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Syllabus / Section 2
DES 682 - Interactive Design II
Pratt Institute, Manhattan Center, Room 505
Instructor
Eric Bintner
248-410-8468
Course Description
DES 682 - Interactive Design II, This course focuses on the advanced planning, conceptualizing, designing and building of an interactive project. Students review contemporary designers’ solutions to complex media projects, and using this knowledge as a foundation, develop their own innovative solutions. The emphasis is on developing an individualized approach to new media. Examples of potential projects include interfaces for mobile devices, electronic books, and interactive branding.
This course will be conducted primarily as a vehicle toward individual design research and application. The secondary goal of this course it to critically examine the purposes and results of the research and to help classmates work through these design problems conceptually and technically through critique and class interaction. There will be 3 main projects in this course. Likewise a writing component in this course will manifest itself in three ways; as a statement for each project, as a review of a fellow student's work on critique days, and as critical opinion to research topics.
Along with completing assignments, class members are encouraged to communicate with each other outside of class via electronic means, email, IM, FB... This can include, but not be exclusive to problems, solutions, information, etc. The benefits of developing a network within your area of design cannot be over done.
Course Goals
• Become familiar with definitions of interaction design
• Become familiar with principles of interaction design
• Become familiar with approaches to user-centered design
• Acquire skills to research and define an interaction design problem
• Develop the presentation and communication skills necessary to discuss and
portray interaction design problems and solutions in a team environment
Critique
Each of the projects will conclude with a discussion and viewing of the finished work. Students are expected to present their completed projects to the whole class. Students are expected to vocally participate in the discussions of each project presented. It is understood in the critique environment that the author of the work listen to other's interpretation's and feedback prior to explaining their intentions. This is to promote an unguided and more accurate interpretation from your peers and encourage a heightened awareness of intentionality from the author.
Each Critique will follow a specific formula. A student who is having their work critiqued must post their work the DES682 course website by 6pm the evening before the critique. An assigned reviewer student will write a review of the work, describing what they see, their interpretation, how they believe the work exists contextually, and finally if they believe the work is successful and why. There will be a system set up so that can be communication between students.
Prerequisites
Interactive Design I. Experience with javascript, animation, interactive design, C++, and Adobe Flash helpful.
Required Supplies
- Blog page, such as Wordpress, Tumblr, etc. soled devoted to this course. (Please choose a design that is more "invisible" so it does not distract from your work.)
- Access to an html text editor - Fraise for Mac is recommended and free
- 4GB USB drive
- FTP client & your own website
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Monthly subscription to Lynda.com ~ very thorough tutorials, highly recommended
- Some projects may require the purchase of additional supplies as needed on an individual basis.
- Participation in University-sanctioned activities and programs
- Personal illness with a doctor's note indicating that the student needed to stay home on that particular class day
- Family and/or other compelling circumstances
Recommended Supplies
Grading
This is a studio course and WILL require work beyond the scheduled class period. Computer lab hours will be posted.
Grading Formula:
75% Assignments (100pts each - total points from the 9 individual assignments)
15% Weblog (60pts - 2 posts per week, based on fulfillment, about 2pts per post)
10% Participation (40pts - active class participation, especially during critiques)
Individual Grade Expectations:
A (4.00): Outstanding work. Outstanding achievement relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements. Performance was of the highest level. Excellence while meeting course objectives was sustained throughout the course. Not only was the student’s performance clearly and significantly above satisfactory, it was also of an independent and creative nature.
A- (3.70): Excellent work. Excellent achievement relative to the level necessary to meet course requirements. Performance was clearly and significantly above satisfactory, and was creative and independent.
B+ (3.30): Near excellent work. Achievement was significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements. Performance was clearly and significantly above satisfactory, and was creative and independent.
B (3.00): Very good work. Achievement significantly above the level necessary to meet course requirements. Performance was very good, although not of the highest level. Performance was clearly and significantly above satisfactory fulfillment of course requirements (For undergraduates: B = meritorious: For graduates B = adequate).
B- (2.70): Good work. Achievement at a level just above that necessary to meet course requirements. Performance was notable.
C+ (2.30): Slightly above satisfactory work. Achievement that meets the course requirements. Performance was slightly more than adequate.
C (2.00): Satisfactory work. Achievement that meets the course requirements. Performance was adequate, although marginal in quality (For undergraduates: C = adequate: For graduates: C = inadequate).
C- (1.70): Slightly below satisfactory work. Achievement that barely meets the course requirements. Performance has been slightly below satisfactory and was marginal in quality.
D+ (1.30): Passing work. Achievement below satisfactory in meeting course requirements. Student demonstrated below satisfactory achievement in meeting course objectives, yet fulfilled a sufficient enough portion of the course objectives that repeating the course is not necessary unless required by the academic unit.
D (1.00): Minimum passing work. Achievement barely worthy of credit. Student demonstrated unsatisfactory achievement in meeting course objectives, yet fulfilled a sufficient enough portion of the course objectives that repeating the course is not necessary unless required by the academic unit.
F (0.00): Failed – no credit. A failure to meet course requirements. The work of course objectives were either: 1) completed but not at a level of achievement that is worthy of credit, or 2) have not been completed and there was no agreement between the instructor and the student that the student would be awarded an “I” (incomplete).
Failure to meet assignment and project deadlines will result in lowered grades. For each class day the assignment is overdue, its grade will be lowered one full letter. Documentation of your progress MUST be reflected in your submission pages or it will not count as finished!
Special considerations will NOT be given to students on the basis of technical difficulties, if alternative solutions were not actively pursued. Students are expected to use their time and energies wisely.
Attendance
Attendance at ALL class sessions is mandatory for successful completion of this course. You are responsible for all material presented in class and it is important that you do not miss any classes! Students are expected to come to class on time, ready to work with all necessary supplies and materials. Pratt policy states three or more unexcused absences will result in the failing of the course. Only the following would be considered an excused absence:
Instructors have the right to request documentation verifying the basis of any absences resulting from the above factors. Do not ask the instructor if it is all right to miss a class for any other reason. An excused absence does not excuse the student from making up class time missed in a timely manner. Attendance will be taken daily and arriving to Lecture/Lab component 30 minutes late and/or leaving more that 30 minutes early will be recorded and counts as one-half of an unexcused absence. Signing in for any other student will result in a failing grade.
Calendar / Section 1
Projects / Section 1
Student Work / Section 1
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ebintn15@pratt.edu
In alphabetical order, Eric is an animator, artist, designer,
developer and musician. He is a graduate of Cranbrook Academy of Art, MFA 2007, and Missouri State University,
BFA 2005. Originally from Kansas City, Eric has worked for the past
three years as a freelance motion graphics designer and
interactive developer in New York. His client list
includes JPMorgan, Macys.com, The Rockefeller Group, Cushman &
Wakefield and Opie & Anthony.
