This is an intermediate to advanced level course. The work is fairly demanding and the expectation is high. It is important to keep up with the schedule and deadlines.

Assignments and Projects
We will concentrate on two main tasks this semester. First, there will be a series of studies and exercises designed to get you to create content for the second part. The second part of the semester will be dedicated to producing a multimedia portfolio that can be used by you for self-promotional purposes.

Project 1 – Design a logo or logotype for yourself
This project will involve designing, creating and using a logo that represents you. We will use this to study the fundamentals of Flash CS4.

Project 2 – A short film showing your skills using multimedia software – this may be a self-promotional piece

Project 3 – Designing unusual user interface using interesting metaphors

Project 4 – Demonstrate a technique or effect
This project will involve you researching and presenting a technique, or effect that was not demonstrated in class .

Project 5 – Self Promotional Flash or Encore Portfolio
This project will involve developing a personally expressive portfolio that presents your work and ideas. You will use a combination of your existing artwork, and the media content you develop specifically for this course.

Project 6 – Sketchbook and participation

Grading
Project s 1–4 are worth 15% of your final grade each
Project 5 is worth 30% of final grade in the course
Project 6 is worth 10% of your final grade in the course

Course Materials
Text and online resources are recommended for anyone who needs more help understanding the tools that we use in the course:
Book: The How to Wow with Flash book by Colin Smith (this is only useful if a new edition is available that includes techniques for CS4)
Web tutorials: www.lynda.com -- online video library of tutorials for all the tools we will use in the course. This is $25/month, but a big help if you are lost, and you can subscribe for one month.

A sketchbook
A digital camera will be useful
Recordable CDs and DVDs to reproduce copies of your projects.

Grading Policy
Your grade will be based on the evaluation of the two major projects project as well as the components that will go into these projects. I will take into consideration the quality or your craftsmanship, the creativity of your ideas and amount of effort you put into each step leading to the production of the projects. More on this in the near future.

Attendance
Attendance is essential. The information in this course is challenging. If you miss class you miss important information. It quickly becomes difficult to keep up. Your final semester grade will be drop by a letter with four absences (excused or unexcused) and a letter grade for each additional absences.

Digital Studio Hours
The Digital Studio is open to art students during regular business hours (8AM to 5PM). If you are enrolled in this course, you will also have access whenever the Russell Fine Arts building is open. Please read the rules for the Digital Studio posted inside and outside the door to the lab. Always clean up after yourself.

Contact
Office: RFA 243. My hours are posted outside my door.
Phone: 230-5020. If I don’t answer, leave a message.
E-mail: stoddad@hsu.edu

Other Policies
Students with documented disabilities are entitled to all reasonable accommodation due them under Section 504. Students must notify instructor of special needs so that accommodation can be provided. Instructor reserves the right of flexibility as individual opportunities and class needs dictate.

It is university policy that plagiarism is treated seriously and will, at the least, result in failure of the class and could result in expulsion from the University.

University Accreditation
National accreditation boards are constantly reviewing the university. This process is design to insure that institutions of high education like HSU meet national standards for education. Part of this process requires instructors and professors to state the desired “outcomes” for each course. These are the ideas and skills that students should obtain by completing a course successfully. Below is the list of desired outcomes for this course.
Interactive Design
To successfully complete this course each student should understand and have the skills to do the following:
Demonstrate the ability to develop and design multimedia projects using Flash and Encore
Demonstrate the ability to develop webpages with interactive and multimedia content using Fireworks, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver
Demonstrate a professional level of craftsmanship
Demonstrate a strong understanding of issues such as file size management, color systems, appropriate file formats, file compression formats and sound formats
Have a good understanding of video and sound editing and creation tools
Understand on a basic level the use of scripting for multimedia and the web
Understand the concept of good multimedia interface and navigation design
Have a variety of media-based content developed based on the ideas and techniques demonstrated in the course
Have a completed multimedia portfolio in web and DVD formats


Website
The assignments, links, and syllabus for The Digital Page for Artists can be accessed on the web at http://art.hsu.edu/dad/3463/index.html

This syllabus is a general guide for the course and is subject to change at my discretion. I will keep the class informed of changes if they are necessary.

© David J. Stoddard, 2008