IETM.
Visual Design / Motion Graphics / Coding
Interactive Electronic Training Manuals (IETMs) go back to the 1970's. The US Navy uses IETMs to coach personnel through various ship-born procedures.
At the time, the Navy was porting existing IETM’s to Adobe Flash (it was 2008) as it offered a motion graphic platform that could be programmed through actionscripting. My team was tasked with prototyping an updated version that utilized 3D graphics developed in our department, as well as streamlining the current content and interface.
Date.
May 2008
Client.
–
Company.
Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC)
Role.
Visual designer (contractor)
Starting out.
We first needed to inventory all the graphics we'd need, review the existing interface and information with subject matter experts, and interview sailors and trainers regarding what worked and did not work with the current IETMs.
Refining.
There was a visual inconsistency to the programs my team encountered where various photographs, cutouts, and myriad of illustrations would be used at any given time. We set about developing a cohesive look and feel, as well as decluttering the manual’s interface and streamlining the interactivity.
Finalizing.
My team and I worked closely with subject matter experts to ensure informational and procedural correctness and conducted numerous rounds of user tests and interviews with active-duty sailors and trainers to refine our prototype’s clarity, flow, and effectiveness relative to the user and their training environment.
Conclusion.
I departed my contract role prior to the launch of our IETM update. While I'm uncertain of its implementation, the experience was invaluable in teaching me how to funaction in an agile team, and practice an empathetic design philosophy.
Skills implemented.
UX, Flash, Actionscript, illustration, motion graphics, research.