Background:
This project was developed for an interaction design (IxD) class. Classmate Brian Landry and I created an application capable of "scripting the interactor."

Role:
Concept creation & development, interaction design, documentation, programming, and animation.

Process & Results:
Taking a cue from the real world, this interactive design project sets up a virtual IM session in which an interactor engages a fictional classmate in conversation. The goal of the session is to get the virtual classmate to accept a dinner date. The IM session ends when the interactor's dinner invitation is either accepted or rejected.

The virtual IM applet uses common cultural conventions to present familiar and entertaining situations. Opening and closing messages from a third party (the interactor's friend) provide additional drama, context, and interactor orientation. Combined with dialog variety, multiple outcome possibilities, and humor, the result is a fun and compelling applet that motivates replay.

Graphical character elements used in the applet were created and animated with Macromedia Flash. The animation style is rudimentary yet entertaining, and it effectively conveys general mood information about the virtual classmate. The applet was developed in Java.

For complete design and operational details, please refer to the design document.

  Virtual Instant Messenger Design Document

Classmate's avatar -- happy state 

Friend's avatar