Sound & Motion: Opener/Data Get Started

• the purpose of the work. why does it exist? what is it supposed to do?
I think I touched on this last year during my semester review, but I enjoy researching and learning something new alongside designing. My chosen project is the data presentation project. My past few projects have focused mainly on the violin and its functions, and I think that considering my topic on a slightly broader scale is a good way to move away from that and try something different. Just because it's how I experienced it, I automatically associate the violin with orchestra classes from elementary school all the way up to high school, and one of the things that's been going on since I was in grade school were cuts on musical programs and education due to insufficient budgets. I'm interested in researching data about this, and shaping my research in a way that's understandable and accessible for another person to understand as well. In addition to raising awareness about a situation (something I haven't explored too much of either), I like the idea of creating an interface or motion piece in which someone can learn and become aware of this topic.

• the purpose of the work. why does it exist? what is it supposed to do?
The purpose of data presentation would depend on how it's being presented: as something projected during the delivery of a speech, it can aid the speaker with visuals and key points to help the data come across more successfully to the viewer in a 'short-hand' fashion. As a stand alone project, which is the direction I'm interested in: it reveals all the information to the person interacting with it-- but rather than being bombarded with it all at once, it's presented in a linear manner which will (hopefully) help the viewer to understand it better.

• context for the work. what surrounds it? where or when does it appear? is it stand-alone or does it require a presenter, what else is on that channel? etc.
Stand alone data could be presented in a lot of different formats, depending on the topic: it could be a 30-second commercial, information on a website, alongside a museum exhibit, etc. Because of the nature of my topic, the data would probably be presented in as many formats as possible to make the information accessible to all-- but I would like to focus on my project being presented on a website that anyone can access. It would most likely be in the context of other information related to this cause (what's causing the situation, what you can do, etc.)

• audience description. who are they and why are they watching?
Being something on the internet that anyone can access, the audience is broad and could be just about anyone. However, I would think that this topic would mostly concern parents, educators (especially music teachers), and those working in the realm of education in general (school boards, etc) who are facing this issue within their school districts.

• research examples.

Just content wise, one of the most well-known foundations related to this cause is VH1's Save The Music. They have a couple promo videos/public service announcements featuring celebrities that that address the issue.

Knife Party has a lot of good examples of presenting data in quick and effective manners (check save the children, what barry says)

discovery project earth, a better place