In this course we will provide a thorough and elaborate study of interactive concepts and techniques for applications. We will conduct an extensive investigation into the interface, mechanism, controls, and aims of interactive works. Students will learn how to design and develop complex interactive projects, undertaking comprehensive research and directing their thinking process from brainstorming to final outcome. This course will provide students with the tools to conceive, plan, and develop an interactive system, and they will become aware of the importance of their role in the development of interactive media.
Course Goals
To learn to apply your own interests as a designer onto a live platform
To observe and analyze what interests and inspires you
To communicate a narrative through words, design, content, and code
To gain an understanding of internet history, where it is now, and how your work will contribute to it in the future
To gain familiarity with a range of digital contemporary art and design practices
To enhance your presentation skills
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
Use a basic vocabulary of interactive media to both give and respond to critique productively. Including individual evaluation through the instructor, group critique in class, outside critique as well as written anonymous critique.
Demonstrate an understanding of the iterative making process in interaction design, using incremental methods such as sketching, prototyping and evaluation.
Conceptualize a product for the web and realize it through coding.
Evaluate the difference in designing interfaces for different kind of devices, their limitations and specific user situation including responsive websites and apps for mobile.
Evaluate how typography and its variables are applied to interactive systems to facilitate orientation, support usability and create consistency .
Research historic and current design precedents to contextualize own work.
Be able to archive and document work that is printed, on screen or time based in a reflective manner for learning portfolio
Combine their artistic creativity with technology related to the internet.
Demonstrate a comprehension of skills, methods, techniques and processes to realize interactive systems(see competency)
Course Outline
Below is a general outline of the semester. For up to date information, please reference the syllabus on the course homepage.
Week
Unit/Skillset
Project + Exercises
Agenda
HW + Notes
1
Communication and Form
Time Capsule
Introductions + Syllabus Review
Discussion topic: what is web design to you? what are you hoping to learn here? What is the point of this class?
Discuss class website
Students present their previous work
Review Project 1: Time Capsule
Assign homework
Watch Lo and Behold
Purchase Sketch. Sign up for Invision.
Come to class with a list of 25 of your time capsule components. Include photos and/or sketches for each item. Consider how you’ll organize your time capsule.
“A Living Language” and“A Rose is a Rose is a” from Design as Art by Bruno Munari
Decide on the direction of your project and have a selection of your 10 pieces. If you’re using photos – remember that in webdesign, you want a file size that’s the smallest possible. Aim to have images <1mb where you can, and always export for web in photoshop. Jpgs, pngs, svgs, gifs all OK. Avoid large scale images such as tiffs and do not use pdfs.
Have a clickable draft of your project for Tuesday’s class online
Course Description
Course Goals
Learning Outcomes
Course Outline