Design Library

The Pollock Testing Center has a unique sign display set-up in which they use high-definition lcd tv's to display general messages (e.g. hours of operation) and an instructional tutorial on how to attend a test. Some of the key goals for this project include accessibility (text readability standards), clear and simplified instruction, image standards, and standards for displaying signs in this manner. Also, that these slides be create using HTML/CSS in clean code for use as a template so that the content can be edited and manipulated by other staff without worrying the design.

I've been working with a team to figure out some of the aspects that extend outside of my web-based knowledge. Dave Stong uncovered some useful resources on text sizing and interesting official documentation for Penn State physical signs. This led me to choose Helvetica and Helvetica Neue Condensed Bold as the fonts and aim for 1- to 3-inch visual size of the text for readability. Justin Miller helped to identify any display standards or typical issues that I should keep in mind, such as title-safe areas and how to avoid burn in. Also, new content ideas would be explored as well - a few that we came up with were adding a Clock, a Test-in-session notice, and a Testing schedule. The first two new ideas were included in the entrance display signs below and the testing schedule is in the works which will display much like an airport departure/arrivals monitor.

Testing Center hours

ITS Computer Lab hours

Collaborative Learning Spaces hours

Digital Commons - Studio 204 hours

Meanwhile, Derick Burns and Jamie Oberdick have been working to create a promotional video for display on the Testing Center website. This video would include the same instructional tutorial with video footage and audio. So, we met in order to collaborate and keep this instructional portion for both the video and the displays as consistent as possible in design aspects and language. Especially for the digital signs, we wanted the instruction to be shorter, clearer and more concise and memorable, especially since there will not be any audio. This would be the key to optimizing the significance and absorption of these steps. The optimal solution would be that once the video is completed, it could be edited into smaller clips that would run on the displays alongside of text. This would be longer process, but would ultimately be more efficient and consistent. In the meantime, I aim to complete temporary placeholders of these slides to which the video clips could be added in the future. I'll be adding more information and mockups on these instructional slides in the coming weeks.