The module is based on a set of practical tutorials and short projects
You will complete several artefacts which focus and develop your ability to take and manipulate studio photographs, create vector based illustrations, develop simple immersive scripts and basic data-driven web-pages with others, but produce final work individually.
1) Production of assignment work focused on various aspects of digital image-making and interactive scripting
2) Attending and participating in workshops and seminars covering;
the studio camera: lighting, lenses and aperture - depth of field.
Exposure range and contrast. soft and hard lighting
Bitmap and vector manipulation software
Immersive scripting for navigation and content
Database construction
3) Undertaking theoretical study of multimedia in self managed research on
analysis and emulation of printed and web-based examples of studio photography, digital illustration
interaction authoring languages and software and the concepts behind their operation
research of existing code -analysis and comment, and gathering a range of support material and online sources
4) Participation in interim seminars to monitor progress, understanding and background development as presented in your own and other log-files

100% coursework
Coursework includes a number of negotiated and aggregated components encompassing learning outcomes 1-4.

You will be asked to produce a digital log-file of projects including a date-stamped written analysis and examples of your progress in set projects, and reviews of others' work.

The log-file will show evidence of:
- appropriate analysis and design decisions that make sense
- designs that show basic knowledge of interactive xmedia's strengths and constraints in production technology, and in contextual criteria
- a commitment to develop relevant new skills

The contents of log-files (digital and printed) will be:
- Digital captures of examples - annotated for methods of construction and for methods of digital re-interpretation
- Captures of work in progress - with technical construction notes and analysis for next iteration of the image or animation
- Completed project work
- Highlighted captures of relevant help files or advice obtained online
- Highlighted and annotated tutorial/lecture/demonstration notes, indicating passages relevant to work in progress.

A single assessment grade will be awarded having taken an holistic view of the student's achievements.

This module focuses on studio photography and lighting, digital illustration techniques; basic rationalised databases, and basic immersive scripting. It extends your technical knowledge and understanding of image-making technology, methods and genres to included studio photography and lighting. You will be asked to demonstrate your control of the medium and its elements, and your understanding of production methods and styles.

You will work on a log-book and digital folder of development work, annotating your progress in
+ practical image-making, and noting and assessing its relation to historical genres and practice:
+ de-constructing and constructing images and animations
+ cameras and focal depth, basic studio lighting and digital "comping"
-- exposure range and contrast. soft and hard lighting
-- analysis and emulation of examples of studio photography and digital illustration
+ vector graphics and display typography using standard software (eg Illustrator and Flash)
+ typographic information delivery using standard software (eg Dreamweaver, CSS)
+ basic immersive scripting for navigation and content
-- interaction authoring languages and software and the concepts behind their operation
-- research of existing code - analysis and comment, and gathering support material
+ rationalised databases construction

Photographing People: by David Wilson et al, Rotovision 2001 ISBN: 2880466520
Dreamweaver MX: Design and Technique (With CD-ROM) by Ethan Watrall
Eric Meyer on CSS: Mastering the Language of Web Design by Eric A. Meyer New Riders 2002 ISBN: 073571245X
Dreamweaver mx dynamic applications (advanced training from the source) by Jeffrey Bardzell
Macromedia Flash to the Core: An Interactive Sketchbook, by Joshua Davis, ISBN 0735712883
Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Hands-On Training by R Yeung Peachpit Press 2003 ISBN: 0321202988
Skip Intro: Flash Interface Design and Usability; Duncan McAlester, Michelangelo Capraro New Riders 2002
Adobe Illustrator CS Classroom in a Book, Adobe Creative Team , Adobe Press 2003. ISBN: 0321193806
Adobe Photoshop CS Classroom in a Book; Adobe Creative Team Adobe Press 2004. ISBN 032119375X
Database Design for Mere Mortals?: Michael J. Hernandez, Addison Wesley 2003, ISBN : 0-201-75284-0*
10 Minute Guide to Microsoft Access 2002 By Joe Habraken, Que 2001, ISBN : 0-7897-2631-9*
Director 8 Demystified, Phil Gross, Jason Roberts, Peachpit Press 2000, ISBN 0201709201

*available online
books available online - http://ard-172-174.staffs.ac.uk/staff/colin/uploaded/UsefulDocuments/ebooks.htm
http://ard-172-174.staffs.ac.uk/staff/colin/uploaded/UsefulDocuments/recommendedSites.htm
A range of books, subject-specific periodicals and journals, newspaper and other related articles, as well as texts relating to the design process and the promotion of design relevant to your course of study should be employed as negotiated with the module manager - together with any subject-specific visual, audio or audio-visual evidence to support your work.
Recommended
You will be expected to take advantage of the extensive library facilities available within the University; keeping abreast of current developments through appropriate periodicals and being aware of the work of major practitioners in your subject.

Access to bookable studio space and lecture/seminar room with blackout and digital presentation hardware.
Access to digital storage
Computer workshop facilities and appropriate software
Slide Library
Design Study Collection

Non-specialist computing facilities for email, internet access, word processing, database, spreadsheet and basic presentations will be available through the University's 'Information Services' on-campus facilities - the exception being the 'studio browsers' which are located in base rooms/studios and will provide mainly email and internet access which are provided by the Faculty.

Specialist skills 'modulettes' will be assigned to this module. A comprehensive list of the modulettes is available from the Faculty Office, together with the current operational parameters for the modulettes (instruction description, maximum group size, time allocation, level etc). Some modules will have will have more than one modulette assigned to it and this information will also be held by the Faculty Office.

Sample projects content:
photography and lighting - 3 point lighting, balancing exposure levels, directing a scene choosing and composing content
still-lifes and montages for film posters images - creating a mood
Illustrator Variety of illustration styles
map-project illustrations to highlight key landmarks of your trip to college - basic technicalities of digital type for print and screen. (Flash and Illustrator).
Flash- immersive scripting HCI- mini exercises leading up to sandwich-maker

Information typography -- use of CSS -- layout and text structure:
Flash - scripting, usability consistency - variations on a content page
planning a relational databases

looking at; film posters images. Semiology content of facial expressions and body language. Variety of illustration styles