My Process

I wanted to further demonstrate my programming abilities within Articulate Storyline, so I developed a mini branching program focused on receiving book recommendations based on personal preferences. I developed this project from inception and served as my own subject matter expert. First, I identified a real-world need, which is seeking recommendations for what book to read next. I then outlined a variety of categories that would affect a reader’s preference, including genre, mood, theme, and setting time period. For this specific project, I narrowed my extensive list of characteristics down to a manageable number (four characteristic choices for each of three categories). I then used my knowledge of books and AI assistance to collect book matches for each possible combination of the available characteristics. Once I had my content secured, I created the visual design of the project using an AI-created image and color theory. Finally, I developed the full project with programmed interactivity.

Text-Based Storyboard

To create my content for this project, I first outlined a variety of literary features that I know affect a reader’s preference and listed different characteristic options for each. Due to the scope of this specific project, I narrowed my extensive list of characteristics down to a manageable number (four characteristic choices for each of three literary features). I then used my knowledge of books and AI assistance to collect book matches for each possible combination of the available characteristics. The storyboard contains the prompt text, four characteristic options for each literary feature: genre, mood, theme, and programming notes to guide the branching of the results based on the user’s selection for each element.

Full Development

The programmed interactivity is what I created this project to demonstrate. I created extensive lists of variables and programmed triggers in Storyline that allow the user to receive tailored results based on each selection they make along the way.

I created a results slide that includes the user’s name (obtained on the introduction slide) for a more personal feel to the recommendations. Then I created a layer for each combination of characteristics the user could choose. Each layer contains 2-3 images of available books that fit each combination of characteristics and would thus be a welcomed reading experience for the user.