The course aims to study multimedia as defined by MIT Media Lab's Nicholas Negroponte: "Taking the audiovisual richness out of broadcast and entertainment, the depth of knowledge and information out of publishing, and the interactivity of computers - all put together in the sensory deep rich interactive systems we call multimedia. " This particular sequence of introductory classes focuses on the design of communication tools which link people to their surroundings. The course will take advantage of the inherent multi-disciplinary nature of multimedia by covering the basics including; computer hardware and peripherals, file formats, resolution and color, screen composition, photography, graphic design, concept development, flowcharting, storyboarding, visualization techniques, presentation formats, production methods, desktop publishing and the principles of user interface design in general. No prior computer experience beyond the word processor is expected.
