proposal

=Final Project: Visualizing An Idea using Photoshop CS4 (Proposal and Final 3D Image)=

The hypothesis that we came up with began with the idea of high heels. Most women love wearing high heels, but it is very difficult for one to wear those types of shoes when facing harsh winters. In this case, we focused on the city of Toronto. It is challenging to wear a pair of high heels when the temperature is at negative degrees, with the wind chill as well as the snow on the ground. Heels cannot provide the right comfort, warmth and usually gets stained or slippery when walking in them. Hence, we came up with the idea of creating a pair of high heels that could provide warmth, comfort and allow women to still be able to walk in the damp and slippery grounds. The concept is that these pair of high heels will have the same physical appearance as if it was just a regular pair of heels, but there will be a compartment towards the front of the heel that allows space for heat patches that can be used and thrown away after. This will provide the sufficient heat needed to keep one's foot from the cold. In order to have the physical space for the heat compartment we will design the shoe as a 6 inch heel. The shoe will be made by patent leather with extra protective gloss so that it prevents the leather from water and has soles on the bottom to prevent slippery grounds. This way, this high heel provides one the protection from the cold and water but at the same time allows women to enjoy wearing a pair of high heels.
 * HYPOTHESIS:**

Gibson's Affordance Theory: According to Gibson's theory, we perceive possibilities for action. This means that we perceive certain things we see into actions that can be made by us. In order for the affordance theory to be successful, one must create clear and coherent interfaces and appropriate measures in oder to make the task easier for the user. Hence, we will concentrate with the heat compartment the most because the main focus of this product is for women to be able to wear high heels and not have to worry about warmth and comfort issues.
 * THEORETICAL CONCEPTS:**

Computer Visualization: This will be the application that will bring our product into a more physical and visual light so that viewers could visualize with us what our idea is. This part is crucial and has to be done with professional 3D technical design processes because it allows the viewers to learn and allow them to see the product design along with sufficient research and convince them that this idea can be made into a physical product and can be useful. In this case, our target audience will be for women from ages 18 onwards.

Perception Process Model: We will design our product based on the 3 stages. In order to do that, we will have a design of the appearance of the shoe to provide the simple physical appeal so that the target audience will have a basic idea of what the shoe itself will look like. Secondly, we will have an image of the internal design of the shoe to fulfill the actual scientific and physical characteristics and to demonstrate how the heat patch actually works.

Hopefully the skills provided by the group members, Amy and Stephanie will complement each other and effectively produce a high quality final project. Each group member will be assigned to specific roles that reflect the different skills they possess. With only two members in this group, the breakdown of different tasks will be split evenly and majority will be done through partnership.
 * GROUP ROLES:**

//Stephanie// - Product design, Research (visual data, objectives... etc), 3D Animation //Amy// - Powerpoint (or Website), Research (visual data, objectives... etc), 3D Model

This is just a breakdown of what is to be expected from each of the group members, but is subject to change with time. We might find it much more beneficial if we work together to get specific tasks done opposed to working alone. Stephanie will play a larger role in the conceptual aspect of the product (function, aesthetics... etc) while Amy will focus on the application processes. We will collaborate on the research and written aspects of this final project together because the ideas being put forth are stronger with more than one perspective.

The final design of the product will consist of a 3D animation, 3D model and a visual presentation (either Powerpoint or a Website). The 3D renditions of the product will provide viewers with a 360 degree view of the object in a relative space. The space in the 3D animation will reflect the natural environment where the product will be subjected to and used.
 * PRODUCT DELIVERIES:**

For the visual presentation, we will either choose the format of a Powerpoint or a Website to house the written and informational components of this project. It will include research objectives and hypothesis, findings, concepts, 3D renditions and other relative visual data. Since the product is a fashion item, it is targeted towards shoppers and consumers. To fit the concept of being assessable, a Website that presents our objectives and findings is more fitting than a Powerpoint presentation. In the ideal world, it would be consumers reading through the information and ultimately purchasing this product design. We may choose this method of presentation because it allows the audience to interactively view and read the information rather than in a linear fashion of a Powerpoint.