FIT9028 Flash animation and applications - 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, practical development processes, the integration of mixed-media assets, interactive design and animation for digital media and different technologies for product deployment. Students will create content-rich interactive CD-ROM and Web-based products using industry standard authoring tools and will gain an understanding of the role of digital media within the broader technology environment.

Mode of Delivery

Contact Hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Workload

Broadly the time required to complete this topic is shown in the following table, but note this is just a rough indication. You may need to spend more time on some activities depending on your background and knowledge.

Attending lectures and reviewing notes (3 hours)
Doing activities in lab classes (2 hours)
Assigned Homework (2 hours)
Major Project Development (4 1/2 hours) 
Contact - i.e: e-mail, consultation, etc. (30 minutes) 

Total (12 hours)

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

IMS2402, MMS2402, MMS9402

Prerequisites

FIT9027

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Tutors

Academic Overview

Outcomes

• information technology and the software tools as they relate to (and are used in) multimedia systems;
• the Adobe Flash authoring environment for CD-ROM and web based systems development

• the formal process undertaken for preparing and documenting the various development stages of a multimedia system;
• how to achieve a range of special effects which are commonly required for advanced interactive design in multimedia systems;
• fundamental programming techniques and how to carry this knowledge across multiple languages.

• outline strengths and weaknesses of information technology in the context of the development and use of multimedia systems;
• make informed decisions on the most appropriate blend of tools and technologies to support a given multimedia system requirement;
• formulate constructive criticism within the construct of critical analysis.

• apply advanced interactive design techniques to a multimedia system using a time/frame based authoring environments;
• use a blend of industry standard multimedia tools and products;
• write code to assist in advanced system interaction with the programming language ActionScript 3.0;
• further enhance and refine user interface and navigational design and creativity skills in multimedia systems;
• specify an appropriate tool set for developing and supporting advanced features/functionality in a multimedia system.

• build confidence in formal presentation techniques presenting personal ideas, research concepts and developmental progress;
• discuss and share developmental processes and techniques within an informal populated environment.

Graduate Attributes

Assessment Summary

In-semester assessment: 100%

Teaching Approach

Feedback

Our feedback to You

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

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

The lectures are still a "bone of contention" with the students, with attendance being less than ideal. So, in consultation with the other lecturers delivering this unit, the previous version of the lectures have been removed and a new interactive case study approach has been implemented. This approach will allow students to consolidate the concepts covered in the lectures through collaborative discussion so that the practical application of these concepts is easier when working through the tutorial and homework material. 

Required Resources

All software required for use in this unit can be accessed from allocated campus labs/tutorial rooms.

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

Text-book

The Foundation Flash CS5 textbook chapters are aligned to each week and provide additional information and exercises to help you improve your skills and understanding of the Flash CS5 authoring environment. It is strongly recommended that you acquire this book, read through it and do the exercises. See the Reading List for other recommended textbooks. 

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

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

Recommended Resources

The following textbook provides additional information to help you improve your skills and understanding of the ActionScript programming language.  This textbook is only required if you want to develop your Flash programming skills and knowledge base.

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

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

• Assessment task 1

  Title:

  Flash Development Project

  Description:

  The practical project will be developed using the Flash CS5.5 authoring environment. Select one of the following project scenarios to develop for you major assessment task, either a variation on a "Hangman" Style Game, a Choose Your Own Adventure (CYOA) or a multimedia eBook application. The development of this project will be over the semester with 3 major development milestones – the Interface Design Specification Document, a Navigation and GUI Prototype with a Development Strategies document and the Final Project. Full details are available in the individual Project Brief documents available on Moodle.
  
  The Project Interface Design Specification documentation is designed to outline the interface and interactive design of the project. Part of your final assessment will include how well you develop your project in accordance to what you stipulate in this document.
  
  The Navigation/GUI Prototype will demonstrate how you have structured your project and show the majority of your interface design. The prototype should include a clearly defined internal structure on the time line (as demonstrated in tutorials), clearly show the main screen elements of the project, and an example of each major screen of the project. The Development Strategies document should outline how you plan to develop your project including a breakdown of each screen and the assets required.
  
  The functional project, developed according to the project specification documents submitted in Week 3. Each scenario requires that you successfully integrate the 3 project enhancements as described under the individual project scenarios.

  Weighting:

  70%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The practical project will be developed in the Flash CS5.5 authoring environment using techniques covered during the semester. The practical project will be worth 70% of the final grade. The marks for the project will be assigned as follows:

  Project Design (30)

  17 marks     Project 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

  10 marks     Navigation/Graphic Prototype and Development Strategy Documentation submitted in Week 6. The criteria for this component will include:

  • demonstration of an appropriate navigation structure for the project with the navigational elements functioning
  • appropriate interface design and theme development of the project's graphic assets
  • documentation that includes an outline of the approach intended when developing the project 

  3 marks     Splash Animation submitted in Week 6 with Prototype

  • a completed “splash” animation demonstrating various animation techiques

  Project Implementation (40)

  30 marks     Successful integration of the 3 project enhancements in the final project (3 enhancements x 10 marks each) submitted in Week 12.

  • the project working without error demonstrating logical and efficient coding with all extraneous code eliminated
  • the quality of solutions demonstrating the effective use of programming and interactive strategies
  • the appropriate application of good programming practices

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

  • a fully functional Flash movie structure using appropriate timeline structures
  • appropriate interface design and theme development including the overall look-and-feel of the project's graphics/interface
  • all internal and external assets must be organised in a logical structure
  • successfully integrate and demonstrate various Flash features

  Due date:

  By 4pm Friday of required submission week (3, 6, 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. Each task is structured so that students can work independently, and can be completed in 2-3 hours. Students are expected to show their completed homework to their tutor the following week (eg: Week 1 homework shown in Week 2, etc.) in order to earn the assigned marks.

  Weighting:

  20%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The seven assigned Homework tasks worth 20% of the total marks. These tasks (1x2 and 6x3 marks) include extension work based on the skills and techniques learned in the tutorials and a challenge task that requires more advanced thinking (Note: there is no challenge set in the last homework task). Completing the main task successfully is worth 2 marks with the additional mark being awarded for successfully implementing the challenge task.

  Due date:

  In scheduled Tutorial times

• Assessment task 3

  Title:

  Game Analysis Report

  Description:

  The Game Analysis Report is a 1000-1500 word report on the analysis and evaluation of a game. The report requires the analysis of various aspects of a game including an overview, a navigation diagram, the media used, user interaction and feedback, game responses and performance, potential programming issues and enhancements to improve the game play.

  Weighting:

  10%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The game must be selected from the website provided. The report is worth 10% of the total marks, using the following marking criteria:

  • document presentation, formatting and length (including spelling and grammar)
  • the inclusion of all the appropriate sections of the report
  • the quality of the analysis given on the features and issues with the game selected
  • the inclusion of appropriate examples and/or screenshots to illustrate the various points being discussed

  Due date:

  By 4pm Friday of Week 9

Assignment submission

Online submission

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Other Information

Policies

Student services

Other