The Dream Collector
Project Breakdown:
1. Project Background
2. Motivation
3. Core Concept
4. Web Structure
5. Keywords of Website Functions
6. Keywords of User Needs
7. Design Inspiration
8. Web Flowchart
9. Design Keywords
10. Colours
11. Logo Design
12. Button Design
13. Model Display
14. Webpage Design
01. Project Background
We spend a third of our lives sleeping, with a significant portion dedicated to dreaming. Scientific research indicates that while a small number of individuals possess the ability to recall every dream they've had, most of us tend to forget our dreams within 2 minutes of waking up. This occurs because, even though your body is awake, your hippocampus is still at rest, causing your dreams to briefly linger on your cerebral cortex before disappearing.
To help people capture their dream fragments, we created The Dream Collector project. This is a group project consisting of three team members, and I was responsible for the back-end development. Utilising PHP and the Fat-Free Framework, I built the database and implemented various webpage functions such as login, registration, photo uploading, voice message uploading, and more. I also ensured the proper storage and retrieval of user information within the database. Additionally, I contributed to the website's visual design and collaborated with front-end developers to integrate the functionalities, ultimately completing the development and final presentation of this dynamic, interactive website.
02. Motivation
The Dream Collector is a multimedia website designed to help users record and share their dreams. After creating an account, your own planet will be generated in the universe. Our platform also goes beyond typical dream recording websites and fosters a more nurturing environment. Users can decorate their planets by writing and storing their dreams, which we help them recall visually and auditorily. Each dream will be categorised under different tags, symbolised by alien plants. The more dreams recorded, the richer and more vibrant a user's planet becomes, just like decorating your home. Users can also visit others' planets to discover their dreams. Though dreaming may feel solitary, our platform aims to help users connect with others who share similar experiences.
03. Core Concept
Each of us has unique, abstract, and even strange dreams, which can make us feel isolated, like lonely planets in the universe. We use planets as a metaphor for individuals and also a key element on our website. When users travel to others' planets, they can discover people who share the same dreams, ultimately fostering connections and bridging the gap between individuals.
04. Web Structure
06. Keywords of Website Functions
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Review, Record:
Keep a journal of all your fantasies, whether joyful or melancholic, breathtaking or wild. We provide multimedia solutions to help you recall and record your dreams, supporting self-discovery. Each dream creates a unique plant on your planet, making it more visually appealing with every entry. This DIY approach invites users to explore their dreams creatively and interactively.
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Explore, Engage:
Share your dreams with the universe! Choose between public or private settings, and explore others' dreams by clicking on planets and plants. Our retweet, like, and comment features make it easy to connect with fellow dreamers. Come and explore – you're not alone.
05. Keywords of User Needs
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Fun/Entertained
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Self-Discovery
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Interactive
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Making Friends
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3D Immersive Experience
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Keep Track of Dreams
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Design/Aesthetics
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Inspiring
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Communication
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Free to Use
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Organise & Integrate
07. Design Inspiration
08. Web Flowchart
09. Design Keywords
• Planet • Plant • Universe • Novelty
Each planet represents a user, and each plant on that planet represents a dream. Our website offers a wide range of planets for users to select, from traditional shapes to irregular ones, and even rockets, flying machines, and space stations. Anything that floats around in this universe of dreams can be considered a "planet". We strive to give users a truly one-of-a-kind experience, a sense of novelty they've never encountered before.
10. Colours
Universe - dark colour/starry background
Planet and Plant - bright saturated colours/gradient colours
11. Logo Design
The logo design was inspired by the planets and alien plants.
12. Button Design
13. Model Display
Software: Cinema 4D
Models - planets:
Renders - planets:
Models - plants:
Renders - plants:
Textures:
14. Webpage Design
Homepage:
About us:
Personal planet:
Dream record:
Login:
Create your planet:
Name your planet:
• After successfully creating an account, users can start building their own planet.
• There are 3 types of planets available: traditional planets, non-traditional planets, and spacecraft. When a user selects one of these categories, it will automatically scroll down to display all the planets under that category. Each category includes 8 different planets to choose from.
• Users can name their chosen planet and then start recording their first dream. The recorded dream will then appear on their timeline.
Register:
Register Successfully:
Dream record timeline:
Record your dreams:
Record successfully:
View your record:
Dream record timeline:
View your plant:
After successfully recording their dreams, users can choose to view their dream record in their timeline.