SAIC Web Art

Class: ATS 3137, Fall 2016
Location: MacLean 401
Time: Mon & Wed, 6 - 9p

Class website: mikewesthad.com/saic-webart
Class communication: saic-webart.slack.com

This syllabus is a living document - it may be updated over the course the semester.

Description

Antique SAIC Course Description:

With the introduction of World Wide Web (WWW) browsers to the Internet, a whole new potential venue has emerged for artists. In this course, students will learn the Hypertext Mark-Up Language (HTML), which is the basis of WWW authoring. Students will learn to integrate text, images, sound, and video into their own web page, which they will create. Also, newer developments such as ~~Java~~ (p5.js, Three.js, Browser Extensions, Node.js, Face tracking, RTC, etc.), and any other up-to-date concepts and possibilities for networked hypertext authoring will be introduced. Potential overall format and conceptual frameworks for developing a web site will be investigated, and ways of subverting the traditional web page format in order to create unique approaches to the dynamics of the web will be explored.

Learning Goals

Understand & critique structure of the internet and networks
Think nonlinearly through hypermedia and code
Creatively deploy HTML, CSS & JS to create art that could not live without the internet (e.g. art on the web or art made with the web)
Build a critical framework for discussing your work in the wider context of internet art

Requirements

Participate in all class activities especially critiques and discussions. Your active input is essential to creating a supportive community in class.
Be present. Do not surf the web, chat, twitter, facebook, or check email during lectures and discussions.
This is a hands-on class, so bring your laptop to every class.
Take notes during class. We will be doing a lot of demos and exercises in class that won't necessarily have slides.
Complete all weekly assignments and reading. Missing more than one weekly assignment may jeopardize a passing grade.
Complete two self-directed projects - one midterm project and one final project - and one project proposal.

Attendance & Participation

Attendance is mandatory. We have a lot of material to cover and each new concept builds on the last, so missing a class can really set you back.
Be here and be on time. Showing up more than 15 minutes late or leaving early will count as an absence.
If you have to miss a class (illness, religious holiday, etc.), let me know as soon as possible. Make sure to check in with you classmates to catch up on material.
More than three absences, whether or not for a reasonable cause, will result in the failure of the class.

Schedule

Week 1 (08/31): Introductions & HTML
Week 2 (09/07): HTML Basics
Week 3 (09/12, 09/14): Hosting & CSS
Week 4 (09/19, 09/21): Advanced CSS
Week 5 (09/26, 09/28): Animations & Transitions
Week 6 (10/03, 10/05): Advanced CSS & JS Basics
Week 7 (10/10, 10/12): DOM Manipulation, Loops, Arrays
Week 8 (10/17, 10/19): DOM Manipulation & JS/CSS Browser Extensions
Week 9 (10/24, 10/26): JS/CSS Browser Extensions & Midterm Critiques
Week 10 (10/31, 11/02): JS Functions & p5.js
Week 11 (11/07, 11/09): Creative Coding in p5.js
Week 12 (11/14, 11/16): Getting Data & Project Proposals
Week 13 (11/21): Video & Face Tracking on the Web
Week 14 (11/28, 11/30): Server-side Node.js & Real-time Web
Critique Week
Week 15 (12/12, 12/14): Final Project Lab
Week 16 (12/19): Final Project Critiques

Milestones:

Midterm due week 9 (10/26)
Proposal due week 13 (11/16)
Final due week 16 (12/19)

Accommodations

SAIC is committed to full compliance with all laws regarding equal opportunities for students with disabilities. Students with known or suspected disabilities, such as a Reading/Writing Disorder, ADD/ADHD, and/or a mental health or chronic physical condition who think they would benefit from assistance or accommodations should first contact the Disability and Learning Resource Center (DLRC) by phone at 312.499.4278 or email at dlrc@saic.edu. More information is available here.