Foundation Flash CS4 [ CS5 or CS6 ] for Designers, by Tom Green
(great for students who have never used Flash, or are just getting started)
Learning ActionScript 3.0, by Rich Shupe and Zevan Rosser
(great for students who want to learn more about AS3.0)
Internet Art
By Rachel Greene
Thinking with Type
By Ellen Lupton
a flash drive or hard drive: 2GB or more (some external device to store your work on)
approximately 10 blank CDs (to turn in your work for a grade)
a Sharpie marker to write your name on the CDs
*Personal Web Space (UMBC user accounts are fine)
a sketchbook, something not too big, about 8x10 inches (for notes and sketches)
5 good looking folders
(suggested) a digital camera
Attendance is mandatory. You are expected to come to all the classes this semester.
Attendance will affect your grade for the class. Always tell the teacher why you missed a class.
You can email any good excuses to:
ryansmithstudent@aol.com
If you come in late, then talk to the teacher after class. Otherwise you will be marked as absent. If you are significantly late 2 times, then it will count as 1 absence.
While absent from class, it is your responsibility to learn the material that you might have missed. If you are having trouble because you missed class, then contact another student outside of class.
note: Get phone numbers and email addresses of 3 other students in this class (now).
Class participation will affect your grade. In addition to being in class, you are expected to come prepared, and say something during class discussions and critiques. Asking intelligent questions, will always get you class participation points.
Speak up. Please stop me, get me to elaborate, ask me to repeat myself, or slowdown.
During Class: do not text, never get on Facebook, do not use this time to check your email, do not play games, don't do any online shopping, and don't fall asleep. If you find yourself getting bored, then be productive; work on a project, or just draw. But, don't be a distraction to others. If you are starting to fall asleep, then excuse yourself, and leave the room.
Due Dates should be taken seriously.
Always turn in something by the due date, even if it is incomplete.
Attitude: It does not matter if you are working with a client, a colleague, or for your manager, your attitude affects your job. A bad attitude can cause you to lose a promotion, lose a client, or get you fired. In this class your attitude affects your grade.
Project grades will be averaged at the end of the semester, and determine the majority of your final grade. (70%)
-The grades for these projects will be based on your attention to detail, organization,
consistent aesthetic style, and the ability to follow directions
-Projects should be turned in on time (on a CD with your name on it)
-You will be asked to present your work in class. Presentations affect your grade.
-Preliminary sketches and/or evidence of research will be collected with your projects.
Homework, classwork, quizzes, reading (20%)
-You will be given homework assignments to help you prepare for your projects.
-There may be some quizzes.
-You will be expected to read (or watch) some material, and write some responses.
Class Participation & Attendance (10%)
-You are expected to come to every class prepared, on time, and ready to learn.
A grades: 90 - 100%
Compared to the rest of the class, your work is exceptional.
There is not mutch you could do to improve your work.
B grades: 80 - 89%
Your work is complete, or you followed most of the directions.
However, your work could be improved.
C grades: 70 - 79%
You strugled with the project(s), and need to improve your work.
However, you did enough work to earn a passing grade.
D grades: 60 - 69%
Your work is less than satisfactory, and incomplete.
You did not do enough work to earn a passing grade.
F grades: 0 - 59%
I need to ask, "what were you thinking?"
You barely did anything, or did not do anything at all.
Late work always gets a C or less.
Academic Dishonesty & Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Do not cheat. Do not copy the work of other students and artists. If you use someone's work, or are heavily influenced by someone's work, then give some credit to that person.
Special Assistance Notice
(from the Americans with Disabilities Act)
If you have a disabling condition that will require an accommodation in tests or class structure, please advise the instructor or the department accordingly.
Available Support:
I am here to help you. Please take advantage of the fact that I care about you, and want you to succeed.
Email me anytime. If you need help, then ask me.
Technical Support at UMBC:
umbc help desk: now located on the 1st floor of the library
UMBC Division of Information Technology (DoIT)
http://www.umbc.edu/doit
Computing Labs and Facilities
https://wiki.umbc.edu/display/doit/Computing+Labs+and+Facilities