Overview
This course focuses attention on learning multimedia authoring tools to create self-contained delivery programs.
Professors - Instructors
| Name | Calendar | |
|---|---|---|
| Troy Finamore (primary) | twf23@drexel | |
| Jervis Thompson | st966rc2@drexel | |
| Patrick Richardson | thepatrickrichardson@gmail.com | |
| John Bell | johnnotdan@gmail.com |
Academic Links
Requirements
- WBDV 240 Minimum Grade: D
-
Flash CS6: The Missing Manual by Chris Grover : June 2012
- Purchase via O'Reilly Media
- Purchase via Amazon
- Book sample files
- Read online via Haggerty Electronic Library Search for "Flash CS6"
- Lynda.com
- Self Hosted Web Domain
- Removable - Backup Storage
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, the students will have a comprehensive understanding of multimedia authoring tools used to create self-contained delivery programs.
Course Format
- Homework Review
- Lecture
- Software Tutorial
- Homework Overview
- In-class lab time
Communication
Any and all course email to professor(s) must be sent from your student drexel email account with "wbdv241" somewhere in the meaningful subject area. (i.e. subject = "wbdv241 vector question"). Students must keep a copy of all email correspondence for their records.
Midterm Project
Advertisement banner
Due Week 5/6
Description: Students will create their own animated flash advertisement with sound and buttons. All artwork must be vector based. All artwork must be original. All custom buttons will have over, down and hit states. One button will toggle looping background music on and off. Another button will open a browser window populated with the product's web page. The advertisement will also include at least one looping animation, and at least one symbol that moves along a curved path. Final SWF no larger than 512 kilobytes.
Stage size options for advertisement:
| Format | Width | Height |
|---|---|---|
| Leaderboard | 728 | 90 |
| Pop-Under | 720 | 300 |
| Medium Rectangle | 300 | 250 |
| Vertical Rectangle | 240 | 400 |
| Large Rectangle | 336 | 280 |
| Half Page Ad | 300 | 600 |
| Wide Skyscraper | 160 | 600 |
| Skyscraper | 120 | 600 |
Final Project
Custom Zodiac
Due Week 10/11
Description: Students will create their own custom Interactive Application based upon the Zodiac Algorithm [stage size 800 px wide by 600 px high] to be delivered on the Internet. This program will let the user enter any valid birth date and then compute the correct response according to the western zodiac system for that date. The user should see and hear unique renditions of their particular zodiac sign. The user should also be given the option to re-enter birth dates. This program should display (or scroll) all functional zodiac sign buttons just in case the user does not wish to enter their birth date. This program should also have a help screen that defines how the application works. Final SWF no larger than 1,024 kilobytes.
Weekly Topical Outline
- Week 01:
- Introductions
- Review Syllabus / Class Requirements
- Getting Acquainted with Flash
- Week 02:
- Graphics, Symbols & Libraries
- Week 03:
- More About Symbols & Animation Techniques
- Week 04:
- Working with Text & Sound
- Week 05:
- Advertisement Critique
- Review Final Project Requirements
- Intro to ActionScript 3.0
- Week 06:
- UI Components
- Week 07:
- The Zodiac Algorithm
- Week 08:
- Optimizing Flash Movies & Scrolling with Flash
- Week 09:
- Videos in Flash
- Week 10:
- Zodiac Critique
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to attend all classes and strictly adhere to the project due dates. Lack of participation in class discussions will count against your grade.
Students are allowed ONE unexcused absence. If a student has two unexcused absence, his or her grade for the course will be reduced one letter grade. If a student has three or more unexcused absences, he or she will receive an F grade.
Arriving late to class will result in the loss of one point for each lateness.
Grading Policy
Grading is based upon attendance, class participation, homework assignments (7 x 5 pts each = 35), midterm (30), and final project (35).
Homework Projects, based upon skill sets covered in each lesson, will be due before midnight the night before the following class. Each homework assignment is graded based on technique, creativity and being submitted on time.
The dates your assignments are due are indicated clearly in this course outline. Assignments are due on those dates unless you have submitted a written request for an extension at least one class before the assignment is due. Late assignments receive a 50% reduction in points, no exceptions.
Homework and Project grades based upon three criteria, Specifications, Content, and Creativity, broken down as follows:
Specifications:
- Files/e-mails are named appropriately
- Assignments requiring email submission should be sent to your professot according to the instructions listed per assignment.
- Assignments meet project size/color requirements
- Assignments are completed on time
Content:
- Homework contains all requested elements
- Quality/Legibility of designs and layouts
Creativity:
- Level of detail in thinking
- Variety of ideas explored
- Focus on consistent strategy
Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory. Students are expected to attend all classes and strictly adhere to the project due dates. Lack of participation in class discussions will count against your grade.
Students are allowed ONE unexcused absence. If a student has two unexcused absence, his or her grade for the course will be reduced one letter grade. If a student has three or more unexcused absences, he or she will receive an F grade.
Arriving late to class will result in the loss of one point for each lateness.
Grading Percents
| Points | Grade |
|---|---|
| 100% or above | A+ |
| 95% to 99% | A |
| 90% to 94% | A- |
| 88% to 89% | B+ |
| 83% to 87% | B |
| 80% to 82% | B- |
| 78% to 79% | C+ |
| 73% to 77% | C |
| 70% to 72% | C- |
| 68% to 69% | D+ |
| 65% to 67% | D |
| 64% or below | F |
Honors
An honors option is available to students in the Honors Program. If interested, please ask your professor about it.
Student Responsibility
- Attend all classes
- Care about your work
- Make progress in the medium
- Help, cooperate and collaborate with your classmates
- Take risks
- Make mistakes
- Ask for Help
Academic Honesty Policy
Drexel University is committed to a learning environment that embraces academic honesty. Faculty, students, and administrators share responsibility for maintaining this environment of academic honesty and integrity, accepting individual responsibility for all actions, personal and academic. Each member of our community is expected to read, understand, and uphold the values identified and described in our "Academic Polices, Procedures and Regulations" as written in the official student handbook. Instances of academic dishonesty, such as cheating and plagiarism, will be dealt with appropriately.
American's With Disabilities
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and applicable federal and state laws, Drexel University ensures people with disabilities will have an equal opportunity to participate in its programs and activities. Members and guests of the Drexel community who have a disability need to register with the Office of Disability Services (ODS), if requesting auxiliary aids, accommodations, and services to participate in Drexel University’s programs. All requests for reasonable and appropriate auxiliary aids, academic adjustments, and services will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in a timely fashion.
Office of Disability Services3201 Arch Street, Suite 210
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215.895.1401
TTY: 215.895.2299 (Reserved for those who are deaf or hard of hearing)
Fax: 215.895.1402
E-mail: disability@drexel.edu
Acknowledging Conditions and Obligations in Syllabus
The student acknowledges receipt of this syllabus and the information herein contained by continuing to attend classes and turn in assignments.