Understanding+The+Microphone

By: Shane Collier toc

-I began this project by choosing a point of focus from my concept map: I choose the microphone because it is a significant part of how radio is able to function. From here, I began searching internet websites such as wikipedia for quick ideas on what the microphone entails. -I then researched many book, encyclopedias, and photographs to get a better idea of what I was going to do. -From here, I wrote out my ideas and key words I wanted to focus on. The three main topics I decided to discuss about microphones were: -Electronics -Pickup Patterns -Design Types

**Concept Map**
-This was my initial concept that I used while working towards my final. From my concept map of the radio, I decided to focus on the microphone. -Here, I illustrate that the understanding of microphones is broken down into three distinct areas: Electronics, Pickup Patterns, and Design Types. I then broke down each section into more specific areas that I will add to my website.

**Information Focus**
-Through research, I compiled information that I will be using in my web document. The Information is split up into my three areas of my global navigation and the areas branching off which is my local navigation.

**Rough Sketches**
-These files show rough drawn thumbnails I did initially to get my ideas out. When I was thinking about what I wanted the visual design to be for my web document, I began by roughly drawing out quick colored sketches. Here are some of my initial ideas.

**Rough Thumbnails**
-Here are some initial thumbnails I did in Illustrator exploring different types of layouts I could use for understanding microphones.

**Images For Project**
-By very quickly collecting photographs relating to microphones through books, websites and encyclopedias, I found this was a great help as I could quickly generate fast ideas to add to my website. -Since I do not have access to different types of microphones, I felt using other people's images of microphones was the best option. I felt by having other peoples images I was able to delve into my topic more deeply because the images I have allow the viewer to really understand my content clearly.

**Inspiration Websites**
-I found these pieces helpful when designing my website because there are so many different approaches to take and explore. The layouts of each of the designs helped me to further expand my ideas of organizing information, and types of navigations (global and local).

http://www.imagined.ca/ -I like this website very much because the color scheme is working very well which aids the grid. The use of colour, flash animations, unique use of typography give it a very professional appearance. There is a strong hierarchy happening. This website is also more horizontal orientated as well, opposed to typical vertical grid websites.

http://www.rayvolvez.com/ -Here is an example of a very fresh and modern site which has a strong horizontal grid. The simple layout and beautiful use of type and image compliments this site very nicely. There is careful use of colour, the white space brings life to the page and puts emphasis on the content of the page. I greatly enjoy this website.

http://www.jvmediadesign.com/ -The use of the grid here is structured but more complex as there are images, boxes, and lots of text. It seems a bit busy but I like how different links are alloted for their own space and there is an equal relationship between each element.

http://www.ttcadvertising.com/ -This website uses flash very effectively and I like how simple the navigation is. This website uses an explicit grid that is beautifully used to create hierarchy. I also liked the use of white space.

http://www.arne-maynard.com/ -This websites utilizes Flash as well in an experimental way. The grid is easy to follow and I like the rollover animations very much. This website is constantly in motion when navigating around the page which makes it a little hard to follow. The use of photography and applications create a personalized, creative feel to the grid.

**YouTube Video**
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtiYsibSnWM -This __**YouTube Video**__ discusses how wireless microphones work. It goes into detail about what they are used for, and why they are helpful for different people. I felt this video is interesting because viewers will more clearly understand how common wireless microphones are and how convenient they are.

**Project Summary**
__Reason For Focus__ For this project, I decided to focus on the microphone because is so common to society it is often taken for granted. The microphone is a very important invention as it is used to reproduce sound. Through extensive research and collecting varieties of content such as statistics, texts, images, and having the opportunity to operate a microphone first-hand, I was able to get a deeper understanding of what a microphone is and how it works. I choose to study the microphone because I did not know how it really worked or the electronics behind it. I now have a greater appreciation for this marvelous invention because without it, radio broadcasting would not exist. Communication would be at a great loss.

Also, this project allowed me to get a sense of what web design involves. From completing this project, I now have a deeper appreciation for web design because it is very different than producing a piece of print design. It is a different way to communicate to viewers and it takes a great deal of thought and time to create something innovative and interesting. As well, the HTML, and CSS is quite new to me so I found this project to be quite challenging. I am now aware of how difficult web pages are to design and actually work. Although the coding in web design is quite frustrating at times, it is a key skill to have.

__Understanding The Microphone__ I understand that the microphone is A device that converts sound waves into analogous electrical waves. "It contains a flexible diaphragm composed of film or foil that vibrates as it makes contact with the sound. The diaphragm movement modulates an electrical current by various methods. In a carbon mike, used in telephones for more than a hundred years, the diaphragm changes the pressure in carbon grains, changing its resistance". Microphones are about communication for different purposes such as conveying information, entertainment, singing in to, recording, etc. Microphones amplify one's voice which essentially acts as a multiplier of change by informing the public about different types of information as in radio. Microphones are a medium that consume society because of their extensive use and they will continue to be in use for quite some time.

__Visual Design__ In my final web document, I focussed on the microphone and its importance elements of understanding: electronics, pickup patterns, and design types. All of my information conveyed is there to help the viewer understand these three areas. When I designed my web page, I wanted it to be simple and easy to follow, but still interesting. The placement of my headings are easy to navigate throughout the page, and I utilized a three column grid which seems to work nicely. I used a limited colour palette to avoid confusion and I occupied a great deal of white space between photos and text to allow the design to appear uncluttered but also modern and fresh. Also, the white space brings life to the page and puts emphasis on the content of the page. I felt this enhanced my design. The use of colour is simple, as well as the typography which gives the design a very professional appearance. Furthermore, there is strong hierarchy happening between the images and text. I tried to keep the document consistent which made it easy to navigate. I tried to design my web document very fresh and modern because the microphone is continually advancing.

**===Illustrator Layouts===**

**===FINAL===**

**References (Photos/Information)**
__Websites__ http://www.mediacollege.com http://www.shure.com http://www.tpub.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microphone.html http://www.totalsonic.com http://www.wesdooley.com http://www.aues21.dsl.pipex.com http://jdfrey.files.wordpress.com http://www.dereklark.com http://www.majormusic.com http://www.farnsworthelectronics.com http://www.directproaudio.com http://www.flickr.com

__Books and Encyclopedias__ Author Unknown. “Microphone” __Encyclopedia Britannica 2007.__ //Microsoft Corporation.// 1993-2007. Author Unknown. “The Microphone.” __The Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2007.__ //Microsoft Corporation.// 1993-2007. Busby, Linda. //The Art And Science Of Radio.// Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1984. McLeish, Robert. //Radio Production: A Manual For Broadcasters.// Oxford University: Focal Press, 1994. McLeish, Robert. //The Technique Of Radio Production: A Manual For Broadcasters.// London; Boston: Focal Press, 1988. O'Donnell, Lewis B. //Modern Radio Production.// USA: Wadsworth Inc. 1990. Pease, Edward C. //Radio: The Forgotten Medium. New York:// Transaction Publishers, 1995. Wilby, Pete. //The Radio Handbook.// London, New York: Routhledge Publishers, 1991.