31080 Interactive Media
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 48023 Programming Fundamentals OR 41039 Programming 1
Anti-requisite(s): 32027 Interactive Media
Description
Interactive media systems are becoming increasingly widespread and have the potential to provide more complex and engaging experiences for users in many domains, including games, the arts, data visualisation/sonification and business. This subject introduces the fundamental principles of interactive media and associated tools. Students use creative coding tools and techniques to design and develop interactive media systems which incorporate digital audio, images, animation and video. The focus is on the creation of systems which provide rich and engaging user experiences in practical, real-world contexts.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply knowledge of digital sampling, storage and mapping techniques for still images, video, sound and sensor data to make appropriate design choices for interactive media applications. (D.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Use digital sound, image and video processing algorithms to alter digital media. (D.1) |
| 3. | Design and develop interactive media applications which incorporate a range of different interactive components to create effective and engaging user experiences. (C.1) |
| 4. | Reflect on the nature of digital media components to prepare new and effective applications and descriptions of interactive media systems. (F.1) |
| 5. | Work in a team of digital media developers. (E.1) |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
- Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
- Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies:
- 1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
- 2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
- 2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
- 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
-
3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.
Teaching and learning strategies
Students prepare for, and participate in, a weekly online lecture of one hour, and a weekly workshop of 2 hours duration facilitated closely in tutorial groups within the large collaborative classrooms.
Students will be provided with readings, online activities and practical work to be completed prior to workshops. Workshops will focus on discussion, clarification, practice and implementation of exercises based on the prepared material.
During workshop sessions, students will collaboratively work on practical design and creative coding activities in their tutorial groups. During this time they will receive coaching and feedback on the specific activities for that week and on their final assignment. Student tutorial groups are expected to bring their assignment work to class in order to receive continuous feedback and coaching throughout the teaching session.
A peer assessment marking scheme will be applied in group assignments so that the mark allocated to individuals within groups reflects an agreed level of contribution by members of the group.
Content (topics)
The subject will cover the following topics:
• Introduction to interactive media: examples of interactive media applications, historical context, terminology.
• Enabling technologies: digital representations, signal processing.
• Introduction to computer graphics: vector graphics and bitmapped images, shapes and 3D graphics, image manipulation and compression.
• Interaction: motion capture, movement tracking, image and video analysis, mapping.
• Video: digital video, video processing.
• Animation: animation and image sequences.
• Sound: digitized audio, audio recording, playback and manipulation, combining sound and image, sound and interaction.
• Programming interactive audio-visual applications.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Learning Journal
| Intent: | This task is designed to help you capture and reflect on your learning through the semester. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
Assessment task 2: Group Project
| Intent: | This is an authentic group project that demonstrates your ability to work in a team. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
Assessment task 3: Individual Project
| Intent: | This project allows you to develop an individual creative approach to a design task that encapsulates the topics discussed in this course, while exploiting your new knowledge of interactive media. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1, D.1 and F.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass the subject, a student must achieve an overall mark of 50% or more.
Required texts
Processing Creative Coding and Generative Art in Processing 2
Ira Greenberg, Deepak Kumar and Dianna Xu
Available online via the UTS Library
References
Learning Processing: A Beginner's Guide to Programming Images, Animation, and Interaction
Daniel Shiffman
Publisher: Morgan Kaufmann
Available online via the UTS Library website
Programming Interactivity
Joshua Noble
Publisher: O'Reilly
Available online via the UTS Library website
The Nature of Code
Daniel Shiffman
Available online at http://natureofcode.com/
Additional reading
Fry, B (2007), Visualizing Data O'Reilly Media, Inc. (available online via UTS Library)
Wong, Y-L. (2009), Digital Media Primer, Prentice Hall.
Burg, J (2009), The Science of Digital Media, Prentice Hall.
Wong, Y-L (2009), Digital Art: Its Art and Science, Prentice Hall.
Chapman, N. and Chapman, J. (2000), Digital multimedia. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.
Moggridge, B. (2007), Designing Interactions. MIT Press, Cambridge MA.
Tufte, E. (1997), Visual Explanations. Graphics Press, Cheshire, CT.
Other resources
Recommend either 3.5.4 or 4
https://processing.org/releases
Latest release:
https://processing.org/download