Design of Multimedia Communication

Code:

FLUP0447

Acronym:

DCOMUL

Instance: 2006/2007 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Department of Journalism and Communication Sciences
Course/CS Responsible:	Journalism and Communication Sciences

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
JCC	5	Official Study Plan - LJCC	3	4	7,5	-
		Official Study Plan - LJCC	3	4	7,5	-

Objectives

This subject is designed for students to:
- apply the structural concepts of Visual Communication Design to multimedia;
- explore the basic elements of visual communication in the context of multimedia;
- analyze the relationship between hypermedia features and visual language;
- explore audiovisual language and hierarchize contents in multimedia documents – image, text, graphics, video and sound;
- analyze the role of Communication Design in exploring narrative genres and apply these to several different multimedia products;
- reflect upon the main functions of multimedia image in its didactic, communicational and artistic component.

Program

Introduction to Multimedia Communication Design:
- Definition of the concept;
- Relationship between design, technology and culture.

Visual communication design in dynamic supports:
- A new media for design;
- Graphic design in motion;
- Characterization of dynamic media.

Morphological elements of design and exploring them in the new media:
- Configuration;
- Colour;
- Scaling elements of design;
- Interpretation;
- Intonation, distortion, elaboration and dimensionality.

Visual codes:
- Study of visual codes in the multimedia context: typography, iconography, graphics and image – illustration and photography.

Sequence codes:
- Study of sequence codes: image in motion and hypertextuality.

Visual communication design in dynamic and interactive supports:
- Interactivity: exploring interactivity; new depth; indicators of interactivity;
- Interface: applying the subject’s theoretical contents to interface design: visual identity, digital signaletics and dynamic iconography.

Interface design versus conventional documents:
- Relationship between design and the user – integration, dialogue and accessibility; surfing; information organization – hierarchy, relations and function.

Main Bibliography

BARKER, Philip e Masoud Yazdani, Iconic Communication, Intellect Books
BODOW, Steve, Websights: the future of business and design on the internet, RC Publications
BONSIEPE, Gui, Del objecto a la interface, Ediciones Infinito
CAPLIN, Steve, Icon Design, Alastair Campbel
CHAPMAN, Jenny, www.animation, Alastair Campbell
COUPLAND, Ken, Webwoks navigation, Rockport
COTTON, Bob, Richard Oliver, Understanding hypermedia, Phaidon
IVARS, Christian Hervás, El Diseño gráfico en television – técnica, lenguaje y arte, Catedra
LYNCH, Patrick, Sarah Horton, Manual de estilo web, Editorial Gustavo Gili
MULLET, Kevin, Darrel Sano, Designing Visual Interfaces, Sunstoft Press
RÀFOL, Rafaels, Antoni Colomer, Diseño audiovisual, Editorial Gustavo Gili
ROYO, Javier, Diseño digital, Paidós Diseño
STREET, Rita, The best new animation design, Vol. 1 e 2, Rockport
WOOLMAN, Matt e Jeff Bellantoni, Type in Motion – Innovations in Digital Graphics, Thames & Hudson
ZIEGLER, Katheleen, Nick Greco, Ciber Palette, a digital step-by-step guide, Nippan

Complementary Bibliography

ARNHEIM, Rudolf , Arte e Percepção Visual, Pioneira
LÉVY, Pierre, Ideografia Dinâmica, Instituto Piaget
SATUÉ, Eric, El diseño gráfico – Desde los orígenes hasta nuestros dias, Alianza forma
MOLES, Abraham, Arte e computador, Edições Afrontamento
MEGGS, Philip, A History of Graphic Design, Wiley

Teaching methods and learning activities

The first half of each class shall concern the presentation and unfolding of subject matters by the lecturer through theoretical and explanatory lectures;
Student participation in reflection and debates on the presented topics as well as analysis of related texts and practical cases;

The second half consists of a more practical nature, intended for students to apply taught concepts in individual or group project work.

Software

Adobe Photoshop Adobe Premiere Macromedia Freehand Macromedia Director Macromedia Flash

Evaluation Type

Eligibility for exams

Students are required to attend at least 75% of classes.

Calculation formula of final grade

- Continuous assessment, based on project work developed in classes (40%);
- Final project (40%);
- Written paper (Exam) (20%).

Examinations or Special Assignments

Not applicable.

Special assessment (TE, DA, ...)

- Students under special student status should give notice of their situation to the lecturer as soon as possible (preferably before 31st October).
- Students shall establish together with the lecturer an assessment-learning plan without prejudice of the existing rights and claims provided by law (for Working Students: Law no. 116/97, of 4th November, updated with the amendments introduced by Law no. 118/99 of 11th August).
- If a student is not able to attend classes, s/he shall book appointments with the lecturer to discuss project work.
- Coursework should always be supervised by the lecturer, if not, it will not be considered for assessment purposes.

Classification improvement

- Students must pre-enrol in this subject before 31st October.
- Classification improvement is done according to the parameters of the evaluation type in force: Continuous Evaluation (40%) + Final Project (40%) + Written Paper (20%).
- Coursework should always be supervised by the lecturer, if not, it will not be considered for assessment purposes.
- If a student is not able to attend classes, s/he may book an appointment with the lecturer to discuss project work.

Observations

Since this subject is designed for skills development in the field of media exploration and experimentation, the software applications listed above serve only as a reference.
Students, in the course of the semester, may opt for the digital tool(s) which best suits the performance of their project work.

Language of instruction: Portuguese.