Metamorphic Web Design

Brief

Computer Science Unplugged is a series of games and learning activities to introduce concepts from computer science to kids. It was originally available in two print editions, but a grant from Google made it feasible to distribute the activities as free PDFs, and to introduce instructional videos, promotional materials, and multiple translations. The Unplugged++ project introduced a new website to accommodate these changes.

Infrastructure

The new site is built around the open-source Drupal content management system, customised with plug-ins to provide multiple languages and maps for participants.

Structure

Learning activities remain the core of Unplugged, and I re-organised the site so that each activity has its own page, with the core materials available for download, supported by example photographs, videos and links to related material. Unplugged is a very loose worldwide collaboration, so the site also organises various initiatives into a Projects page, and provides information about the many participants.

Visual Design

The design is bright and glossy, and flexible enough to accommodate a wide variety of content. Cartoon images are used throughout the site, and I created new cartoons for many activities. Also graphics for activities and books. Metamorphic design work for Unplugged has carried across into book and poster designs.