Video file
Graduates
Ilya Hakobyan
BS in Interaction Design — Interaction DesignCourse:
Advanced Interface Design
Faculty:
Jennifer Schanen Rider
Term:
2024 Spring
Sonic's Archive
I chose Sonic the Hedgehog as a topic and made web publication around that topic with an emphasis on visual language. For that I had to learn about the franchise's historical context, all the mediums across which the mascot has expanded and its progression throughout the years.
Process:
Timeline & History
Learning about the timeline of the franchise, where it started, and what were the impactful milestones. After my research I decided to divide this section into the three decades.
Digging the web and the forums
I spent most of my time exploring the history of the franchise, the weird websites and discussions, watching videos of all the games and trying to figure out SEGA's visual language approach.
Iterations and variations
Exploring various different directions for visual language. After the research and explorations I realized that there is too much of a variety between the visual language of all the games, that was my biggest insight and "aha!" moment to be able to break free and move on from the iteration phase.
Learning Outcomes:
From this project I learned a different and more in-depth approach towoards visual language creation by trying a more self-directed design process. I've also strengthened my skills in topic research and iteration which were the two main driving forces of the design direction.