TITLE OF COURSE: Introduction to Multimedia
COURSE NUMBER & SECTION: MMP100-0905, Spring 2024
SCHEDULE: Wednesdays, 9AM – 12:40PM, S-608
PROFESSOR: Anna Pinkas | email: apinkas@bmcc.cuny.edu | Office hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1:15PMAM – 2:45PM on Zoom (or email me to schedule another time that works better for you). The Zoom link can be found on Blackboard for security reasons
CREDITS: 3 | CLASS HRS: 2 | LAB HRS/WEEK: 2
BASIC SKILLS: ENG 088 or ESL 062, ACR 094, MAT 011 | PRE AND CO-REQUISITES: None
DESCRIPTION: This course introduces students to the fundamentals of multimedia production. In a hands-on class, students will learn the essentials of program design and authoring software in an integrated computer environment. Students will learn how to combine graphics, audio and text to create programs for industrial and educational applications.
COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
| Description | Measurement |
|---|---|
| 1.Students will be able to manipulate raster and vector images | Digital imaging project |
| 2.Students will be able to create short animations and export them to the correct format. | Animation/video project |
| 3.Students will be able to combine and edit audio files to create a narrative or ambience. | Audio project |
| 4.Students will be able to identify simple HTML, CSS and Javascript syntax and to understand their respective role in web development. | Web development and programming projects |
| 5.Students will be able to upload and share their creative work on the web. | All projects |
| 6.Students will be able to identify standards for using media that meet copyright law. | Digital imaging, Quiz |
| 7.Students will be able to plan, iterate and document their creative work. | Final project |
| 8.Students will be able to identify core principles, terminology and contemporary uses of digital media. | Quiz |
GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOMES
| Description | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Communication Skills – Students will write, read, listen and speak critically and effectively. Student behaviors include being able to: Express ideas clearly in written form; Employ critical reading skills to analyze written material; Exhibit active listening skills; Give an effective oral presentation. | Discussion Board |
| Quantitative Reasoning – Students will use quantitative skills and the concepts and methods of mathematics to solve problems. Student behaviors include being able to:Use quantitative skills to solve problems; Interpret quantitative information; Translate problem situations into their symbolic representations. | Web development & programming projects |
| Information & Technology Literacy – Students will collect, evaluate and interpret information and effectively use information technologies. Student behaviors include being able to: Conduct research using appropriate research strategies; Make effective use of technology. | All projects |
REQUIRED TEXT: This is an OER/ZTC (Open Educational Resources/Zero Textbook Course) course. Free class materials (including slides, web resources and tutorials) are available on Blackboard.
OTHER RESOURCES: Flash drives and cloud based storage (i.e: Google Drive, Dropbox etc.) are recommended to store assignments and course materials. Sketchbooks are recommended for taking notes and brainstorming ideas.
USE OF TECHNOLOGY: Here is a list of software we will use for each module (as well as free/open source alternatives when available). If you are struggling to get access to these tools, please email me asap.
- Digital Imaging: Adobe Photoshop CC & Adobe Illustrator CC (preferred), GIMP & Inkscape (alternative)
- Audio: Audacity (free & open source)
- Animation: Adobe After Effects
- Web Development & Programming: A free text editor such as Sublime or Brackets.
You do NOT have to purchase an Adobe membership. All the Adobe software we will use in this class is available to you for FREE as a BMCC student. Follow these instructions to download Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe After Effects on your personal computer: https://servicedesk.bmcc.cuny.edu/TDClient/33/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=1070
If you do not have a computer at home on which to download the software, you may use the BMCC computer labs to work on your projects. S-510C is equipped with all the software you need for this class. The schedule for the lab can be found here: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/students/lrc/lab-services/. The Makerspace also has Open Lab hours during which you can use the laptops equipped with the software. Open hours will be posted on this calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0/embed?src=fc8m6jd1prlmmv083famd201qg@group.calendar.google.com
Students will use Blackboard to post their assignments. I will upload grades and comments there too. To login to Blackboard, go to https://cunyportal.cuny.edu/, login and click on the Blackboard menu item. If you do not have (or cannot remember) your id and password, contact the BMCC helpdesk right away: 212-220-8379; helpdesk@bmcc.cuny.edu. You may also try reseting your password by going to https://cunyportal.cuny.edu/ and clicking on “Account & Password Reset”. All Students are required to use their full BMCC email address when signing into the computers, Wi-Fi, BMCC Portal and other BMCC IT Services requiring authentication. (For example, John Doe would now sign in as john.doe@bmcc.cuny.edu)
TUTORING: Take advantage of BMCC’s one-on-one tutoring services (free!). You can find more information on online tutoring on this page (https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/students/lrc/online-tutoring/)
CLASS PARTICIPATION: Participation in the academic activity of each course is a significant component of the learning process and plays a major role in determining overall student academic achievement. Academic activities may include, but are not limited to, attending class, submitting assignments, engaging in in-class or online activities, taking exams, and/or participating in group work. Each instructor has the right to establish their own class participation policy, and it is each student’s responsibility to be familiar with and follow the participation policies for each course.
GRADING: Grading is based on the successful completion of all projects and quizzes, and on class participation. Students are expected to attend every synchronous session, to follow the in-class tutorials, to participate in the in-class workshops and to complete the discussion board activities. Failure to do so will affect the “teacher evaluation and class performance” grade (see below). Projects must be handed in on time. Points will be deducted for work that is handed in late. I give you the option of resubmitting a project if you want to improve your grade, but please submit something on the due date. It is your responsibility to contact me in the event of an absence or of an issue with meeting a deadline. I will do my best to help you catch up, but I must be notified.
Teacher evaluation and class performance: 10%
Media projects: 55%
Final project: 20%
Quizzes: 15%
BMCC Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity Statement
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else’s ideas, words or artistic, scientific, or technical work as one’s own creation. Using the idea or work of another is permissible only when the original author is identified. Paraphrasing and summarizing, as well as direct quotations, require citations to the original source. Plagiarism may be intentional or unintentional. Lack of dishonest intent does not necessarily absolve a student of responsibility for plagiarism. Students who are unsure how and when to provide documentation are advised to consult with their instructors. The library has guides designed to help students to appropriately identify a cited work. The full policy can be found on BMCC’s Web site, www.bmcc.cuny.edu. For further information on integrity and behavior, please consult the college bulletin (also available online).
Gender-Inclusivity
BMCC community members have the right to use and be referred to according to their preferred name, title, and/or personal pronouns. Everyone also has the right to use all spaces according to their self-identification, including restrooms and locker rooms. To learn more about how to change your preferred name and affirm your gender identity at CUNY (including requesting a new ID card and/or email address), go here: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/student-affairs/lgbtq/
Anyone who has experienced harassment related to gender or sexual identification, who needs assistance, or who wishes to file a complaint, can contact the Office of Compliance and Diversity: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/about-bmcc/compliance-diversity/.
CUNY Mask Policy
CUNY is no longer requiring masks and has this guidance regarding them:
FREE BMCC STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
BMCC is committed to the health and well‐being of all students. It is common for everyone to seek assistance at some point in their life, and there are free and confidential services on campus that can help.
Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/student-affairs/arc/ room S230, 212‐220‐8195, arc@bmcc.cuny.edu. If you are having problems with food or housing insecurity, finances, health insurance or anything else that might get in the way of your studies at BMCC, contact the Advocacy and Resource Center (formerly Single Stop) for assistance. Please contact us at arc@bmcc.cuny.edu, call 212-220-8195, or come by the office at room S230. You may also contact the Office of Student Affairs, S350, 212‐220‐8130, studentaffairs@bmcc.cuny.edu, for assistance.
Counseling Center www.bmcc.cuny.edu/counseling, room S343, 212‐220‐8140, counselingcenter@bmcc.cuny.edu. Counselors assist students in addressing psychological and adjustment issues (i.e., depression, anxiety, and relationships) and can help with stress, time management and more. Counselors are available for walk‐in visits.
Office of Compliance and Diversity https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/about-bmcc/compliance-diversity, room S701, 212-220-1236. BMCC is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive learning environment free of unlawful discrimination/harassment, including sexual harassment, where all students are treated fairly. For information about BMCC’s policies and resources, or to request additional assistance in this area, please visit or call the office, or email olevy@bmcc.cuny.edu, or twade@bmcc.cuny.edu. If you need immediate assistance, please contact BMCC Public safety at 212-220-8080.
Office of Accessibilitywww.bmcc.cuny.edu/accessibility, Students who need academic accommodations in connection with a disability must initiate the request with BMCC’s Office of Accessibility (OA). Students need to register with the Office of Accessibility in order to officially disclose their disability status to the College and to determine eligibility for appropriate reasonable accommodations (including any prior IEPs or 504s). Please contact the OA at the start of the semester (or as soon as possible) to coordinate any accommodation request/s: www.bmcc.cuny.edu/accessibility, Room N360 (accessible entrance: 77 Harrison Street), 212-220-8180, accessibility@bmcc.cuny.edu.
WEEKLY BREAKDOWN (subject to change)
Week One – (Wed 1/31)
- Introductions
- Overview of Syllabus and Open Lab site
- Lecture: Digital Imaging (Pixels, Color models, Bit depth/sampling/quantizing, Image size/resolution, Vector vs. raster, File naming, Copyright and attribution)
- Raster imaging fundamentals tutorial
- Introduction to digital imaging project
[OPTIONAL] Portfolio Advice from Titmouse, Monday, February 5, 2024 at 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Info and registration: https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/media-arts-and-technology/portfolio-advice-from-titmouse-2/
Week Two – (Wed 2/7)
- Vector imaging fundamentals tutorial
- Digital imaging project workshop
Week Three – (Wed 2/14)
- Digital imaging workshop
- Lecture: Audio (Sounds waves, Analog vs. digital, Bit depth/sampling/quantizing, Recording and editing digital audio, Sharing audio on the web)
[OPTIONAL] MediaMKRS Information Session, Thursday, February 22nd at 11 AM-11:30 AM
Info and registration: https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/media-arts-and-technology/mediamkrs-information-session-2/
- Week Four – (Scheduled one-on-one time on Zoom that week – TBD)
- Digital imaging project due (2/29)
- Introduction to audio project
- Audio editing tutorial (recorded video tutorial)
[OPTIONAL] DreamWorks Early Careers Information Session and Portfolio Best Practices, Monday, February 26th at 12 PM
Info and registration: https://openlab.bmcc.cuny.edu/media-arts-and-technology/dreamworks-early-careers-information-session-and-portfolio-best-practices/
NO MMP100 on WED 2/28 – CLASSES FOLLOW MONDAY SCHEDULE
Week Five – (Wed 3/6)
- Audio project workshop
- Lecture: Animation (Principles of animation, Creating animations in Adobe After Effects, Exporting animation to video and sharing it on the web)
[EXTRA-CREDIT] Paper Pop-Up Makerspace Workshop
Join us in room S608 on Wednesday, March 13th, 2024 from 1:00-3:00 pm for an in-person Paper Pop-Up Workshop
We will learn several pop-up techniques that can be used to create fun cards with your own concepts and illustrations. We’ll also learn how the tools in the Makerspace can help you easily make multiple copies of your pop-up designs.
Please RSVP by filling out this form by Monday, March 11th (space is limited): https://forms.gle/d9FiEiCCLUdCRhTV8
Week Six – (Wed 3/13)
- Audio project due
- Quiz 1: Digital imaging and audio
- Introduction to animation project
- Animation tutorial
[OPTIONAL]
Week Seven – (Wed 3/20)
- Animation project workshop
Week Eight – (Wed 3/27)
- Animation project due
- Quiz 2: Animation
- Lecture: Web development (Stages of development (Creative brief, UX, front/back end), HTML/CSS/JS, Code editor)
- Introduction to web development project
- HTML tutorial
Week Nine – (Wed 4/3)
- CSS tutorial
- Web development project workshop
Week Ten – (Wed 4/10)
- Web development project due
- Lecture: Programming (What is programming, Algorithm, Using p5.js (setup() and draw(), background, shapes, fill & stroke, system variables, variables, events, randomness)
- Introduction to programming project
[OPTIONAL]
Week Eleven – (Wed 4/17)
- P5 tutorial
- Programming project workshop
NO CLASSES 4/24 (SPRING BREAK)
Week Twelve – (Wed 5/1)
- Programming project due
- Quiz 3: Web development & programming
- Introduction to final project
- Final project workshop
[EXTRA-CREDIT IRON-ON MAKERSPACE WORKSHOP]
We will be hosting an in-person Iron-On Design Workshop in the Makerspace! Join us in room S608 on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 from 1:00-3:00 pm. We will learn how to design Iron-On Transfers to be cut and pressed using the Cricut Vinyl Cutter and Heat Press. Previous knowledge of Adobe Illustrator will help but not necessary. If you plan on making a shirt, please purchase one before 6th! It is recommended that you wash it without fabric softener before bringing it in. Otherwise we will provide tote and zipper bags. Please RSVP by filling out this form by Monday, May 6th (space and materials are limited).
https://forms.gle/2qqsP9zvmnsrXP1Q9
Week Thirteen – (Wed 5/8)
- Final project proposal due (creative brief + sketches)
- Final project workshop
Week Fourteen – (Wed 5/15)
- Final project workshop
Weeks Fifteen – (Wed 5/22)
- Final project presentations
