James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

GA2110:03

Design for New Media

Townsville HECS Band 1

13 hours lectures, 13 hours tutorials, 26 hours practicals. Semester 1.

Available to students enrolled in the BCommunication Design degree.

This subject examines the ways in which designers may respond to and manage the production, technical and design demands of screen based and interactive media, whilst aiding and enhancing the experience of the end user. Strategies to enhance the visual communication of information and to promote effective navigation in static screen and non linear interactive environments such as the world Wide Web, Interactive CD-ROM, PDF documents and Information Kiosks are discussed and trialled in practical workshops. The narrowing gap between print and screen documents is considered and production pathways encompassing movement between the two domains are examined. A range of multimedia options, including sound, animation, web graphics, video and hypertext are investigated.

Learning Objectives:

  1. awareness of screen based communication options and familiarity with a range of multimedia applications associated with information presentation;
  2. understand the technical and production requirements involved in the presentation of screen based and multimedia information;
  3. develop a range of personalised, innovative and creative approaches to communication while considering interface and navigational design principles suitable for new media;
  4. be aware of both the rate of technological change and how to adapt design solutions in an appropriate manner;
  5. understand the ways in which print and screen presentations may interrelate with an ability to translate an existing print oriented document into a format suitable for on-screen access.

Assessment by four practical assignments (100%); continuous assessment during practical classes, plus individual and group critiques. Attendance of less than 80% at practical workshops will render students ineligible for assessment unless prior written approval has been obtained from the lecturer, academic adviser or Head of College.