FIT1035 Digital media authoring - Semester 2, 2012

This unit provides a focus on specialist tools and techniques that are used for developing content-rich interactive multimedia systems using Adobe Flash. This unit will cover fundamental multimedia principles and best practice theory, the application of practical development processes, the integration of mixed-media assets, interactive design and ActionScript programming for digital media and different technologies for product deployment. Students will create content-rich interactive applications and/or web-based products using an industry standard authoring tool, Adobe Flash, and will gain an understanding of the role of digital media within the broader technology environment.

Mode of Delivery

• Caulfield (Day)
• South Africa (Day)

Contact Hours

3 hrs lab/week, 1 hr seminar/week

Workload

Students will be expected to spend a total of 12 hours per week during semester on this unit.

This will include:
Tutorial/Lab: 3 hours per week
Seminar: 1 hour per week

and up to an additional 8 hours in some weeks for completing lab and project work, private study and revision.

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

MMS2402, FIT2012, FIT9028

Prerequisites

FIT1002

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Tutors

Academic Overview

Outcomes

• information technology and the software tools as they relate to (and are used in) multimedia systems, specifically using the Adobe Flash authoring environment for application and web-based systems development;
• the formal process undertaken for preparing and documenting the various development stages of a multimedia system;
• techniques associated with digital video, animation, images and sound and the appropriate application of these for use in application and web development using a range of special effects which are commonly required for advanced interactive design in multimedia systems;
• how to extend fundamental programming techniques and apply this knowledge across multiple languages.

• outline strengths and weaknesses of information technology in the context of the development and use of multimedia systems;
• formulate constructive criticism within the construct of critical analysis to make informed decisions on the most appropriate blend of tools and technologies to support a given multimedia system requirement;
• specify an appropriate tool set for developing and supporting advanced features/functionality in a multimedia system.

• apply advanced interactive design techniques to a multimedia system using a time- frame-based authoring environments;
• further enhance and refine user interface and navigational design and creativity skills in multimedia systems;
• write code to assist in advanced system interaction with the programming language ActionScript.

Graduate Attributes

Assessment Summary

Examination (3 hours): 40%; In-semester assessment: 60%

Teaching Approach

• Problem-based learning
  This teaching approach allows students to develop practical solutions to problem- or case-based scenarios, in which students are encouraged to take responsibility for organising and directing their learning with support from their tutors and peers.
• Seminars
  This teaching and learning approach provides facilitated discussion of concepts and issues raised by the students during the tutorial/lab session.

Feedback

Our feedback to You

• Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
• Graded assignments with comments
• Quiz results
• Solutions to tutes, labs and assignments

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

The most common theme in previous student feedback indicated that many enjoyed the assessment tasks - particularly being able to select a project to develop and given the creative freedom to explore the features of Flash. The unit focuses on using practical activities both in the lecture and in the tutorials to help students understand complex programming principles and practices before working them into their assignments.

Student feedback has also informed improvements to this unit including ensuring a better balance between the design and development aspects of producing a complete interactive/multimedia application. The assignments have been redesigned in order to be better aligned with the concepts taught.

Required Resources

The software used in this unit consists of:

• Adobe Flash CS5.5 Professional
• Adobe Photoshop CS5.5
• Adobe Illustrator CS5.5

30 Day Trial/Evaluation versions of the named software can be downloaded for personal use if necessary from the following websites:

• http://www.adobe.com/  

Student-priced full versions of the software can also be purchased through:

• http://www.edsoft.com.au

Recommended Resources

ActionScript: Your visual blueprint for creating interactive projects in Flash CS4 Professional by Rob Huddleston, Wiley (2009)

Visual learners can get up and running quickly on ActionScript programming skills for Flash CS4+. If you're a programmer who learns best when you see how something is done, this book will have you up and running with ActionScript in no time. Step-by-step, two-page lessons show you the core programming foundations you must master to create rich application and Internet content using the preferred language for working with Flash. The visual approach breaks big topics into bite-sized modules, with high-resolution screen shots to illustrate each task.

Foundation Flash CS5 for Designers by Tom Green and Tiago Dias, Friends of Ed (2010)

This text focuses on the use of the Flash tools and design techniques that can be applied to them. The exercises provide a wide range of interesting tricks, tips and techniques – more than can be covered by this unit, without getting hindered by the technical aspects of Flash’s authoring environment. Working through the exercises of one chapter each week will significantly increase your animation and design skills, and provide you with a solid foundation for the integration of assets with ActionScript 3.0.

Files for the exercises can be downloaded from: http://www.friendsofed.com/download.html?isbn=1430229942

Flash CS5.5 The Missing Manual available from http://fbooks.ueuo.com/digital-media/flash-cs5-5-the-missing-manual/

Unit Schedule

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your MUSO (Blackboard or Moodle) learning system.

Assessment Requirements

Assessment Policy

Faculty Policy - Unit Assessment Hurdles (http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/staff/edgov/policies/assessment-examinations/unit-assessment-hurdles.html)

Academic Integrity - Please see the Demystifying Citing and Referencing tutorial at http://lib.monash.edu/tutorials/citing/

Assessment Tasks

Participation

Students are expected to participate in and contribute to the discussion and activities conducted in at least 80% of the weekly seminars. These activities are designed to help you understand the various aspects covered in the unit and will help you successfully complete your assignment tasks.

• Assessment task 1

  Title:

  Flash Development Project

  Description:

  The development of this project will be over the semester with 3 major development milestones – the Interface Specification Document, a Navigation / GUI Prototype with Development Strategy Documentation and the Final Project. Full details are available in the Unit Overview document available on Moodle.
  
  Integrated Flash Project
  The outcome of this project is for you to create either an interactive game "Halma-style" for 2 players or an interactive fiction "puzzle quest-style" game with a suitable Splash animation and navigation system.
  
  For your project, you will need to create a visual theme /environment in which the game is played (demonstrated in the Navigation and GUI Prototype – Week 7), which includes your own background story  that provides an appropriate “rules / how to play” section with appropriate player and game assets and animations related to your visual look-and-feel or theme.
  
  You will also be required to demonstrate basic program design (demonstrated in the Final Project – Week 12) using appropriate document and custom classes. Each project has five core elements that must be included in the final submission, demonstrating you understanding of both the Flash environment and the programming principle and practices covered throughout the semester.

  Weighting:

  45%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The practical game project will be developed in the Flash CS5.5 authoring environment and worth 40% of the final grade. The marks for the assigned game development project are as follows:

  Project Design (25)

  10      Interface Design Specification Document submitted in Week 3.The criteria for this component will include:

  • structuring the specification document correctly covering the required sections
  • well-designed storyboards including appropriate notes for development

  15      Navigation/Graphic Prototype with Splash Animation and Development Strategy Documentation submitted in Week 7. The criteria for this component will include:

  • demonstration of an appropriate navigation structure for the project with the navigational elements
  • a completed “splash” animation demonstrating various animation techiques
  • appropriate interface design and theme development of the project's graphic assets
  • documentation that includes class diagrams and an outline of the approach intended when developing the project 

  Project Implementation (20)

  20      A functional project (developed to at least an Alpha standard) to be submitted in Week 12. The criteria for this component will include:

  • General Flash Environment Development Criteria (5)
    • a fully functional Flash movie structure using appropriate timeline structures and navigational functionality
    • all internal and external assets must be organised in a logical structure (eg: using folders, naming, etc.)
    • successfully integrate and demonstrate various Flash features including animation, appropriate use of different symbol types, application and use of different types of media (eg: text, images, audio), etc.

  • Broad Programming Criteria (15)
    • the project working without error demonstrating logical and efficient coding with all extraneous code eliminated
    • the use of both document and custom classes, demonstrating the appropriate integration of 3 or more types of interactions
    • the appropriate application of good programming practices including the use of commenting, appropriate naming conventions, meaningful variable and function names, code re-usability, etc.
    • the quality of the project solutions including the effective use of classes, functions, decisions, loops, arrays and object-oriented principles

  Due date:

  By 4pm Friday of the specified weeks 3, 7 and 12

• Assessment task 2

  Title:

  Assigned Homework

  Description:

  The Homework tasks are designed to help students consolidate their understanding of the content delivered in the lectures and tutorials each week. There are 4 assigned Homework tasks worth a total of 15% (3x4 and 1x3 marks each). Students are expected to show their completed homework to their tutor the following week (eg: Week 3 homework shown in Week 4, etc.) in order to earn the assigned marks.

  Weighting:

  15%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The marking criteria used to assess your work is:

  • meeting all the functional requirements of the task,
  • using a methodical approach to development of the task solution and
  • completing bonus challenge tasks.

  Due date:

  In scheduled Tutorial times in weeks 4, 5, 8 and 11

Examinations

• Examination 1

  Weighting:

  40%

  Length:

  3 hours

  Type (open/closed book):

  Closed book

  Electronic devices allowed in the exam:

  None

  Remarks:

  The examination has 3 parts:

  1. Various Multiple Choice / Definitions / Short Answer question formats drawn from textbooks, lecture / lab notes (36% of total)
  2. Code Sequencing / Fill in the Blanks / Pseudo-code / Coding question formats scenarios drawn from lab demonstrations and discussions (40% of total)
  3. Scenario Design and Development questions drawn from principles and practices covered in lectures (24% of total)

  Examples of these question formats will be provided in the final lecture in Week 12 and as quizzes on Moodle throughout the semester.

Assignment submission

Online submission

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Other Information

Policies

Student services

Other