Obtain Assets for Use in Interactive Media Products

1 – Understand contextual information relating to a range of assets in different media formats for use in interactive media products

1.1 – Establish the parameters of the project, identifying key constraints according to platform and distribution methods

For this unit, I will be discussing our redesigned website at Gray Dawes. When putting together our website, we had to consider how each of the assets would change depending on the platform, and what constraints we had. For example, with the website banner we were constrained to a GIF image, because it wasn’t feasible to have an animated video (this would make the page slower, we didn’t know if it’d work across devices, and it would have simply been unnecessary). We also had to consider image size, colour, etc.
Overall, WordPress was very restricted for us – there were a number of features we wanted that got dropped, such as a simple Grayson game. The layout in particular was very restricted, since we wanted to use the icons but the layout was more text-focused. IT had to work around this manually, which not only took a lot of time – apparently, it needs to be redone each time WordPress has an update!

1.2 – Identify the types, properties and formats of assets required for use

We knew we wanted a good amount of imagery on the website, so we knew they ideally would be JPEGs or PNGs. PNGs would be used when we required the background of them to be transparent (icons, for example), and would use JPEGs when we simply needed a flat image. We also knew anything animated would be either created within WordPress itself (the animated timeline banner), or would be a GIF created by myself.

1.3 – Establish the requirements and expectations of others who will use the obtained assets

We don’t expect people will make much use of the assets aside from simply viewing them – therefore, the assets must sit clearly and neatly on the pages, with good colour schemes and a high enough resolution that they don’t look blurry. We don’t think people would be too interested in downloading the files. They also will be used for navigation (the button icons), so we need to manually create some form of interactivity. This is done through the use of alternatively coloured icons, that change from blue to orange when you select that page. They also need to be hyperlinked correctly, to ensure the navigation of the website functions correctly.

2 – Be able to obtain assets and clearances required for the production

2.1 – Research appropriate sources of assets

When we need to use stock imagery, we tend to use freeimages.com, however most of the time I tend to create all of our assets myself! If however we use any textures, we either use free ones or make them myself. Sometimes, companies (like Virgin, Emirates) will give us imagery/assets we’re allowed to make use of, which makes tasks a lot easier! So when we’re given a project, we always need to consider whether we use stock assets, our own assets, or any assets given to us. For the website specifically, we used our own assets, because we wanted everything on the website to be our own and bespoke to us. I feel stock imagery can look (sometimes) cheap, as if it’s there to simply fill space. Some stock imagery is pretty decent, but some look very cheesy and are used far too often. Our old website used stock assets, so everyone wanted to step away from that with the new website, and have everything created specifically for us.

2.2 – Locate appropriate assets

Moving away from discussing the website, I recently had to help design a campaign based around airline Emirates. We were given a copy by an Emirates employee, and told to design an attractive campaign based on it. Whilst designing it, I noticed that I didn’t actually have any imagery to work with – which makes designing a layout very tough. I wasn’t sure how else to source them, so instead I asked the Emirates employee for images. Aside from that, I created the assets (header, etc) myself.

2.3 – Negotiate with relevant parties as required to obtain assets
2.4 – Obtain clearances and permission for use

Below, you can see the emails sent to acquire the assets we needed. It was very easy, all I needed to do was request some images they wanted us to include. It was only easy, however, because Emirates were the ones who requested the piece of work in the first place – I understand that, normally, it’d be much harder to obtain permission to use some images.

2.5 – Prepare a specification for the creation of original content

If I was going to make a contract, it’d tell the person who created/owns the image how it would be utilised – for example, if it was a photograph of a child, we’d have to explain to the photographer how and where the image would be used by us, including products, a website, etc. This would be explained in the contract, as well as these agreements being included.

3 –  Be able to organise obtained assets

3.1 – Use appropriate filing and naming conventions to organise assets to ensure that they can be easily identified and located by other relevant parties

I tweaked the original names of the images slightly, so that they were more consistent and clearer. I ensured they described the image itself, which may help when quickly cycling through them. I also put them in a series of easy-to-follow folders that made logical sense, both on my own PC and the open P:Drive.

On my PC:

All of my folders containing work are on my Desktop because for me, I find it easiest. I have a folder called ‘Current Work’ which is where I keep any things I’m in the process of putting together. Airline Focus is located in there, with a few files inside that. Inside the Airline Focus folder is a folder labelled Images, which contains the JPEGs sent to me by the Emirates employee. This, for me, is a very basic and logical way of labelling the files/folders, and is easy to navigate.

On the P:Drive:

On the P:Drive, myself and Danielle have a folder called Communications & Media Team, which everyone knows to go to if they need anything by us. Within that there’s a folder called Mailings & Campaigns, which contains any campaign-related work that people may need to access. Within that is a folder called Airline Focus JAN16, logically labelled with the title and date for people to access easily. Within that is an Images folder, which (similarly to the version above), contains the assets for anyone to obtain.

3.2 – Maintain accurate written records of key information about the obtained assets

This doesn’t really apply to the assets I described, because the situation was a little different. However, if we did in fact have to obtain permission for assets first etc, I would be sure to keep note of the status of those assets. For example, if at one point the owner of the asset suddenly asked us to not use it in the future in a specific format, I’d note that down so everyone knew. If they added any extra rules, or became more lenient (perhaps in regards to colour, editing, etc), this would also be noted down. Basically, keeping records would allow everyone to know the up-to-date rules to abide by when using the asset, rather than simply hoping they’re using it correctly.