Class PROJECTS
Mini-Project 1: Animation (due 10/28)
The first project is a character/scene animation project. Full project details TBA.
Mini-Project 2: Interface (due 12/2)
The second project is a website interface project. Full project details TBA.
Final Project (due 12/16)
Conceive, design, and produce (using Flash) an interactive multimedia multimedia project around a new theme/idea of your choice or extend one of your first two projects to create a robust and refined final project.
Examples of appropriate projects include:
- An illustrated, animated, interactive multimedia poem
- An interactive, animated “How To” demonstration of something
- An animated “Interactive Tour” of something
- An interactive, multimedia-based documentary (or mini-documentary) on a topic
- An interactive, animated short story
- An interactive multimedia game
- A multimedia-based interactive music video
- A Flash-based interactive website
- An interactive multimedia art project that explores/comments on a social, cultural, or political theme or explores an abstract concept such as time, love, fear, etc.
Your final project must be created in Flash (and other audio/video/imaging software as appropriate). You must use imagery, animation, sound and interactivity but are encouraged to also use text, video, or any other media elements as appropriate to your concept. You can use any screen size you wish, provided your movie will fit on a standard 1024x768 monitor.
Your project must include an interface with the project’s title and your name, and which at minimum includes a start or launch button/link to begin the project, a link to an artist statement (if relevant), and a link to any credits or acknowledgements (if necessary). Note: the requirement of an introductory interface is waived if doing a website interface project or similar project where the inclusion of an interface would be redundant or unnecessary.
You should consider how to use interactivity in your project. Think about how to involve the user and create a rich and dramatic experience. Take advantage of Flash's tools for creating a dynamic user experience with sequential imagery and interactive navigation. Each of your media and/or design elements should relate to and support your theme and/or concept. However, beware of being too literal or relying on clichés. Try not to be trite or trivial. Sometimes the simplest projects are the most engaging (i.e. KISS). Beware of creating something too grandiose or beyond the time limitations for this project.
Explore a variety of ideas/concepts. Do several storyboards, thumbnails, flow-charts, etc. for possible ideas on your project. Brainstorm ideas and possibilities. Keep your eye out for and gather any assets including imagery, video, text, textures, animation, sound, etc. that may relate to your concept.
Be sure to give credit where credit is due. Ideally, you should compose your own text, photographs, drawings, sound, etc. However, if you appropriate anything, give the author/artist credit.
You are required to deliver your project as a projector file on an executable CD-ROM as well as turn in the project .fla and .swf files to to the class folder on the network. The CD-ROM must include an autorun.inf file that will make it automatically boot to your project’s interface (PC Only).
Explorations and the Blog
In this class you will survey, research, and explore compelling and cutting-edge examples of interactive media art and design, the studios and artists involved in the production of such work, and other issues related to the design of interactive multimedia products and/or experiences. Your research will culminate in three blog postings to the class blog and one oral presentation/demonstration of your findings (on one of the exploration areas) to the class.
Your research will focus on three of four possible areas/topics of exploration:
Due Dates:
- 1st Exploration due before 9/24
- 2nd Exploration due before 10/22
- 3rd Exploration due before 11/19
ORAL PRESENTATION DATES:
Date |
Student |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
TBA |
Studio/Artist Exploration
Find and research a compelling and cutting-edge interactive multimedia design studio or interactive media artist who develops using Flash, Director, or Processing. In the class blog, post the equilvalent of a one page paper describing their work, background, techniques, conceptual philosophy, themes, client list, etc. Explain what sets this studio/artist apart from others, why you are attracted to their work, and what you think makes their work effective, well designed, moving, or otherwise innovative. Provide short reviews and links to 2 or 3 examples of this studio's/artist's work. Include all relevant URLs.
Design Exploration
Find 2 examples of good, effective, and compelling interactive multimedia design developed in Flash, Director, or using other Web technologies. Investigate and contemplate your chosen examples in depth. Dissect the design elements, uncovering the design principles and techniques that are at work, and how these principles are applied and/or operate within your examples. It will be helpful for you to review these Web and Multimedia Design Principles, Tips, and Good Habits and/or other resources that discuss the basic principles of design.
In the class blog, post the equilvalent of a one page paper about your exploration, and the ideas and insights you've gained into effective multimedia design. Referencing your examples, describe the design principles and techniques that are at work, and explain how these principles create an effective and engaging experience.
Remember that design is about problem solving. The design you see is one of thousands of possible design solutions. Use the design to think in reverse about the problems the designer(s) faced and the goals and objectives that he or she wished to accomplish. Articulate how the design functions to accomplish these objectives -- how it functions to communicate a message, create a mood or feeling, encourage an action, facilitate use and understanding, or otherwise solve a communication problem. Try to uncover the strategies and techniques that the designer employed to solve design problems. Don't just describe "what" is on the site, but explain "how" and "why" the design functions as it does. Try to articulate how the design "works" and how the design principles utilized in your examples aid effective communication and/or create an engaging experience. Include all relevant URLs.
New Media Exploration
The new media exploration is designed to be an open-ended, flexible exploration of an aspect or issue related to multimedia. Explore/research a topic of your choice related to the design, production, distribution, and/or experience of interactive media. The new media exploration will culminate with a post in the class blog (post the equivalent of a one paper) about your exploration and the ideas and insights you have gained.
You may wish to explore:
Technology
Research/explore a recent or expected future technology that will affect the creation, production, distribution, and/or experience of multimedia products. Play the role of futurist and describe how the technology might effect (or is already effecting) not only multimedia products and/or the multimedia industry, but also communication and society as a whole. Examples of appropriate technologies include virtual reality, broadband and/or networking technology, artificial intelligence, wireless technology, multi-touch screens, nanotechnology, quantum computing, Internet TV, digital television, OLEDs, search engine technology, robotics, physical computing, or software applications such as Processing or MAX/MSP + Jitter.
New Media Theory/Criticism
Research/explore critical theory related to new media/multimedia. You may wish to explore such questions as: What is unique about how new media objects/experiences create the illusion of reality, address and involve the viewer, and represent space and time? What concepts or characteristics are unique or intrinsic to multimedia (i.e., interactivity, participation, integration, narrativity, hypermedia, nonlinearity, immersion, collaboration, personalization, forms of distribution, etc.)? What are the ways in which new media relies on older cultural forms, languages, or definitions and what are the ways in which it breaks with them? How does the history of media technologies and modern visual culture help us understand new media products/experiences? Does the nature of new media/multimedia -- often thought of as open, democratic, non-hierarchical, fluid, and varied -- evade definition? Why have some critics and scholars resisted attempts to define and/or identify dominant themes in the emergence of this new medium?
Process
Many design firms provide information about their process: the business, creative and/or developmental process that guides the completion of their multimedia projects from conception through delivery. Find and research interactive multimedia design studios/firms that provide information on their developmental process (many of the design firm web sites listed in the online resources have a section describing their process). Review and compare the process of two or three such firms. What are the typical process stages in the development of a multimedia project or Web site? What is involved in each stage? Why do you suppose process is important?
RESOURCES Exploration
Design and development for interactive media is a dynamic and constantly changing field. As technologies and practices change, designers need to be able to keep up. As a designer, it's important that you learn where to find sites of information, inspiration, and resources. Find and explore at least 4 websites that provide resources (information, tutorials, forums, stock resources, scripts, downloads, articles, advice, design tips, or links to well-designed and inspiring sites) that are of value to the Flash designer and/or developer. In the class blog, write a post describing the sites you've found, what the sites are about and how they are useful, and include links to their URLs.