Course Title: Advanced Multimedia Authoring

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Multimedia Authoring

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
COSC2191	City Campus	Undergraduate	345H Media and Communication	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007, Sem 2 2008, Sem 2 2009, Sem 2 2010, Sem 2 2011, Sem 2 2012, Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2015

Course Coordinator: Dr Adam Nash

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2598

Course Coordinator Email: adam.nash@rmit.edu.au

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

NOTE: This course will be offered in 2011

This course is a design elective in the Bachelor of Design (Multimedia Systems). It is assumed that the core design courses in Years 1 and 2 of the degree have been completed successfully.

Course Description

This elective course will enable you to develop an understanding of the creative possibilities of advanced multimedia authoring (programming) techniques as applied to innovative and engaging presentation of interactive content. To achieve this understanding the course encompasses issues surrounding interface design, the computer as a medium, how to assess and plan project-specific authoring strategies, the use of pre-production aids and schematics, resource and data management for large scale projects, methods and approaches to programming, the algorithmic image, cross platform delivery, designing for hybrid and multi-format productions, and beta testing and evaluation methods.

During this course you will develop critical, conceptual and practical skills appropriate for expanding their understanding of the creative possibilities of advanced authoring techniques. Topics covered include programming strategies related to: user interaction with graphical elements, sound, digital video and navigational ‘space’; monitoring and interpreting the qualities of user input as a means of designing engaging feedback; methods to track and evaluate the user’s journey; intelligent interactive screen devices; the use of random and timed events within interface design; interactive sound and image transitions; computer games design; etc.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course extends the principles of design introduced in Design for Interactive Media 1,2 & 3. Through the study of interactive multimedia design including the production cycle, research and development, critical analysis, genres study, and streaming media you will develop advanced capabilities in multimedia design.

Upon completing this course you will:
a) Be able to participate effectively within a group context by contributing programming concept ideas for discussion and debate and by being receptive to critical feedback.
b) Have developed confidence in presenting ideas in group situations.
c) Be knowledgeable about issues relating to cross platform delivery and efficient programming strategies for large scale projects.
d) Be able to analyse and evaluate the programming requirements of various projects and propose appropriate authoring strategies.
e) Have developed some confidence in your ability to think laterally to solve programming issues associated with interactive design.
f) Exhibit an appreciation for the creative possibilities of multimedia authoring techniques.
g) Have developed an expanded and refined repertoire of multimedia authoring / programming skills.
h) Demonstrate an ability to conceive, design and program complex multimedia interfaces and interactive screen elements.

Overview of Learning Activities

You will be offered a range of experiences that include:

* Lectures
* Tutorials
* Class discussion and critique
* Research and reference compilation
* Team activities
* Small group discussion
* Demonstrations

The course will be taught as a series of weekly face to face workshops. Classes will address a specific topic within the course area. Your capacity for conceptual thinking will also be continually challenged within class by being asked to contribute to discussions. As there will be a considerable amount of experiential learning, attendance at workshops is strongly recommended.

This course includes work integrated learning such as group collaborative skills will be developed through student participation in teams. This will provide you with experience in teamwork within a simulated production context. You will be encouraged to reflect on this process and to resolve any difficulties they may encounter in a professional manner. The lecturers will coach you throughout the team exercises in team skills as well as technical skills.


Throughout the course the wide ranging possibilities for communication using audio/ visual media are introduced to you by examination of exemplary published work in film, interactive multimedia, WWW, animation, and computer games, in order to generate critical analysis and discussion. It is intended that this course broadens your cultural and historical understanding of multimedia and illustrates the importance of writers and designers in developing strong engaging content.

Overview of Learning Resources

There is no prescribed text for this course.You will be expected to use the Internet extensively as a source of information to enable them to undertake your project.

Overview of Assessment

You are required to complete assignment based assessment - 1. Research Analysis (30%) 2. Game Project Document (70% -  individual 35%, group 35%). The Individual and group projects will require you to plan, conceive, design, and create graphic, interactive, or linear/non-linear based work. The assignments are intended to give you an opportunity to explore an idea of your choice and develop critical and analytical skills. Assessment will be conducted during the semester.