Experimental Digital Media
ONLINE Module Study Guide
Module Study Guide
© 2010-2011 Ian Grant Faculty Of The Arts Thames Valley University
Artists have always been among the first to reflect on the culture and technology of their time, and decades before the digital revolution had been officially proclaimed, they were experimenting with the digital medium.
Christiane Paul 2003
SECTION ONE: Welcome To The Module
Welcome to the module "Experimental Digital Media"!
Module Leader
name:Ian Grant
room:C340
ext:2119
email: ian.grant@tvu.ac.uk
Module Summary top
This module will allow you to investigate digital and electronic media, undertaking experimental approaches appropriate and practical to the conceptual rationale of your proposal. All projects undertaken will be placed within a socio/cultural framework of critical analysis making contextual references where appropriate.
Basic Information About The Module top
Module Code: AD70004E
Module Title: Experimental Digital Media
Module Level: Post Graduate
Learning Hours: 200
Semester Availability: semester 2
Length of the Module: 12 weeks
Core or Option: Core
Pre-requisite Module(s): None
Credits Awarded for the Module: 30 credits
Award Calculation: You must achieve 50% to pass the module.
Named Pathways: MA New Media Art and Design
Timetable Events:
Studio Practice for all with Ian Grant on Wednesday at 2pm-5pm in C336
SECTION TWO: Learning Experience top
Aims of this module
This module will allow you to investigate digital and electronic media, undertaking experimental approaches appropriate and practical to the conceptual rationale of your proposal. All projects undertaken will be placed within a socio/cultural framework of critical analysis making contextual references where appropriate. We aim:
- To practically apply experimental methodology to digital and electronic media
- To theorise and contextualise our experimental practice in relation to trends in digital and electronic media.
- To propose a coherent and manageable programme of activity for the 14 week period.
- To make and invent innovative art forms drawn from existing practice and wild speculation.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module, the student will be able to:
- Examine the field of existing, new and emergent media to fully determine the possibilities for innovation in experimental combinations of media.
- Produce a viable, working digital artefact /presence to exhibition quality that displays contemporary approaches to unusual combinations of media.
- Demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of Digital Art theory and practice relevant to their working practice
- Display technical competence in the relevant media / medium to a standard that will enable the realisation of the works
- Present to a professional standard, in the appropriate form, context and manner, the project work undertaken.
- Evidence the development of appropriate professional relationships used to secure relevant equipment, technical support, sponsorship, research avenue, business or exhibition opportunity.
Content Of The Module top
For Now, Please See The Session By Session Breakdown And The First Lecture For Indicative Content.
Lecture List (this is provisional. The order and content may change)
(1) Introduction to Experimental Digital Media Ian Grant. When: Wednesday, 23rd February 2011
(2) Out of the Box: Sensing the World Ian Grant. When: Wednesday, 2nd March 2011
(3) Into the Box: Processing Real-World Data Ian Grant. When: Wednesday, 9th March 2011
(4) Interfaces Ian Grant. When: Wednesday, 16th March 2011
(5) Proposal Presentations and Feedback Session Ian Grant. When: Wednesday, 23rd March 2011
(6) Individual project development Ian Grant. When: Wednesday, 30th March 2011
(7) Student Led Seminar Ian Grant. When: Wednesday, 20th April 2011
(8) Gallery Visit All. When: Wednesday, 27th April 2011
(9) Progress Report Assessed Session Ian Grant. When: Wednesday, 4th May 2011
(10) Gallery/Company Visit All. When: Wednesday, 11th May 2011
(11) Student Led Seminar All. When: Wednesday, 18th May 2011
(12) Untitled : An Exhibition of Works in Progress All. When: Wednesday, 25th May 2011
SECTION THREE: Learning Resources
Books, Websites And Other Resources top
Essential
Joshua Noble. (2009) Programming Interactivity, First Edition. O'Reilly Media.
O. Sullivan and Igoe. (28 May, 2004) Physical Computing. Premier Press.
Ars Electronic (2011) Ars Electronica [Online] Available: http://new.aec.at/news/en/
Recommended
Dawn Ades. (October, 1986) Photomontage (World of Art). Thames & Hudson Ltd.
Roland Barthes. (1972) Mythologies.Hill & Wang.
Jean Baudrillard and P. Foss and Paul Foos and Paul Patton. (30 November, 1983) Simulations (Semiotext(e) / Foreign Agents). Semiotext (E),U.S..
Chris Horrocks and Zoran Jevtic. (2001) Jean Baudrillard - For Beginners. Icon.
Jean Baudrillard and B. Schutze and C. Schutze. (30 November, 1987) The Ecstasy of Communication (Foreign Agents). Semiotext (E),U.S..
Walter Benjamin. (1985) Illuminations. Random House.
Jonathan Benthall. (1972) Science and Technology in Art Today (World of Art S.). Thames & Hudson Ltd.
John Berger. (1990) Ways of Seeing. Penguin Books Ltd.
J.David Bolter. (31 May, 1984) Turing's Man: Western Culture in the Computer Age. University of North Carolina Press.
Carling Richard and Kramlich David and Burson Nancy. (1986) Composites: Computer-Generated Portraits. Beech Tree Paperback Book.
C.David Chaffee. (February, 1988) Rewiring of America: Fibre Optics Revolution. Academic Press Inc.,U.S..
Van Deren Coke. (1972) The Painter and the Photograph: From Delacroix to Warhol. Univ of New Mexico Pr.
Bob Cotton and Richard Oliver. (01 October, 1997) Understanding Hypermedia: From Hypermedia to Virtual Reality. Phaidon Press Ltd.
The Reading List for the Module before 2006
Wilson, Stephen. (2003) Information Arts: Intersections of Art, Science and Technology (Leonardo Book). The MIT Press.
Druckrey, Timothy and Siegfried Zielinski and Gloria Custance. (2006) Deep Time of the Media: Toward an Archaeology of Hearing and Seeing by Technical Means (Electronic Culture: History, Theory & Practice). The MIT Press.
Tribe, Mark and Jana Reese. (2006) New Media Art (Taschen Basic Art). Taschen.
Active Robots
Allen, David . (2003) Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. Penguin Books. London.
Stiles, Kristine and Peter Selz. (1996) Theories and Documents of Contemporary Art: A Sourcebook of Artists' Writings (California Studies in the History of Art). University of California Press.
Johnson, Stephen . (2002) Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants, Brains, Cities and Software. Penguin Books Ltd.
The module leader will make recommendations as projects develop and it is expected each project and each student will devise their own collection of relevant reading, articles, viewing and websites.
SECTION FOUR: Teaching, Learning And Assessment
Learning Activities top
Guide To Each Learning Session top
Session 1: Introduction to Experimental Digital Media
Tutor: Ian Grant
Lecture date: Wednesday, 23rd February 2011
Key Concepts/Issues
Introducing the Module
Introducing ourselves as Artists or Designers
Is the computer a tool or a medium?
Teaching/Learning
New Media Art, Computer Art, Digital Art(s) - whats the difference?
What are the politics of the mediums that we are using?
Contextual Research Links....
Technical Research Links...
Studio Action
Discussion:
Computational Aesthetics, Interactive Art, Systems based art, Software Art - What is Experimental Digital Media?
Session 2: Out of the Box: Sensing the World
Tutor: Ian Grant
Lecture date: Wednesday, 2nd March 2011
Key Concepts/Issues
What is Systems Theory - I/0 and how is it useful to us?
Events
The Camera as Interface
Teaching/Learning
Software Choices
Capturing Video
Motion Detection as an input event
Capturing Sound
Sound Detection as an input event
Session 3: Into the Box: Processing Real-World Data
Tutor: Ian Grant
Lecture date: Wednesday, 9th March 2011
Teaching/Learning
More Input / Output Devices and Events
Misc Sensors
The Printer is a Robot - printomatic
Speech Recognition as input event
Speech as output event
hacking USB games devices and controllers
Session 4: Interfaces
Tutor: Ian Grant
Lecture date: Wednesday, 16th March 2011
Key Concepts/Issues
Arduino
Phidgets
Midi Controllers
Teaching/Learning
hacking USB games devices and controllers
Session 5: Proposal Presentations and Feedback Session
Tutor: Ian Grant
Lecture date: Wednesday, 23rd March 2011
SECTION FIVE: Assessment top
Assessment 1: Presentation of Research, Concept and Practical Experiments top
Assessment Rationale
This will be discussed in week 1 and completed week 6 (16/03/2011)
PRESENTATIONS IN WORKSHOPS IN WEEK 6 (16/03/2011)
DEADLINE Friday 18th May 2011 TC308
This will count for 30% of the module marks
This will be in the form of a Studio Presentation Critique.
You will present, in an informal studio environment, concepts; research and initial practical investigations for your project work based on ideas generated from the seminar sessions. This will be in the form of a 10 minute multimedia presentation in a style / manner relevant to your concept. You will respond to dialog, criticism and debate raised by tutors and your peer group. You will submit a 500 word project proposal with diagrams, research images / texts and visualisations of the proposed project to the module tutor via TC308
Each critera (below) represents 25% of the mark for Assessment 1.
Briefing date:23/02/2011
Due date:16/03/2011
Weighting: 30%
These are the criteria that you will be assessed upon for Assessment 1: top
Concept
Clarity of idea, Imagination, innovation, originality, understanding of key issues of New Media Arts, Digital Arts, Digital Design.
Contextual Research Development
Awareness of appropriate social, cultural and historical issues, appropriate artworks or designs that represent precedents in the field, awareness of relevant technological developments, feasiblity considerations.
Presentation
Clarity in articulating concepts, research and developments. Structure, planning and time management leading up to and within presentation
Documentation
Clarity, quality and appropriateness of multimedia, flowcharts, diagrams, images, text, etc used in the presentation
Assessment 2: Progress Report and Presentation top
Assessment Rationale
This will be discussed in week 1 and completed University week 11 (04/05/2011)
PRESENTATIONS IN CLASS TIME IN WEEK 11 (04/05/2011)
This will count for 30% of the module marks
You will present, in an informal studio environment, your work in progress. You will discuss current practical investigations and contextualise your research and development technologically and artistically. Your presentation will document, using appropriate multimedia, each stage of progress made from assessment point 1. You will reply to dialog, criticism and debate raised by tutors and your peer group in response to your presentation. You will submit a 500 word project progress report to the module tutor via TC308. This will contain diagrams, research images / texts and visualisations of the developments made to the project.
Each critera (below) represents 25% of the overall mark for Assignment 2.
Briefing date:23/02/2011
Due date:04/05/2011
Weighting: 30%
These are the criteria that you will be assessed upon for Assessment 2: top
Research
Clarity of research methodology, evidence of self-evaluation, analytical engagement and a critical approach to research and development. Awareness of relevant technological developments and solutions in industry and the arts relevant to the projects development.
Technological Investigation and Development
Level of experimental investigation into technological solutions to the artistic issues raised by the project. Innovative use of media, devices, sensors, programming, approaches to software and hardware etc.
Presentation
Clarity in articulating concepts, research and developments. Structure, planning and time management leading up to and within presentation.
Documentation
Clarity, quality and appropriateness of multimedia, examples of coding, flowcharts, diagrams, images, text, etc used in the presentation.
Assessment 3: Final Presentation of Documentation and Experimental Practice top
Assessment Rationale
EXHIBITION IN WORKSHOPS IN WEEK 12
DEADLINE PROJECT FILE: TC308 Friday 20th MAY
This will count for 40% of the module marks
This will be in the form of an formal presentation. You will present your complete body of research, detailing all intellectual and practical investigations. You will reply to dialog, criticism and debate raised by your audience in response to your presentation.
You will submit a detailed project file to the module tutor via TC308. This will contain each stage of the project from conceptualisation, through research and development to final the final presentation.You will include all research material, reading lists, images, diagrams, sketches, texts and visualisations of the developments made to the project. You will include documentation of the final product / artwork in a relevant media (digital video on cd-rom, website, photographs etc). You will include a 500 word summary and apprasial of the project.
Note. - This assessment is based on your presentation of the complete body of research and development, not the production of a fully functioning final project \'artwork\' or \'design\'.
Each critera represents 16.5% of the overall mark for Assignment 3.
Briefing date:23/02/2011
Due date:25/05/2011
Weighting: 40%
These are the criteria that you will be assessed upon for Assessment 3: top
Concept
Clarity of idea, Imagination, innovation, originality, understanding of key issues of New Media Arts, Digital Arts, Digital Design.
Research and Development
Awareness of appropriate social, cultural and historical issues, appropriate artworks or designs that represent precedents in the field, Awareness of relevant technological developments and solutions in industry and the arts relevant to the projects development. feasiblity considerations.
Research Methodology
Clarity of research methodology, evidence of self-evaluation, analytical engagement and a critical approach to research and development.
Technological Investigation and Development
Level of experimental investigation into technological solutions to the artistic issues raised by the project. Innovative use of media, devices, sensors, programming, approaches to software and hardware etc.
Presentation
Clarity in articulating concepts, research and developments. Structure, planning and time management leading up to and within presentation. Evidence of commitment, motivation, enthusiasm, and ambition
Documentation
Clarity, quality and appropriateness of multimedia, examples of coding, flowcharts, diagrams, images, text, etc used in the presentation
Assessment Feedback top
The experimental practice is exhibited in university week 12 and written feedback due within 15 days - please discuss with your tutor the form your feedback takes. We can provide feedback in a variety of ways, including: audio recordings, written, one-on-one tutorials, and essay annotations.
Important feedback happens verbally during sessions, especially after student led seminars or presentations.
Feedback is provided to you in accordance with the current university and faculty guidelines - currently set at 15 working days from submission
Formative feedback, guidance and advice will be available from the module tutor during the workshop part of all sessions, and is essential to your success in this module. You are advised to attend all sessions and take advantage of feedback from both your peers and the module tutor.
SECTION SIX: Evaluation top
Student Support And Guidance
Technical support: Technical Support is provided by the Digital Design Centre's Computer Support technician, and if available the student assistant, in room C342. Additional support is available from Ian Grant, the module leader.
Administrative support:
Administrative support is provided by Jenny Mullaney in room TC308, x2195
jenny.mullaney@tvu.ac.ukLRC:
The Library at Saint Mary's Road Campus provides a source for books, magazines and Internet access, suitable for researching visual material as well as further study. Additional computer workspace is also provided. There are many electronic journals and resources available to students at TVU. Please ask your subject librarian in the LRC for more information.
The Librarian for our subject area is Susan Arthur
susan.arthur@tvu.ac.ukPersonal Tutor Scheme:
Currently, the interim programme leader for MA New Media Art and Design is Ian Grant. He is also your personal tutor.
Evaluation Of The Module
Both the module leader and the University conduct module evaluations. The University email you and the tutor may have a questionnaire or informal conversations with the class and the year rep. designed to improve and change the module in the light of your experiences.
End of semester evaluation feeds into the annual monitoring and development of modules and courses.