Introduction to the Course Content and Focus

The WSU catalog describes this course as “design practices and process for composition for a multimedia environment including color, pattern, and shape.” This broad view lends itself well for the course to focus on various types of “multimedia environments”––that is, the desktop, tablet, and mobile. During the semester you will learn the basic design principles produce prototypes and artifacts for each.

 

Course Structure

We will focus on both theory and practice and, so, besides reading about concepts underlying design and composition for multimedia digital environments, we will also create media that reflect concepts learned. Projects include:

 

1)    A Launcher Icon for a Mobile App

2)    A Landing Page for a Mobile App

3)    A Homepage for a Website

4)    Manipulated Photos for a website Homepage

5)    Audio Remix

6)    Video Remix

7)    “Multimedia, Interactive Enviornment for Kinect

 

Course Goals and Objectives

Students are expected to meet the University Learning Goals as well as the Course Objectives and Goals for The CMDC Program associated with this course. They are:

 

University Learning Objectives At the end of this course, you should be able to: Required Course Activities that Advance Learning Goals and Method of Assessment CMDC Goals & Objectives
Critical and Creative Thinking Define, analyze, and solve problems

 

Integrate and synthesize knowledge from multiple sources

 

Access the accuracy and validity of findings and conclusions

 

Understand how one thinks, reasons, and makes value judgments, including ethical and aesthetical judgments

 

Combine and synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways

 

Think, react, and work in an imaginative way characterized by a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking and risk taking

In-Class Assignments, Pop Tests, Multimedia, Interactive Enviornment Goal 1: Demonstrate competency with computers for designing and distributing digital works in various mediums for effective human-computer interactions

 

Goal 2: Synthesize media forms for multimedia contexts

 

Goal 3: Employ the principles of visual form for sophisticated image manipulation

 

Goal 4: Understand the production and assessment of media objects

 

Goal 7: Recognize various forms of language processing and their implications for media authoring

 

 

Communication
and Information Literacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Communicate in various “authored” digital formats, & both formal & informal speech to convey meaning, significance, views, and values in peer groups & beyond.

 

Visually express ideas in coherent, concise, and technically correct forms effective with audiences in a variety of digital, multimodal texts.

 

Identify, explain, compare, apply, argue, interpret, and evaluate information in a variety of digital forms.

 

Engage effectively with diverse groups through listening & speaking one-on-one, in small groups, & in large groups, both online & face to face.

In class discussions and critiques, written critiques, and written project proposals

 

Understanding of visual design software

 

Competency with the use of computers for the development of media projects and multimedia design

 

Completion of In-Class Projects and Multimedia, Interactive Enviornment

 Goal 3: Employ the principles of visual form for sophisticated image manipulation

 

Goal 4: Understand the production and assessment of media objects

 

Goal 6: Question the way digital media functions in multiple cultural contexts

 

Goal 7: Recognize various forms of language processing and their implications for media authoring

 

Goal 8: Appreciate the history of technological development, from local to global perspectives, and its implications for a variety of mediums

 

Goal 9: Utilize an interdisciplinary perspective in order to understand the basics of social, economic, and education changes brought about by digital media

 

Goal 10: Be practiced and capable communicators in all mediums

 

Assessment

To be successful in the course, students must 1) stay current with all of the required assignments that lead to completion of their projects, 2) participate in class activities, 3) attend all classes, 4) turn in all assignments on time. Work will also be assessed for its professional quality. Other factors considered in the assessment of work include being turned in on time, uniqueness, and, of course, content. Components that will be assessed are:

 

In-Class Assignments                                                 30% of overall grade

  • Launcher Icon for a Mobile App                                  5%
  • Landing Page for a Mobile App                                   5%
  • Homepage for a Website                                            5%
  • Manipulated Photos for a website Homepage            5%
  • Audio Remix                                                                5%
  • Video Remix                                                                5%

Multimedia, Interactive Enviornment for Kinect            30% of overall grade

Quizzes                                                                       30% of overall grade

Class Attendance and Participation                            10% of overall grade

 

Items turned in late will be penalized a letter grade per day (not class day but each day) late. Items not turned in cannot be made up by other work.

 

Books & Resources

1. Graphic Design:  The New Basics, by Ellen Lupton and Jennifer Cole Phillips

2. Various articles linked from the syllabus

3.  Lynda.com for PhotoShop, Illustrator, Premiere

4.  Dropbox account and Flash/USB Drive or external drive

Absenteeism

More than two unexcused absences will result in a final grade being lowered by one letter grade. Excused absences are defined as absences due to documented illnesses or deaths of close family members. Vacations, scheduled doctor visits, family reunions, week-long getaways, forgetting the semester has already begun or that we are meeting for class, and other personal reasons do not count as excused absences. Students need to be in class on the days indicated in the Course Schedule. No exceptions. If students miss more than two weeks in a row, for any reason, he or she will be asked to drop the course and retake it when the student is better able to participate.

 

University Policies

Academic integrity is the cornerstone of the university and will be strongly enforced in this course.  Any student found in violation of the academic integrity policy will be given an “F” for the course and will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.  For additional information about WSU’s Academic Integrity policy/procedures please contact (360) 546-9573.

 

Disability Accommodations may be available if you need them in order to fully participate in this class because of a disability. Accommodations may take some time to implement so it is critical that you contact Disability Services as soon as possible.  All accommodations must be approved through Disability Services, located in the Student Resource Center on the Lower Level of Student Services Center (360) 546-9138.

 

Emergency Notification System: WSU has made an emergency notification system available for faculty, students and staff. Please register at Zzusis with emergency contact information (cell, email, text, etc). You may have been prompted to complete emergency contact information when registering for classes on RONet. In the event of a Building Evacuation, a map at each classroom entrance shows the evacuation point for each building. Please refer to it. Finally, in case of class cancellation campus-wide, please check local media, the WSU Vancouver web page and/or http://www.flashalert.net/. Individual class cancellations may be made at the discretion of the instructor. Each individual is expected to make the best decision for their personal circumstances, taking safety into account.  Safety plan website – http://safetyplan.vancouver.wsu.edu/

 

Important Dates and Deadlines: Students are encouraged to refer to the academic calendar often to be aware of critical deadlines throughout the semester.  The academic calendar can be found at www.registrar.wsu.edu/Registrar/Apps/AcadCal.ASPX.  Questions regarding the academic calendar can be directed to the Office of Student Affairs in VSSC 100 or call 360-546-9559.