James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

GA3111:03

Digital Design for Multimedia 3

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 is the third of six units in the Bachelor of Communication Design’s multimedia stream. Through a series of lectures, tutorials and practical sessions, this subject examines the use and production of animation within different multimedia environments.

This subject examines a range of techniques using both two and three dimensional software packages to develop effective animations. Students will use a range of 2D software (ie Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Macromedia Freehand, Macromedia Flash and Director) to construct a number of keyframe animations for both instructional and purely aesthetic purposes. A number of animation issues will be covered including: the use of keyframes and tweening; frame rates and movie sizes; colour depth and resolution; file formats and frame rates; movie compression and distribution; and the role of animation in multimedia.

Learning Objectives:

  1. apply appropriate and creative design solutions to given problems and follow these solutions through several production phases in a manner suited to the selected production process;
  2. understand the role and limitations of animation within multimedia production for web and other screen based applications;
  3. learn to plan and storyboard an animated sequence;
  4. use drawing and photographic and 3D modelling as a resource for animation;
  5. use Macromedia Flash and Director as composition tools for animation projects;
  6. understand the animation requirements for different modes of delivery;
  7. utilise available computer software and information resources at an advanced level for creative, research and technical purposes;
  8. commence production of a folio of work suitable for presentation to prospective employers and clients.

Assessment by four practical assignments (total 80%); research seminar (10%); participation (10%). Attendance of 80% at practical workshops is required to pass this subject.