Course Number: ARTD 275
Course Name: Time Arts II
Professor: Mr. Bart Woodstrup

Objective:
Upon completion of this project you should be able to implement a process for beginning an interactive media project. You should be able to use software tools (Photoshop, Illustrator) to express your ideas visually and map interactive elements onto a 2-dimensional plane. Conceptually, you should begin to explore time as a tool for expression and thought. Visually you should achieve good composition - elements from your foundations of design will be reviewed.

Assignment:

1. You will be asked the question “How do you interact with ________ ?” You will randomly be assigned a word to fill in the blank. These words will be relatively simple and obvious, but you must remember that this is a creative exercise, and that you should try to think past your initial, obvious thoughts in order to create a more unique vision.

2. Acquire a collection.

• Research your word. It might be helpful to first make a list of all the things that come to mind when you think of this word, then research the items on this list. (Please do not just use the internet to do your research! Make in-person observations and use your camera to make documentation).

• Gather images, quotes, links, etc. that reference your list. It is important to collect not just things you think you can use, but also collect things that inspire you. Please remember that we will strictly follow the appropriation rules set forth in the syllabus (don't take things that do not belong to you or that you haven't been given permission to use).

• Make special note of any information you learned while doing research - things that are new to you might be new to your audience and therefore more interesting.

• Play with your ideas - stretch them and always be willing to change and improve. Remember to keep asking yourself “How do I interact?”

3. Parse and filter.

• Once you have a solid collection of content organize it into a hierarchy.

• Compare, contrast, relate, correlate. What items relate to one another and what do not? Can any correlations be made that could lead to interesting metaphors or symbolic representation?

• Simplify and remove the elements that do not seem relevant to your subject.

4. Representation and presentation.

• With your new catalog of ideas and content, create a 2-dimensional framework or map with which your audience will use to navigate your explanation for how you interact with your given word. (for this project we will only be working in Photoshop and not be implementing any actual interactive elements).

• Remember you are sending your audience on a journey, so remember to leave a trail of breadcrumbs so that they do not get lost.

• Use your knowledge from your Foundations classes to design your composition: use scale, proximity, rhythm, color, depth, direction, etc. to guide your viewer's eyes. Get feedback from your colleagues.

5. Hand in.

• Create 5 screens (saved as layered .PSD files) that explain your idea. Include visual and textual navigation elements on each screen (.PSD file).

• We will be discussing different types of screen resolutions in class. Turn in your assignment as a 800 x 600, 72 dpi, .psd file.

Documentation:
Written documentation is required for each and every assignment given in this class. You must clearly state your intentions for your work - doing so may very well ensure a higher grade. This documentation is required when handing the assignment in. It should be in sentence form, using terminology explained during lectures. You will also be required to turn in an outline of your navigation.