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Studio/Artist Exploration (50 points) Find and research a compelling and cutting-edge interactive multimedia design studio or interactive media artist who develops using Flash or Director. 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. Include all relevant URLs. Give a 10 minute oral presentation to the class in which you present your findings and review/demonstrate 2 or 3 examples of this studio's/artist's work. |
See the online resources for a list of possible studios/artists to consider, but you need not limit yourself to these resources. |
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Design Exploration (50 points) Find 2 examples of good, effective, and compelling web and/or 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. Give a 10 minute oral presentation to the class in which you present your examples and your findings about the design principles and techniques at work therein. |
Read Web and Multimedia Design Principles, Tips, and Good Habits See the portfolios of the studios listed in the online resources for possible designs to consider, but you need not limit yourself to these resources.
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New Media Exploration (50 points) 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 or two page paper) about your exploration and the ideas and insights you have gained, as well as a 10-15 minute oral presentation to the class. You may wish to explore: TechnologyResearch/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, 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/CriticismResearch/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? ProcessMany 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? |
View the online resources for ideas. |
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Midterm Project - Interactive Multimedia Project in Flash (250 points) Conceive, design, and produce an interactive multimedia project around a theme/idea of your choice. Possible projects include:
Your midterm project must be created using 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. Think about how to involve the user and create a dramatic experience. Take advantage of Flash's tools for creating a dynamic user experience with sequential imagery and interactive navigation. Your imagery should support your theme and/or text. However, beware of being too literal or relying on cliches. 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. 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, and a link to any credits or acknowledgements (if necessary). You may choose to use any screen size you wish, provided the project will fit on a standard 800 x 600 monitor. You are required to deliver your project as a projector file on an executable CD-ROM (or DVD-ROM). The CD-ROM must automatically boot to your project’s interface. Explore a variety of ideas/concepts. Do several storyboards, thumbnails, flow-charts, etc. for possible ideas on your project. Brainstorm ideas and possibilities. Keep all drawings, notes, research, thumbnails, etc. in your sketchbook or folder. For the project, you are required to turn in a one-page proposal/abstract describing your concept, communication objectives, intended look and feel, and the navigation/functionality of the project. You will also turn in a flow-chart or storyboard that includes representative imagery, and graphically illustrates your project’s concept and navigation. The abstract and flow-chart are worth 50 points of the project grade. 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. |
DUE DATES Midterm Project Proposal and Flowchart/Storyboard due on 3/30 Midterm Project Due on 4/20 |
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Final Project - Interactive Multimedia Collage in Director (250 points)
Using Director, create an interactive, multimedia collage based around the theme of “HOME.” Your collage should convey your artistic, political, and/or philosophical attitudes toward the theme. In other words, your work should have a message and you should strive to imbue your collage with meaning. Beyond this, your collage should be visually interesting, and convey drama, emotion and/or a mood that is consistent with and reflects your message. Your project must include imagery, animation, interactivity, and sound. Optionally, you may wish to also incorporate text and/or video. Each of your media and/or design elements should support/relate to your concept. Your collage must have at least two interactive foreground elements (interactive buttons) and a background (animated scene). The buttons: Your buttons should include a rollover states (mouseEnter, mouseLeave), and should also do something/animate when the user clicks on it (mouseDown or mouseUp or both). Don't think about boring, traditional buttons, such as the rollover buttons most sites one the Web employ. Your buttons should not look like a button (at least not in the traditional sense). Rather, using the examples presented in class as inspiration, think in dramatic terms: the rollover state should build intrigue, inviting the user to click on it. When they do click, they should be rewarded with an interesting animation/climax. At least one of your buttons must also include sound effects on at least one state (such as mouseEnter or mouseDown). The background/scene: You must create a custom background that fills the stage or integrates with the stage's background color (this color will be determined by the class). Your background must include at least one animated element. You must also include “background sound” in your scene (either occasionally or continuously). Project 2 is collaborative: Your project must link to at least two other student projects in the class. Ultimately, the user will be able to seamlessly click around and travel from project to project, such that it becomes one integrated whole. In class, we will discuss strategies (and potential limitations) to ensure a sense of continuity and consistency between the projects. You should strive to make the links and transitions between projects as smooth as possible. You must use a 780 x 390 stage size for Project 2. We will vote on other potential rules/limitations such as color palettes, background colors, design grids, shared imagery, etc. You should develop your imagery in Photoshop first, and then import your PICT, JPEG, or PNG (good if using transparency) into Director. Take advantage of Director’s tools for creating a dynamic user experience with sequential imagery and interactive navigation. Your imagery should support your theme and/or concept. Explore a variety of ideas/concepts. Do several storyboards, thumbnails, flow-charts, etc. for possible ideas on your project. Brainstorm ideas and possibilities. Sometimes the simplest projects are the most engaging (i.e. KISS). Focus on the essence or emotional center of your project, and beware of confounding the project by trying to do too much, or creating something too grandiose or beyond the time limitations for this class. Project 2 will follow a strict four-part schedule: 2. Complete Foreground and Background (due 5/18). You should have the background/contextual scene complete and ideally have added a second interactive button/element by this stage. 3. Bring the Noise and Refine (due 5/25). Your button(s)/scene should be essentially complete with all elements and sound, and all interactivity/programming. At this point you are functionally done with your individual project and have started to work on the buttons/transitions to the two other student projects. 4. Link and Collaborate (due 6/1). Integrate your project so that it links/transitions to two other student’s projects. Use shared imagery and create smooth transitions between projects. |
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