PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

This course explores the technical and conceptual challenges facing artists working on-line. Lectures will revolve around the history and development of the internet with special emphasis on the role of the Net in the artistic realm. Students will construct web sites engaging directly with notions of interactivity, graphic user interface, image sequencing, navigation, and innovative ways of organizing and disseminating information.

The course gives a broad introduction to the fundamentals of creative computing and network culture. Through readings and practical examples, students explore the histories of networks, computing and interactivity as well as gain knowledge of fundamental technical tools used for creating network-based media.

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Explore the basic history of networks, interactivity, computing and computation arts.
2. Understand fundamental technical tools for creating network-based media (i.e., HTML5, CSS3, jQuery, javaScript)
3. Possess basic knowledge of digital systems (i.e., resolution, signals, sampling, quantization, etc)
4. Have a broad overview of how network and computational media have been employed as creative tools in art and design practice.

GRADING POLICY

DEPARTMENT STANDARD FOR ABSENCE:
As a Departmental policy, a maximum of two absences per term is tolerated, after which an official medical note (containing the date of the visit, the dates impacted by the medical condition, the M.D.’s name, license/registration number, and contact information) or other valid reason must be provided. Justification must be given in writing to the instructor. Three unjustified absences per course will result in an automatic failure. Notification in writing will be sent to students after two missed classes. If you have started a course late, each class you missed will count as an absence. In all cases, students are responsible for any material that is not submitted. Information will not be repeated due to absence or tardiness, except for a legitimate medical or other emergency.

FINAL GRADE:
The final grade will be based on the University grade point equivalents as listed in the Concordia Undergraduate Calendar, Section 16.3.3.

Work habits/ethics will influence your grades.
All grades will be averaged together.
Late work or class participation will also weigh heavily on your grade.
Late work will be penalized a letter grade for every day late.

• 10% Attendance and participation
• 10% Reflections on weekly readings.
• 10% Weekly practice assignments
• 10% Assignment 1 (personal site)
• 20% Midterm project (final website proposal)
• 40% Final project

EVALUATION:
Specific conceptual, technical and aesthetic objectives associated with each individual assignment and exercise will be clearly identified and evaluated by the following criteria.

• Conceptual ability (understanding of the exercise).
• Creativity.
• Use of design elements and properties.
• Use of digital media.
• Aesthetic criteria (realization of the idea).
• Critical thinking - critique of your own work and that of other students.

PROJECT ASSIGNMENTS

Design and innovation within the medium will be considered during the formulation of your grade; highest grades will be given to projects that not only meet the requirements of the assignment, but also engage the web creatively (in both form and function). All projects must be published online in your personal class web site. Any file not available online will be considered incomplete. A zipped version of the project's root folder should also be sent to the instructor by email or dropbox for archival purposes. Late projects are deducted one letter grade.

10% Assignment_01
Using HTML5 and css, students will create there own personal web site for the course. It must contain well structured assets, semantic tags and organizational conventions. Sections should be organized around readings, exercises and projects.

20% Assignment_02_Midterm
Students must submit a well designed and organized proposal for their final project.

• It should contain a well written and properly cited (MLA) 750 - 1000 word essay (3-4 pages double spaced).
• Students should also submit thumbnail sketches of their proposed site in jpeg or png format.
• A moodboard containing examples of typography, color palette, and inspirational images is also required.
• Finally, the work must be published online.

40%_Assignment_03_Final
Students will develop (alone or in groups of 2-3 maximum) a web site that exemplifies techniques and skills learned throughout the semester.

• It must contain well structured assets, semantic tags and organizational conventions.
• It must use HTML5, CSS3, javaScript and/or jQuery.
• It must show use of design elements and properties, with a particular attention to innovative design techniques.
• It must show the realization of the idea (what does it mean?)
• It must be published online.

ONLINE RESOURCES

A Small collection of tutorial websites:
w3schools.com
netuts+
webdesign.tuts+
vectortuts+
psdtuts+

A Small collection of jQuery websites:
jquery.com
official documentation
the new boston
codecademy

RECOMMENDED READING

Weekly readings will be provided digitally in the schedule below.

New Media Reader, Montford and Waldrip-Fruin
Introducing HTML5 (Voices That Matter)
Basics of Web Design: HTML5 and CSS3
jQuery: Novice to Ninja
Essential JavaScript & jQuery Design Patterns
The Illustrator cs6 Wow Book - Sharon Steuer
The Non Designer's Design Book - Robin Williams (not that Robin Williams)
Visual Quickstart Guides: Adobe Photoshop - Peachpit Press