STUDY PROGRAMME
Media Design and Multimedia Arts

AFAM CODE
ABTEC42

DISCIPLINARY AREA
Interactive systems

DISCIPLINARY FIELD
Interaction theories and techniques

CREDITS
8

APPROACH
Theoretical/project based

The course aims at introducing students to the interactive media through the study of interaction multimedia systems and game principle and evolution. In the Interaction design module students analyse works and authors who explored the relation between human and machine, physical computing, robotics and artificial intelligence. Through the knowledge and application of basic electronics elements and softwares the students learn to manipulate theoretical interaction ideas aimed at the construction of interactive objects and installations. Moreover, this course outlines one of the most meaningful expressive forms of the digital era: videogames. Starting with the analysis of the most successful videogame productions, Game culture module presents the guidelines that lead to the design of interactive fictional microcosms.

The programme grants 8 credits, divided as follows:

• INTERACTION DESIGN: 4 CFA

• GAME CULTURE: 4 CFA

Successful students will be able to:

INTERACTION DESIGN:

• Identify the basic principles of electronics

• Apply electronics and logics knowledge to the construction of interactive systems

• Design simple interactive systems

• Be self-sufficient in the creation of interactive systems

GAME CULTURE:

• Identify the main contemporary videogame products

• Discuss game design dynamics

• Design simple videogames

INTERACTION DESIGN:

• Meaningful examples of interactive media

• Technologies behind interactive systems

• Physical computing

• Interaction design project development

GAME CULTURE:

• History of games

• Fundamentals of gameplay

• Game evolution: codes and technologies

• Game studies

• Different applications of videogames: marketing, serious games and game arts

This is a theoretical/project based course.

The students will take part in the following activities, which may vary depending on the development of different projects:

• Classroom lectures

• Use of tutorials, videos or other media tools

• Exercises and revisions

• Workshops

• Individual or group projects

• Individual or group study and research

Assessment tools may include:

• Completion of a project

• Graded exercises with a final oral exam

Further details about the exams will be provided by the professors.

The final grade will result from the weighted average of the programme modules.

• Brathwaite, B., Schreiber, I. (2009) Challenges For Game Designers, Cengage Learning.

• Egenfeldt Nielsen, S., Heide Smith, J., Tosca, S. P. (2008) Understanding Video Games, Routledge.

• Fullerton, T. (2008) Game Design Workshop. A Playcentric Approach To Creating Innovative Games, Crc Press.

• Roger S. (2010) Level Up! The Guide To Great Video Game Design, John Wiley & Sons.

• Salen K., Zimmerman E. (2004) Rules Of Play. Game Design Fundamentals, The Mit Press.

• Schell J., (2008) The Art Of Game Design – A Book Of Lenses, Morgan Kaufmann.

• Thompson J., (2007) The Computer Game Design Course, Thames & Hudson.

Many of the recommended sources, together with additional material, are also available online on MyNaba, in the Library section.

Books and resources might be requested or suggested by the professors.