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MAS 110 Fundamentals of Computational Media Design
Syllabus

Units:
3-3-6
Lecture WF 2-3 (E15-054), Recitation M 2-3 (E15-054)

Instruction Staff:
Prof. John Maeda (maeda@media.mit.edu) E15-448, 3-3133
Jared Schiffman (jarfish@media.mit.edu) TA
Tom White (tom@media.mit.edu) TA

Course Description:
Introduces principles of analysis and synthesis in the computational medium. Expressive examples that illustrate the intersection of computation with the traditional arts are developed on a weekly basis. Hands-on design exercises are continually framed and examined in the larger context of activity at the Media Laboratory. Limited enrollment with preference given to freshmen.

Course Requirements:
This course is administered in a studio-style fashion. Requirements are mandatory attendance, completion of the weekly assignments, completion of mid-term, and participation in the final exhibition.

Grading:
Total Grade = 15% attendance & class participation + 60% problem sets + 10% midterm + 15% exhibition

Main Text:
readings from Maeda, J. Design by Numbers. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1999.

Selected Readings:
Arnheim, R. Art and Visual Perception. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1974.
Dondis, D. A Primer of Visual Literacy. Cambridge: MIT Press, 1974.
Bringhurst, R. The Elements of Typography Style. New York: Hartley & Marks, 1996.
Rand. P. Design, Form, and Chaos. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1997.
Burnham, J. Beyond Modern Sculpture. New York: George Braziller, 1967.

Spring 1999 Course Schedule

Week 1 2.3 W Introductory Lecture

2.5 F DBN 1, PS1 Handed out Basic Computational Expression

Week 2 2.8 M

2.10 W DBN 2

2.12 F PS1 Due, PS2 Handed out Advanced Computational Expression

Week 3 2.15 M->2.16 T

2.17 W DBN 3

2.19 F PS2 Due, PS3 Handed out Form 1
Tone

Week 4 2.22 M

2.24 W

2.26 F PS3 Due, PS4 Handed out Form 2
Shape

Week 5 3.1 M

3.3 W

3.5 F PS4 Due, PS5 Handed out Form 3
Interactions

Week 6 3.8 M

3.10 W

3.12 F PS5 Due, PS6 Handed out Type 1
Words

Week 7 3.15 M

3.17 W

3.19 F PS6 Due, PS7 Handed out Type 2
Grids

Week Null 3.22 M Spring Break

3.24 W "

3.26 F "

Week 8 3.29 M

3.31 W

4. 2 F PS7 Due, PS8 Handed out Type 3
Letters

Week 9 4.5 M

4.7 W

4.9 F PS8 Due, PS9 Handed out Form + Type 1
Exhibition/PR

Week 10 4.12 M

4.14 W

4.16 F PS9 Due, PS10 Handed out
Form + Type 2
Exhibition/Portfolio

Week 11 4.19 M Patriot's Day Break

4.21 W

4.23 F

Week 12 4.26 M

4.28 W PS10 Due

4.30 F

Week 13 5.3 M

5.5 W

5.7 F

Week 14 5.10 M EXHIBITION

5.12 W Last day of classes (5.13)


Week 1	2.3 W	Introductory Lecture
	2.5 F	DBN 1, PS1 Handed out	Basic Computational Expression
Week 2	2.8 M
	2.10 W	DBN 2
	2.12 F	PS1 Due, PS2 Handed out	Advanced Computational Expression
Week 3	2.15 M->2.16 T
	2.17 W	DBN 3
	2.19 F	PS2 Due, PS3 Handed out	Form 1 Tone
Week 4	2.22 M
	2.24 W
	2.26 F	PS3 Due, PS4 Handed out	Form 2 Shape
Week 5	3.1 M
	3.3 W
	3.5 F	PS4 Due, PS5 Handed out	Form 3 Interactions
Week 6	3.8 M
	3.10 W
	3.12 F	PS5 Due, PS6 Handed out	Type 1 Words
Week 7	3.15 M
	3.17 W
	3.19 F	PS6 Due, PS7 Handed out	Type 2 Grids
Week Null	3.22 M	Spring Break
	3.24 W	"
	3.26 F	"
Week 8	3.29 M
	3.31 W
	4. 2 F	PS7 Due, PS8 Handed out	Type 3 Letters
Week 9	4.5 M
	4.7 W
	4.9 F	PS8 Due, PS9 Handed out	Form + Type 1 Exhibition/PR
Week 10	4.12 M
	4.14 W
	4.16 F	PS9 Due, PS10 Handed out	Form + Type 2 Exhibition/Portfolio
Week 11	4.19 M	Patriot's Day Break
	4.21 W
	4.23 F
Week 12	4.26 M
	4.28 W	PS10 Due
	4.30 F
Week 13	5.3 M
	5.5 W
	5.7 F
Week 14	5.10 M	EXHIBITION
	5.12 W	Last day of classes (5.13)