syllabus

DANM 210 - Project Design Studio

Fall Quarter 2008

Overview

This course will focus on students’ individual studio practice. In the context of DANM 210 students explore methodologies for the design and development of works of digital media art. Students will write project proposals, develop budgets, and build project prototypes and or complete projects depending on the scale and scope of their proposals. An assortment of tools, technologies, programming languages, hardware, and software relevant to their projects will be addressed through hands-on workshops.

Assignments in the course are designed to help students' articulate their own vision, add new methods and tools to their studio practice, test the premises and assumptions of their practice and build a set of core presentation materials that they will need in as part of a professional arts practice.

The course includes several practical approaches to developing the proposal and related materials. These include:

Research/critique clusters - Students will be assigned to clusters based on shared interests or related project proposals. Clusters will engage in peer review/critique and share research. Clusters may be expected to meet outside of class time.
Individual meetings and directed readings - discussion and review of progress and assignment of individual readings on topics relevant to each student's project proposal for development of project bibliography
Group critiques of proposal and prototype development in-progress
Technical Workshops - Basic introduction to technologies and techniques of for the prototyping and development of proposed projects

Assignments / Deliverables

These should all be posted on the DANM Wiki or linked from it. Some of the assignments will undergo revisions as the term progresses (e.g., the project proposal text will be revised as the project develops and in response to feedback), and the successive iterations of these texts must be posted and stay online for the duration of the course. When everything is completed, you must post a page that contains or links to all the final versions of these documents.

Project Proposal

This is the main document that will be developed over the course of the term. When completed, it should include a theoretical premise and practical description of the project (1000-1500 words) plus appendix including technical specifications, images and diagrams, a development timeline, and an extensive bibliography which includes theoretical texts, historical references, and related project examples. More extensive guidelines found here.

One Model/Prototype/Sketch/Maquette of the Project

This is a preliminary or test version of the project. The prototype might be realized in the same media/modality/form as the project as a preliminary proof-of-concept or miniature. For example, a large,interactive, robotic sculpture might be modeled in Lego Mindstorm or with mechanical toys, or a software project might be represented with mock-up screen shots and "alpha" versions of basic code. Alternately, the prototype may be realized at a different "scale" or in a different media/modality/form than the actual project proposed. For example, a software project might be prototyped in the form of a performance or a game played in "real" space/time as opposed to virtual space/time; a theatre project might be prototyped in a multi-user virtual environment; the premise of a community-based project might be modeled in interaction with a group of fellow students.

Curriculum Vitae - Your CV revised as needed for the proposal

Narrative Biography -- 500, 300, and 100-word versions.

You will need to supply a narrative bio with most applications for funding, presentation, or for basic publicity. Space limitations vary, so having a clear, concise bio of the right length ready to go is essential. Should be written in the third person.

Artist Statement / Statement of Artistic Research -- 500 words.

This statement should illuminate the ideas, concepts, and/or experiences that inform and drive your work. It should describe how these concepts have seen realization and implementation in specific previous instances of your work. It should also include a general statement about how you intend to continue exploring and expanding these ideas in future projects. This is a general statement, not specific to the proposal you are developing, but it can mention the proposed work in the in the context of other projects. You must also make a one-sentence synopsis of this statement. Should be written in the first person.

Contextual and Historical Statement -- 500 words

This statement should cover your most significant creative influences (e.g. specific artists or artworks, work or personal experiences) and why you find them compelling. It should also describe your and your work's relationship to them: how you view your work in the framework of these influences; what your work utilizes or emulates from these influences; ways in which your work is a response to its antecedents; the ways in which your work differs from its precursors in content, form, emphasis, or technique. Should be written in the first person.

One Grant Application

This is an actual application for funding for your project. The professor will provide the call and grant guidelines for two UC funding sources that are available to students in the DANM program and you will adapt the proposal, CV, bio, and budget to fit these criteria.

Requirements

Students are required to attend every class meeting (unless excused by the instructor with prior notice), arrive on time, and ready to start promptly. Please bring any required materials, homework, and note-taking equipment.
Students must do assigned readings, participate in class discussions and critiques of projects, provide feedback about other students' work, and be open to working collaboratively (sharing information and resources).
Assignments must be posted on or linked from the class wiki. If an assignment is to be submitted on paper the instructor will specially designate it.
Problems with computer equipment are a fact of life in any setting, including educational ones. However, "technical problems" are often actually "operator problems," or "organizational problems" and you cannot use them as an excuse for missing or late assignments.
Email is the best way to contact the instructor outside of class time. Any email about the course should include the number of the course in the subject line along with a short subject description (e.g., "DANM 210 - second assignment"). The instructor will use your UCSC email address for any correspondence unless you provide a different address.
Students who are having apparent difficulties in the course will be asked to arrange to meet with the instructor.
If you have a disability that may affect participation in the class please inform the instructor and request the appropriate support and paperwork from the campus Disability Resource Center.

This syllabus may be updated as needed as the class progresses. Any updates to the syllabus will be posted to the course website.