MU Development Office

Developed Java app which creates customized interactive CDs for potential donors.

Case Study: For Love and Honor (2005) – The office of University Advancement at Miami University had launched For Love and Honor, a comprehensive campaign aimed at directing Miami toward new heights of excellence. Mindful of the unique persuasive power of video, University Advancement requested that Armstrong Interactive(AI) create an innovative media solution to allow a Development officer (DO) to create customized multimedia proposal CDs for prospective donors.

AI Methodology:
AI projects follow a six stage methodology: alignment; analysis; design; development; transfer; and closeout. On-site visits, conference calls, and e-mail ensured clear communication between the client and AI at all stages of the project.
Alignment: University Advancement and AI signed a letter of engagement, describing the project itself; the objective, scope management, assumptions, risk; methodology, and deliverable; and the structure of the programming, content, development, graphic design, information architecture, video production, and video editing teams.
Analysis: Based on analyses of the client, the end user, and the desired content, the teams researched and planned the product. With support from IMS, AI provided the client with detailed recommendation report.
Design: The design stage consisted of developing a site map, wire frames, scripts, and concept screens for the CD. The client received a design document, which included 17 targeted scripts for various audiences.
Development: AI Students then wrote style guides for content, editing, and design; development content, video footage, and a graphic interface; built a prototype; and conducted usability testing and an accessibility audit.
Transfer: To ensure a smooth transition from AI to the client, students established a warranty and a plan for long-term maintenance for the application. The client received a CD, providing full access to all the files necessary to run an update the product.
Closeout: AI delivered the project closeout checklist to the client to finalize all outstanding deliverables and tie up all the lose ends of the project engagement.
End Product: IMS created two tools: 1. The Hub, a Java-based tool used by the DO to create the customized book. After donor data is entered, an interactive ‘book’ can be viewed and burned to a CD. 2. The Book, an academic metaphor used to house the customized interactive content for a donor. Personalized with the donor’s name, picture, and other pertinent information, the book plays an introductory video when it is opened. The AI team created over 850 pages of content, highlighting every university department, division, and initiative-including profiles of faculty, and students from every department on campus.
Student Learning: – The For Love and Honor project developed student expertise in areas such as video production, scriptwriting, programming, interface design, and project management. Students worked within interdisciplinary teams, gaining both real-world experience and a deeper appreciation of Miami University’s proud history-an endeavor “for love and honor.”