About this course

DMD 100: Digital Multimedia Design Foundations introduces design process and thinking skills to support and facilitate creative and reasoned approaches to ambiguous and ill-defined problem spaces. It introduces concepts, skills, language, and principles of practice related to art and design, communications, and information sciences — three discreet disciplines in which students can pursue further study while developing their learning pathways. With the aid of a standard design process, we walk through methods, tools, and mental attitudes necessary to approach ambiguous problems. This course is not meant to be a comprehensive design process catalog, and instead should inspire and build confidence in the act of design. The concept of "design" for DMD students is a frame through which complex issues can be discovered and defined and solutions can be best developed and delivered.

Course Structure

DMD 100 is comprised of five lessons that introduce design topics, approaches, and considerations. Each lesson will span one to four weeks depending on the semester. Students will read assigned chapters and course pages, review supplemental media including podcasts and videos, and complete design exercises employing the double-diamond method, culminating in a lesson project and critique. Students are expected to practice the design process throughout the course, and therefore will be assigned several activities a week to provide opportunity for practice and iteration.

Digital course technology

A course is not software or a website, but rather the delivery of pedagogy for particular subject matter over a set period of time. Without getting too far into learning theory, you can think of pedagogy as the todo list that an instructor gives students in order to meaningfully engage with and learn course content.

Delivering pedagogy online has its own set of challenges. We'll be using a mix of online software to meet the needs of this online course. Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS) that stores the assignment calendar, grades, and provides an easy way to send messages to everyone in the course. We host the core course text and image-based content in ELMS Learning Network, which is similar to an LMS, but with some custom in-house built tools. One such tool is the Studio, which allows students to more easily share project progress with each other. You will be guided to perform actions through a combination of the Canvas calendar, emails, and explicit assignment instructions. Contact your course instructor via Penn State E-Mail if you are ever confused. It is your responsibility as a student to know when assignments are due.

Technical and material requirements

Hardware

1. Computer: This fully online course will require access to a computer that meets the minimum requirements set by World Campus.
2. Internet: You will need broadband Internet to view videos and other media content.
3. Camera or cellphone camera: You will be asked to document various aspects of your work
4. Printer/scanner: A printer will be helpful for printing out paper templates. A scanner is optional, but would be helpful.

Software

1. Web browser: You will need to have the latest version of either Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Microsoft Edge.
2. Accounts: In addition to general University account access, you will be required to create an account with InvisionApp.com
3. Software installs: You will need to download and install an open-source desktop application called Twine from Twinery.org. It is possible to use a web version of this software if you cannot or wish not to install it on your computer.

Materials

1. Journal
   • Any journal is fine. I recommend the Moleskine Cahier Journal, Large, Squared, Kraft Brown, Soft Cover (5 x 8.25) Amazon purchase link
2. Pens, pencils, markers
   • Any that you already own are fine, you do not need to purchase special ones for this course. However, the following recommendations are professional grade if you are so inclined to invest in quality drawing tools.
     • Pencil: Palomino Blackwing 602
     • Pen: Copic Multiliner Marker 0.5 - Black
     • Marker: Copic N2
3. Scissors
4. Post-it Notes
5. Poster board (or large open wall space) for the post-its

Book

We will be reading Design and Truth by Robert Grudin. You will need to purchase a copy of this book. Students get free Amazon Prime shipping.

Course author

Michael Collins E-Mail: msc227@psu.edu Twitter: @_mike_collins

This course was written in Michael Collins joined the Penn State School of Visual Arts in 2012 where he teaches 3D animation, digital design, and digital fabrication. He is the Lead Faculty Coordinator for the Digital Multimedia Design program and is the primary course author for DMD 100. His research interests in open-source technology and sustainable design unite around online education, where he works to identify and solve contemporary issues facing online teaching and learning. Long-term project collaborations include the ELMS Learning Network project and the OERSchema project. Michael has previously worked on projects for the NFL, BMW Guggenheim Lab in NYC, worked as freelance product designer, and runs an online furniture design company. He has attended, presented at, and helped organize a variety of international design, technology, and education conferences and has been a long-time SIGGRAPH subcommittee volunteer.