Intermediate &
Advanced Hypermedia FA3900-3902
Spring 2008
Location: EiLAB (FA115)
Hours: 9:30-12:15 M-W
Instructor: David
Sullivan
Office: EiLAB
Office Hours: 12:00-2:00 M-W
dmsulliv@uno.edu
Prerequisites: FA2900 or permission of the instructor
Purpose
Expand the use of digital processes in fine arts. This is an extension of the concepts and techniques that were presented in the Introduction to Computer Graphics course. In this course, you will continue to expand those skills with greater control and flexibility of expression. You will learn new processes, especially time-based techniques, but you may direct your production to fit the needs of your ideas. This may be an advance in print media output, or entirely new processes, such as 3d modeling or video.
The emphasis is on concepts, aesthetics and processes involved in making digital art. The capabilities and limits of electronic media production systems (input, output, applications) will be explored. We will move beyond static, two dimensional art into linear (audio and video) and non-linear (web and Interactivity) art possibilities.
Required
Reading:
No text is
required for this course. I will make available a list of recommended reading
that will help inform your thinking and art making.
Supplies:
You will
need some kind of portable or removable storage media (zip disk, a usb key
drive, cd-r, etc.) to backup your work. It is imperative that you keep all your
work backed up.
Attendance
This class will meet for 2 sessions per week. The class will run from
9:30 until 12:15. This will be a time for discussion, presentations,
critiques, lecture, etc. as well as project work time. Due to the
technical nature of much of this introductory material, attendance is
expected at all classes. Class attendance and participation does not
only affect your grade. You will
benefit from the feedback, assistance and interaction with the instructor and
your fellow classmates. It is the student's responsibility to catch up
on any missed material outside of class time. Three absences are allowed
and may be recorded in case of late arrival or leaving class early.
Absences beyond this minimum will result in a reduction in the final
grade by one-half a letter grade for each missed class beyond that allowed.
Critiques:
Class critiques are very
important and will be held at the beginning of class on the due date of
each project. If your assignment is not complete for the critique your grade
for that assignment will be lowered by one full letter for each class day it is
late. You are required to attend critiques even if your work is not complete.
Critiques are not for my benefit. They are your best method to learn about art
making - from your fellow art makers.
Work outside
of scheduled classes
Due to equipment limitations, not all portfolio requirements can be met working
only during class hours each week. Though much pre- and post-production
can be done away from the workstation you will need to schedule numerous hours
on the computers. Access to the lab will be provided via a key lock on
the door. I expect you to put in at least as much time out of class as
you will in class each week. You MUST use this
equipment to gain facility in making art with it. That takes time.
Do not expect to achieve this without the hours required.
Late work
Policy:
We will set
specific dates for each project presentation. There will be a critique
on these dates. I will expect a finished product and presentation
at this time. Any
assignments not turned in at this time will be marked late. Points will be
deducted from late assignments. An incomplete presentation will result in a
reduced grade on the project even if present in the final portfolio. If a student has any emergencies
or difficulties in completing an assignment, it is the student's responsibility
to notify me prior to that day. Under no circumstances will I accept the work
if I have not been notified and arrangements made prior to that day. Remember to factor in printing and rendering times for your projects.
Evaluation
There will be a mid-term grade that will be based on my assessment of your work
to date. This grade is a progress report and will not be averaged into
the final grade on the entire portfolio. Due to the variety of options
this media presents, no specific project definitions can be set.
You will, however, be provided a number (approximately 5) of both
specific and general project assignments to complete. Evaluation will
involve meeting both aesthetic and technical standards to be outlined in the
assignment handouts. Other factors will be taken into account, such as
participation in critiques, presentation of finished projects, thoroughness and
intensity of explorations of creative options, and mastery of processes.
These will all be assessed based on your critique presentation
and my observations of your efforts in and out of class.
Below is a sketch of how I utilize letter grades.
A+ Exceeds Expectations in ALL areas.
A Range (90-100%) Conceptual: Concepts are engaging, thorough and coherent, showing original and creative thinking that moves beyond assignment requirements, Writing: Excellent writing and grammar skills that express ideas clearly and effectively. Participation: Thoughtful comments on other’s work. Participates fully, taking a leadership role in discussion in class and on blackboard. Brings new ideas to class consistently. Listens to other’s views with respect. Attends class on time and turns in work on time.
B Range (80-89%). Conceptual: Complete assignments with some originality; Satisfies aims of the assignment well. Writing: Good writing and grammar skills. Writing is clear and ideas are organized. Participation: Participates fully in discussion. Attends class on time and turns in work on time. Participates on blackboard and engages with others’ ideas.
C Range (70-79%) Conceptual: Unoriginal or common sense thinking; doing only what is required; Writing: Unclear writing, grammatical errors, lack of thoroughness, does not meet goals of exercise, structural and technical problems. Participation: Inconsistencies in presentation of work and participation, or does not frequently participate. Attends class but minimally engages with others’ work.
D Range (60-69%) Falls below expectations in most areas. Inconsistencies, sloppiness, inaccuracies, errors, lack of effort.
F (below 60%) Fails to meet requirements of Assignment/Not turned in on time
Types of
Assignments
There will be around 5 projects during the course of the semester. Each student is
expected to keep and maintain a sketchbook or other method of generating and
working out ideas, whether analog (the sketchbook) or digital (blog
(http://www.blogger.com or through the eilab server) or other website). There
will also be 2 short writing assignments and in-class presentations on relevant
artists and ideas and 1 written project proposal.
I will schedule a critique on the last day of class. A unique project of your own will be due on this day. This is an open assignment on which I expect you to be working throughout the semester. This assignment and all other work done during the semester must be available online in your final portfolio by the last week of class.
Blackboard:
I will set up Blackboard so all EiLAB classes can
use the discussion forum feature to help each other out with technical problems
or issues. This will not be required. However it is highly recommended that the
student learn how to effectively use online forums to exchange information.
This will help you through many frustrating moments. Login using your UNO email
login at http://uno.blackboard.com/
Plagiarism and copyright
All work turned
in for this class must be yours created for this class alone. Previous
assignments or “joint”
assignments, completed for two classes, are not acceptable. Failure to comply
with this expectation will result in a failing grade. Any copyrighted material
used in your work should be released for your use, fall under fair use, or be
open for creative use (such as Creative Commons).
A student with a disability that qualifies for accommodation should contact the Office of Disability Services on the web at http://www.unostudentaffairs.org/ODS/ or by phone (337) 235-4945
This is a list of
numbers that you can use if there is an emergency or crisis situation in the
lab or if you need assistance at other times.
University
Police (UP), Campus Police Building, 280-6371 or emergency at 280-6666
Student Health Services (504)
849-8068 or 280-6387
UNO
Student Counseling Services 280-6683