ryanSmith's art 363 & 463 class @ TOWSON
- Interactive Media -

Week #1:
ryansmithart.com/courses/363/2014

If you have any questions, please talk to me after class or email: ryanSmithStudent@aol.com

note: Your homework, the syllabus, what we do every week, all important due dates, will be added to this website

This week we will get to know each other, talk about what we want to do for the rest of the semester, talk about HTML, and a little bit about how the web works.

REQUIREMENTS

code: HTML (5)

This is what a boring HTML5 page looks like.
It does not have any CSS, or JavaScript, just html.
This will be your homework this week. So, pay attention.

1st - you will notice that the URL of this webpage is:
ryansmithart.com/courses/363/2014

My website is: ryansmithart.com
If you want to see every class I have taught since 2009:
ryansmithart.com/courses
These are called URL addresses (uniform, or universal, resource locator), and each forward slash indicates a separate folder. These folders are called directories. So, the 2014 directory, is saved in a 363 directory, which are in the courses directory (like folders inside folders). All of these are stored on a server, connected to the domain name "ryansmithart.com". I will talk more about this some other day, when we talk about uploading.

2nd - If you add index.html to the end of the URL, it will take you to the same page. The 1st page of most websites is titled index.html (or if you are using some other language it might be index.php). For example, if I type in "npr.org" my web browser will automatically take me to npr.org/index.html

3rd - You will notice that there are no capital letters, and no spaces in the file names or directories. Let's all say this out loud, and repeat:

"WHEN CREATING FOLDERS AND FILE NAMES, I WILL NOT USE CAPITAL LETTERS OR SPACES."

For example if I wanted to save an image, I would save it as dalai_lama.jpg in a directory called images
NOT:       Dalai Lammma.JPG in a folder called Images

rtf vs. txt
we will be using plain text
w/ a .html extension

<!doctype html>
<html>
<head>
<title> 363 </title>
</head>
<body>
<p>
some text
<br>
<img src="http://ryansmithart.com/courses/363/1/me.jpg">
me
</p>
</body>
</html>

*view page source

<a href="http://www.website.com"> Link to a webpage </a>

Let's take a break from this web & file management stuff, and get to know each other.

My name is Ryan Smith, I've been teaching Interactive Media & Web Design classes at UMBC since 2009. I also teach a variety of Digital Art classes at Towson University. Therefore, I will regularly be on campus 2 days a week. If you need my help, then ask for it. Don't be afraid of emailing me at anytime, or talk to me before/during class.

In addition to teaching, I also get paid to make music videos, video projections, etc. I'm a freelance photographer, graphic designer, and I build websites for people. I enjoy making music with my friends, and when I'm not in front of a computer, I'm painting & drawing. I also think it's important to spend time outside everyday.

This semester, in addition to teaching you how to code, I want to help you make the art that YOU want to make. This is easier said than done. Most teachers expect their class to be good students. I will be expecting you to be great artists. This means you need to be creative, think for yourself, and take some responsibility for your own education. Do not expect to follow a checklist of what you should or shouldn't do. Do not expect your work to be the same as the person sitting next to you. I'm here to teach you how things work, but I will not hold your hand or build things for you. My classes are hard and challenging. I will make it easy for you to pass this class, but getting an "A" grade is hard. With this said, if you are taking 4 or 5 other classes this semester, then I suggest you drop this class.

Now, what about you?

1) What's your name? and/or what would you like me to call you?
2) What are you studying here?
3) Why are you studying Digital Art, GD, etc.?
4) Why are you taking this class?
5) Anything you want to learn this semester?
6) What will you be doing for fun outside of class?
7) What kind of other responsibilities/jobs do you have?
8) Are you from Maryland?

HOME WORK
(due at the beginning of class next week)

 * Make an html page (1 page) about yourself, insert a photo of yourself, and add at least 3 hyperlinks to webpages that you would like to share.
(save the .jpg image, bring in the files next week)

*Bring in "Required materials"
- Thumbdrive
- Sketchbook
- make sure you know your username & password for Towson's server space
(if you don't bring your materials next week, then you don't get credit for doing your homework)


- no need to upload your homework this week : )