Monash University

Leader: Cheryl Howard

Offered

Berwick First semester 2008 (Day)
Caulfield First semester 2008 (Day)
Caulfield Second semester 2008 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides a focus on specialist tools and techniques that are used for developing content-rich interactive multimedia systems. This unit will cover fundamental multimedia principles, practical development processes, the integration of mixed-media assets, interactive design and programming for digital media and different technologies for product deployment. Students will create content-rich interactive CD-ROM products using industry standard authoring tools and will gain an understanding of the role of digital media within the broader technology environment.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will have a theoretical and conceptual understanding of:

1. information technology and the software tools as they relate to (and are used in) multimedia systems;
2. the Macromedia Flash and Macromedia Director authoring environments for CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and web based systems development;
3. codecs and compression techniques associated with digital video, images and sound and the appropriate application of these for use in ROM development;
4. the formal process undertaken for preparing and documenting the various development stages of a multimedia system;
5. how to achieve a range of special effects which are commonly required for advanced interactive design in multimedia systems;
6. fundamental programming techniques and how to carry this knowledge across multiple languages.

At the completion of this unit students will have developed attitudes that enable them to:

1. outline strengths and weaknesses of information technology in the context of the development and use of multimedia systems;
2. make informed decisions on the most appropriate blend of tools and technologies to support a given multimedia system requirement and formulate constructive criticism within the construct of critical analysis.

At the completion of this unit students will have the skills to:

1. apply advanced interactive design techniques to a multimedia system using time/frame based authoring environments;
2. use a blend of industry standard multimedia tools and products;
3. write code to assist in advanced system interaction with the programming languages Lingo and ActionScript;
4. further enhance and refine user interface and navigational design and creativity skills in multimedia systems;
5. specify an appropriate toolset for developing and supporting advanced features/functionality in a multimedia system.

At the completion of this unit students will have developed the teamwork skills needed to build confidence in formal presentation techniques presenting personal ideas, research concepts and developmental progress and discuss and share developmental processes and techniques within an informal populated environment.

Assessment

Examination: 40%
Practical Assignments: 60%

Contact hours

4 x contact hrs/week (comprising 2 hrs lecture, 2 hrs tutorial) plus 8 hrs/week self-directed study, project/assignment work.

Prerequisites

FIT1012

Prohibitions

IMS2402, MMS2402