SYLLABI

Art 610 Introduction to Intermedia and Innovation Seminar [4]

Lisa Moren, Professor
lmoren@umbc.edu

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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Students will learn to conduct self-directed research that will lead to innovative forms, or activities, relevant to their individual art practice. The process of that self-directed creative research will also provide the skills necessary in order to manage a professional artistic practice.  Interdisciplinary configurations of methods will be encouraged, while students are introduced to various facilities.

 

This seminar course will offer students the tools required to create self-directed research in a variety of innovative methods, including traditional and evolving technologies. This course will teach the application of long-term artistic goals within the management of day-to-day studio practices. Self-directed areas where students may choose a research path include: Information Art, Physical Computing, Fabrication, Experimental/DIY Methods and Media Arts (including Print, Photo, Video, Web, Animation and/or other screen-based work).

 

METHODS 

Requirements

This course will offer a resource of self-directed methodologies including presentations, demonstrations, webinars, books, and tutorials. Students will develop a detailed Production Proposal including semester-long objectives and a timeline outlining 100-hours of clearly planned methodologies, including on-demand tutorials, equipment, materials, and backup plans. The instructor will work with each student’s Production Proposal for appropriate revisions and final approval. Production Proposals will include setting up a blog where each student will dedicate one hour per week to uploading documentation — text and images and possibly video — of their work in progress, to the blog. Each week these blogs will be detailed in a time-management style data log. During the following week this log will be reflected on, updated and new objectives will carry forward. Students will compare the summary from their blogs with their time-management objectives and share inquiries within group discussions. Therefore each student will participate in each other’s problem solving process. Finally, students will present a final 1 hour hands-on demonstration for their peers based on a research method that they’ve acquired.

 

Orientations

In-class demonstrations will include orientations presentations to various facilities and resources. Students will be oriented in Video Production (IMDA camera’s and editing equipment, audio recording and software, laser cutter, printmaking, photography, design and interactive software. This course may also have the opportunity for training in a local FabLab for 3D fabrication and Maker Technologies.

 

GRADES

Grades will be determined on the following:

 

• Overall performance in relation to Production Proposal objectives [15]

• Creativity [40]
  Challenging methodologies being explored
  Diverse methods, or new approaches to techniques
  Clear rationale for the methods
  Relevancy to long-term objectives
  Flexibility in revising ideas or methods, or reacting to real-world method outcomes

• Verbal, Written and Image Presentations [45]
  Clear and thoughtful blog entries in both writing and images [20]
  Informative and engaging hands-on presentation [25]
  Problem solving during peer-to-peer discussions [10]

 

THE IMDA TOOLKIT
Recommended Supplies and Equipment

 

Book

Making Your Life As An Artist by Andrew Simonet is required reading.

 

Here are a few suggested tools that students may require in order to facilitate their work throughout the program.

 

Labs & Computers

IMDA students have exclusive access to all labs in 110C including Physical Computing, Audio Editing Suite and Graphics & Imaging Lab and the Production Lab. The program is primarily Apple based. The UMBC Bookstore offers a discount on Apple products and Adobe Software. Most IMDA students purchase a laptop through this bookstore initiative, however it’s not required.

 

Software

This course requires access to Adobe Cloud offered from the UMBC Bookstore (or CS6 Software) such as Photoshop, Illustrator and Premier. Check with Adobe directly for price comparision. Other software that requires downloading includes Isadora (the Cage provides a licensed key), Sketchup (free).

 

Blogs

Students may use any blogware, or their personal website to update their weekly progress.  A few suggestions include Wix, Wordpress or Tumblr.

 

Cable Kit

New laptops come with thunderbolt connection for almost all input/output needs. Students require a connection from their laptop to VGA projectors for a variety presentation needs. Other connections may include compatibility adaptors between systems.

 

            Thunderbolt to VGA

            Thunderbolt to Ethernet

            Thunderbolt to HDMI

            800 Firewire to thunderbolt

            USB to USB

           

 

4K and HD Video

The Visual Arts Dept owns a 4K video camera and is available to grads when undergraduate courses are not using them. The IMDA video-editing suite is capable of editing HD and 4K with HD monitoring system. Anyone working in our labs are required to purchase external Hard Drive. We recommend La Cie 2TB or higher, thunderbolt and USB. Whatever the external drive, make sure it’s 7200 rpm or higher in order to accommodate video.

 

Raleigh Studios

Raleigh is a raw and open studio environment. IMDA students may setup an environment that facilitates a particular area of methods. Anything can happen in these spaces as long as students cooperate with others and return the space to its original condition in June. Students should invest in basic tools and materials for installation work, such as a hand tool kit from Home Depot and any required power tools.

 

Printers, cutters and laminators

These facilities are for experimentation, trial and error and small jobs. If you have a project requiring inkjet, vinyl, acetate, photo paper, etc. you should use one our at-cost labs in the Department of Visual Arts (in/out Bureau or Photo Cage), or use a campus service Common Vision, or purchase your own ink, paper or other expendable supplies.