robert grüttner: projects

Microsoft WebTV

Assignment:
Microsoft WebTV wanted to offer it's users a method to create and publish their own web pages. This was quite a challenge as it had to be extremely easy to use and had to work across the entire WebTV platform, which includes boxes with no hard drive and minimal memory. As with all WebTV design, one must rethink the way things are done in a PC environment. Common interface devices and techniques do not always translate well to the television screen.
Result:
The application was very successful and became a major feature of WebTV.

America Online
Assignment:
As a senior designer for America Online I oversaw the design of many major "channels" on AOL.
Result:
These designs marked a change in America Online's on-screen appearance from small banners and icons, to rich graphics that download in less time. Many sites had never had a a cohesive design and overall navigational consistency was established across all major sites on AOL.

Eastman Kodak
Assignment:
Help Kodak create a TV-based application for sharing photopraphs. Target audience was retirement communities where residents were using WebTV. The primary goals was delevop community activity around the use of the application. I created the design for an ASP based applicatiin.
Result:
Initial user testing was met with much enthusiasm by test subjects. Kodak persued further development.

Assignment:
Based on the success of the above project I was asked to prototype a next-generation user interface for a new TV-based product. Due to agreements, not much more can be said about this project.

Netscape
Assignment:
Netscape asked me to redesign In Box Direct, the first html mail subscription service. Key goals were to support its rapid growth, and improve the overall user experience.
Result:
The redesign of In Box Direct increased site traffic significantly. A subscription categories menu was designed to be accessible at a single click to a low users to peruse available content providers with greater ease. A consistent logo was designed for use throughout the site. Site access and navigation were refined for more intuitive navigation.

Assignment:
In order to promote its new low cost intranet service Netscape needed some eye catching banner ads.

Result:
Using the Mozila character I designed several humorous banner ads that captured eyeballs but also impart the marketing message. These ads ran on the main page of Netscape's web site and were seen by over 8 million people.

Marvel Comics
Assignment:
Marvel comics is the number one publisher of comics in the world. They desired to make a bold step into cyberspace via America Online and asked AOL to help them design an online community.
As lead designer for the project I prototyped a first of it's kind online interactive comic book. As users read and the story, they watch and hear effects and animations as the story unfolds. The interactive comic became the cornerstone of Marvel Online site.

I also designed the major interface screens for the Marvel Online site on America Online.

Result:
NEW YORK, July 9, 1997/PRNewswire/ -- Marvel Online's area on America Online once again has received an "America Online Members' Choice Award," which honors the network's most popular areas for excellence and originality. This marks the second consecutive quarter that the Marvel site has been selected to receive this prestigious honor determined by AOL's 8.2 million members.

Late Show
with David Letterman
Assignment:
David Letterman's Late Show had a small site on the CBS website but wanted a more comprehensive community to be developed for their debut on America Online. I was involved in the initial production meetings and helped determine content and arrangement of the site. Several of my proposals became features of the final site.
Result:
The Late Show Online is a smash success on AOL. The site has received consistently high traffic and is available at keyword: lateshow.

Aerosmith
I-Jam Demo
Assignment:
Aerosmith, one of the world's biggest rock bands, and their label Geffen records, wanted a demonstration of Medior's I -Jam technology.
Result:
A customized version of I-Jam was made for Aerosmith's "(Dude) Looks like a lady" and presented as part of a Geffen music and multimedia technology demo at Comdex 1996. The disk was never released for sale to the public.

Rhino Records
Assignment:
Rhino records mascot "Rocky" the rhino needed to get a make over for two upcoming enhanced CD's based on Sixties soul and rock collections.
Result:
I illustrated two versions of "Rocky":
"Soul Rocky" for the CD "Soul Expedition of the 1960's" and
"Hipster Rocky" for the CD "Rock Expedition of the 1960's"

Both disks are available at better records stores everywhere.

	Microsoft WebTV	Assignment: Microsoft WebTV wanted to offer it's users a method to create and publish their own web pages. This was quite a challenge as it had to be extremely easy to use and had to work across the entire WebTV platform, which includes boxes with no hard drive and minimal memory. As with all WebTV design, one must rethink the way things are done in a PC environment. Common interface devices and techniques do not always translate well to the television screen. Result: The application was very successful and became a major feature of WebTV.

	America Online	Assignment: As a senior designer for America Online I oversaw the design of many major "channels" on AOL. Result: These designs marked a change in America Online's on-screen appearance from small banners and icons, to rich graphics that download in less time. Many sites had never had a a cohesive design and overall navigational consistency was established across all major sites on AOL.

	Eastman Kodak	Assignment: Help Kodak create a TV-based application for sharing photopraphs. Target audience was retirement communities where residents were using WebTV. The primary goals was delevop community activity around the use of the application. I created the design for an ASP based applicatiin. Result: Initial user testing was met with much enthusiasm by test subjects. Kodak persued further development. Assignment: Based on the success of the above project I was asked to prototype a next-generation user interface for a new TV-based product. Due to agreements, not much more can be said about this project.

	Netscape	Assignment: Netscape asked me to redesign In Box Direct, the first html mail subscription service. Key goals were to support its rapid growth, and improve the overall user experience. Result: The redesign of In Box Direct increased site traffic significantly. A subscription categories menu was designed to be accessible at a single click to a low users to peruse available content providers with greater ease. A consistent logo was designed for use throughout the site. Site access and navigation were refined for more intuitive navigation. Assignment: In order to promote its new low cost intranet service Netscape needed some eye catching banner ads. Result: Using the Mozila character I designed several humorous banner ads that captured eyeballs but also impart the marketing message. These ads ran on the main page of Netscape's web site and were seen by over 8 million people.

	Marvel Comics	Assignment: Marvel comics is the number one publisher of comics in the world. They desired to make a bold step into cyberspace via America Online and asked AOL to help them design an online community. As lead designer for the project I prototyped a first of it's kind online interactive comic book. As users read and the story, they watch and hear effects and animations as the story unfolds. The interactive comic became the cornerstone of Marvel Online site. I also designed the major interface screens for the Marvel Online site on America Online. Result: NEW YORK, July 9, 1997/PRNewswire/ -- Marvel Online's area on America Online once again has received an "America Online Members' Choice Award," which honors the network's most popular areas for excellence and originality. This marks the second consecutive quarter that the Marvel site has been selected to receive this prestigious honor determined by AOL's 8.2 million members.

	Late Show with David Letterman	Assignment: David Letterman's Late Show had a small site on the CBS website but wanted a more comprehensive community to be developed for their debut on America Online. I was involved in the initial production meetings and helped determine content and arrangement of the site. Several of my proposals became features of the final site. Result: The Late Show Online is a smash success on AOL. The site has received consistently high traffic and is available at keyword: lateshow.

	Aerosmith I-Jam Demo	Assignment: Aerosmith, one of the world's biggest rock bands, and their label Geffen records, wanted a demonstration of Medior's I -Jam technology. Result: A customized version of I-Jam was made for Aerosmith's "(Dude) Looks like a lady" and presented as part of a Geffen music and multimedia technology demo at Comdex 1996. The disk was never released for sale to the public.

	Rhino Records	Assignment: Rhino records mascot "Rocky" the rhino needed to get a make over for two upcoming enhanced CD's based on Sixties soul and rock collections. Result: I illustrated two versions of "Rocky": "Soul Rocky" for the CD "Soul Expedition of the 1960's" and "Hipster Rocky" for the CD "Rock Expedition of the 1960's" Both disks are available at better records stores everywhere.