FIT9028 Flash animation and applications - Semester 1, 2011

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

Mode of Delivery

Contact Hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Workload

Broadly the time required to complete this topic is shown in the following table, but note this is just a rough indication. You may need to spend more time on some activities depending on your background and knowledge. In addition, you need to spend extra time on assignments and review. 

Attending lectures and reviewing notes (3 hours)
Doing activities in lab classes (2 hours)
Assigned Homework (2 hours)
Major Project Development (4 1/2 hours) 
Contact - i.e: e-mail, consultation, etc. (30 minutes) 

Total (12 hours)

Unit Relationships

Prohibitions

IMS2402, MMS2402, MMS9402

Prerequisites

FIT9027

Chief Examiner

Campus Lecturer

Tutors

Learning Objectives

At the completion of this unit students will have -

A theoretical and conceptual understanding of:

• information technology and the software tools as they relate to (and are used in) multimedia systems;
• the Adobe Flash authoring environment for CD-ROM and web based systems development

• the formal process undertaken for preparing and documenting the various development stages of a multimedia system;
• how to achieve a range of special effects which are commonly required for advanced interactive design in multimedia systems;
• fundamental programming techniques and how to carry this knowledge across multiple languages.

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

• apply advanced interactive design techniques to a multimedia system using a time/frame based authoring environments;
• use a blend of industry standard multimedia tools and products;
• write code to assist in advanced system interaction with the programming language ActionScript 3.0;
• further enhance and refine user interface and navigational design and creativity skills in multimedia systems;
• specify an appropriate tool set for developing and supporting advanced features/functionality in a multimedia system.

• build confidence in formal presentation techniques presenting personal ideas, research concepts and developmental progress;
• discuss and share developmental processes and techniques within an informal populated environment.

Graduate Attributes

Assessment Summary

In-semester assessment: 100%

Teaching Approach

Feedback

Our feedback to You

• Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes
• Graded assignments with comments
• Solutions to tutes, labs and assignments

Your feedback to Us

Previous Student Evaluations of this unit

Required Resources

All software required for use in this unit can be accessed from allocated campus laboraties/tutorial rooms.

The software used in this unit consists of:

• Adobe Flash CS5 Professional
• Adobe Photoshop CS5
• Adobe Illustrator CS5

30 Day Trial/Evaluation versions of the named software can be dowloaded for personal use if neccessary from the following websites:

•  http://www.adobe.com/

Recommended Resources

Textbook & Recommended Reading

The Foundation Flash CS5 textbook chapters are aligned to each week and provide additional information and exercises to help you improve your skills and understanding of the Flash CS5 authoring environment. It is strongly recommended that you acquire this book, read through it and do the exercises. The other textbook provides additional information to help you improve your skills and understanding of the ActionScript programming language. It is recommend reading only if you want to develop your Flash programming skills and knowledge base.

Foundation Flash CS5 for Designers by Tiago Dias and Tom Green, Friends of Ed (2010)

This text focuses on the use of the Flash tools and design techniques that can be applied to them. The exercises provide a wide range of interesting tricks, tips and techniques – more than can be covered by this unit, without getting hindered by the technical aspects of Flash’s authoring environment. Working through the exercises of one chapter each week will significantly increase your animation and design skills, and provide you with a solid foundation for the integration of assets with ActionScript 3.0.

Files for the exercises can be downloaded from: http://www.friendsofed.com/download.html?isbn=1430229942

ActionScript: Your visual blueprint for creating interactive projects in Flash CS4 Professional by Rob Huddleston, Wiley (2009)

Visual learners can get up and running quickly on ActionScript programming skills for Flash CS4+. If you're a programmer who learns best when you see how something is done, this book will have you up and running with ActionScript in no time. Step-by-step, two-page lessons show you the core programming foundations you must master to create rich application and Internet content using the preferred language for working with Flash. The visual approach breaks big topics into bite-sized modules, with high-resolution screen shots to illustrate each task. 

Unit Schedule

*Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.

Assessment Policy

Assessment Tasks

Participation

• Assessment task 1

  Title:

  Flash Development Project

  Description:

  The practical project will be based on the Flash CS5 authoring environment covered during the semester. 
  
  From the following project scenarios, select one to develop for you major assessment task. It is important that you select carefully because the Project Design Specifications will be required by Week 3 and a complete navigational and graphical prototype will be required by Week 6. This is to ensure that you have an appropriate amount of time to implement the development and programming aspects of the project, and to assist with your time management over the semester. 

  • Variation on a "Whack-a-Mole" Game 
  • A Choose Your Own Adventure Story (CYOA) or Graphic Novel
  • A web-based portfolio

  The Project Design Specification documentation is designed to outline and organise the development process of the project. Appropriate headings are provided as a guide to what you should include in the design specifications for your selected project. Be aware that part of your final assessment will include how well you develop your project in accordance to what you stipulate in this document. In other words, a small but completed project will score very well as opposed to a large incomplete one!
  
  The Navigation/GUI Prototype will demonstrate how you have structured your project and show the majority of your interface design. The project components DO NOT have to function for this prototype as dummy data and/or game components can be used to show the overall look-and-feel of the interface layout and design. The prototype should include a clearly defined internal structure on the time line (as demonstrated in tutorials), clearly show the main screen elements of the project, and an example of each major screen of the project. [NOTE: the individual screen elements are only there to show their position on the screen and DO NOT have to function at this stage. All that is required is a complete screen layout with appropriate design suited to the project you are developing.
  
  The final part of this assessment is the submission of a functional project, developed according to the project specification documents submitted in Week 3. Each scenario includes 4 common components for must also be successfully integrated into the final project. These will also be covered in the weekly tutorial tasks conducted throughout the semester and will be assessed separately but are an integral part of your final mark. These components cover the basic functions or features required to make the project have at least an elementary level of interaction. Additionally, you must successfully integrate the 3 project enhancements as described under the individual project scenarios. These enhancements cover a range of graphic,animation, audio and programming options to allow students to target their strengths and apply them accordingly.  
  
  Weekly tasks will be available to download from MOODLE. It is expected that students will download the materials relevant to each week's activity. Working through each activity will give students an understanding of various techniques and their suggested application, however, it will be up the each individual student to determine how to best implement these techniques to best suit their chosen project. 

  Weighting:

  70%

  Criteria for assessment:

  The practical project will be developed in the Flash CS5 authoring environment using techniques covered during the semester. The practical project will be worth 70% of the final grade and will be marked out of 100. The marks for the project will be assigned as follows:

  Project Design (45)

  25      Project Design Specification Document submitted in Week 3. For more detailed information see Section 2: Project Design Specification below.

  20      Navigation/Graphic Prototype submitted in Week 6. This will demonstrate how you have structured your project and show the majority of your interface design. The navigational elements and the “splash” animation must be functional. However, the other project elements DO NOT have to be fully functional for this prototype but MUST be included as “dummy data” to show the overall look-and-feel of the project layout and design.

  Project Implementation (55)

  16      Successful integration of the 4 common project requirements (4 requirements x 4 marks each). These will also be covered in the weekly tutorial and homework tasks conducted throughout the semester. These are the basic functions or features required to make the project have at least an elementary level of interaction (see also: Section 4).

  30      Successful integration of the 3 project enhancements in the final project (3 enhancements x 10 marks each). These will also be linked to the weekly tutorial and homework tasks. These enhancements cover a range of graphic, animation, audio and programming options, allowing students to target their strengths and apply them accordingly. The criteria for successful implementation is the enhancement working without error, logical and efficient coding with all extraneous code eliminated, and appropriate application of good programming practices (ie: use of commenting, appropriate naming conventions, meaningful variable and function names, code re-usability, etc.).

  9        A functional project, including the integration of the 4 common and 3 specific requirements (developed to at least an Alpha standard) to be submitted in Week 12. The criteria for this component will include:

  • Appropriate interface design and theme development including the overall look-and-feel of the project's graphics/interface, consistency of layout and design, presentation and readability of content, and the implementation of Flash features including animation, appropriate use of different symbol types, using different types of media (image/audio), and Flash components (4).
  • The final product is functional and works without error. Items presented within the project must also function correctly (eg: navigation buttons). Internal and external assets must be organised in a logical structure (eg: using folders, naming, etc.), with appropriate timeline structures implemented (5). 

  Due date:

  By 4pm Friday of the specified week or in scheduled Tutorial times

  Remarks:

  Full details are available in the "FIT9028 Unit Outline 11-1" document that is available for download from the MOODLE site.

• Assessment task 2

  Title:

  Assigned Homework

  Description:

  The Homework tasks are designed to help students consolidate their understanding of the content delivered in the lectures and tutorials each week. There are 10 assigned Homework tasks worth a total of 30%.

  Weighting:

  30%

  Criteria for assessment:

  Each of the 10 assigned Homework tasks will be marked out of 10. The marks for the assigned homework are as follows:

  4        meeting all the functional requirements of the task

  3        using a methodical approach to development of the task solution

  3        the appropriate application of good programming practices (as described above)

  Each task is structured so that students can work independently and can be completed in 2-3 hours. Students are expected to show their completed homework to their tutor the following week (eg: Week 1 homework shown in Week 2, etc.) in order to earn the assigned marks. Failure to do this will result in zero marks for the assigned task – be aware that missing several will result in a significant loss of marks to your overall grade.

  Due date:

  In scheduled Tutorial times

Examinations

Assignment submission

Extensions and penalties

Returning assignments

Policies

Student services