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, basic video production and advanced understanding of the Adobe applications that designers use to create animations, games and interactivity (Flash CS3, Acrobat, video production, manipulation and processing (Final Cut Pro, DVD Studio Pro), web-based animation and image manipulation (InDesign CS3, Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS3 and Fireworks CS3), and advanced Internet-based projects (Dreamweaver CS3).
1. Demonstrate mastery of Dreamweaver CS3 through successful completion of individual project exercises and successful publishing of an independent web site.
2. Demonstrate functional fluency with the Acrobat 8, Photoshop CS3, Illustrator CS3 and Fireworks CS3 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 and successful publishing of an independent web site.
3. Demonstrate functional fluency with the Final Cut Pro, After Effects CS3, DVD Studio Pro applications –with an emphasis on data importing and exporting, file formats, basic editing, sound collage, and DVD authoring – through successful completion of individual project exercises.
4. Demonstrate functional fluency with the Flash CS3 application, with an emphasis on animation practice and methodology, animation file formats, animation production and basic interaction, through successful completion of individual project exercises and successful publishing of an independent web site.
5. 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.
Course Syllabus + Assignment Briefs
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Assignments
[click here to see Student Work]
This class challenged students to question and revise their expectations about how new media imagery functions and how meanings are communicated. Technical issues, problem solving strategies and production techniques were explored through rigorous study with a variety of tools and media.
A central goal
for this class was to question choices in digital media and its appropriateness and integrity to different perspectives
of content. Students were 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] were introduced as an interpretation of the students understanding of design methodologies and established 2D design skills.