FIT9028 Flash animation and applications - Semester 2, 2013

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

1 hr lectures/wk, 3 hrs laboratories/wk

Workload requirements

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. In addition, you need to spend extra time on assignments and review. 

Attending lectures and reviewing notes (2 hours)
Doing activities in lab classes (3 hours)
Major Project Development (6 hours) 
Contact - i.e: e-mail, consultation, etc. (30-60 minutes) 

Total (12 hours)

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

IMS2402, MMS2402, MMS9402

Prerequisites

FIT9027

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Tutors

Academic Overview

Learning 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.

Unit Schedule

*Unit Schedule details will be maintained and communicated to you via your learning system.

Assessment Summary

In-semester assessment: 100%

Teaching Approach

• Lecture and tutorials or problem classes
  This semester lectures and labs will be "flipped" so that students will be introduced to programming, design and development aspects of the unit during their lab sessions. Then in the lectures will examine and explore the concepts covered in greater depth or in real-world contexts (case studies).
• Laboratory-based classes
  This approach is hands-on learning where you interact with fellow students in a laboratory workroom. Techniques will be demonstrated and then problems for you to solve will be presented. New skills and techniques will be added each week, culminating is the presentation of a major application, submitted at the end of the semester.

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+ authoring environment. 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 Completed Functional Project, developed according to the project specification documents submitted in Week 3. Each scenario requires that you successfully integrate the 2 or more project enhancements as described under the individual project scenarios.

  Weighting:

  85%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The practical project will be developed in the Flash CS5+ authoring environment using techniques covered during the semester. The practical project will be worth 85% of the final grade. The marks for the project will be assigned as follows:

  Project Design (40)

  15 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

  25 marks     Splash Animation / Navigation / GUI Prototype and an Interactivity and Response Checklist  Document 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 

  Project Implementation (45)

  10 marks     Successful completition of in-class project related tasks to be demonstrated during Weeks 4-8 in scheduled labs.

  25 marks     Successful integration of selected scenario enhancements submitted in Week 14. The criteria for this component will include:

  • 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     Successful integration of all the scenarios into a single Flash movie submitted in Week 14. 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 14)

• Assessment task 2

  Title:

  Game Analysis Report

  Description:

  The Game Analysis Report is a 1000-2000 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:

  15%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The game must be selected from the website provided. The report is worth 15% 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

Learning resources

Feedback to you

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

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Assignment submission

Online submission

If Electronic Submission has been approved for your unit, please submit your work via the learning system for this unit, which you can access via links in the my.monash portal.

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)

Other Information

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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 approach has been implemented. This approach allows students to consolidate the concepts covered in the labs through collaborative discussion of practical and real-world examples, so that the application of these concepts is easier when working through the practical and project-related material.