Course Syllabus
CS50.32: Web + Digital Media Projects
Section 6908, Spring 2022 Course Syllabus
This syllabus is available in the following formats:
- Word document: SRJC CS50.32 6908 Sp 2022 Syllabus Final.docx
- PDF file: SRJC CS50.32 6908 Sp 2022 Syllabus Final.pdf
Instructor: Ethan Wilde (he/him/his), ewilde@santarosa.edu
Course Description
This advanced project management course guides teams of digital filmmakers, digital audio producers, web graphic designers, web programmers and interactive multimedia designers, through the process of developing an interactive digital media project for local clients. Topics include: Writing a proposal, bidding a job, storyboard and timeline creation, content development, effective teamwork, communication skills, production techniques, client relations, project delivery and maintenance. Students will work in teams to develop a digital media project for a client provided by the instructors. This course is the capstone experience for Digital Filmmaking, Digital Audio, Web Full-Stack Development, and Web and Multimedia certificate and degree programs.
Prerequisites / Corequisites: (For Web Full-Stack Development, or Web and Multimedia) Completion or Current Enrollment in CS 50C; OR (For Digital Filmmaking) Completion of CS 74.11 and MEDIA 20 and CS 74.21B; OR (For Digital Audio) Completion of CS 74.11 and MUSC 51B and MUSC 60B
This course section is specifically designed for Web Development program students. You will become a member of a professional web development team working on a project for a real client in this class.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:
- Analyze workflow issues involved in the design and programming of an interactive digital
media project. - Create a communication plan that facilitates decision making and collaboration between a
development team and their client. - Develop templates for a digital media project, including writing a proposal, bidding a job,
creating a strategic brief, and creating a contract. - Work effectively as a member of the development team of digital media specialists to develop
an interactive digital media project.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Develop goals, objectives and questions for meetings with clients.
- Create a storyboard, timeline, work schedule, bid, and formal proposal for a digital media
project. - Analyze existing digital media projects regarding: overall design, navigation, content,
graphics and ease of use. - Discuss problems which arise when creating a digital media project and brainstorm possible
solutions.
Topics and Scope:
I. Educating Clients
A. Defining a digital media project
B. Terminology
II. Formulating Project Goals
A. Initial client contact
B. Brainstorming and problem solving
C. Streamlining ideas
D. Facilitating goal setting
III. Defining a Target Market
A. Evaluating your audience
B. Creating a visual theme which attracts your audience
IV. Creating a Flowchart, Storyboard, and Timeline
A. Working backwards from deadlines to create a milestone chart
B. Defining group roles
C. Assigning tasks to the work group
D. Allowing time for error
E. Presentation to the client
V. Preparing a Contract
A. Project estimates
B. Determining customer budget
C. Estimated cost versus actual cost
D. Cost of customer changes
VI. Writing a Digital Media Proposal
A. Putting it all together
B. Goals
C. Storyboard
D. Timeline
E. Budget
F. Contract
VII. Communicating with the Customer and with the Work Group
VIII. Visual Styles
A. Creating graphics and digital media assets which attract the target market
B. Graphic appeal: basic rules for design graphics
C. Color theory and meaning
D. Choosing the colors that best portray your image
IX. Content
A. Writing styles - learning what works in print
B. Type and style: make your words speak out
C. Animation
D. Video
E. Audio
X. Design
A. Graphics and text
B. Interface design concepts
C. Consistency in navigation
D. Maps
E. Search engines
XI. Interactivity
A. Importance of communicating with your public
B. Using forms and contests to gather customer data
C. Providing feedback on every page
D. Social networking
XII. Testing the Design
A. Debugging
B. Beta testing with a sample audience
XIII. Presentation of Final Design to Client
A. Discuss maintenance
B. Publicizing project
Assignments:
- Conduct client meetings to discuss client needs for project, client approval of storyboard,
client approval of templates, final client approval and project maintenance - Create a storyboard, timeline, and bid to incorporate into a formal proposal for a digital media
project - Document work on the project and compare the initial proposal to the actual work completed
- Research existing contracts and develop one which meets client needs
- Use the Internet to research and develop appropriate written reports
- Create a web or mobile project for a client
- Critique 2 to 4 existing projects regarding their: overall design, navigation, content, graphics
and ease of use - Reading approximately 20-30 pages per week
- Exams (6 - 8)
Class Meetings
Spring 2022 Schedule
Class Delivery | Day and Time | Platform |
---|---|---|
Online Meetings | Weeks start on Wednesdays | Canvas shell |
Live weekly Web conference (required) |
Wednesdays, 5:00pm - 7:00pm | Zoom |
All class materials for each module will be released online in Canvas on Wednesdays throughout the entire semester. A weekly live online meeting will be held on Wednesdays, 5:00pm - 7:00pm. Attendance at the live web conferences is required. Use this link to join: https://santarosa-edu.zoom.us/j/208475953. To view any weekly lecture's recorded screencast, visit the Screencast page for any week in the Modules section.
The first live Web conference will take place on Wednesday, January 19, 5:00pm - 7:00pm.
Students are expected to attend all sessions of the course and are required to notify instructor if missing a class meeting.
Instructor Contact
Ethan Wilde
Email: ewilde@santarosa.edu
Phone: 707-527-4855
Spring 2022 Office Hours
January 24 – May 16, 2022
Day | Time | Location |
---|---|---|
Mondays (online) | 12:00pm - 6:40pm | Online: Email ewilde@santarosa.edu or Skype ethanwilde |
» Reserve a future office hour appointment
I typically respond to emails within 48 hours, weekends excepted. I never respond on Sundays.
Course Web Site
Students will use the Canvas course web site for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmates' work, sharing resources, and viewing grades. The Google Chrome browser is recommended for viewing the Canvas-powered course site. Internet Explorer is not recommended.
Required Textbooks
The Scrum Guide (1st)
Ken Schwaber and Jeff Sutherland
ISBN unknown
Free PDF eBook available
No purchase necessary. Use the free eBook available for download below.
Download "The Scrum Guide" from this link.
The Field Guide to Human-Centered Design (1st)
IDEO.org
978-0991406319 (ISBN 13)
Free PDF eBook available
No purchase necessary. Use the free eBook available for download below.
Download "The Field Guide to Human-Centered Design" from this link.
Equipment
- A personal computer, either at home, work or on the Santa Rosa or Petaluma campuses.
Required Software + Services
- Internet access
- Web browsers including:
- Google Chrome recommended and typically used in instructor demos
- Mozilla Firefox recommended
- Code editor such as:
- Brackets (Windows, Mac OS, free license)
- Microsoft Visual Studio Code (Windows, Mac OS, free license)
- BBEdit (Mac OS only)
- Sublime Text (Windows, Mac OS, Linux)
- File Transfer Protocol (FTP) software such as:
- Cloud hosting, version control + development environment services:
- Repl.it IDE (Integrated Development Environment) required for students working on non-CMS projects for hosting project development. Repl.it will provide a text editor and file transfer support without any additional software needed.
- Pantheon required for all students working on CMS-driven web or mobile projects for hosting WordPress-based project development. Instructions will be provided for setting up your free account later in the term.
- Graphics and prototyping software such as:
- Adobe Photoshop, part of a Creative Cloud subscription
- Gimp open source application
- Pixlr browser-based image editor
- Diagrams.net browser-based drawing app
- Figma user interface design tool app
- PDF display software such as:
Optional Software
The additional software listed below is often used for Web development.
- Additional Web browsers including:
- Apple Safari (Mac OS only)
- Microsoft Edge (Windows 10 only)
Important Dates
Day Class Begins: Wednesday, January 19, 2022
Day Class Ends: Friday, May 20, 2022
Last Day to Add without instructor's approval: Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Last Day to Drop with refund: Sunday, January 30, 2022
Last Day to Add with instructor's approval: Sunday, February 6, 2022
Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: Sunday, February 6, 2022
Last Day to Opt for Pass/No Pass: None
Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol: Sunday, April 24, 2022
Dropping the Class
If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it. A student may be dropped from any class when that student's absences exceed ten percent (10%) of the total hours of class time. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one class/homework deadline in a row that you contact the instructor to avoid being dropped from the class.
Attendance
For online courses, students who fail to complete the requirements of the first and second class modules will be dropped by the instructor.
Pass‐NoPass (P/NP)
You may not take this class P/NP.
Instructor Announcements
The instructor will post announcements on the “Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences.
Late Policy
Please make a plan before the course starts to allow yourself the necessary time each week to complete the required reading, watching, online discussion posting, and assignments. The official Course Outline of Record for this four-unit semester-length course stipulates that each student is expected to complete 210 hours of learning for the class. This works out to 12 hours per week for each of the seventeen weeks of regular instruction along with 6 hours for Finals Week. If you plan accordingly, you can avoid submitting assignments late.
All assignments are due at 11:59pm Pacific time on the Tuesday corresponding to the due date. A late submission will receive a 10% penalty for each week it is late. Submissions more than two weeks late are not accepted without prior written arrangement.
Exams
There will be six exams over the course of the semester, including a midterm and final exam. The material comes from the textbook, class lectures and supplemental materials. If any exam is missed, a zero will be recorded as the score, unless you have made prior written arrangements with me. It is your responsibility to take the exams by the due date.
Grading Policy
Click the “Grades” link in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade once a week and post grades and comments in the Canvas gradebook.
Grades will be assigned as follows:
Letter Grade |
Percentage |
Points Total |
---|---|---|
A |
90% - 100% |
900 points or more |
B |
80% - 89% |
800 to 899 points |
C |
70% - 79% |
700 to 799 points |
D |
60% - 69% |
600 to 699 points |
F |
59% or lower |
599 points or less |
If taking Pass/No Pass you need at least 70% of the total class points and to complete the midterm exam and the final exam to pass the class.
Grading Breakdown
Percent |
Points |
Grading Category |
---|---|---|
10.0% |
100 points |
Writing: |
25.0% |
250 points |
Problem Solving: |
50.0% |
500 points |
Skill Demonstrations: |
6% |
60 points |
4 Mini Quizzes (10-20 pts each) |
4.5% |
45 points |
Midterm Exam |
4.5% |
45 points |
Final Exam |
100.0% |
1000 points |
1000 points possible |
Standards of Conduct
Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.
Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment, except for assignments that allow collaboration. Students are encouraged to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:
I expect each student to maintain high standards of civility and respect when communicating with each other. The following rules of netiquette should be observed in all class discussions and communications:
- Be kind and respectful to others
- Use full sentences
- Avoid jargon and acronyms
- Use language that supports others
Special Needs
Every effort is made to conform to accessibility standards for all instructor-created materials. Students should contact their instructor as soon as possible if they find that they cannot access any course materials. Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources by calling (707) 527-4278 or visit online at drd.santarosa.edu.
Student Health Services
Santa Rosa Junior College offers extensive health services to students. Visit Student Health Services online at shs.santarosa.edu or call them at (707) 527-4445.
Course Outline
Start Date |
Canvas Module |
Topics | Assignments |
---|---|---|---|
1/19 | Week 1 | Getting Started |
|
1/26 | Week 2 | Introduction to Agile Process with Scrum |
|
2/2 | Week 3 | Team Formation & Client Prep/Meeting |
|
2/9 | Week 4 | Meeting Debrief & Proposal Drafting |
|
2/16 | Week 5 | In-Class & Client Proposal Presentations |
|
2/23 | Week 6 | Client Feedback & Final Accepted Proposal |
|
3/2 | Week 7 | Sprint 1: Initial Design & Research |
|
3/9 | Week 8 | Sprint 2: In-Class & Client Design/Research Presentations |
|
3/16 | Week 9 | Sprint 3: Client Feedback & Final Accepted Design |
|
3/23 | No Class | Spring Break | |
3/30 | Week 10 | Sprint 4: Alpha Development |
|
4/6 | Week 11 | Sprint 5: Beta Development |
|
4/13 | Week 12 | Sprint 6: In-Class User Testing & Client Beta Presentations |
|
4/20 | Week 13 | Sprint 7: Client Beta Feedback & Final Dev Sprint 1 |
|
4/27 | Week 14 | Sprint 8: Final Dev Sprint 2 & User Testing |
|
5/4 | Week 15 | Sprint 9: Final Dev Sprint 3 & QA Testing |
|
5/11 | Week 16 | Client Final Review & Feedback / Project Documentation |
|
5/18 | Week 17 | In-Class Final Presentation / Project plus Documentation Delivery & Launch |
|
5/23 Mon - 5/27 Fri |
Week 18 | Final Presentation Event |
|
Note to students: the assignments listed above will become available as modules are released in sequence each week. To view course content, go to Modules.
All of the original material found on this online course website is the property of the instructor, Ethan Wilde. My lectures and course materials, including slide presentations, online materials, tests, outlines, and similar materials, are protected by U.S. copyright law and by College policy. I am the exclusive owner of the copyright in those materials I create. You may take notes and make copies of course materials for your own use. You may also share those materials with another student who is registered and enrolled in this course. You may not reproduce, distribute or display (post/upload) lecture notes or recordings or course materials in any other way — whether or not a fee is charged — without my express written consent. You also may not allow others to do so.
© 2022 Ethan Wilde.
Course Summary:
Date | Details | Due |
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