I. Agenda
This course teaches fundamental concepts of digital media production and analysis--interactivity, polylinear structure, programmed and emergent form--through practical engagement with a powerful and accessible multimedia tool, Macromedia Flash. You will learn how to do fairly sophisticated things in Flash, but more important, in learning techniques you will come to appreciate the significant differences between networked "cybertexts" and earlier, presentational media.
II. Required Texts
- Katherine Ulrich, Macromedia Flash 5 for Windows and Macintosh
- Russell Chun, Macromedia Flash Advanced for Windows and Macintosh
- Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, Watchmen
- Lev Manovich, The Language of New Media
- Additional handouts supplied by instructor
III. Readings
There are two types of reading in this course: technical and theoretical. The former consists of practical exercises and explanations designed to teach you production skills you will need for assignments. The latter includes reflections about various multimedia texts, including one example of such a text, the graphic novel Watchmen.
Because this is not simply a software training course but an exploration of ideas and design principles, I expect you to pay full attention to both types of reading.
IV. Assignments
These are brief, preliminary descriptions meant to give you some idea of the practical work planned for this course. The actual assignments will be given out in class and posted on this Web site. I reserve the right to alter these assignments as we go. However, the number and scope of assignments will not change.
- Assignment 1: Index Page
- Produce a simple Web page that will serve as index for all further
assignments.
Upload this page by FTP to your account on Crow.
- Assignment 2: Banner Daze
- Create a series of banner advertisements, including at least one in
which you demonstrate a strategy for eliciting further engagement
(a "through-click"), and another in which you do as much as you can to
break with the usual conventions of banner ads.
- Assignment 3: Line/Breaks
- Construct a somewhat larger project containing several streams of linear
presentation controlled or accessed by specific user actions.
- Assignment 4: Scriptomania
- Deliver some engaging
piece of content, such as a simulation or game, using scripting rather
than timeline composition techniques. You may write your own scripts
or adapt some of the examples demonstrated in class.
- Assignment 5: Final Project
You have a month to complete the final assignment, which therefore requires significant sophistication in design and/or scripting. Here are three possible options:
- Propose a project that applies or tests a theoretical
proposition put forward by Manovich or one of the other theorists we will encounter this term, or that proves some otherwise interesting point about interactive multimedia;
- Build an ambitious proof-of-skill or proof-of-concept project for your professional
portfolio, or as a personal creative project;
- Create a functional and entertaining computer game using Flash.
- Propose a project that applies or tests a theoretical
proposition put forward by Manovich or one of the other theorists we will encounter this term, or that proves some otherwise interesting point about interactive multimedia;
V. Peer Response
For assignments 2-5, you will respond to your peers' work and receive their responses in turn. I will take peer responses into account when assigning your grades.
For these assignments I will ask each of you to look at the work of three classmates, giving brief comments and a numerical score. You will receive your peer responses, minus respondents' names, along with my evaluation of your work. Your grade does not depend in any formal way on the peer responses, though I do consider both scores and comments.
More detailed information about peer responses will be given out as the first round comes due. For the moment, note that this is a major requirement of the course.
VI. Deadlines
Except in case of illness or legitimate emergency, the following rules apply:
- All assignments are due at the beginning of the class meeting
listed on the syllabus. "Due" means accessible from your index page on Crow.
I will not accept work on removable media (e.g., floppies, Zips, CD-ROMs).
Likewise, files not properly named and linked do not count
even if they are on the server in some form.
It is essential that you finish work on time so that your classmates can
perform peer reviews.
- Late work will not receive peer reviews. In order to receive a grade
above B+, a project must be available for peer response.
- You may not submit any assignment later than 48 hours after deadline.
- Peer responses are due at the beginning of the class following the assignment due date. They may not be submitted late.
VII. Grading Formula
| Assignment 1 | 10% |
| Assignment 2 | 20% |
| Assignment 3 | 20% |
| Assignment 4 | 20% |
| Assignment 5 | 30% |
There is no grade component for peer reviews, but you will be penalized if you do not turn them in. For each peer response not submitted, the negligent reviewer loses one-half grade step on the assignment under review.
If you are assigned to respond to a project but your classmate misses the deadline, you will not be penalized.
VIII. Lab and Software Policies
The lab fee you paid for this course entitles you to schedule time in the Graphics Lab. Copies of Flash 5 are installed on all Lab machines, Windows and Macintosh. You do not need to purchase Flash, but I encourage you to do so. Good academic discounts are available from Technology Resource Center, Software Showcase, and JourneyEd. I have had excellent service from all three suppliers in the past.
You may not turn in assignments produced with earlier versions of Flash--use the current versions in the Lab.
At some point Macromedia will release Flash 6, though no plans had been announced when I planned this course. We will use version 5 even if a newer version is released this spring.
IX. Platform Recommendations
Here are some suggestions if you plan to work on your own computer:
- Minimum PC
- Intel Pentium or equivalent at 200-300 MHz, 64 MB RAM, 5 GB hard disk, sound card
and speakers, Windows 95/98; Macintosh PowerPC at 200 MHz or faster, 64 MB RAM, 5 GB hard disk, MacOS 8.0 or later.
- Storage
- I strongly recommend buying a Zip drive (100 MB will do).
You will need at least one Zip disk
to back up any work you do in the Lab; I recommend two or three for redundant backups.
- Internet Service
- It is possible to do most of your coursework on an isolated machine, but
you will run into problems in two areas: downloading software such as plugins,
and transferring files via FTP. You can do both these things from the Lab
if necessary, but I recommend an inexpensive, dial-up account with
CharmNet
or some other reasonably priced provider.
- Software
- Recommended browsers are Internet Explorer 5.5/6.0 for Windows and 5.1 for Macintosh. Netscape 6.x will also work very well. If your main browser is
a Netscape in the 4-series, please switch to IE or upgrade to Netscape 6.
- You must download and install the latest plugins for Shockwave from Macromedia. You should also install Quicktime 4 from Apple (and yes, it works just fine in Windows). There is no charge for these plugins.
XI. Class Web Site
This Web site is an important class resource. If you do not have an Internet connection at home, use the Lab to check this site at least once a week. I regularly post updates, news, and other useful materials. Some materials may be available only on the Web site.
All assignments will be distributed on paper. Early versions of the assignment may be posted on the Web site for your information, but they are subject to change until the paper copy is distributed in class.
XII. Appropriated Material
You may borrow graphic elements and sample sounds from professional sources such as stock photo and audio CDs. However, you are responsible for integrating borrowed material successfully into your work. Crude, low-quality scans and samples will limit your results. Also be aware that while students are generally allowed to borrow freely, professionals have no such liberty. Copyrighted materials must be paid for in the real world.
You should look at the code and architecture of multimedia projects whenever you can. You may adapt other people's code on two conditions:
- You acknowledge any relationships in the notes section of your assignment;
- You understand borrowed code well enough to assure that it works without detectable hitches. Problems caused by poorly understood borrowed code are your responsibility.
XIII. Getting in Touch
My office hours this term will be Wednesdays 8:15 - 10:15 (the two hours immediately following class). You may also schedule time with me on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. My office is 508 Charles Royal. Reach me by phone at 410/837-5301 or by e-mail at smoulthrop@ubalt.edu. E-mail is always best.
XIV. Other Policies
A complete statement of general academic policies can be found on my Web site. Please read it.
