Instructor: Dan Fergus
Office: 439
Office Hours: M: 1-3pm, T: 1-3pm and by appointment.
Voice mail: 905-3500 extension #313
Email: dan[at]danfergusdesign.com -or- dfergus[at]staff.browncollege.edu
Credits: 4
Prerequisites: VCA112, VCA114, VCA117
This course is an introduction to interactive design concepts. Students create still and motion graphic, audio and video media elements that are integrated into a project. Emphasis is on conceptual thinking, visual navigation and technical skills.
Upon completion of this course, students will:
Visual Quickstart Guide, After Effects, by Anthony Bolante, Peachpit Press.
This class will consist of lecture and demonstration re-enforced through computer based assignments. Skills will be developed and demonstrated through the execution of computer based projects. Works will be critiqued in class to enhance the implementation of art and design theory and the development of technical, creative and analytical skills.
In order to successfully complete this course, the student must:
The Brown College Learning Resource Center (LRC) is located on the 3rd floor of the main building of the Mendota Heights campus. On the Brooklyn Center campus it is located next to the main production lab. The LRC hours for the Mendota Heights campus are Monday – Thursday 8:00am to 9:00pm, Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm, and Saturday 10:00am – 2:00pm. Please check the LRC hours periodically, as they are subject to change.
Brown College complies with all federal and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the Americans with Disability Act of 1990 (ADA). If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodations for equal access to education or services at Brown College, please contact Dave Erickson ar 651-905-3558. For other concerns or questions, you may contact your advisor, department chair (Randy Olson), or the Vice President of Academic Affairs at 651-905-3402.
It is a student’s responsibility to attend class every day. Regular class attendance and participation are two of the most significant factors, which promote the success of students.
Students must be present in the assigned classroom for at least 80 percent of the scheduled time of any course or quarter to achieve satisfactory attendance. Students who have been absent from all their scheduled classes for more than 10 consecutive days, not including scheduled school holidays, may be dropped from the program. Students who do not achieve satisfactory attendance may receive a grade of Withdrawal Failure (WF), may be dropped from the course or quarter and may be required to repeat the course or quarter. Absences will include tardies or early departures. Students must pay the appropriate repeat fee for any course(s) retaken due to Withdrawal Failure (WF) or Withdrawal (W).
Brown College faculty and staff are committed to the success of its students and will do all we can to assist them. If a student’s personal situation is interfering with their academic performance, they are to inform their instructor, department chair, academic advisor or another staff member. The college has resources that can help students overcome obstacles and help them meet their career goals.
To plagiarize is “to steal and pass off the ideas or words of another as one’s own” (Webster’s Dictionary). Brown College has zero tolerance for plagiarism (as do I). Students found plagiarizing material from any secondary source will receive a failing grade on the assignment, and may be subject to further disciplinary action. Students should consult with individual instructors to verify the proper citation style to be used for specific assignments.
I will make every effort to post copies of class syllabi, course outline, projects, study guides, project samples, and other handouts on the web, specifically at www.danfergusdesign.com/classfiles/ . If you miss class, or lose a handout, you should be able to download a new copy from this site. If you need to get ahold of me and you have no access to e-mail, you may contact me via a form from this site (www.danfergusdesign.com/contact.html).
All projects are due on the date and at the time specified and no later. Assignments turned-in late will lose 10% of their total possible value for each week they are late. All work must be turned in by the end of the final scheduled class.
Projects handed-in without all required material will not be accepted, and will be considered late until all required parts of the project are supplied. All projects must be submitted as digital files (copies should be put into the appropriate folder set up by the instructor). Print-outs (when required) and assignment sheets should be stapled together and submitted to the instructor when the digital file is submitted.
Grades are divided into the following categories: A= “Portfolio quality”, B= “above average student work”, C= “average student work”, D= “below average”, and F= “unacceptable”. I take these categories seriously, and grade accordingly.
Students are expected to act in a professional manner at all times. “Professional behavior” includes arriving on time, being prepared for class (having all required materials), not speaking while the instructor is lecturing, treating the instructor and other students with courtesy, not swearing, not making sexist or racist remarks, etc. Students who are disruptive, obnoxious, or otherwise act in an inappropriate manner will be removed from the class immediately.
Cell Phones will not be allowed in my classroom unless they are silent. Students are not permitted to talk on cell phones in class, nor answer pagers.
The internet is a very useful tool for research. However, it should not be used as entertainment while in class. Students are not be permitted to surf the net, play games, or use e-mail in my classes. Project related research only.
Although these computers all have built-in CD players, that does not give everyone license to play music as loud as they likes and irritate others (and me). If you wish to listen to music, use headphones (but take them off when I’m lecturing). I may play music (after all, it is my class), but if it bothers you let me know and I’ll turn it down or off.
For the most part, I allow the students to choose when they wish their breaks (earlier, later, etc.) since they usually know when they need to take a break better than I. Of course, scheduled lectures, demonstrations, etc., may require students to take some breaks at specified times.
Food and beverages are only allowed in 1st floor Broadcasting and 3rd floor campus student lounges. Food and beverages are not allowed in any part of the building outside of the student lounges. This policy will be strictly enforced.