D|MA 161A Project Proposal:

I would like to create a virtual tour of my travels through Europe. I didn’t intend to take the project literally when
it came to the map and story aspects of the assignment. However I feel this period in my life had a profound impact on the
present and my future.

I began my college career at Syracuse University in N.Y. I was an art major and hit a mental roadblock during my second year.
My desire to remain where I was physically and mentally ceased to exist. Unsure of how I wanted to pursue my future, down the
road as well as with the immediate future, I decided to take a trip to Europe.

This year away from the distractions, stresses and ambiguity allowed me to clear my mind and gain a deeper appreciation of
the world and my direct environment once home in Chicago. Although I knew I would finish school and get a degree, I was undecided
about what to study. I had determined that I wanted to go to a great school in a warm climate, after so many cold winters.
Ultimately being surrounded by so many historical events while abroad I was inspired to learn about the past, which inevitably repeats itself.

Traveling served as a major transition in my life, and allowed me to discover my ambitions. It was the best decision I ever
made and has forever made me an advocate of experiencing the world.

Through this project I would like to encourage others to experience some of the wonders I have had the privilege of encountering.
Although intended to spark an interest in history for children, the historical and personal content is applicable to anyone.

Layout:

I plan to make a site, predominately in Flash that narrates several historical places and/or objects that I have had the
privilege to visit. The opening page will be a series of thumbnail collages that I will create from pictures, and items I’ve
collected from the various places. There will be no particular order that the items are to be viewed. Once a collage is rolled over,
the collage will zoom to a full screen view, and once rolled out the link to the narration will be activated.

The narration will have a photograph in the background, with a historical figure (Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo) or
something else linked to the place (Sahara Desert with a camel) telling the story. In the bottom left hand corner a small
image of a globe will give reference of where the viewer is with an X. The bottom right will have a box with my personal thoughts,
from my journal while traveling or something similar.

If a series of pictures are necessary or desired to view the entire place, a button will be placed at the bottom of
the screen to change to the next picture. This will change the background image.