Description ::

Greetings! This course in meant to introduce you to interactive multimedia design and production, such as the basics of animation, web-based interfaces and games via project based work.

You will be introduced to design for animation, motion graphics, interactive projects, such as web interfaces and games. 

FOR THIS COURSE YOU ARE NO LONGER JUST A CONSUMER.  YOU ARE A DESIGNER.  I will think of you from this day forward as a designer.  Think of me as both your art director and your client.  You want to make me happy, so I will want to work with your in the future : )

This course will use introduce Adobe Flash, which will be used to create, animate and transform content into breathtaking, immersive, engaging, amazing and astounding games and interactive projects. 

This course will introduce you to Flash in all its gory details.  Flash is a flexible tool for creating animation, motion graphics, video and interactive content that can easily download from a remote server to many points around the globe.  You can create your own “channel,” if so desired…  Flash’s “magic'' uses vector graphics and ActionScripting.  We will focus on learning the Flash interface, drawing tools and animation basics, as well as creating interactive user interfaces for the web, games or creative pieces with a focus on great, thoughtful and intuitive design and user experience.

New media is trans/interdisciplinary by nature.  Production in this environment draws from a myriad of practices, as well as theoretics of new media, knowledge of new technologies, conventions and special effects in design and socio-cultural critique.  Therefore, it is important for you to be aware of not only how media is remediated or transformed and shaped by new technology, but the  interdisciplinary nature of this environment.  You will practice converging audio-visual-textual, time-based media into projects that synthesize form and function to communicate and interact, be they commercial or creative expressions.

Throughout the course we will emphasize observation, critical thinking and articulation through individual assignments, projects, group discussions and critiques.  Think of your time in the class as collaborative.  Be prepared to present your ideas and share your work with others.

Objectives ::

• Design Skills- interactive graphics/text, animation/motion graphics, character design/animation in Flash, introduction to ActionScripting, multimedia design and concepts of interactivity/design for people (and pets).

Software Skills-
• Drawing/visual design in Flash- interface and tools, creating text, graphics and characters
• Animating in Flash/movement and time- animation, motion graphics and character animation
• ActionScripting in Flash for interactive design, such as web interfaces and simple games
• Video in Flash
• Sound in Flash
• Publishing and Optimization

Project/hands-on experience-
• Creation of graphics, text, motion/interactive graphics
• Creating character/animation, simple scene
• Building a website
• Creating a simple game

Critical/theoretical-
• Basic design concepts and theories
• Knowledge of what constitutes interactivity

• Experience in group based critiques based on aesthetics, meaningful design solutions, functionality and theories of interactivity

Definitions ::

Interactivity (inter=among, between, amid)+(activity=state or quality of being active)

Interactivity is a particular distinction that refers to technologically mediated contexts and the real-time, reciprocal process between two or more agents (people or computers). 

In communications scholarship, interactivity as viewed as either perceptual, based on the user's experience of the context as interactive or functional.  Functional includes work where the communication exchange is comprised of messages that are shared and referenced over time, just like a really good conversation. 

However, the term is interACTIVE, not interCOMMUNICATIVE, therefore it is important to note what is being DONE or can be done/acted/performed in an interactive context. 
What are the AFFORDANCES the project offers the user or what can they do? 
AGENCY is another keyword.  What kind of freedom, opportunity and what can a user bring to the experience?

Requirements ::

http://ittraining.iu.edu/lynda

• Supplemental readings supplied by instructor in lecture, discussion or online tutorials
• Two means for backing up your work.  A flash drive is great, you must back everything up to a hard drive, CD-R or DVD-R at least once a week as well or more often when working on important projects. Please remember software crashes, hard drives fail, copies get lost, be sure to have a backup of your backup!
• Access to media- films, television, games, websites, DVDs, etc.
• A detailed and avid note taking process that includes your own thoughts and creative fancies.  Feel free to let me know if you need me to slow down or repeat something.
• 3-6 hours per week for reviewing what we cover, as well as the readings in the book and work on projects and assignments.
• Punctual and courteous participation. I will be ready to start promptly at the beginning of class and I expect the same of you.

Recommended text:
Book - Flash CS5 Professional for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide
Katherine Ulrich
Peachpit Press;
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0-321-70446-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-321-70446-7

Projects, Assignments and Reading ::

It is VITAL that you work outside of class and the readings, tutorials, etc. are meant to facilitate what we have or will be learning in class.  If you are behind, it will QUICKLY snowball. If you are continually lost, confused or having trouble, I hope to see you in my office/help hours for assistance until you are back on track!

The course will require two small projects, two larger projects and regular weekly readings and assignments. Emphasis for projects and assignments will be on ORIGINALITY of concept, planning and organization, quality of work, attention to detail, adherence to specifications and thoughtful use of concepts introduced in class and in readings. Creative design of digital materials and use of the tools will be considered in grading.  Emphasis will be placed on deadlines as real world experience.

I expect that all of the work will be your own.

Pop quizzes may happen for knowledge insurance purposes.

Assignments/Small design projects (5-8 @ 5 points each)
These are Flash exercises, assignments or small projects to build healthy gums and teeth.

Visual Assignments (5 @ 10 points each)
These are using concepts and tools in class to complete visual design exercises.

Project I (20 points)

Mid Project (50 points)
Includes written proposal (5 points), storyboard (5 points), design elements (5 points) and final version (35 points).

Project III (25 points)

Final Project (65 points)
Includes written proposal (5 points), flowchart (5 points), design elements/wireframe (5 points) and final version (50 points). This will be handed in and critiqued during finals week.

Participation (1pt per class for just showing up and 10pts for participation, approximately 40 points)
This is based on  your participation in class and in critiques, as well as your attendance.

APPROXIMATE TOTAL= 275 PTS

Grading and Evaluation ::

Assignments are meant to augment/build of concepts and topics from readings, lectures and software demos.  The 5-point assignments and exercises that are handed in will be evaluated as follows. Only "check plus" and "check" will get credit-

√ + (check plus) = great!
√ (check) = good work!
√ - (check minus) = what happened? see Prof. A
0 = not completed

Grade Scale-
A+ 97-100 %
A 93-96 %
A- 90-92 %
B+ 87-89 %
B 83-86 %
B- 80-82 %
C+ 77-79 %
C 73-76 %
C- 70-72 %
D+ 67-69 %
D 63-66 %
D- 60-62 %
F 0-59 %

I usually look at each person's work at least several times to make sure I am happy with how it is evaluated before I return it to you. If you feel that I have seriously mis-evaluated your work, I will re-grade it, however you should know that I may give you the same grade, a higher one or a lower one.

Assignments/Projects and Deadlines

Please plan ahead and budget your time.
I copy the handed in work from the scratch drive at the beginning of class. Because of this, all assignments and projects, etc. must be handed in on a CD-R or in the folder on the scratch drive AT THE START of class on the day they are due, otherwise they will be considered late. Emphasis will be placed on deadlines as real world experience. Think of me as your client.

Late, incomplete or poorly executed work WILL NOT RECEIVE CREDIT.

Due to problems with emailed work, such as corrupted files, missing emails due to file size, etc., WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED VIA EMAIL.

Late major projects will be reduced ½ letter grade for each day they are late and will not be accepted after 5 days.

Saving Work
Be sure to SAVE your work often and SAVE a different version.

Files get corrupted, software and computers crash and you may mess something up and need to go back to a previous version. I save regularly and often before I "test movie," as in the past the software has crashed at this point.

The following example includes information for the person (profA), the project (proj1), the date (10/01/08) and the version (a, b, c, etc.) You can also use numbers instead of letters for versions.

Example:
First version- profA_proj1_100108a.fla
Next save- profA_proj1_100108b.fla

Your name and the project title help me know whose work I am grading!

Final Critique/Presentation Schedule
You are responsible to consult the schedule to confirm and plan around your final exam time.

Class Conduct ::

Attendance
"To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. To be late is to be fired."

Attendance will be recorded, will reflect your commitment to the course could impact your grade. Since this is a design course, we will follow a working/real world policy for missing class.

1) Personal days:  you are allowed two personal days.  Please let me know in advance if you feel you must use them.  You are responsible for doing the work ahead of time or making other arrangements with Prof. A in order to receive credit for assignments and projects.

2) Unexcused absences:  you are allowed two emergency unexcused absences.  You must contact Prof. A as soon as you can after the absence. Projects follow the late policy.

3) Excused absences:  within reason, these must be accompanied with documentation from a healthcare professional, funeral home, etc.

Excessive absences will result in a failure of the course.  Excessive is any amount of absences over the above. If you have questions about this please get in touch with me.

PLEASE DO NOT COME LATE TO CLASS. If this happens quietly and politely find a place to sit, settle in and participate.

Please review the Student Code of Conduct regarding disruptive behavior- http://dsa.indiana.edu/Code/index.html

If you know you will have conflicts with attendance due to religious holidays, please the review University policy and turn in the appropriate forms to me ahead of time-
http://www.indiana.edu/~deanfac/download/rel_obs.html#holregParticipation

Participation
Punctual and courteous participation means being on time and prepared with readings, assignments and projects. Participation means adding to discussions and constructive criticism in presentations and critiques. It also means having fun and enjoying your time in class with Prof. A and fellow students. Participation means not leaving repeatedly or leaving early, not being disrespectful or disturbing other students. If there is an occasion you need to leave early, please let me know at the beginning of class.

For my part I will be on time and prepared for class, as well as work to make our time interesting, interactive and enjoyable. I hope you will do the same. Please note, the technology used in course will occasionally break or need to be reconfigured requiring outside support. Sometimes the audio-visual examples make transitions rough as well. I will work to avoid this, however please be patient if this occurs.

I do expect us to use the Internet as a research and learning tool, however class time IS NOT TO BE USED for checking email, web surfing or any other activity that is distracting or disrespectful to each other. I will make note and contact you via email if this is a problem. If I feel the behavior is harmful to you and others, I will take further steps, which could include academic misconduct.  Please review the Student Code of Conduct regarding disruptive behavior- http://dsa.indiana.edu/Code/index.html

Mobile phone call use is NOT allowed in T361 at any time, however you make check text messages. I expect that you will not reply. Be sure to silence your mobile devices before class.

As members of the class organism we abide by the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct. Please review this- http://dsa.indiana.edu/Code/index.html

Spills and crumbs can destroy technology and feed the next superbug. With that said, please do not bring food or drinks into the classroom.

If you have a problem, feel free to ask your neighbor for help.  I notice when you kindly support each other and consider that part of healthful participation.

Please be sure you are participating in class discussions in a constructive, respective manner. Think about how you can contribute to a healthy, interesting learning environment.

Be sure to RESERVE 3-6 hours a week for reviewing what we have covered in class as well as working on assignments and projects!

Extra help ::

I am always available to meet with you for help, feedback and guidance, as well as to discuss class policies or other questions and concerns you may have. Please take advantage of my help hours.

For assistance with tutoring or non-medical academic issues, etc.-

Supplemental Instruction
SAC, 316 N. Jordan Avenue, (812) 855-7313
Contact: Sharon Chertkoff
http://sac.indiana.edu/individualizedAssessment

For assistance with test anxiety, physical, social, or mental health issues which affect learning or testing, etc.-

Disabled Student Services
Franklin Hall 006, (812) 855-7578
Learning Disabled Coordinator: Whitney Manchester
http://www.indiana.edu/~iubdss

Adaptive Technology Services
Main Library, Media Reserve Center, (812) 856-4112
http://www.indiana.edu/~iuadapts

There may be times I have to make changes to the course throughout the semester. I will work hard to clearly communicate expectations or changes to the calendar and deadlines. I expect that you will get in touch with me if there is something you do not understand. If you email me, I will try to reply within 48 hours. If I do not reply please feel free to email me again or see me after class or in help hours.

I look forward to your work and our time together. Have a productive and successful semester!

“In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.”
-Shunya Suzuki, Roshi