Welcome to Class.

Introduction. Chris Perry, Graphic Designer/Illustrator.
cperry@chrisperrydesign.com
100x, WSI, Lotus Development, Open Market
Sixteen years utilizing computer graphics
Fine Arts background

Class Member introductions.
Computer experience
Backgrounds/reasons for taking class
Goals

What is multimedia? Uses and methods...
Basically, multimedia is used to enhance ideas and concepts, concepts which you, as a multimedia producer, are trying to impart to an audience. Many people get up every day and present a pitch, a resume, or a proposal to an audience, and multimedia is just another tool to get that message across. Game creators would be lost without multimedia effects, as would most television spots. Gauge your audience for the amount of multimedia you need to utilize for the proper effect, as in some cases less is more.
The end goal of this class is to design an interactive self-running presentation, approximately 5 to 10 minutes or so in length, containing the most commonly used multimedia types. You will learn the following:

· Design a presentation, using a Presentation Graphics/Multimedia software
· Create and edit digital images, both vector and raster based
· Develop familiarity with common tools, such as drawing or text blocks
· Record and edit audio files
· Explore basic animation, transition and timeline-based effects
· Develop interactive buttons and navigators
· Capture and edit video files
· Develop the ability to recognize common file types and formats, and know the software that manipulates them
· Combine all into a finished presentation

Web Links/Class Items
www.astound.com; www.adobe.com, www.sonicfoundry.com, www.download.com.
It is possible to download demo versions of the software we utilize in class. In some cases, such as Astound, a 30-day fully functioning demo is available. This unfortunately is offered sporadically, so some hunting may be required.

The only required item for class is two or more zip disks, 100 mg capacity (these will work in a 250mg model). The book is optional. The zip disks are essential. These disks are our backup scheme for all work done in class!

Common File Formats:

A. Vector Based Graphics
1. EPS (Encapsulated PostScript)
2. AI
3. CGM
4. CDG
5. Many others associated with individual programs.

Although we will only touch on editing and creating this type of graphic, we will learn to recognize its format and usage. Software commonly used to edit this format is Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, etc.

B. Raster Based Graphics:
1. BMP
2. TIFF
3. PCX
4. TGA
5. Internet Based Graphics
a. JPEG (Lossy Compression Scheme)
b. GIF

One of the primary graphics formats for scanned images, we will learn the basics of Adobe Photoshop to edit this type of image. Other commonly used software to edit this format is Painter, Windows Paintbrush, Paintshop Pro, Macromedia XRes, etc.

C. Sound Formats
1. .WAV
2. .AU
3. .SND
4. .VOC

Sounds are often the most effective tool to bind a multimedia project together. We will learn to utilize SoundForge 3.0 to edit this file type. Other software to edit this format Qbase Audio, the simple Sound recorder available with Windows, etc.

D. Video/Animation
1. .AVI
2. .MOV
3. .MPG (MPEG on Macintosh)
4. .AIM, AWM, (Astound animation formats)
5. .GIF (Animated .GIF files, a common animation format for the internet)

Video images are in some cases the best way to communicate information, especially when integrated into a multimedia presentation. We will use Adobe Premiere to edit this type of file. Avid and Media 100 are among other digital video editing software available.

Common Terms we will discuss in class:

a. Multimedia Package/Presentation Graphics
b. Authoring Software
c. UI
d. Platform
e. Vector Graphics
f. Raster Graphics
g. Image Editor
h. Resolution/DPI
I. File Formats
j. Import/Export
k. Embed/Link
l. HTML/Internet
m. Internet based graphics/formats
n. Transitions/Screen Show Effects
o. Basic Computer Terms:
1. CPU
2. Megahertz
3. RAM
4. Cards
5. Bugs
6. Crashes
7. Save, Save, Save
p. Graphics Terms:
1. Bezier Curves
2. Pixels/Pels
3. RGB
4. Indexed
5. Screen Formats (640x480, 800 x600)
6. OLE Objects
7. Linking/Embedding
q. Compression

This represents a general overview of what is to be covered in each session. If necessary, we may spend additional time on a particular application or area to ensure that it is understood by all participating.

Session One:
Introduction, overview of multimedia terms and concepts, workstation intro and setup, basic introduction to multimedia/presentation graphics software used in class. We will cover a basic introduction to Astound.
Class assignment: create 3-5 page Astound presentation file.

Session Two:
The demonstration of Astound will continue; class will cover the basic features of creating a presentation, with an emphasis on covering the basic features of the software.

Homework: Find image to scan for next session.

Session Three:
Demonstration of scanning an image, basic saving and editing in Photoshop. Image will then be imported into Astound. The concept of images, transitions and timelines will be covered.
Class assignment: Class members will scan flat art, import image into Astound, and assign transition or interactive effects.

Homework: Class members will obtain images or materials they would like to capture or edit in next week's session.

Session Four:
Demonstration of Photoshop continues, including standard image editing techniques and learning basic features of the software.
Class assignment: Class members will continue with editing scanned images, or creating new images with software. Class members will import images into Astound.

Homework: Class members will obtain images or materials they would like to capture or edit in next week's session.

Session Five:
Sound demonstration; class will include a demonstration of basic sound editors available on the Windows platform, capturing sounds, and learn the basics of Sound Forge, a sound editing program. Edited sounds will then be placed into Astound.
Class assignment: Class members will identify sounds they would like to created or edit and will work with Sound Forge to create a finished sound file, which will then be embedded or linked into a presentation

Homework: bring in video for next week's video capture assignment.

Session Six:
Video Capture demonstration, with an overview of Adobe Premiere.
Class assignment: Class members will capture a 30 second segment of video, edit if desired in Premiere, and then embed or link finished .avi file into an Astound presentation.

Session Seven:
Class discussion on the construction of an interactive presentation, including brainstorming on subject matter, story boarding, etc. Work on final assignment will begin. Class members will utilize tools and methods learned in previous classes to complete assignment. If necessary, class will include either demonstrations or reviews of previously covered subjects.

Session Eight:
Work on final project, utilizing tools and methods learned in previous classes

Session Nine:
Work on final project, utilizing tools and methods learned in previous classes

Session Ten:
Work on final project, utilizing tools and methods learned in previous classes

Session Eleven:
Work on final project, utilizing tools and methods learned in previous classes

Session Twelve:
Work on final project, utilizing tools and methods learned in previous classes

Session Thirteen:
Class members will display their finished final presentations, which should be about 10 minutes or so long, each followed by a short group crit. Class members will present either voluntarily or alphabetically.

Session Fourteen:
Class members will display their finished final presentations, which should be about 10 minutes or so long, each followed by a short group crit. Class members will present either voluntarily or alphabetically.

The main goal of the class is to help foster an awareness of the basics of multimedia, recognition of the particular file formats available, and an understanding of different media types and the many methods of editing these files. We will follow a "hands-on" approach with a goal towards workplace/workflow sensibilities.

Class members will complete a finished, polished presentation, which I will stress must stay on the lean side, file size wise. Despite advances in computers and CPU speed, the rise of the Internet is actually causing a demand for slick, light graphics.

This class is an introduction, and we will just scratch the surface of all the facets of multimedia. Use your imagination and try to produce a finished product that has your stamp of individuality and creativity. You will hopefully gain from the class a general understanding of the formats and methods involved in producing multi-media work, an understanding that could form a foundation on which you can pursue further education or experience.

I would like people to walk away from the class with a useable file; to that end class members should try to develop a utilitarian presentation, such as for a job interview. Otherwise, you have complete artistic license on this. Any subject is open for exploration; feel free to be as creative as you want. I will attempt to assist with whatever you would like to try, within the time frame of the class.