NZQA at year 13 requires you to apply User Experience Principles while developing an outcome.
and
use two of the following advanced techniques:
● non-core functionality
● sophisticated digital effects
● applying industry standards or guidelines
● responsive design for use on multiple devices
● integration of original media assets
● dynamic data handling and interactivity
​● automation through scripts. 

User Experience Principles


​User experience (UX) principles focus on designing products that are easy, enjoyable, and efficient to use. They guide the creation of interfaces that meet user needs, ensuring satisfaction and usability by considering aspects like accessibility, simplicity, and engagement.

Here are some examples of user experience principles for a webpage

​When creating your media you will have to decide upon some user experience principles to apply.

Here are some user experience principles you could think of applying for different outcomes

Pixel art video game:
Intuitive Controls: Ensure that controls are easy to learn and use.
Clear Visual Feedback: Use distinct pixel art styles to show player actions and game responses.
Simple Navigation: Design menus and game worlds that are easy to navigate, even with limited screen space.
Consistent Aesthetics: Maintain a cohesive pixel art style throughout the game for immersion.
Responsive Design: Make sure the game responds quickly to player inputs, fitting the retro feel but modern usability.
Accessible Information: Display information like health or inventory in a way that's visible but not intrusive.
Engaging Mechanics: Create gameplay mechanics that are fun yet match the simplicity of pixel art.

A 3D shooter:
Immediate Feedback: Players should see and feel the results of their actions, like shooting or being hit, right away.
Clear Visual Distinction: Enemies, allies, and items should be easily distinguishable at a glance.
Minimalist HUD: Keep the display simple, showing only critical information like health, ammo, and objectives.
Responsive Aiming: The aiming system should be smooth and responsive to player inputs.
Effective Sound Design: Distinct sounds for actions like footsteps, gunfire, and reloads provide essential feedback.

You can use AI to generate a list of user experience principles, but you will have to back it up from some sources:
​https://medium.com/@jasper.stephenson/a-ux-analysis-of-first-person-shooter-damage-indicators-59ac9d41caf8 

UX Collecting Evidence

Before you start creating your outcome you will need to decide on the conventions you are going to use.
Evidence needs to be collected in order to pass this assessment.

Non-core functionality

Non-core functionality refers to non essential functionality that adds polish.
Unity video game:
Example: you may have a number for health on the top right, but you might decide instead to animate it.

You are giving the video game  extra functionality which is not necessary for the game to function but improves the user experience.

Here are some other examples:

Particle effects
When a coin is collected you see smoke or explosians
Dynamic lighting
A flickering torch, or real time day night cycles.
Audio Flourishes
Audio that fades in and out.
Pause menu with options
​etc

Sophisticated digital effects

These are visual effects that go beyond basic functionality and should involve teh combination of scripting, shaders, physics, animation or other advanced unity features.
Some examples:
Shader-based visual effects
Water ripples, Reflections
Dynamic animation:
A cape that moves with the wind
Weather effects
Rain that effects gameplay
Post-Processing
Red distorted screen on death.
Multi-Layered Audio effects
​Echoing and in caves

Applying industry standards or guidelines

When discussing industry standards or guidelines for sophisticated digital effects in media production—like websites, Unity 2D games, 3D games, and animations—it’s important to consider benchmarks set by professionals and organizations that ensure quality, usability, and technical efficiency

2. Unity 2D Game
  • Unity Best Practices: Optimize assets and code for smooth performance.
  • Frame Rate: Target 60 FPS (30 FPS for low-end devices).
  • Game UX: Keep visuals clear and supportive of gameplay.
  • Testing: Ensure it runs well on all target platforms (e.g., PC, mobile).
3. 3D Game
  • Rendering Standards: Aim for 60 FPS on high-end systems, 30 FPS on mid-tier.
  • PBR Guidelines: Use realistic material settings (e.g., consistent lighting).
  • Scalability: Adjust quality for different hardware levels.
  • Playtesting: Check for comfort and immersion (e.g., no motion sickness).
4. Animation
  • Frame Rate: Use 24 FPS (cinematic), 30 FPS (TV), or 60 FPS (digital).
  • SMPTE Standards: Follow rendering and file format norms (e.g., high-quality output).
  • Animation Principles: Apply timing and clarity for impact (e.g., Pixar’s 12 Principles).
  • Rendering

Responsive design for use on multiple devices

Responsive design is an approach to web development that ensures a website adapts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices (e.g., desktops, tablets, mobiles) by using flexible layouts, images, and CSS media queries to optimize usability and appearance.

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Integration of original media assets

For AS91903 ("Use complex processes to develop a digital media outcome"), integration of original media assets means making your own digital stuff—like pictures, sounds, or code—and putting it into your project so it all fits together well. It’s about creating things yourself, not using ready-made stuff, to show your skills and make your project better.
1. Website
  • Make your own icons and add code to animate them when clicked.
2. Unity 2D Game
  • Draw your own character pictures and code them to move in the game.
3. 3D Game
  • Build your own 3D object and add a spark effect when it’s used.
4. Animation
  • Record your own sounds and draw a short moving scene to match them.

Dynamic data handling and interactivity

For AS91903 ("Use complex processes to develop a digital media outcome"), dynamic data handling and interactivity means using code or systems to manage information that changes (like user input or live updates) and letting users interact with the project in real-time. It’s about making the project respond to what users do or what’s happening.

1. Website
  • Add a search bar that shows live results as you type, using code to pull from a list you made.
2. Unity 2D Game
  • Code a score counter that goes up when you collect coins, changing as you play.
3. 3D Game
  • Make an enemy that moves toward you based on where you are, using code to track your position.
4. Animation
  • Create a button that plays different animation clips depending on what the user clicks.

Automation through scripts

Utilizing code to automate tasks, improving efficiency and functionality.
​1. Webpage Creation:
  • Form Validation: Automatically checks if user input is correct (like email or password).
  • Dynamic Content: Loads new content without refreshing the page (like loading more posts).
  • Image Sliders: Automatically moves images or text across the page.
  • Fetch Data: Automatically updates data from a server (like new products or posts).
2. 2D Unity Game:
  • Character Movement: Automatically moves the player based on controls (keyboard or controller).
  • Level Progression: Moves to the next level when a goal is reached.
  • AI Behavior: Makes enemies move or attack automatically.
  • Timer Events: Triggers actions after a set time (like spawning enemies).
3. 3D Unity Game:
  • Level Generation: Automatically creates levels or environments.
  • Animation Control: Switches between different character actions (like running or jumping).
  • Weather Changes: Automatically changes the weather in the game (rain, snow, etc.).
  • Object Interactions: Automatically triggers actions when objects interact (like opening a door).
4. Animation:
  • Automated Rigging: Automatically sets up the skeleton for 3D models to animate.
  • Procedural Animation: Creates animations based on formulas (like walking cycles).
  • Batch Processing: Automatically processes multiple animation frames.
  • Physics Effects: Automatically applies physics to objects (gravity, collisions).

Evidence

We will want evidence of your advanced effects in the following table.