lesson 02 - project introduction - the majestic cinema
To address their outdated website, The Majestic Cinema requires the creation of a new four-screen digital information point, designed to be accessible and intuitive for its diverse community of customers, which will be planned, prototyped, and reviewed within a 12-week timeframe and a specified budget.
(Image: A beautiful, high-quality photograph of a vintage cinema entrance)
Welcome, designers! In the world of Digital Information Technology, we don't just build things for the sake of it. We solve problems for real people and real businesses. For Component 1, our entire project will be based around a vocational context—a realistic business scenario that allows us to show off our practical skills.
Our Client and Their Problem
Our client is The Majestic Cinema, a popular, independent cinema that's been a cornerstone of its community for over 50 years. They have a loyal customer base but feel their website is outdated.
To modernise and improve the experience for their customers, they want us to create a new digital information point. This isn't a physical kiosk; it's a new, four-screen section of their website that will be the main way customers find information and book tickets.
(Video: Embed a short video montage of classic cinema clips, ending with the Majestic Cinema logo, to set the mood).
The Project Brief: What We Need to Do
This project is broken down into several tasks, which you will complete over the next few modules:
Plan: We will act as project managers, creating a formal project proposal and a detailed 12-week plan using tools like Gantt charts.
Design: We will act as UI Designers, creating computer-generated designs (wireframes) for the four required screens.
Create: We will act as Prototype Developers, using specialist software to build a working prototype of our interface, including navigation between the screens.
Review: We will evaluate our own prototype, judging how well it meets the client's needs and suggesting improvements.
Understanding the Audience
A great UI is one that is designed for its users. We can't succeed unless we understand who will be using our information point. The Majestic Cinema has a very diverse audience:
Adults & Teenagers: Looking for the latest blockbusters and screening times.
Families: Need to know film ratings, run times, and if there are family ticket deals.
Customers with Accessibility Needs: This is a crucial group. We need to provide clear information for wheelchair users and patrons who need visual or hearing support (like audio-described screenings).
(Animation: A simple animation showing different user profile icons (a family, a teenager, a person in a wheelchair) all looking at a screen).
Key Requirements & Constraints
The client has given us some clear instructions:
Four Screens: We must design and build a Home screen, a "What's On" screen, a "Facilities & Accessibility" screen, and a "Ticket Booking" screen.
Consistency: The design must look professional and reflect the cinema's brand across all four screens.
Clarity: The language must be simple and easy for everyone to understand.
Intuitive Navigation: Moving between screens, especially to book tickets, must be easy and obvious.
Accessibility First: Information about accessibility features must be very easy to find.
Constraints: We have a budget of £8,200 and a deadline of 12 weeks. These limitations will influence the decisions we make.
This project is our chance to learn and apply the core skills of a digital professional. Let's get started!
Last modified: July 7th, 2025
