Instructor: Mark Pease
Office: Glove Factory 110
Telephone: (618) 453-3260
Email: markpease@siu.edu
Office Hours: Monday and Wednesday, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Meeting Times and Location:
Monday and Wedesday, 2:00 - 4:50 PM, Barracks 106
Course Description:
472-3 to 6 Graphic Design III. Special study in current communication design topics. Selected topics will vary with emphasis on studio problems and concept development. Applied problems in advanced digital technologies may include interaction/motion and/or web design. Portfolio preparation. Studio fee: $30. Not for graduate credit. Prerequisite: C or better in 322, 339, 352, and 372.
Course Overview:
This project based course will expose students to the principles of Interactive Design. The readings, activities, and projects in this class will teach you the technical and creative skills required to produce informational sites as well as the methodology for solving electronic communication problems. Students will develop their ability to create outlines, storyboards and site structures and will use these elements to develop their respective projects. Finally, this is a design course, not a skills course, which means that the emphasis here is to learn how to be a designer, and think like a designer. You are expected to demonstrate your design sensibilities at all times.
Course Objectives:
Students who successfully participate in and complete this class will demonstrate an understanding of interactive design, time-based animation and navigation, visual hierarchy, interface ergonomics, how to create no interactivity, low interactivity and high interactivity sites, and the fundamentals of Adobe Flash.
Text:
It is recommended that you purchase reference manuals for the software covered in this class. I have no specific preference as each student learns a little differently. Most computer manuals are around $20.00 - $50.00 and are a worthwhile investment because although you will not need them for your assignments or demos they can be used well after the class ends.
We will be borrowing design concepts from the following texts:
The Principles of Interactive Design, Graham, Lisa
ISBN 0-8273-8557-9
Designing for Interaction, Safer, Dan
ISBN 0-321-64339-9
Thoughtful Interaction Design, Lowgren, Jonas and Stolterman, Erik
ISBN 0-262-12271-5
NOTE: Additional required readings will be provided by the instructor.
Required Materials:
Students are required to back-up course work through the semester and have an external drive in class.
Incremental back-up and storage of projects through-out the semester on a dedicated device is REQUIRED.
Students are REQUIRED to back- up coursework through the semester and have an external drive in class.
Students should save their work in at least 2 locations to prevent data loss.
Minimum: 4 GB USB storage drive
Recommended: 250 GB Firewire drive
1-sketchbook/notebook
3 CD-R’s for turning in each project
Recommended: 1 pair of closed-back stereo headphones (sony mdr-7502 to 7506 are good)
Projects:
There will be three projects given throughout the semester. The due date, value, and grading criteria will be listed on each assignment sheet.
Project 1 ≥ Movie Credits
Project 2 ≥ Historical Person Site
Project 3 ≥ Create an interactive site for a the SIUC Department of Theater
Assignments and Deadlines:
Work must be submitted according to instructor’s guidelines COMPLETED and ON TIME at the beginning of class on the due date.
Due to the size of most files in this class, assignments will be submitted to the Quigley Lab Server.
Students will be required to submit work to this folder and can obtain access only while being in the lab or from home using a Mac running VPN.
Instructions for accessing the Quigley Lab Server for dropping off work can be found here.
Late Work:
Late or unfinished work will lose 10% PER DAY including weekends. Projects will not be accepted after 10 days.
Grading Scale:
Generally, grading is based on your exhibited understanding of the problem given, meeting all project requirements, development of ideas, and your professional and thorough presentation. Specific grading criteria for each product will either be listed on the project brief or explained at the introduction of the project. Projects one and two can be resubmitted if turned in on time.
All assignments will have a 150 point value.
A-Superior, B-Above Average, C-Average, D-Below Average, F-Failure
A - 90-100%
Superior work of the highest quality. The “A” level student goes beyond what is expected or required. The work demonstrates consistent creative and original solutions with the highest technical ability showing mastery of the tools and techniques. The work demonstrates a sense of confidence. The “A” level student understands artistic/historical strategies and concepts and can articulate those ideas in their work and class discussion. The work of the “A” level student shows obvious evidence of thinking: it work conveys a sense that it is about something and involves risk-taking and informed decision making.
B - 80-89%
Confident, above-average work. The “B” student demonstrates professionalism in both attitude and approach to assignments with a sound level of technical ability that demonstrates evidence of critical-thinking skills. The “B” student contributes to class discussions and understands artistic strategies associated with course content. Assignments are completed on time. Scores on assignments and projects are consistent with the grade of B. Inconsistencies in concept, composition and technique cannot warrant a higher grade.
C - 70-79%
Average effort and quality. The “C” student demonstrates a basic understanding of technical control and artistic ability with a sense of real effort, but problems are not successfully resolved. Erratic technical skills with little or no sense of challenge becomes obvious. Contributes to class discussions and understands concepts related to course content. Assignments are usually completed on time. Scores on assignments and projects are consistent with the grade of C.
D - 60-69%
Below Average. The “D” student meets the minimum course requirements. Concepts are weak, lacking critical-thinking skills and technical skills are poor requiring remedial work. Assignments are below average and/or not completed in a timely manner. Contributions to class discussions are minimal. Scores on assignments and projects are consistent with the grade of D. D is a passing grade, not a failure.
F - 59% -0
The “F” level student either does not meet all course requirements, or performs inadequately, or both. F is a failing grade.
Attendance:
It is essential that students be in class. Attendance will be taken. Students may not arrange to leave early or arrive late. Arriving late or leaving early (10+min) equals an absence.
An absence will be recorded for not showing up with materials, working on other projects during class or not working.
An absence will be recorded for students working on Facebook, MySpace, YouTube, email, texting, etc.
An absence will be considered excused only with written documentation from a doctor’s office or for an SIUC approved religious holiday or sports team.
Consideration may be given for a SoAD sponsored event that may conflict with a meeting time.
Absence Policy:
Students are allotted 3 unexcused absences for the semester. On the 4th unexcused absence a student’s semester grade will be lowered a FULL letter grade and continued to be lowered a FULL letter grade for each additional absence.
Students with 8 or more excused absences will receive a WF.
Studio Policies:
An absence will be recorded for students observed using FaceBook, MySpace, Email, YouTube, Texting, etc. during class
Cell phones must be turned OFF during meeting times and will not be answered.
NO TEXTING
NO headphones during specified times.
NO EATING DURING CLASS
DRINKS in spillproof containers.
Disabilities Statement:
All efforts will be made to accommodate the needs of students who have disabilities that have been documented by staff at SIUC's Disability Support Services or Achieve Program. Students who have need of special testing arrangements, classroom configurations, etc., should provide the instructor with documentation of their needs before or during the first week of class so that the necessary accommodations can be made promptly.
Academic Dishonesty:
Students are expected to act in accordance with SIUC's Student Conduct Code (SCC), and should familiarize themselves with its standards for academic honesty and ethical conduct (the SCC is available online at http://policies.siuc.edu/policies/conduct.html. Students who violate the SCC's standards by plagiarizing, cheating, harassing other students, committing disruptive acts in class, etc., will be referred to university authorities for disciplinary action (which can range from failure of an individual assignment to expulsion from SIUC).
Emergency Information:
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for study and work. Because some health and safety circumstances are beyond its control, the university asks that you become familiar with the SIUC Emergency Response Plan and Building Emergency Response Team (BERT) program. Emergency response information is available on posters in buildings on campus, on BERT's website at www.bert.siu.edu, on the Department of Public Safety's website at www.dps.siu.edu and in the Emergency Response Guidelines pamphlet. Know how to respond to each type of emergency. Instructors will provide guidance and direction to students in the classroom in the event of an emergency affecting your location. It is important that you follow these instructions and stay with your instructor during an evacuation or sheltering emergency. The Building Emergency Response Team will provide assistance to your instructor in evacuating the building or sheltering within the facility.
Other:
The instructor reserves the right to modify and/or change the course syllabus as needed during the course.
Key Dates:
See schedule