Interactive Design

INTE 108Orientation
0.50 credits(10,0,0) hrs01 wks
Orientation takes place in the first week of the fall semester and precedes other courses in the program. Through a series of workshops, students prepare their computer system for the program and receive an orientation to the lab and network resources.
INTE 109Interactive Information Design
3.00 credits(2,0,0) hrs30 wks
Students are introduced to the key concepts and characteristics that enable effective communication through interactive media, beginning with a survey of interactive communications, including e-learning. The course progresses to an introduction to the key aspects of strategic planning as they relate to the design and implementation of interactive communications systems, focusing particularly on information design.
INTE 110System Diagnostics and Support
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
A computer system is an excellent vehicle for developing analytical skills. This course uses the student workstation as the subject for learning about operating systems, their components and subsystems. Diagnostics and software utilities are used to illustrate and reinforce concepts. Students maintain their workstation and network resources; they form online expert groups to share their knowledge and provide user support to their peers.
INTE 111HTML and CSS Authoring
2.00 credits(4,0,0) hrs10 wks
This course explores the fundamental technologies underlying content creation for the World Wide Web. All Web documents are created with Hypertext Markup Language, which allows composition of page elements and imparts structure and meaning to the information. Cascading Style Sheets language is used to control the presentation of the content, allowing sophisticated page formatting and text styling. Particular attention is paid to proper use of these languages and current industry standards.
INTE 112Interactive Graphics
3.00 credits(4,0,0) hrs15 wks
Adobe Photoshop has many uses, from photo retouching to creating dramatic special effects graphics, to enhancing the look and feel of web pages. This course takes students through basic to intermediate aspects of the program, exploring its tools and features as students work through graphics projects. The use of Photoshop as a tool for Web designers is emphasized throughout.
INTE 113Visual Design
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
This course provides students with an understanding of effective visual communication and the ability to apply that understanding to the creation of interactive media projects. Particular attention is given to the development of graphic layouts suitable for presentation media, such as interactive presentation and web delivery.
INTE 114Project Management
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
This course provides instruction in the key aspects of project management as they relate to the development of interactive media projects. Students are introduced to the management tools and techniques required to facilitate the successful completion of the project production cycle.
INTE 115Interactive Vector Graphics
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
This course provides students with an introduction to current tools and methods for creating interactive Web experiences incorporating vector-based graphics and animation. The course focuses on the benefits and limitations of creating a Web experience in Macromedia Flash. Graphics creation and animation will be emphasized, with an introduction to the creation of interactive elements with Flash's programming tools. Students are taught how to optimize content for fast delivery, and how to integrate Flash work into a web page.
INTE 116Usability Design and Testing
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
This course focuses on interactive design as a user-centred iterative process. Students learn a systematic approach to the measuring of a product's ease-of-use very early in the design process, through to the development and testing of prototypes with actual users.
INTE 117Web Prototype Development
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
Rapid prototyping of Web page designs supports the user-centred design process. In this course, students learn how to use Macromedia Dreamweaver, a visual page design tool, to quickly create and modify usable page layouts.
INTE 118Structured Programming and Scripting for a Web Browser
2.00 credits(4,0,0) hrs10 wks
This course introduces common programming principles and techniques, using JavaScript as the working programming language. Common programming language features such as statements, functions, loops, conditional structures, operators, data structures and data types are explored in the context of the syntax and features of ECMAScript. Good programming practices and code maintainability are emphasized.
INTE 119Self Marketing and Business Practices
3.00 credits(4,0,0) hrs15 wks
This course introduces the business perspective in the interactive media industry. Lectures, role-playing and assignments introduce students to marketing concepts and their applications, and prepare students to market themselves and their ideas. Through guest speakers, site visits and other professional contact, students are introduced to current practices in the industry within a business context. Survey and analysis of a chosen industry segment provide students with information to develop a self-marketing plan.
INTE 120Contemporary Issues
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
This course examines the cultural, ethical, political, economic and aesthetic issues arising with the increasing use of computers. Students survey print and electronic media to research current comment on these issues; synthesize and analyze their findings; and present their work in both written and oral formats.
INTE 121Introduction to e-Learning
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
This course provides a general introduction to e-Learning and its use and application in academic and non-academic environments. Students will identify and discuss the instructional goals, issues and concerns related to the implementation of e-Learning; review technology issues and technology modes for delivering e-Learning; and demonstrate design, development and assessment methodologies.
INTE 122Introduction to Audio
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
This course provides students with an introduction to sound as an element in interactive design. It provides students with the ability to apply basic production techniques for digital audio. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to sample and edit audio, synchronize audio to images, and prepare optimized versions of audio files for interactive delivery
INTE 123Visual Design II
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
In this course students build on what they have learned in INTE 113 by exploring more complex visual communications problems in screen design. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to define design objectives and apply effective design processes to achieve these. Topics include type and image, colour, brands, diagrams and visual navigation systems.
INTE 201Directed Study I
3.00 credits(4,0,0) hrs15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
This course provides an opportunity to pursue a directed study in a focused area related to students' preferred specialty. In this course, students will work towards advancing their knowledge and developing skills in the area of their chosen specialty, and will be evaluated on the success of those efforts. Students submit study plans and work to produce a project that implements the proposed components of the plan. They engage in specialized research and study, pre-production work, and in the production of the individual project. At the end of the project, students will summarize their learning experience.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 202Advanced Web Authoring
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
This course provides students with the skills necessary to implement advanced, complex visual designs for distribution on the World Wide Web.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 203Applied Project Management
3.00 credits(4,0,0) hrs15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
This course aims to provide students with an opportunity to apply project management skills and tools while producing an interactive project for a client. In this course, students choose from a list of pre-screened clients. They work towards the objectives of strengthening interpersonal communications and team approaches and developing effective client relations and are evaluated on the success of those efforts.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 205Vector Graphics
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
This course is an introduction to current tools for creating vector-based graphics for interactive media and print, with a focus on fundamental techniques that apply to all software tools in this category.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 206Applied Database Design
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
This course teaches students to design, implement, and maintain information management systems and to create applications to use them.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 207Professional Alliance
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
In this course, with guidance and advice from faculty, students make contact with industry professionals in order to prepare for a professional career. Students update their SWOT analysis, identify market segments of interest, develop a career research strategy, and contact potential employers. Students document their career search and present the results.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 208Work Practicum
6.00 credits(6.66,0,0) hrs06 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
This course provides students with the opportunity to apply classroom theory and skills to employment practices, and to gain direct workplace experience. Working with a host, students help the host organization to attain overall business outcomes or specific practicum objectives.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 209Directed Study II
3.00 credits(8,0,0) hrs08 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
This course provides an opportunity to define and pursue directed study in a focused area related to students' preferred specialty. This course combines self-directed study, peer collaboration and faculty mentoring. Students develop a proposal outlining the learning objectives, a resource list and a work plan. The learning objectives for the directed study must not be met by any courses currently offered in the department. Students create a significant portfolio project in which they apply the skills and knowledge acquired. An initial statement of intent must be submitted with the department at the beginning of the term the course is offered. The statement of intent is reviewed by the department and, if approved, a supervising faculty member is assigned. Regular reports and pre-arranged meetings with the supervising faculty member allow progress to be monitored throughout the course.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 211Quality Assurance
1.50 credits(4,0,0) hrs08 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
This course is a general introduction to software testing as part of a Quality Assurance process. This course focuses on the use of adaptable testing techniques and their relevance to the students' body of work.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 213Emerging Technologies
1.50 credits(4,0,0) hrs08 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
In this course students explore emerging technologies and their application for interactivity: what they are, how they work and how they are applied. The focus is on forward thinking and succession planning for technology-based solutions and includes considerations for human factors and development.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 214Rich Media
3.00 credits(4,0,0) hrs15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 24 100-level INTE course credits
This course provides a foundation in rich media production techniques for interactive design. Students will produce and integrate digital media including photographic, audio, and video elements within the context of an interactive presentation.
Note: Prerequisites may be waived by departmental permission.
INTE 215Advanced Interactive Vector Graphics
1.50 credits(2,0,0) hrs15 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 28 100-level INTE course credits
In this course, students build on the skills and techniques introduced in INTE 115. The course focuses primarily on Actionscript coding skills, exposing students to the techniques required to create more advanced interactivity and functionality. Students will explore topics such as programmatic animation, loading of external assets, communication with server-side scripts and databases, and controlling video and audio.
INTE 216Portfolio & Presentation Skills
1.50 credits(4,0,0) hrs07 wks
Prerequisite: Successful completion of 28 100-level INTE course credits
In this course, students design and create an interactive portfolio to showcase the work they have produced in the program. Emphasis is placed on the development of appropriate visual concepts, navigational structures and written descriptions of their work geared towards employment. Additionally, students analyse and practice effective verbal presentation methods.