Design 161a : Spring 2001

Jessica Irish jirish@ucla.edu
Ramsel Ruiz ramselr@yahoo.com

Mon|Wed 2-5pm

syllabus
schedule
assignments
projects
links
class


 

Description:
This course is a quarter-long project-based inquiry into the multifaceted aspects that are present and developing via the World Wide Web. As the Web continues to develop as a multi-faceted visual and communications media, design in this new field has taken a complex and interesting role. We will be focusing on the conception, research and production of creative projects--narrative, spaces, interfaces and concepts--that are both engaging and experimental within new media development.

Throughout the quarter, we will be looking both at formal and technical issues of online design and content, as well as the theoretical and historical issues of communication, new media and visual literacy. Technical demonstration will focus on HTML 4.0, Macromedia Flash, javascript adaptation and audio /video implementation. As many of these tools are new and developing, we are adapting a communal research model for our technical implementation. We will have one field trip and one mid-term exam. Both will be fun and scary.

Structure:
The online schedule will offer updated information about what is being covered each week, and should be noted regularly. In general, Mondays will tend towards demo/lab times, and Wednesday towards crit/work times, though will change meeting your needs. Class time is structured to provide you with as much lab time as possible, in addition to content presentation, discussion, technical demonstration, and critique.

Expectations:
Enrollment in this class means that you will commit to a high level of work time for your projects, as well as expect new and challenging things from yourself and others. This entails keeping an open and inquisitive mind, sharing your knowledge and discoveries with peers and maintaining a self-driven desire to learn.
I expect you to come to each class on time, prepared to work. Tardiness is not acceptable, and is considered rude and unprofessional. More than one unexused absence will lower your grade, and more than three will jeopardize your passing the class.

Grading:
Projects will be graded for the following criteria: 1) content / idea
2) interface design 3) aesthetics and 4) technical implementation.

Projects 1 & 2: %25
Midterm Exam: %10
Final Project: %45
Attendance & Participation: %20