Course Description
This
course is an introduction to Macromedia "Flash". Even though
this is an "introduction" to Flash, it is not a course for students
unfamiliar with computer graphics applications**. Flash is a vector-based,
interactive animation creation program designed to enable the addition
of dynamic full-screen character, scene, interface and motion graphics
animation to websites. And, with its ability to be easily integrated into
HTML pages, Flash is now being used to completely design many interactive
websites that deliver both visual and textual content, as browsers are
including the Flash Player plugin with their newest versions.
Additionally, producers of animated "cartoons" have discovered that the unique drawing characteristics in Flash; and the relatively short learning curve for creating 2-D animation with the program make it an ideal tool for the development of new projects for on-line entertainment, as well as television show production.
The goal of this course is to allow students to gain a introductory knowledge of Macromedia Flash, and begin to create projects that will enhance their portfolios, and allow them the ability to integrate dynamic, interactive flash intros, interfaces and navigation into websites.
Pre-requisites
ET84C is open to all SMC students**. Students will be expected to exhibit proficiency in the creation of digital graphics, meaning that you must already be comfortable with Photoshop© and/or Illustrator© and the use of standard graphics applications tool pallets. It is also highly recommended that students understand and have had some experience with Interactive Media developement (such as HTML and/or Dreamweaver© or Director©).**
** Classes in the subjects/applications described in this section are available at AET to all SMC students; and the completion of such courses will allow you to achive the highest level of quality in your Flash work, and to create elements which will enhance your personal portfolio. The lack of experience in these subjects/applications will probably cause those students to fall behind or produce poor quality work and possibly risk failing the course.
Textbooks
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Beginning Flash book: Flash MX 2004: Grphics, Animation & Interactivity; by James L. M.S.Ed. Mohler:
Materials Needed
- USB Jump Drive and/or 1 Zip Disk (PC formatted)
- Mini headphones
Recommended
- Sound effects CD;
"A Zillion Sounds" available from: www.beachware.com ($24.95 or less) or the AET Bookstore ($17.95)
Free
Trial version of Macromedia Flash (lasts
30 days, so time it carefully)
Schedule
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Weeks 1
- 2 |
This week's advice: Read your book, use the "online reference manual", lock layers that you are not working on, name items as you create them, do not animate (move, zoom in/out, fade in/out) anything bigger than quarter-screen. Homework: Create an object using only the Flash Tool Pallet and Modifiers. This can be an object that could serve as an interface or navigational guide. It should be as realistic as possible. Examples: Vehicles, machinery, appliances, tools, bugs, animals or even characters (if you happen to be capable of doing so) Cool site: David Gary Studios
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Week 3 |
*CLICK
HERE for "Rotating Spheres" Instructions & Demo This week's advice: Keep reading your book, make your images or characters as good as they can possibly be: simple is O.K. if it has style, choose your "export movie" settings carefully, use the resources that are available on the web for inspiration and education. My favorite internet cartoon series is "Zombie College" at Icebox.com Homework: Create a cool "logo animation", with sound, for an intro to your final project. Cool site: Yellow
Submarine |
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Week 4 |
*CLICK
HERE for "Bomb Demo" Instructions & Demo This week's advice: Do not settle for low quality graphics. Unless you INTEND to include "stick figures" or childish artwork in your Flash pieces, take the time to create high-quality visual elements. Use books, photographs, ect. as reference material. Cartooning is great, and is a special skill that must be learned. Even with interface design, quality is paramount. Whether the look you want is "Tooney" or faux 3-D, do it as good as possible, or don't do it at all! Homework Part 1: Create a simple "With" menu / scene which displays "sub-menus" on user interaction for information display (just the menu; it does not need to display information). Homework Part 2: Make an outline, or "Storyboard" of the information you will present in your final project. An extremely slick site: 2advanced.com
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Week 5 - 6 |
"With":
the foundation of interactivity using the built-in actions in Flash This week's advice: As your projects get more sophisticated, and complicated, Pre-planning or Storyboarding becomes a neccessity. Designing on the computer screen will ultimately result in an inferior product. Don't be afraid to sketch out your ideas on paper. This will help you pre-inventory which Symbols you must create within Flash, and what must be created in other programs to be imported (bitmapps, sounds, ect.) Homework: Complete your "mini" Flash website (using your logo animation as its intro), An interesting "Hybrid" site: giger.com
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Week
6
Last Class |
Presentation of Final Projects Load Movie technique will be covered afterwards, time permitting |
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TIME |
Students are expected to perform lab time, on their own. It will be absolutely necessary to create the work that will allow you to pass this class! |
*Course
contents may be adjusted as determined by the progress of the class.
**Due to School Holidays , there will be no class on ...
There will be class every week!
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Project
List
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The assignments:
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| Missing classes will cause you to fall behind. Therefore, please attend every class and be on time. Students who are absent twice will be dropped (or risk failing the class); and students on the official roster who do not attend the first class meeting will be dropped to make room for students on the waiting list. Attendance will be considered in the calculation of your final grade. |
**This syllabus is subject to change
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Contact James Reilly
reilly@jamesreilly.comLink to JAMESREILLY.COM | Return to James Reilly's SMC Info Page
