Overview: This course introduces the concepts, strategies, and techniques of interactive electronic media–this section will focus on using Director as the primary authoring tool. Interactive multimedia production involves goals and methods distinctly different from more traditional practices of video, film, and computer graphics. Special workshops and lectures will be presented around the topic of games as art. Prerequisite: ARTTECH 2101.

Assignments: Homework "sketches" will be assigned in class to help you explore the range of possibilities the computer offers multimedia artists. These problems are intended to encourage an in-depth awareness of process rather than product–these sketches may be intentionally raw or unfinished. Every student must take on and finish a midterm project that is an art game: a version of the popular Breakout game. The final project will be a fully resolved creative resolution of a problem given previously in class or one developed by the student. During critiques, you are expected to demonstrate the ability to discuss your ideas and thinking process with regard to all of your artistic endeavors.

Readings: Several text-based readings will be assigned. These readings debate various theoretical and critical perspectives on interactive multimedia especially art games. Prior to an in-class discussion, students will write a one page (maximum) typed response to the readings. All students enrolled in the class must register and read the daily Rhizome Artist Profiles.

Attendance: Class meets from 9am to 4pm. Each unexcused absence will affect your grade–three unexcused absenses may result in failure of this course. Chronic lateness will also result in the same (three late arrivals equals one absence).

• EMAIL ADDRESS AND ARTIC ACCOUNT: also subscription to Rhizome:www.rhizome.org
Subscribe first to the daily artist profiles.

• small looseleaf notebook for handouts (bring daily to class)

• ZIP disks (2 to start with; always back up your work on 2 disks)

• Blank CDs

•Stereo headphones, (Walkman type OK)

• Recommended, a guide to Director 8, Visual Quickstart guides ($20) are fine, but have very limited coverage of Lingo. A better choice would be Director DeMystified, about $50.