Web Animation

Dan Phiffer <dan@phiffer.org>

CCNY Art 39542, Fall 2009

Office hours Mondays at 12:00pm-1:00pm, CG-121

Mailing list: http://groups.google.com/group/ccnywa

Course info

Advanced projects in animation and interactive interface design for the Web using Flash. Students must have a good understanding of HTML and excellent Photoshop skills.

Your grade will be based on a combination of in-class participation and projects completed throughout the semester. Your weekly work load should be approximately 3 hours per week, but let me know if it's taking more time than that. If it's taking less time than that you might be slacking off. This syllabus will be updated with weekly material, so the online version will always be the most up-to-date version: http://phiffer.org/teaching/wa

Here is our course meeting schedule. The only non-standard day is during the week of Thanksgiving: no class on September 26.

Goals

Develop superior skills in Flash and its application to creative projects in web design and animation
Analyze problems, develop alternate conceptual approaches, employ project planning, workflow and production skills to creative project
Become fluent in the range of digital tools, used by artists in work with Flash
Expand on HCI (Human Computer Interface) design skills
Ability to use Flash as a drawing tool
Comfort working with Flash’s timeline paradigm
Able to implement motion graphics in Flash
Ability to use Flash to create interactive elements
An understanding of the basics of ActionScript
Create work that can be part of a portfolio for gaining employment, demonstrating an artistic practice, or gaining admission to graduate school

Grades

class participation + attendance: 25%
assignments: 25%
midterm: 15%
ﬁnal project: 20%
meeting deadlines: 15%

Books

This course has no required books.

Class participation

Time spent in class is structured to include lecture, lab time, discussion and presentations of your work. You will also give one presentation about a media artist of your choosing. Your participation grade is largely a measure of how involved and prepared you are in class.

Assignments + projects

Weʼll be having weekly assignments and two big projects, a mid-term and a final project. You may revise and improve any of these up until (before) the final week. Your grades on projects will be determined based on craft and punctuality. Basically I want you to do your best on projects, but to approach them as works in progress. You always have the option of returning to unfinished work to improve on it.

Reminders

Lateness and absences will effect your grade. Please turn off mobile phones, instant messaging, email, etc. while in class. Be resourceful, do good work and donʼt slack off.

Week 1: Analog animation

Week 2: Timelapse

Week 3: Drawing with vectors

Week 4: The timeline

Week 5: Using media assets

Week 6: Movie Clips

Week 7: Mid-term critiques

Week 8: Flash Review

Lecture slides: Flash Review
Reading: First listen to this then read this
Not required, but you can listen to the full radio episode here.

Week 9: Basic ActionScript

In class example: Basic ActionScript
ActionScript cheat sheet
Optional reading: Don't Just Do Something, Talk by Slovoj Zizek
Assignment: Interaction

Week 10: Naming & Dynamic Movies

In class examples: Timeline, Button, Naming, Dynamic (version CS3)
Assignment: continue last week's assignment, but add in dynamically-generated instances

Week 11: Video

In class example: Video
Assignment: a branching tree structure planning out your final project

Week 12: Scenes and dynamic sound

In class examples: Scenes and Sound