Stacy Asher | Design Media II

About the Course
This course will build upon Design Media Lab I to introduce students to advanced use of the computer as a tool for design process and production. Course work will focus on guided demonstrations and independent project work, with an emphasis on advancing students’ basic technical and conceptual fluency with digital media. To successfully complete this course, students will be expected to demonstrate mastery of web-based publishing and advanced understanding of the Adobe applications that designers use to create animations, games and interactivity (Flash CS4, Acrobat Professional CS4, web-based animation and image manipulation (InDesign CS4, Photoshop CS4,and Fireworks CS4), and advanced Internet-based projects (Dreamweaver CS4)

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate mastery of Dreamweaver CS4 through successful completion of individual project exercises, longer term project work, and successful publishing of an independent web site.

2. Demonstrate functional fluency with the Acrobat, Photoshop CS4, Illustrator CS4 and Fireworks CS4 applications –with an emphasis on advanced image manipulation, web-based file formats, advanced gif animation and production, and basic interaction –through successful completion of individual project exercises, longer term project work, and successful publishing of an independent web site.

3. Demonstrate functional fluency with the Flash CS4 application, with an emphasis on animation practice and methodology, animation file formats, animation production and basic interaction, through successful completion of individual project exercises, longer term project work, and successful publishing of an independent web site.

4. Exemplify advanced practice with all of the aforementioned, combining the use of all skills learned to translate complex artwork and data into a final, independent project.

This class challenges students to question and revise their expectations about how design media functions and how meanings are communicated. Technical issues, problem solving strategies and production techniques are explored through rigorous study with a variety of tools and media.
A central goal
for this class is to question choices in digital media and its appropriateness and integrity to different perspectives
of content.

Students are encouraged to move among various modes of form and content utilizing research and experimentation.

Principles of time-based media [sound and time as design elements] will be introduced as an interpretation of the students understanding of design methodologies and established 2D design skills.