~/Interactive Design & Development — AVT 415
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15 Weeks
Advanced Level
GMU

Interactive Design & Development

AVT 415

Level: Advanced
Duration: 15 Weeks
Instructor: Abraham Garcia
Download Project Brief

Interactive Design & Development

Advanced course in interactive design and development, focusing on user experience, interface design, and interactive media. Students create sophisticated web applications and interactive experiences using modern frameworks and design methodologies.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Design and develop interactive user interfaces with modern frameworks
  • Apply UX principles and methodologies to digital products
  • Build responsive web applications using JavaScript and APIs
  • Create prototypes and conduct user testing
  • Implement accessible and performant interactive experiences

Course Format & Grading

The semester combines technical workshops, design critiques, and hands-on projects. Workshops cover JavaScript frameworks, APIs, and interactive design patterns. Projects challenge students to create innovative digital experiences that demonstrate technical mastery and creative thinking.

Grade Distribution

Total Points: 400

80 pts Project 1
90 pts Project 2
100 pts Project 3
80 pts Final Project
50 pts Class Participation

Project Evaluation Criteria

25%

User Experience

Creating intuitive, accessible, and engaging interfaces; applying UX research and testing

25%

Technical Execution

Implementing clean, efficient code; demonstrating mastery of frameworks and tools

25%

Creative Innovation

Developing original concepts; pushing boundaries of interactive design

25%

Process & Iteration

Demonstrating research, prototyping, and refinement through feedback

Projects

Project 1: Interactive Portfolio

3 Weeks

Design and develop an interactive portfolio website showcasing your work with custom animations, transitions, and engaging user experiences.

Learning Objectives

  • Implement advanced CSS animations and transitions
  • Create smooth, performant interactions with JavaScript
  • Design compelling navigation and user flows
  • Optimize for performance and accessibility

Project 2: Data-Driven Web Application

4 Weeks

Build a functional web application using a JavaScript framework, integrating with external APIs and implementing dynamic data visualization.

Learning Objectives

  • Work with modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Vue, etc.)
  • Integrate and manipulate data from external APIs
  • Implement state management and routing
  • Create responsive data visualizations

Project 3: Interactive Installation

3 Weeks

Create an interactive digital installation or experience using sensors, APIs, or other input methods beyond traditional mouse and keyboard.

Learning Objectives

  • Explore alternative input methods and interactions
  • Work with physical computing or device APIs
  • Design for non-traditional contexts and spaces
  • Create immersive, engaging experiences

Final Project: Your Choice

5 Weeks

Propose and develop a significant interactive project that demonstrates mastery of course concepts and pushes your creative and technical boundaries.

Learning Objectives

  • Synthesize skills learned throughout the semester
  • Conduct independent research and problem-solving
  • Create a portfolio-worthy piece
  • Present and defend design decisions

Resources & Tools

Development Tools

  • Code Editor: Visual Studio Code or Sublime Text
  • Version Control: Git and GitHub
  • Browser DevTools: Chrome, Firefox, or Safari
  • Package Managers: npm or yarn
  • Build Tools: Webpack, Vite, or similar

Design & Prototyping Tools

  • Figma for UI design and prototyping
  • Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects)
  • Principle, Framer, or ProtoPie for advanced prototyping
  • User testing platforms (UserTesting, Maze, etc.)

Frameworks & Libraries

  • React, Vue.js, or Svelte
  • GSAP or Anime.js for animations
  • D3.js or Chart.js for data visualization
  • Three.js for 3D graphics (optional)

Interested in This Course?

This syllabus can be customized for your program or organization. Let's discuss how we can create a tailored curriculum for your team.

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