Interactive Media Design (INM)

This class is an introduction to design principles as applied to interactive media. Students will develop a series of design skill sets that can be applied to various formats and applications. Topics include: color theory, typography, grid structures, and layout.

This foundation course introduces software used to design, develop and edit graphical assets and artwork for interactive media. Students enhance their technical knowledge of both raster and vector formats while developing both project organization and digital media production skills. Working with industry standard software, critical concepts such as colour, resolution, optimization, file formats and asset management are discussed while building towards interactive design media such as websites and device applications.

This course teaches students how to use DSLR cameras and techniques as visualization tools. Students are introduced to the specific considerations of photography with digital cameras for use in digital photo editing software. Visual design and composition is explored through a series of demonstrations and assignments. In addition, students will learn about intellectual property issues of digital image use, as well as the use of stock image sources.

This foundational course explores the principles of typography and copywriting, emphasizing their application in design and user experience. Through hands-on projects, discussions, and lectures, students will learn effective techniques for both digital and print media. This course emphasizes the integration of typography, copywriting, and graphics, teaching students how to bring these elements together into impactful designs. By the end of this course, students will have the skills to create layouts that not only look visually compelling but also communicate effectively.

This course introduces students to the interactive media business and the factors that influence its success. Topics covered include: History of media and the evolution of interactive media, Integrated marketing, Understanding the interactive media landscape, framework for developing interactivity, processes that impact planning for interactive projects, research techniques on trends and demographics; privacy and ethics; business strategy.

This subject introduces students to Internet architecture and software development principles, using the World Wide Web as the system example. After successfully completing the subject, a student will be able to design and create web pages for web browsers, while applying knowledge of HTML5 and CSS technologies. Students begin by learning the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML5) to define web structure and content. To affect and modify the appearance and formatting of a document, students learn and apply the foundations of the Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) language.

This course introduces the student to basic sound theory and production for multimedia applications. Students will learn the basics of computer recording techniques, and digital control devices. Production topics covered include: microphone types and placements; use of audio suites; sound capturing; mastering for multimedia; and conversion to different file formats, especially online. Students will be required to create digital recordings for a multimedia production.

This class builds on the first semester design principles class as applied to interactive media. Students will develop advanced design skill sets with a focus on integrated media. Topics include: Art Direction fundamentals, visual problem solving, advanced typography and design for cross media including print and outdoor

This course builds on the software and project development skills from first term and further explores the design and development of computer graphics for use in various interactive media projects. Students learn how to manipulate digital imagery as well as create their own custom assets such as logos, buttons, interfaces, backgrounds, icons, game graphics, characters and animations. Digital painting techniques and visual effects with the latest, industry standard software will also be practiced while working with Wacom tablets.

This course explores the intersection of psychology and design, covering topics such as perception, biases, and the influence on design decisions. Students gain an understanding of how the brain processes visual information and learn to apply this knowledge to create effective designs. Additionally, the course examines the psychological factors that contribute to sustainable behaviors, including attitudes, motivations, and decision-making processes. By the end of the course, students will have a thorough understanding of the psychological principles underlying effective design and the ability to apply them while considering sustainability aspects.

This course builds on students knowledge of interactive media business and focuses on research and planning techniques that lead to the understanding, conceptualization and tactical planning of an interactive project. In addition to an understanding of the Interactive media ecosystem students will also learn about the strategic planning process, client requirements gathering, ideation techniques, tactical approaches to execution and analysis of audiences. The focus will be drawn to the business and strategic side of project execution including some baseline account management and presentation techniques

INM220 will introduce students to the dynamic and ever evolving field of Website Development. Web development requires logical thinking and attention to detail, as well as knowledge of basic graphic design, typography, colour, image formats and use as they apply to websites. Browser and cross-platform issues will also be discussed. Students will continue to add to their knowledge of, and experience with, HTML and CSS coding and best practices, which they were introduced to in the 1st semester. In addition, basic JavaScript concepts and application will be introduced. They will also receive training in the use of web development tools and resources.

This course is a practical introduction to the complete production cycle of video. Beginning with a basic introduction to the handling of basic production equipment, topics covered include: using the camera, framing and shooting techniques, approaching subjects, video formats, lighting, sound, editing with anon linear editing package, digital post-production and mastering. The course also includes an introduction to the use of video production with non-video digital media applications and efficient file conversion for online formats. This overview is approached as a simulated professional project, and includes an overview of project management and budgeting techniques.

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of user experience design (UXD) - its basic elements, the variety of tools used and the different approaches to creating, modifying and documenting it - as it relates to Internet-based applications. Students will gain the knowledge required to assess user needs and business requirements by using appropriate research tools such as observation, visual exploration, competitor analysis and user testing. The essential qualities of good UXD in both desktop and mobile applications, including the differences between good UXD and poor UXD will be discussed through industry-based case studies. Participants will learn to design a digital application that will respond to the needs of the user and considers the requirements, and constraints of the project determined through research findings and insights.

This course will introduce the students into the world of video game design, as well as the creation of motion graphics, using industry standard tools. The goal of this course is to teach students to conceptualize, plan and create a functional game. Students will learn to develop custom assets as well as an animated trailer using motion graphic techniques taught in the class.

This course builds on students knowledge of research and planning for an Interactive media campaign and focuses on helping develop and articulate the underlying strategy for developing a full scale campaign. Students will learn the different facets of a creative organization, how teams are built, and the different members and roles that help develop a campaign. They will also learn how to evaluate a brand and brand personality, the goals and objectives of a client or a campaign, strategy frameworks, consumer insights and evaluation of audiences including building personas. Students will then learn how to put together a brief demonstrating their understanding of the goals of the campaign and articulate the underlying strategy that will help accomplish those objectives. While the focus will be on how to achieve the objectives students will also learn about channel planning, budgeting and scheduling that will assist with the tactical approaches to achieve the recommended strategy

The subject introduces the student to design pattern based scripting practices used for adding dynamic content to interactive media; specifically, interactive web applications. The subject incorporates best practices and multiple web-technologies to encourage a tool-agnostic approach to learning and to develop essential transferable scripting skills that can be applied in all aspects of interactive media production. Students will learn to deliver animation, audio, video and 3D graphics in web applications for desktop and device.

Introduction to 3D is a hands-on course which provides a basic understanding of the creation of 3D elements and how to animate them in 3D space. Working with 3D modeling and animation software, the course is designed for students who want to gain skills in 3D graphics without necessarily specializing in the field. In addition to creating 3D sequences for standalone purposes, students will also gain knowledge of the integration of 3D graphics into other media such as editing and composition software.

In this course, students design immersive digital applications with a special focus on creating presence in user experiences. By implementing the fundamentals of interaction and digital media production techniques, students build experiences that incorporate audio, 2D and 3D design and interaction and graphics programming to create device specific applications for mobile, desktop and virtual-reality. The subject incorporates a tool-agnostic approach, best practices and lectures by industry professionals.

The Integrated Campaign Development course helps utilize and focus the students knowledge gained from prior semesters, with an emphasis on high-quality production values, to help guide them through the steps required to plan, create and produce an integrated marketing campaign. Students will engage in three planning assignments and five major assignments including: A branding guide, work-back schedules and timelines, video banner assembly, print, web and social media development and survey tracking assessment.

This course takes students through the foundations of project management specific to the management of Interactive and Media related projects. Topics covered under this course will include scope evaluation and management, resource management and team building, time management and scheduling, learning to develop a work and task breakdown structure and developing a project plan. Students will develop skills that help them in managing the client through the entire production process including planning, budgeting, researching, documentation, implementation and delivery. This course will also introduce students to the different project management methodologies commonly used in the Industry.

The interactive media industry has many subsets and possible directions for a person to begin their career. This course enables students to plan, research and execute an independent business in the industry, as well as create a person brand in the pursuit of traditional career advancement. Students will leverage existing industry research to work in teams to explore business start-up concepts. In addition, traditional career management will be explored including the development of a personal brand, and related assets like portfolio sites, business cards, and social media tool.

This class builds upon previous web development classes by introducing use of a popular javascript framework and modern UX design principles in the creation of the user interface for a home automation application. In addition, handling of real-time data, access control, security and persistence of user data are introduced, along with use of Node.js tool in Javascript.

All INM students are required to finish a 120-hour field placement component as a requirement for graduation. Field placement opportunities can be pursued after the end of the second semester and until 8 months after the completion of all professional courses. This non-credit course enables students to prepare the skills required to research and secure an appropriate placement that reflects their career directions. Students will plan their portfolio template, prepare resumes and interviewing techniques, and will learn to research opportunities in the interactive media industry. The course will use a combination of workshops, guest lectures, and online components. One-on-one consultations outside course time provide additional support in preparation. Additionally, students can receive assistance in their search for field placement by matching them to opportunities from the industry. The nature of opportunities in this field can range from roles that require technical, design or strategic skills or a combination of all three. These skills can be applied to roles in different types of organizations ranging from design and development studies, interactive or traditional agencies, client side marketing, design or technical teams. As such, interactive media roles are not specific to an industry but rather to the discipline. Some sample roles are - Digital/Interactive Designer, UX designer, Front end developer, Social media analyst, Social media content manager, Video production and editing, digital project manager, digital strategist.