NM 222, T, TH 10:50 – 12:05 pm, Lab ZS 203              
3 credit hours, Prerequisite: NM 121, 151, or instructor permission

Instructor: Lorraine Walsh
office: 213 Zeis Hall
phone: 828.350.4572
email: lwalsh@unca.edu
office hours: T, Th 3:00-4:00 pm, W 1:00-2:00 pm

NM 222 is the designated art cluster course in the Integrated Liberal Studies (ILS) Topical Cluster 14A: The Sensory Environment and Perceptual Systems. The goal of this cluster is to examine how biological systems transduce physical energies from the outside world into action potentials in the brain, and how those interpretations give rise to our perception of reality. In humans, our primary sense is vision, so the physical energies that we concern ourselves with are photons of light. Interestingly, the interpretation of light is not as straightforward as it might seem. Furthermore, in other animals the senses of smell, audition, or even electricity may be of primary importance, but the principles of transduction and interpretation hold. To fully understand this process, one must study it from the primary disciplines of Physics, Psychology, Biology and Art. The goal of our cluster is to inform students how these differing viewpoints create our perceptual experiences from sensory input.



COURSE DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this course is to develop concepts and skills for creating innovative new media art and design projects. Students will learn key skill sets with an emphasis on conceptual inquiry in their projects. There will be a focus on 2D animation with a final comprehensive research project that includes animation, interactivity, sound, and video. Topics include principles of animation and design, time-based media, sound, digital methodology and traditional practice. Development of concepts, skills, and critical analysis through experimentation are core components of this course.

In this course students will learn to distinguish ideas informed by established visual information and those that envision new meaning through analysis of perception, perspective, and vantage point. The challenge will be to see image/motion/sound as more than objects for just consumption or play, and to observe them as agencies for meaningful experiences. Emphasis is on creativity, experimentation, and critical thinking.

Note: The course provides hands-on experience with key software tools, focusing on Flash CS5 and ActionScript 3.0. Flash’s features, including the creation and coordination of image, sound, animation and video, will be explored. Other software may include Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, AfterEffects and Maya. A working knowledge of HTML is expected.


OBJECTIVES


• To create innovative animation and interactive new media artwork while developing solid work methods
• To develop a varied array of new media skills for effective communication and expression of ideas
• To consider how differing perceptions and perspectives affect experience and viewpoint
• To gain a broad awareness of your goals in the context of contemporary culture, demonstrating respect and courtesy toward the differences of others
• To recognize your own agency as media artists, and become confident exercising that agency
• To negotiate an ongoing personal ethic of innovation and risk regarding cultural/environmental sustainability and stewardship
• To research and realize ideas, allowing software to inform and shape without dictating the final form
• To learn how to select and edit while understanding software constraints and how to utilize them
• To develop a solid understanding of motion and timing, learning how the aesthetics of space, shape, color, and sound convey concepts and reinforce meaning
• To allow ideas to inform, surprise, and challenge you - collaborating with your peers in the process


PROJECTS


There are three main projects. Beginning with drawing on paper (drawings are not evaluated; drawing is thinking and you can use simple lines/marks to express your idea), you will create projects for Web delivery and/or for off-line installations and screen application. You will be prepared to take projects from initial concept through development phase to the final piece. Initial ideas will be in the form of drawing with written outlines to articulate concepts, abstract as they may be. Your projects will take time and effort. Integral to the course is working with your peers and the exchange of ideas. You will be encouraged to collaborate with others in class to solve conceptual and technical issues. Be prepared to learn, experiment, and create excellent work.

Project 1:  Animation Project
Project 2:  Words in Motion Project
Project 3:  Final - Experimental New Media Art + Design Project

Recommended sizes for projects are in this range (but not limited to these sizes):
840 x 525 pixels
1120 x 700 pixels
1260 X 788 pixels

Note: Projects and weekly homework assignments are to be uploaded to the server dropbox on the DUE DATE specified. Files should be named with first initial, last name and project number. E.g.: bsmith_project1.fla and bsmith_project1.swf. Submit both .fla and .swf for all projects. Submit swf’s for weekly assignments unless specified otherwise. Hand-outs will be provided for all projects.


TEXT


Course readings will be in the form of PDF documents and web site visits. Refer to full text list for recommended readings and texts.

SUPPLIES


Sketchbook, USB key, CD-Rs/DVD-Rs, Firewire/USB external hard drive

EVALUATION

Project 1:  25 %
Project 2:  25 %
Project 3:  25 %
Attendance, daily homework assignments, weekly development, participation, sketchbook: 25%

Grading Scale:
 A  4.0;  A- 3.67;  B+  3.33;  B  3.0;  B-  2.67;  C+  2.33;  C  2.0;  C-  1.67;  D+ 1.33; D  1.00;  F 0.00


ATTENDANCE

Attend class! Attendance at all class sessions is essential for successful learning. Instruction and information provided in class is difficult to repeat outside the classroom. Non-attendance affects the quality and the quantity of your work. Excessive lateness will also significantly lower your grade. If it’s unavoidable to miss a class, contact me via e-mail or phone.  Please communicate extenuating circumstances.

• Failure to attend a Final Project Critique results in a failing grade for that project.
• You're allowed one excused absence. Any student absence beyond one will lower your final grade.
• Each unexcused absence beyond three will lower the grade by one full letter. No kidding!
• Being late for class past 10 minutes is considered an absence.
• Consistent tardies will be counted as an absence (3 late arrivals = 1 absence).

CONTACT

The best way to contact me outside of class is via e-mail at lwalsh@unca.edu. My office hours are as posted. If I’m not available during office hours, please contact Associate Program Assistant Tina McCants. I’m also available for individual appointments – please e-mail me and we’ll set up a time to meet. 


COURSE SCHEDULE: NM 222 ARTS:CL14A: NEW MEDIA ART and DESIGN I

The following course schedule is subject to change. Advance notice will be provided.

WEEK 1 - 1/10, 1/12

WEEK 2 - 1/17, 1/19

WEEK 3 - 1/24, 1/26

WEEK 4 - 1/31, 2/2

WEEK 5 - 2/7, 2/9

CRITIQUE – Project 1 Due Tues 2/7
• ActionScript 3.0: SimpleButton Class

Assignment:
Conceptual Development of Project 2
Flash Practice Sketch 4 .swf [ActionScript Button] DUE 2/14

WEEK 6 - 2/14, 2/16

WEEK 7 - 2/21, 2/23

• Audio, image, and motion
• Placing sounds in the timeline; Synchronizing sound to animation

Assignment:
Development of Project 2
Flash Practice Sketch 6 .swf [ActionScript InvBtn] DUE 2/28

  • WEEK 8 - 2/28, 3/1

    • • REVIEW
      • ActionScript 3.0 continued
      • Object-Oriented Programming

      Assignment:
      Development of Project 2


    Enjoy Spring Break! March 5-9

    WEEK 9 - 3/13, 3/15                 

    • Actionscript 3.0

    Assignment: Final Development Phase Project 2
    Flash Practice Sketch 7 .swf [sound file] DUE 3/20

    WEEK 10 - 3/20, 3/22

    • ActionScript 3.0
    • Stopping and starting sounds

    Assignment: Complete Project 2

    WEEK 11 - 3/27, 3/29

    • • CRITIQUE - Project 2 DUE Tues 3/27
      Review of initial sketches and storyboard Project 3 Thurs 3/29
      • ActionScript 3.0
      • Importing SWF’s

      Assignment:
      Development of Project 3
      Flash Practice Sketch 8 .swf [simple site file] DUE 4/3

    WEEK 12 - 4/3, 4/5

    • • ActionScript 3.0
      • Building interactivity; examining usability

      Assignment:
      Development of Project 3
      Flash Practice Sketch 9 .swf [Event.ENTER_FRAME] –DUE 4/10

    WEEK 13 - 4/10, 4/12

    • • ActionScript 3.0
      • Flash and video

      Assignment:
      Development of Project 3
      Flash Practice Sketch 10 .swf ActionScript animation] DUE 4/17

    WEEK 14 - 4/17, 4/19

    • • Importing video; compression and skins
      • The Adobe Media Encoder

      Assignment:
      Final Development of Project 3

    FINALS

    • CRITIQUE – Project 3 Due: Presentation and Discussion
      nm 222: Thursday, April 26, 11:30 am – 2:00 pm, Lab ZS 203



      © 2012 Lorraine Walsh, Associate Professor of New Media, UNCA

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