ClassInfo

GPH 212 Perceptual Principles for Digital Environments II

Summer I 2002-2003
Class number: 42873
Section number: 201
TuTh 6:00PM - 9:15PM
LEWIS 01512 Loop Campus

Summary

DESCRIPTION

This course introduces the basic visual principles guiding communication and production decisions in three dimensional computer environments. Students are led through a series of problems with both on screen and handmade components.

RATIONALE

This course serves as a foundation to the non-verbal, visual communication so essential to the digital interfaces that are to become a major product environment of the student of Human Computer Interaction and the student of Computer Graphics and Animation. More than providing a creative, synthetic basis for on-screen environments, this course also provides an evaluative, analytic basis for these environments.
A central strategy of this course is to compare, contrast and experience the application of perceptual principles in both physical and digital media. The governing principle here proffers that parallel experiences in these two categories can generate a synergy benefiting both modes of creation, especially the digital. Working with physical objects is especially important, because visualizing 3-D space on a 2-D monitor screen is a very far cry from understanding 3-D environments.
With the advent of 3-D printing technology solid object models are being directly created from digital models. One result is that the terms solid object interface and solid view are often used as synonyms for physical objects derived from digital models.



Texts

TEXTS

Principles of Three-Dimensional Design, Stephen Luecking

Sketch Record

3D Digital Workshop: Tutorials

SOFTWARE

Adobe Illustrator, 8th floor CTI lab, $99 from bookstore
Rhino 3D (on network); free tutorials on line; a tutorial text may be purchased through amazon.com ($40). The program itself may be purchased at rhino3d.com for $195. A free trial version that limits you to 25 saves may be downloaded from this site as well. Tutorials are included.


Grading

REQUIREMENTS

Complete all three digital and all three physical models and both quizzes, as well as fulfill attendance requirements set out below.

q The practicum applications will comprise 50% of the final grade, while quizzes will count for 20%. Attendance will count 15%, as will the sketch record.

q Assessment of practicum applications will take the following aspects into account: craft, invention, understanding, adherence and integration. Craft refers to the quality of execution; invention refers to the creative application of principles; understanding refers to the effective application of principles; adherence refers to the degree to which problems meet the assignment guidelines; and integration refers to how all elements work together to project a theme. Your grade will be a composite of your success in meeting these five objectives.
All application assignments will have a deadline in order to participate in schedule critiques. Late works will be discounted by one grade point – no exceptions. You will also be discounted one grade point if you do not attend the assignment critique. The instructor reserves the right to reject excessively sloppy work.

q Quizzes will be objective and will test your knowledge and use of terminology. They will be given at mid-term and final, making each worth 10% of your total grade. Take notes! Use your sketch record. This is essential to developing professional habits.

q Attendance grades will follow this scale of absences: 0= A, 1 = B, 2 = C, 3 = D, 4 = F, 5 or more = FX. Arriving late or leaving early = ½ absence. Arriving without work materials is equivalent to an absence. Missing the final critique counts as three absences.

q This is a practicum class and attendance is important. All absences must be excused. Unexcused absences count double. An absence may be excused by 1) phoning or e-mailing prior to class or 2) after an absence with a note from a responsible party or with an official document (traffic ticket, court summons, etc.)


Prerequisites

GPH 211 or HCI 402


School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296