The exam will consist of questions from lectures, course web pages and the multimedia web page assignment.
1. Digital Compression - Dr. Coleman's Lecture notes and class discussion. Pay attention to definitions and conversions. Class notes may be used during this part of the exam.
Additional References:
2. Alias | Wavefront - Basics (i.e. How it is launched, Discussion of some the options in power animator, and tool palette etc.). -- Be familiar with how it works. Also, there will be questions from the Alias|Wavefront handout, "Introducing Alias".
3. Multimedia Concepts - Dr. Harris
Reading Assignments:
Topics
4. Major Media Corporations - Dr. Shurn's notes. Know who the corporations are and their major products, divisions and subsiduaries.
5. Media Formats - Dr. Shurn's (Kwesi Ames) notes. Know the various file formats, their origin and when it makes sense to use a particular type.
6. Hollywood Special Effects - Keith Hunter. Know the various companies, the types of persons that they hire like modelers and lighters, what it takes to get a job. Also, know some of the projects done by Rythm & Hues. Here are some sample questions. The answers can be obtained from class notes or the Rythm & Hues web site.
7. Color and Perception - Dr. Lee Notes
8. New Media Products - Prof. Tuckers Notes.
9. Planning & Aesthetic Concepts in Multimedia - Dr. Lee Notes In Planning a multi-media project, one should consider all the following important areas :Audience are the people who you create this multimedia for. They may differ by: age, gender, educational level, social economic level, geographic location, interest, etc.
After identifying all the important areas above, one can proceed on to detail planning. It is important to map out ones plan logically: Written-- Time table, detail schedule, detail description, etc. use large board, paper, and use different color pen, paper or note pads.
A successful multi-media project should have all four of the following components: text, sound, graphics, and animation.
Motions can create dynamics in the project. Motions can be created from: center radius outward, top wipe to bottom, right wipe across to left etc. (I was not able to show the Video that day, but I hope you get the idea).
Sound captures peoples' emotion. Like soft music create a harmonizing environment, loud explosive sound gives jolts to ones senses. Fast rhythmic beats give happiness and light heartiness.....
Colors able to control peoples perception as well as emotions. Bright colors give openness and happiness while dark color schemes lead to gloominess and sadness feeling. Colors also carry symbolic meanings. Some are governed by cultural practice. For instance, white in the West represents happiness, pureness etc. People wear white for weddings while in the oriental countries, white symbolize death. All relatives have to wear white capes or garments during funerals. For details in color study, please refer to mid-term's study guide.
Because of all these symbolical and physiological implications from all of the above components, producers are able to use and manipulate them to serve his/her purposes consciously and subconsciously. These are called "higher concepts". Through ads such as perfume, beer, cigarette informmercials, these "higher concepts" are indirect but they also affect people's feelings and emotions and hereby, aggecting people's decision making.