Course Title: Programming for Interactive Design

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Programming for Interactive Design

Credit Points: 12


Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

COSC2381

City Campus

Undergraduate

345H Media and Communication

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008

Course Coordinator: David McDowell

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 99259837

Course Coordinator Email:david.mcdowell@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 56.5.95A


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

  • Design Studio 1
  • Interactive Media 1       


Course Description

The course introduces you to the fundamentals of programming applied to interactive design and interactive media. You will develop an understanding of the wider critical framework of new media production to design and program an interactive project which may involve actions or activities which are abstract or draw upon familiar metaphors, paradigms or models, rule creation and theories of game play.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Understanding of fundamental programming principles and programming structures that relate to Interactive Design.

This will be developed by:

  • Instruction
  • Analysis of practical examples
  • Exercises that implement programming principles and structures

The capability to apply this understanding to undertake a range of programming tasks relating to Interactive Design:

This ability will be developed by undertaking practical tasks, which will involve:
  •  Creative response  to project briefs
  •   Exploration of and experimentation with multiple possible outcomes
  •   Research alternative solutions to problems
 
Analytical capability to translate Interactive Design task parameters into logical structures can be implemented through programming:
    Further development of the capabilities of self motivated learning and critical appraisal.

    This will be achieved by:



      a.     You will develop an understanding of the wider cultural framework of interactive media production and current interactive design theory.

      b.     You will apply both visual and literary skills to conceptually develop interactive media design solutions.

      c.      You will explore a range of visual methods for representing the interface and develop and design interface elements to communicate and navigate specific information structures.

      d.      You will develop visual methods of storytelling and creating narrative, characters and environments for multimedia.

      e.     You will design and produce interactive actions or activities which are abstract or draw upon familiar metaphors, paradigms or models, such as rule creation and for game play.

      f.      You will develop skills for designing and structuring programs to suit interactive design outcomes for digital publishing.

      g.      You will develop an awareness of how programming can influence or affect the characteristics of interactive design both visually and behaviourally.

      h.     You will develop the capability of creative exploration and experimentation with the medium.


      Overview of Learning Activities

      During this course you will participate in weekly seminars to discuss both practical and theoretical aspects of interactive design relevant to specific design and programming topics. Weekly programming tutorials will cover a range of programming methods where the you will be asked to solve problems, experiment with code and develop design solutions or responses relevant to topics covered in the seminar.

      You will be required to participate in design critiques of your projects work, involving critical and analytical thinking, open discussion and feedback from your peers and your lecturer.

      Programming workshops will be held to give you an opportunity to further develop your design or programs and solve problems with the assistance of fellow students or your lecturer.

      You will be required to complete individual design project/s and respond to given design briefs; working towards a specific set of design and production outcomes. Where possible you will be encouraged to develop individual skills or interests in the discipline area.


      Overview of Learning Resources

      Many of the resources you will be expected to use are computer-based or computer peripherals and these resources will be provided in the school’s computer laboratories.

      You may need to use digital content acquisition tools such as cameras and sound recording equipment: these will be available for student-loan; you will organize the loan of such equipment yourselves from the school’s equipment store.

      You should make uses of wider university resources such as its libraries, their print and audio-visual collections and, if appropriate, the University’s Learning Skills Unit.

      Some course components may be presented in lecture theatres. You will be advised of the time and lecture theatre location of such presentations.

      Relevant programming language texts.

      Relevant reading and case study list. You will be required to conduct research and make use of library and online resources.

      External storage device will be required to back up work, archive tutorial and workshop files.

      You may be required to submit work digitally, and in hard copy formats as specified in the project briefs.


      Overview of Assessment

      Assessment is primarily based on creative response to a project brief that will relate to seminar topics, programming, tutorials and workshops development. Details of assessment tasks will appear in the Course Guide Part B.