instructor: Haig Armen
lectures time: Mondays 1:00 - 4:00pm
lectures location: rm 203c North Building
office: 349 South Building
office phone: TBA
email: harmen@ecuad.ca
office hours: Mondays 9:00am - 12pm by appointment
Course Description
This introductory studio course addresses the design, composition, and construction of computer interactivity in authoring environments, including the World Wide Web. Emphasis is on increasing visual and sensory-based literacy through the application of interactive digital skills. Students also learn to apply the principles and processes of interactive design for the use of animation, still imagery, video and sound for diverse applications, including those for educational, commercial, and communicative purposes. Students learn to compose simple image and sound material, and apply basic concepts of interactive systems design for various kinds of authoring environments, including introductory XHTML and CSS concepts. This course is intended for those with no previous experience in interactive design.
Course Content
This course will provide an introduction to the interactive environment and extend student's knowledge of digital concepts and software for a wide range of on and offline applications. This course will emphasize the current concepts and practices of interactivity in digital media but rely on historic uses and concepts of interactivity as well. Current authoring software will provide the platform on which design for interactivity will occur. Students will be introduced to XHTML, CSS, Dreamweaver, and Flash, website design, interactive sound and animation, preparing graphics for and typography for on-screen viewing, working with animation, and basic programming actions and functions. Concepts of user interface such as metaphor, motivation, navigation, usability, functionality, performance, narrative and spatiality will be introduced. Interaction will be experienced as a process for communication. Projects in this course will ask the students to answer such questions as what interactivity is, what it could be, how it could work, and what it might mean in the larger areas of communication arts and design.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand and utilize the various concepts of interactivity and user interface design
- Identify and discuss conceptual models of interactive design especially those dealing with metaphor, narrative, performance and spatiality, sensory and data approaches.
- Understand basic computational form and programming structure
- Create and integrate media elements, such as images, text, sound, video
- Design and develop unique interactive projects
Methods: how students will be taught
A combination of content/concept presentations together with technical demos and presentations will offer the student a full array of knowledge components for their introductory investigation of interactive media. Along with that, most class sessions will incorporate 45-60 minutes of inclass work time to work directly with the conceptual and technical material offered in that class.
1. Content Presentation: 30 min - 60 min
A presentation of issues with supporting examples on a particular theme introducing key content and concepts of interactivity including those from such domains as culture, education, commerce, and the sciences. All together these presentations will offer a concise overview of major movements in art, design, and media, as well as the other arts, such as sound and literature, which either directly or laterally impact interactive Communication Design.
2. Workshop: 60 - 90 min
A presentation of the development and application of interactive digital skills. A guided participatory walk-through of each week's assigned readings that expands or focus on certain technical aspects of interactive software. Students will follow along, participate, discuss and question the various skill-sets in each of the authoring environments on-screen.
3. In-class Work session: 60 min
Each week's supervised work session begins with the presentation of homework assignment. The instructor will be available for individual assistance and support. The period allows students to immediate begin to fold in material from both the Content and Technical Presentations
Resource materials
Required:Lynda.com tutorials - ask instructor for specifics
Evaluation Criteria
Attendance 10 %
Participation 10 %
1st Project 20 %
2nd Project 10 %
3rd Project 25 %
4th Project 25 %
Total 100%
Evaluation Criteria definitions
Students are expected to spend from 3-6 hours per week outside of class time to research material and master technical, practical and conceptual principles covered in class.
To achieve the above learning objectives, students are expected to:
- Attend and actively participate in class discussions, workshop exercises and critiques. Attendance and participation are linked. Quality participation includes being prepared to discuss your own as well as other's work, active listening, supporting your fellow class members by participating in their learning environment by sharing ideas and technical knowledge. Intellectual disagreement is encouraged. This class is nowhere without you.
- Submit completed assignments and projects within the allotted time. 5 points will be deducted for each day the assignment is over due. All assignments are due on the due date posed on your personal DIVA 205 website. These deliverables count towards your project and participation grade.
- Research, read information on course subjects and study assigned Web sites - Part of the research grade will be based on demonstration of course topics and concepts reflected in your projects.
Four assignments will be given out in class and details will be provided on the web-site. Each of the assignments will integrate technical, conceptual and practical topics in the course. Specific details of the projects will be given out in class and on the web-site. These individual projects will be worth 10% for the first two assignments, 25% for the second and 35% for the final project.
Course Notes (policies and procedures)
The instructor may modify the material or schedule specified in this outline. Any required changes will be announced in class.
Late assignments or projects may be penalized as specified in the course outline.
It is plagiarism to present someone else's work or ideas as one's own. Plagiarism may result in failure on an assignment, of the course, and, if repeated, expulsion from the Institute. Assistance with the ethical practices of attribution and documentation is available from the Writing Centre or online at www.eciad.ca/wc
A student must provide a doctor's note to Student Services for any illness which causes the student to miss assignments, tests, projects, exams, etc., or for absences of more than two classes. At the discretion of the instructor the student may complete the work for a prorated grade.
Students will demonstrate that they understand and practice the safe use of tools and other equipment, materials, and processes used in their course projects. They will conduct themselves in a responsible manner that does not endanger themselves or others, and will adhere to the area procedures regarding authorized operation of equipment, handling of materials, and use of space.
Students with special needs or disabilities that might affect their experience or performance in class are advised to inform their instructor and/or contact the Disabilities Services Coordinator, located in Student Services, for assistance.
Professional counseling or therapy is available at no charge to students who have concerns of a personal nature. All information shared is held in strict confidence. Call 604.844.3850 or 604.844.3081 for an appointment with the support counselor.
The Writing Centre is a service that Emily Carr provides to all students, staff and faculty from every program area who would like to improve their reading, writing, critical thinking, and research skills. This is a free, voluntary and confidential service. Writing Centre instructors can help you at every stage of your writing, from developing ideas to final revision. This applies to any kind of writing, from a three line artist's statement to a twenty page academic paper. Please sign up for a hour appointment on the door (room 434 SB). Telephone: 604 629 4511, Coordinator: Karolle Wall.