The future of TV is in "information architecture," a design expert and creative director from Los Angeles said Wednesday night.
Dale Herigstad of Schematic discussed exploring the interactive components of electronic media and it's fast-growing expansions with Ball State University students and faculty in the Arts and Journalism Building. The presentation was organized by the Center for Media Design and included PowerPoint presentations on several of Herigstad's design creations.
Herigstad discussed interface advancements in hand-held devices such as iPods and cell phones, as well as changes being made in big screen TV's that are viewed from up to 200 feet away in locations such as airports. Herigstad's company is working on a viewpoint called "NewTV," which expands the notion of what TV is by allowing the audience members to become interactive participants in the program being viewed.
The process covers everything from combining television and video games to saving advertisement information on cell phones and iPods, Herigstad said.
"We try to enhance the experience of watching TV," Herigstad said. "In my opinion, you get closer to the story and what's going on through interaction. You can be in the same experience as the characters on the TV show."
Herigstad demonstrated on PowerPoint how to link from TV stations such as the History Channel and explore specific topics of interest in one window while still viewing the featured program. He also showed video game technology linked to the TV show "Battlestar Gallactica," where the viewer is able to select and profile individual characters as they appear on the screen.
"There is literally a space that you are personally designing," Herigstad said.
Herigstad, one of the most respected and sought-after interface designers, also said this transition involves a hybrid combination of experiences from many people.
"I have art directors, creative directors, animators, and designers working on this," Herigstad said.
Herigstad advised students interested in getting involved in the digital future of media to be flexible because things are changing fast. "Think rich media, think animation, think technology," Herigstad said.
The Center for Media Design has already started moving toward digital interface education and experimentation, said Mike Bloxham, director of the Testing and Assessment Center for Media Design.
Roger Lavery, dean and professor of the College of Communication, Information and Media, attended the event and expressed the importance of having influential people in media talk to students.
"When we get an opportunity to bring exceptional people to campus to interact with students, we like to take advantage of that," Lavery said.
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