FMX 310 CREATIVE CODING | SECTION 1 | SPRING 24
T/R 12:00 – 1:50PM | CCB 134
Course Description
FMX 310 is a studio/production oriented course. It is a continued exploration of Interactive Media, Software and Programming with emphasis on the creative and experimental use of available tools. Interactive time based media will be the focus of the class.
We will use the HTML5 canvas object and Javascript, referencing to the Mozilla developers site focusing on the canvas object / to define interactivity, and the basics of advanced programming, as well as experiment with digital time based tools.
Goals
• See computing code as a possibility for visual self-expression
• Demonstrate a proficiency in the usage of computer code
• Understand the nature of Computer Graphics
• Comprehend the nature of Interactive Media
• Move from consumers to producers of Digital Content
• Learn the common elements for all programming languages (variables, conditions, iterations, objects, etc.) through visual experimentation.
• Create visual projects using vectors, images, video and text
• Understand the process of Game Creation through hands-on exercises.
Objective, Process and Strategy
The class will be divided into two distinct areas.The first area will be devoted to exploring and understanding the logic of programming using Javascript with specific visual and experimental results in the canvas object. The second one will be devoted to exploring interactive production using advanced Object Oriented Programming in Javascript.
HTML5 is constantly growing. All the information we will use is available online from diverse and informative sites. The readings are recommended, but the class is intended to teach you how to use information and examples available on the web.
You will be required to post the code, the project itself, screen shots and QT grabs of your dynamic projects -for archival purposes and future reference. You will be provided with a server space on https://fmx310.santiago.bz/FMX310/ to archive your projects.
Make sure you check and empty your ut webmail account regularly. We will use CANVAS and Outlook permanently to post the grades and to communicate.
The computer labs are refrigerated… BRING a sweater or a jacket.
You MUST wash your hands with warm water and soap BEFORE and AFTER using any public computer!
Bring TONS of hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to make sure you do not catch any germs from the public computers.
If you are sick: YOU MUST WEAR A MASK in class to avoid infecting other students in a closed poorly ventilated lab, and you must use cleaning wipes and hand sanitizer constantly.
We care about the health and integrity of everyone participating in the class
Short readings will be distributed throughout the semester. Most of the information will be provided by the professor or will be found freely online. Critiques will frequently be initiated from various topics covered in the readings. In order to participate effectively you will need to have read the required texts and be able to articulate your responses to them within the context of class discussion and critique. We will watch plenty of excerpts from movies and documentaries during the class that will also be considered as part of the material for the class.
Use your own portable hard-drives or USB drives to store your work. Do not rely on the CASS LAB student server, it is not secure and you might lose your data. Do not test processor intensive movies off the student server, you might crash your machine. Save all the files on the desktop and at the end of the class copy them to your archiving media.
IF YOU HAVE EVER HAD A SEIZURE OR ARE SENSITIVE TO LIGHT INFORM YOUR PROFESSOR IMMEDIATELY: some of the assignments will have stroboscopic effects and can trigger unexpected reactions.
Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of this class you will be able to:
• understand the different types of variables in computer languages
• see the differences between code created graphics and imported external images
• apply notions of iteration to visual elements or arrays
• understand the nature of Object Oriented Programming OOP
• create a simple OOP game
Grading
There will be several projects throughout the course, including assignments, quizes and others. Each one of them will be a part of the final 100% of the grade with weights proportional to the difficulty of the project. The OOP game will count 25% of the final grade. You will find these weights on Canvas. If necessary I will do some pop quizes, depending on the students’ participation and motivation, and depending on how certain classes work, I might add an extra work not listed in the syllabus or even skip an assignment.
| ASSIGNMENT | WEIGHT |
| Illustration | 10% |
| Image | 10% |
| Vector | 10% |
| Illustrator | 10% |
| Kinetic | 10% |
| Eternal Motion | 13% |
| Sprite Sheet | 12% |
| OOP Game | 25% |
The grades posted on Workday may not reflect the final grade on Canvas.
Register for Siso: equipment cage
bit.ly/SisoReg
https://vimeo.com/453076343/b85b197342
DOWNLOAD THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS TO INSTALL ADOBE CC ON YOUR COMPUTERS
Installing Adobe Creative Cloud MAC OSDownload
Installing Adobe Creative Cloud WindowsDownload
Please follow the instructions below to enable access to Creative Cloud Desktop Apps.
- Visit https://creativecloud.adobe.com and use your school credentials to sign in.
- If prompted, select Company or School Account and then enter your password. Or provide your credentials in your school’s login screen.
- From the Creative Cloud website, browse for and download your desired app. Click Apps on the top of the page to view all apps.
For more information on how to download or install apps, see Download and Install Creative Cloud apps.
In FMX 310 you will use
Dreamweaver, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere -> install them on your computers.
To continue developing skills, Adobe offers free “Daily Creative Challenges”. These are guided projects where participants receive creative prompts and connect with pros, mentors, and other students for feedback and support. Click on the app name to learn more: Photoshop, XD and Illustrator. Also, for inspiration and over-the-shoulder learning, watch pros share their creative process on Adobe Live daily at www.behance.net/adobelive.
Questions? Contact the ITS Service Desk via email or by phone (813) 253-6293 for assistance.
Possible last-minute changes
Although unlikely, it is possible that last-minute changes might be made to the dates for all assignments or class meetings, excepting only the final exam. In this unlikely event, I’ll make all possible efforts to inform students with sufficient lead-time.
Readings / assignments / requirements
You will have access to the entire Adobe Creative Suite at home and on the computer labs, for the duration of the semester. Use it!
Final Exam Schedule
FALL
http://www.ut.edu/schedule/fallfinalexam/
SPRING
http://www.ut.edu/schedule/springfinalexam/
HEALTH POLICIES
- If you have not already done so, I encourage all of you to please get your shots for Covid19, Monkeypox and Meningitis.
- Local Pharmacies are offering appointments for shots, with openings maybe even today and tomorrow.
- https://www.publix.com/covid-vaccine
- This will make life and production easier and safer for all of us.
I reserve the right to modify this syllabus for any reason at any time.