DESCRIPTIONS OF COURSES
Last update 24/08/2011 (.pdf -161K)

Theory [THE] | Technology [TEC] | Audio [AUD] | Visual [VIS] | Audiovisual [AVA]

AVA340 Space and Audiovisual Media I
AVA440 Space and Audiovisual Media II
The issues examined in this course include: analysis of the concept of space (real and virtual) and the use of audiovisual media employed; study of different levels according to perspective and observation of the tonal contrasts of colours with drawings from life in natural or urban landscapes; basics of drawing in perspective; detailed, psychological, emotional, rational study of lines, shapes and colours in a given space; the importance and the ways to organise the bulk of pigments in the rendering of light-colour; introduction to the correlation between musical and drawing rhythm; sound and drawing gesture relation analysis; execution of projects for the unification-rendering of the coexistence of the acoustic and optical stimulus; development of synthetic and analytical thinking and impression ability; Cultivation of aesthetic perception, reasoning and memory.

AVA341 Interactive Multimedia I
AVA441 Interactive Multimedia II
This course introduces state-of-the-art interaction-theories, design methodologies and implementation technologies for the design and development of interactive multimedia systems, commonly used in autonomous modes, handheld devices and networks. Presentation of techniques and standards for the collection, encoding, representation and interaction techniques used for each data-type (sound, image, animation, video) are presented, including specific storage requirements. Moreover, wired and wireless networked interactive multimedia technologies, advanced compression and distribution techniques and protocols, as well as Quality of Service constraints for limited bandwidth networks are analysed. Finally, practical experience is gained in student projects developing networked multimedia systems and standards for interactive networked television and interactive arts.

AVA540 Interactive Sound and Image Systems
The course presents programming techniques for interactive animated image using the ‘Processing’ software. This programme is based on Java and can produce interactive applications that can be published as Java applets on the web. Additionally, this course deals with communication protocols between various interactive applications and devices beyond the MIDI protocol. The OSC (Open Sound Control) Protocol is used to demonstrate communication between sound and image programmes such as SuperCollider, vvvv and the graphics library Jitter of Max/WSP. The hands-on exercises aim at developing interactive sound and image systems for interactive installations or other relative applications.

AVA 541 Applied Multimedia
Theory of multimedia production, television production, historical review of analogue and digital broadcasting systems, methods of production in the broadcasting sector, broadcasting production techniques in a studio, applications for Internet broadcasting, production, promotion and broadcasting media interactive technologies, application of an interactive scenario in practice and multimedia production for the arts. The students are assigned a term project focused on designing and developing content for use in broadcasting channels or on the Internet. The final practical product of the course may take the form of a short film in non-linear navigation DVD format or of an interactive application.

AVA840 Installations and Audiovisual Media
This course examines the three-dimensional installations of audiovisual media in real or virtual space. Studies for the proper organisation of space and for problem-solving of the circulation within it are analysed. The course not only explores the synthetic and analytic studies of the subject, but also its side elements: video, lighting, chromatic rendering of feelings, storyboard, technical support, final production, electronic project and its presentation. Furthermore, practical exercises concerning optical perception and modes to approach environmental forms and their interrelations take place, aiming at developing skills that will enable the students to use combinations of different materials and designing means for a better presentation and rendering of specific subjects.

AVA940 Human Machine Interfaces and Interactions
‘Human Machine Interfaces’ (HMI) refers to the means by which humans interact with machines. This course builds upon the foundations established in the courses ‘Human-Computer Interaction’ and ‘Technologies for Interfaces of Audiovisual Installations’, and examines current topics of HMI design and research, such as Textual and Visual Programming Languages as Interfaces; properties of graphicsdominated interfaces; visual servo or video selection interfaces; virtual tools and point and direct programmes; gesture recognition; adaptive or learning user interfaces; controlling emergent behavior; emotion-based interfaces; ubiquitous robotics and computing. A range of examples and approaches from literature is examined and a number of exercises in the design and evaluation of interfaces is conducted.

AVA941 Experimental Multimedia
The combination of interactive multimedia with the artistic pursuit generates new artistic creation forms and possibilities. This course’s objective is to combine new technologies, artificial intelligence, sensors, image processing, sound, combined media and experimentation in practice, so as to contribute to the evolution of their implementation in art through the creation of comprehensive systems and installations. The course expands to issues such as advanced interactive programming, techniques, development of special interface environments for interactive arts and intelligent decision-making systems via multimedia environments programming. At the end of the course, the students present an original project accompanied by a realization report.

AVA942 Virtual and Augmented Reality Technology
Basic principles, definitions and terms of virtual and augmented reality. Analysis of methods for synthesizing virtual worlds and environments. Artificial intelligence and virtual–augmented reality. Design and implementation of intelligent interactive models. Usage of smart sensor systems for controlling virtual models. Combination of portable devices for audio and video playback, data processing and position tracking systems for augmenting reality. Overview of systems for developing virtual models. Examples of virtual and augmented applications in audiovisual arts and interactive projects using modern techniques and technologies for virtual spaces creation. Virtual and augmented reality technologies for the Internet, relative methods and applications.

AVA943 Computer Art – Internet Art
The computer is considered a dynamic medium in the artistic creation process. In computer-art creations, ranging from still images to films mixing moving image and animation, it is the artist who determines the way s/he is going to activate a part or the whole of the small constituent elements of a monitor, and consequently the type of form or icon which will be created through this language procedure. The distinctiveness of Internet Art is also studied through its historic and evolutionary progress as an art movement which traffics exclusively via the Internet. Examples of various works of art are shown as displayed on corresponding international Web pages.

AVA944 Video Art
Video Art is a movement whose roots can be traced back to the beginning of the 1960s. It is characterised by the use of new technologies and primarily the video. The course presents the historical elements and basic principles of this art movement. The presence of the fourth dimension, i.e. time, in visual proceedings is analysed. The evolutionary process of the use of media technology in art is explored. Projection and analysis of the first amateur videos follows, with emphasis on the comprehension of their differences according to the projection method: through traditional TV screen, large dimensional screenings or spatial installations. Presentation of works and seminars by outstanding guest video-artists also take place.

AVA042 Interactive Education - Entertainment Systems
A short historic overview of the multimedia entertainment systems (MES) and presentation of the development industry. Basic categories of MES, narrative prospects and their differences/similarities with other media (e.g. the cinema). Analysis of the user’s profile. Script and MES, practices of attracting users, analysis of the traits of main characters. Sound designing for MES, music and use of special effects, support of dialogues. Contemporary graphics and effects techniques and technologies (normal, parallax and displacement mapping, HDR, ambient occlusion, lighting and shading models). Available platforms and developing tools. Description of the developing process (art-pipeline), the production stages of a MES from the viewpoint of the artist (idea, script, storyboards, asset creation, etc.). The members of the developing team, their role and the interactions among them.

PRO750 Individual Project
The cultivation and practical implementation of the necessary mix of scientific methodology, of scientific knowledge and of skills, which are acquired in previous semesters study, are achieved through the development of individual work. Learning goal is the development and documentation of an integrated scientific and / or artistic work (according to the guidelines for academic essays, existing in the website of the Department of Audiovisual Arts). The Individual Work is also the introductory study and work on a specific subject of the curriculum of the Department which later may become the subject area of the Thesis.