Project Proposal

            For my project I am proposing to create a map that shows the evolution of the dog.  I've chosen this topic because I find evolution interesting and I'm a dog lover!  As of now I'm thinking that I would begin with the development of an early carnivorous mammal 60 million years ago that eventually divided into the Caniformia and Feliformia (canines and felines).  If I begin so far back in history, I would need to be able to make the continents move.  If this proves too difficult, then I will begin with the earliest evidence of domesticated dogs 15,000 years ago.  My hope is that this map will have enough interesting and easy-to-understand archeological and biological information, as well as nice pictures, to appeal to both academics and simple dog loving adults.

            The PBS website has a map entitled "Dogs that changed the world: Discover ancient breeds" and is the map that shows information closest to my topic.  It is an extremely simple map that I would build upon greatly, by adding a timeline and much more content and information.  I would like my map to be similar in format to The Human Odyssey Map by the California Academy of Sciences.  This map has an interactive timeline and points to locations of important events in human history.  Additional pictures and information appear when the points are clicked.  I would include play and stop buttons to allow the user to watch the progression of dog evolution/domestication without having to move the caret.  As for style, I like to emulate that of the Human Evolutionary Highway map from National Geographic.  I also like that this map has a splash screen and would like to include one on my map as well.  I would also like to include links to relevant online articles.  I am not yet sure if I will include any motion tweens or take a more "book" style approach.

            I have found a lot of useful information from articles on science websites, including Science Daily, and other websites, such as PBS.org and AKC.org, as well as from a book called "How the Dog Became the Dog: From Wolves to Our Best Friends" by Mark Derr.  All of these sources have been acquired, but still need to be thoroughly combed through.  As I have no experience using Photoshop or other design programs, Flash will be the sole piece of software used for this project.  The obstacles I foresee at this point include moving the continents with geologic time, keeping the buttons in place with the continents as they move, and designing an aesthetically pleasing map. 

Schedule:

Week 1 - data processing

Week 2 - Design - where things will go, find base map

Week 3 - Scripting timeline and buttons

Week 4 - Content - pictures and information

Week 5 - Splash screen, final touches

A few days are left before the due date (5/13) to work on the presentation and catch up on anything I might need to. (Words: 498)

Inspirational Maps:

Dogs that changed the world

The Human Odyssey Map

Human Evolutionary Highway
Sea Monsters

Map with Splash Screen

http://www.cfr.org/interactives/GH_Vaccine_Map/#intro

This is the splash screen for a map of preventable disease outbreaks.  I think it does a good job of setting the tone for the map.  The close up of the single syringe signifies how all of these diseases are preventable with vaccinations.  The map page has checkboxes for specific diseases, but over our area having even just one disease on the map makes discerning points difficult.  However, you can click on any point to get information on the area and the outbreak.

Lab 7 - Splash Screen

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/63038593/Lab%207_Final.swf

Map with Shape Tween

https://www.eeb.ucla.edu/Faculty/Barber/Animations.htm


I actually had a really hard time finding maps that looked like they had shape tween effects incorporated in them that weren't already posted on the 411 blog.  The above maps both depict sea level/coastline changes of Southeast Asia beginning at the Pleistocene. Both maps lack a timeline.  The lower map at least tells you when you are at present day levels.  Neither map has any buttons to give the user control.  I still like them though - in addition to the shape morphs there are some color changes that are kind of hypnotic.

Lab 6 - Shape Tween

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/63038593/Lab%206_Final.swf

Here is my map of the German invasion of Russia with added shape tweens.  I had difficulty using Hints, so I decided to expand the shape tween beyond the left side of the map to cover the entire Nazi territory.

Map with Motion

http://www.africadreamsafaris.com/swf/maps/migration.html

This map shows the migration of the wildebeest in Serengeti National Park.  I think the map is aesthetically pleasing and I like how the legs on the wildebeest move.  I also like that the amount of rainfall in the park is displayed.   My only complaint is that the animation moves too quickly, which makes the movement of the wildebeest look really unnatural.

Lab 5 - Motion Tweening - The Invasion of the Soviet Union

                        https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/63038593/Lab%205%20final%202.swf

I decided to use the map posted on Blackboard to avoid digitizing, but I think I may end up doing that anyway to make the edges a little more crisp.  I'm happy with the icons, but if I had more time I'd switch the icons for the  German and Romanian infantries, so that all of the German forces would be dark gray.