Client - interaction designs

R U a Copyright Culprit?

This first one I immediately thought of as the most direct and representative way of displaying file sharing and importantly, the consequences. I did initially fear this would be seen as a way of showing users how to pirate material, however, after using the FRANK site which allows a user to digitally snort coke, but then showing the consequences, I thought it a worthwhile drawback.

Here therefore, although adopting a witty tone, which teenagers should appreciate, the consequences will be laid out in several forms. They will be direct and inform of alternatives.

Notably, if the user uses the legal options available, a rewards system could be unlocked with gifts such as legit downloads.

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The second design I think should be entitled a Taste of Your Own Medicine.

Often teenagers care little for the impact piracy has on the artists and the industry. Here therefore, the user is encouraged to upload a picture, and then decorate it on the digital canvas. Once the design is complete, the user is encouraged to push go. It is at this stage that a video kicks in showing their recently made picture on ebay, with bids racking up, and it ending with a decent profit. A line then appears saying, "Thanks. For the picture, and the money we just made."

The user should be feel a little put out at this stage, and therefore should be able to empathise with the artists, sending home the effects of piracy.

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File Invaders

In a digital, blocky Space Invaders type design, files will start falling from the sky. It is up to the user to act as a filter, blocking the illegal connection requests.

For example, iTunes, Limewire, Spotify, iPlayer icons will start falling down and the user must line up their barrier using the arrow keys, and stop Limewire by blocking it's path. Each successful block will increase the point score. As the game progresses, the pace at which the files drop will increase, adding to the difficulty and intensity of the game. Furthermore, the number of illegitimate connections compared to legal could become disproportionate, representing how piracy through file sharing outnumbers legitimate downloads.

At the end, a message will appear stating how this is the state of current downloads. The user can then integrate their score on Twitter or Facebook and invite friends to try and better it.

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In all, I remain favouring the desktop experience. It will be realistic and recognisable to the user, and so instructions on how to operate will likely need to be minimal. For instance, if a message pops up, the user will likely know to cross it off or press OK.

Furthermore, I think in a personable/colloquial way, I can inform of how piracy is illegal, the consequences, and the alternatives. I noticed before that the register of how you communicate with the teenage age group is important.

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