CIS 8110, CIS 8120, CSP: I, II, II, IV, V, VI

Andleigh, Prabhat K. & Thakrar, K., Multimedia Systems Design, Prentice-Hall, 1998.

Academic Director (for Windows), Version 6.0, Macromedia-Prentice-Hall, 1998.

To be announced

This course provides the background needed for the design and development of computer-based business systems that combine text, still images, sound, animation, and full motion video. The course will examine hardware characteristics necessary for the development and execution of such systems, design methodologies used in planning these systems, and authoring languages used to create such systems. Students will be required to design, create, and present at least one multimedia system for evaluation by the class.

The content of this course is intended to provide the student with a thorough examination of the state of the art of multimedia system design and creation and how such systems are currently being used in business. The course contains a detailed examination of the hardware and software platforms required for both the development and execution of multimedia systems. Characteristics and design of multimedia systems will be examined from three primary perspectives; (1) the design of "structured pathway" multimedia systems, such as tutorial, presentation, and marketing systems, (2) the design of "exploratory" multimedia systems, such as hypertext and hypermedia systems, and (3) the design of "gaming/simulation" multimedia systems. Examples of each of these different types of systems as well as systems whose design overlap these primary perspectives will be demonstrated in class. Several different authoring systems and their interface metaphors will be examined and evaluated. Students are required to design, develop, test, and document at least one multimedia system and present it to the class for critique and evaluation by the instructor for course credit. Therefore, access to multimedia hardware and an authoring language is necessary for completion of this course.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will:

1. Understand the characteristics of multimedia systems and how to address issues
2. Be aware of the differences among multimedia authoring systems.
3. Be familiar with the software development process as practiced in a multimedia development environment
4. Be able to design, write, document, debug and evaluate a non trivial multimedia system. This includes the ability to:
   a. Design meaningful graphics and other visuals
   b. Include appropriate use of sound.
   c. Provide intuitive and meaningful pathways through the executing system.
   d. Schedule the development project from inception to market.
   e. Evaluate the costs and benefits of a development project.
   f. Provide a plan for evaluation of the finished product.
5. Appreciate and understand the legal and ethical issues associated with developing multimedia systems, particularly in regard to use of media clips developed by others.