Military Knowledge 1&2
British Army Officer Training
PROJECT TYPE
Distance learning resources
Web Based E-learning
TITLE
UI Designer and Graphic Designer
DATE OF PROJECT
March 2002 - January 2006
TOOLS USED
Adobe Creative Suite,
Photoshop
Illustrator
Indesign
Premiere
INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT
The Military Knowledge (MK) was a two-year project to create educational and training materials for officers in the UK Military. During the first year, a team of designers including myself from Cranfield University and the Royal Military College of Science collaborated to create MK1, a set of nine printed books with five photo/animation CD-ROMs.
In the second year, the project expanded to include the development of MK2, an online resource. This stage required a larger team of approximately 50 people, including web developers, instructional designers, and subject matter experts.
The Project - MK 1
During MK 1 My primary task was to work on the graphic design team to create a set of 9 books including technical diagrams/illustrations and an interactive CD-ROM library of images with animations to support the lessons in the MK1 books.
The team was tasked with following design specifications provided by the lead designer. This step was essential in ensuring consistency in the design and layout of the materials.
The Project - MK 2
With MK 2 I was tasked with creating the interface designs for the web-based learning environment. I needed to apply the look and feel of the print materials to met W3C design standards of the time (2003). My design was chosen to pitch the concept to senior members of the British army and ending up helping to win the contract to fulfil this larger project.
After a successful pitch, a larger team was formed to bring the web-based learning environment to life. The design team was given the task of populating the site with various multimedia elements, including text, videos, photographs, animations, illustrations, and diagrams.
My work was critical in creating the multimedia and visual elements that helped to bring the MK courses to life. This made the content more engaging and understandable for learners, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of the training and education for UK Military Officers.
LESSONS LEARNT
Reflecting on this project, my most significant takeaway was the immense pride I felt for being part of a collaborative team that successfully crafted a diverse and exceptional product. We used a cutting-edge platform for delivering these educational resources. Looking back, I now realize that one crucial lesson I learned, albeit unconsciously at the time, was that everyone on the team is dedicated to delivering the best possible product. Working alongside a comprehensive team of specialists during this, I acquired a wealth of knowledge that paved the way for my career within education over the subsequent two decades.
