DM THESIS 1,11 DM466,467,465
COURSE STRUCTURE
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Students will create new or rework existing imaging, animation or interactive project that demonstrates their aesthetic voice as well as their technical skills.
COURSE OUTCOMES
TIMELINES
• Create a project management site
If you do not already have a site where you can post materials, make a Google site. Lay it out like the image below. Go to the DM Project Management Site building Guide to quickly create a free Google site.
If you already have a site where you post projects, lay your pages for this class out like this:
Evaluate the appropriate fair use of media employed in the production of Imaging, animation and interactive media.
Compose concise verbal, visual, and written communication materials to develop an original concept.
Design a concepting and production process that supports industry standards for an Illustration, animation, game or interactive media project.
Develop project concepts informed by professional goals that target a specific Digital Media professional market.
Function within a creative community where mentorship, collaboration and critique are shared with industry professionals and/or forums.
Collaborate with other student artists, designers, musicians and programmers, within or outside of the Kendall environment.
Make recommendations, critique and justify concept proposals, works in progress, and finished works as a member of a review group.
ATTENDANCE
More than 3 unexcused absences will negatively effect your grade. Each absence beyond 3 will continue to negatively effect your grade. Arriving to class late will also lower your grade.
GRADING CRITERIA
Timeliness and and quality of project presentations and class review participation. Each missed date will negatively effect your grade proportionately. This includes the dates that you set for yourself.
Quality of UX Design planning.
Quality of project execution relative to project objectives as outlined in the UX Design plan.
Professionalism
Finishing. Showing up. Taking Responsibility. Communicating. Understanding that everyone you come into contact with at school and (to a lesser degree) socially is a potential reference either formally or informally. You are entering a referral based profession.
MATERIALS
Laptop computer and external hard drive for back ups. Losing data is not an excuse for missing deadlines. Files that are backed up are files that are never lost.
Software Required: Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Quicktime PRO, E-mail, Web Browser
Software Optional: Lightwave, Aftereffects, Etc.
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
You will form an advisory committee of no less than 3 faculty and professionals (optional). I will be one of the members automatically. You should pick people that can help you both technically and aesthetically. You will communicate with your advisors two ways:
1. Formal on-line reviews of work posted on your Project Management site on the dates specified in the schedule.
2. Informal and on-going meetings and e-mail correspondence. Arrange meetings ahead of time as much as possible.
3. Formal meetings with the group where you present the project.
DEFINITONS
Browser Testing
Interactive Media should work on Safari, Firefox (Windows+MAC) and Internet Explorer. You can use Fusion to test sites in Windows.
Color Print Proofs
This means printing and adjusting images several times to achieve the highest quality prints possible. Retain a source file and make versions for all of the different printers you may use. We have high quality laser paper available for these prints.
Variable Compression
This varies depending on the project. Generally there is a source file (usually QT Animation Compression) that does not really play smoothly on any device because it is such a large file. From that file, is created various compressions for playing on hard drives, CDroms and the web. In the case of SWF files, there are also various compression settings for these same uses within the publish settings.
Mastered Sound
This is the final step of fine tuning the composited sound file in the audio recording room... as you were instructed in your Sound Design course(s).
Advanced...
Revised according to the feedback from a review.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT SITES
Melissa Anys
http://sites.google.com/site/melissaanys
Cody Bater
http://sites.google.com/site/batercworksite
Cory Cook
http://www.corycookstudio.blogspot.com/
Case Silva
http://sites.google.com/site/casesilvaportfolio/
Tieka Dierolf
http://sites.google.com/site/tiekaddesign/
Justin Foley
tbd
Jennifer Gustafson
http://sites.google.com/site/jennifergustafsonsite/
Carl Harlan
https://sites.google.com/site/corubicon/
Alex Krumwiede
http://www.nightmaresinthedark.com/
Ashleigh Little
http://sites.google.com/site/ashmlittle/home
Rebekah Menn
http://sites.google.com/site/rebekahmenn
Zac Pence
tbd
Eli Ross
tbd
Margaret Schiefer
http://sites.google.com/site/meschiefsite/
Gail Southworth
http://sites.google.com/site/gailsouthworthid/
Sterling Warners
https://sites.google.com/site/sterlingwarners
Jake Wisneski
http://sites.google.com/site/jakewisneski
Elizabeth Zimmerman
Click Image to Enlarge
Unless noted otherwise, all projects are due at the beginning of class on the dates listed in your timelines.
TIMELINE
2D THESIS ANIMATION & NEW MOTION GRAPHIC
For existing and in-progress projects; post materials already completed and start your time line at the point you will be working from this semester.
Project Definition
Review DMUX Design Guide > Define. State purpose, audience, method of delivery and emotional connection.
- Example Synopsis: This animation will be targeted toward young Metal music fans and be integrated into an on-line, viral e-card designed to announce the bands latest release and redirect users to their official website. Audience should be eager to click the link to the main website to hear and find out more.
- Instructor in-class review
Plan
Review DMUX Design Guide > Plan.
Include Benchmarks (3 minimum). Show examples of your past illustraton, art or design work. Describe the drawing, coloring, imaging, typesetting and animating methods you will be using in this project. Create Thumbnail StoryBoards.
- Instructor in-class review
Propose / Pitch
Review DMUX Design Guide > Propose. New projects require a committee meeting. Include full page storyboards with production notes.
- Post and Invite Committee to participate
- Committee meeting (group or individual)
Animatic (for all animated projects)
Create a slide-show style sketch where framing, sequencing and timing are worked out. Include all sounds that the animation will need to be synched to (ie:voice).
- Committee on-line review
Advanced Animatic
Revised according to the feedback from a review.
- Instructor in-class review
Design
For character animation that means finished art for all characters shown in one or two backgrounds. For motion graphics that means finished art for each type of graphic element.
- Committee on-line review
Advanced Design
Revised according to the feedback from a review.
- Instructor in-class review
Art & Sound Production
All finished art and design plus sounds requiring synchronization (ie: voice)
- Instructor in-class review
Advanced Art & Sound
Revised according to the feedback from a review.
- Instructor in-class review
Animation
Complete animation with synched sound effects imported.
- Committee on-line review
Advanced Animation
- Committee on-line review
Sound Design
Finished Animation with layered sound (music, environment, effects, foley, voice) - Mastered.
- Committee on-line review
Advanced Sound Design
- Committee on-line review
Publish (variable compression)
source, hard drive, CDrom, web, Flv, swf (optional)
- Instructor Review
Final Review
- Committee Meeting (group or individual)
TIMELINE
REWORKING EXISTING PROJECTS
Post Project Definition
Review DMUX Design Guide > Define. State purpose, audience, method of delivery and emotional connection.
- Example Synopsis: This animation will be targeted toward young Metal music fans and be integrated into an on-line, viral e-card designed to announce the bands latest release and redirect users to their official website. Audience should be eager to click the link to the main website to hear and find out more.
- Instructor in-class review
Post Existing Project
- Invite Committee to participate
- Committee on-line review
- Instructor in-class review
Advanced Project
- Committee on-line review
Finalized Project
- Instructor in-class review
Publish (variable compression)
source, hard drive, CDrom, web, Flv.
- Instructor Review
TIMELINE
NEW INTERACTIVE PROJECT
Project Definition
Review DMUX Design Guide > Define. State purpose, audience, method of delivery and emotional connection.
- Post and Invite Committee to participate
- Committee On-Line Review
- Instructor in-class review
Advance Project Definition
- Instructor in-class review
SiteMap
Review DMUX Design Guide > Plan > Examples.
- Instructor in-class review
Advance SiteMap
- Instructor in-class review
Benchmarking
Review DMUX Design Guide > Plan > Examples.
- Instructor in-class Review
Wireframe Layout
Review DMUX Design Guide > Plan > Examples.
- Instructor in-class Review
Advance Wireframe Layout
- Instructor in-class Review
Present Website Plan
Review DMUX Design Guide > Propose > Example
- Committee Meeting (group or individual)
Advance Website Plan
- Instructor in-class Review
File set-up
Make sure you have pixel dimensions and color settings set-up correctly. Use the guide in the downloads menu.
- Instructor in-class review
Design
Create screen shots from your Photoshop or Illustrator file for every page type. These will provide an opportunity to review navigability, layout and aesthetics before scripting the site.
- Instructor in-class review
- Committee on-line review
Advance Design
Create screen shots from your Photoshop or Illustrator file for every page type.
- Instructor in-class review
Working Website
- Instructor in-class review
- Committee on-line review
Advance Working Website
- Instructor in-class review
- Committee on-line review
Final Working Website
- Committee Meeting (group or individual)
TIMELINE
NEW IMAGING SERIES PROJECT
Project Definition
Review DMUX Design Guide > Define. State purpose, audience, method of delivery and emotional connection.
- Post and Invite Committee to participate
- Committee On-Line Review
- Instructor in-class review
Benchmarking
Review DMUX Design Guide > Plan > Examples.
- Instructor in-class Review
Thumbnail and Working Sketches
Review DMUX Design > Plan > Steps
- Committee On-Line Review
- Instructor in-class review
Advance Thumbnail and Working Sketches
Review DMUX Design > Plan > Steps
- Committee On-Line Review
- Instructor in-class review
File and render set-up
Make sure you have pixel dimensions and color settings set-up correctly. Use the guide in the downloads menu.
- Instructor in-class review
3D Model(s) or first draft of finished drawing for one image in the series
- Committee On-Line Review
- Instructor in-class review
Advanced rendered 3D Model(s) or second draft of finished drawing for one image in the series
- Committee On-Line Review
- Instructor in-class review
Finalized rendered and 3D Model(s) or third draft of finished drawing for one image in the series
- Committee On-Line Review
- Instructor in-class review
Rendered 3D Model(s) or first draft of finished drawings for remaining images in the series
- Committee On-Line Review
- Instructor in-class review
Advanced rendered 3D Model(s) or second draft of finished drawings for remaining images in the series
- Committee On-Line Review
- Instructor in-class review
Finalized 3D Models or third draft of finished drawings for remaining images in the series
- Committee On-Line Review
- Instructor in-class review
Create Prints (11"x17" or larger)
Use high quality paper (I can supply) and adjust and reprint as many times as needed to obtain high quality results. Print a copy for everyone on your committee plus one for yourself.