course description
This course explores the artful design of interactive musical software, tools, instruments, toys, and games. Topics include strategies for crafting interactive systems, audiovisual design, game design, and the aesthetic dimension of shaping technology in our world today. Course work features several programming assignments, short weekly reading responses, an emphasis on critical design feedback, and a "design your own" final project. You will learn to create systems using a combination of audiovisual programming tools including ChuGL (all new). Prerequisite: experience in C/C++, Java, Unity, or Unreal Engine.

256a topics include:

• real-time software system design for music (integrating audio, graphics, interaction)
• principles and patterns for artful design
• game and toy design for music
• technology-mediated social design
• audio-visual interactive programming tools
• a practical philosophy of shaping technology

• weekly reading responses: see guidelines + schedule
  
  
• homework #1: Reading Response + Design Etude + ChucK Exercise
  due date: Tuesday (10/01) 11:59:59pm
  
  
• homework #2: Sound Peeking
  milestone
  - Wednesday (10/09, 11:59:59pm) video demo on webpage, URL submitted to Canvas.
  - Thursday (10/10, 12 - 2pm) in-class critique.(in-class feedback)
  final
  - Monday (10/21, 11:59:59pm) final video demo on webpage, URL submitted to Canvas
  - Tuesday (10/22, 12 - 2pm) in-class presentation. (in-class feedback)
  
  
  
• homework #3: Interactive Audiovisual Music Sequencer
  milestone A
  - Friday (10/25, 11:59:59pm) webpage + initial research + 3 sketches, URL => Canvas.
  milestone B
  - Wednesday (10/30, 11:59:59pm) working core mechanic, URL => Canvas.
  - Thursday (10/31, 12 - 2pm) in-class presentation. (in-class feedback)
  final deliverables
  - Monday (11/11, 11:59:59pm) final video demo on webpage, URL => Canvas.
  - Tuesday (11/12, 12 - 2pm) in-class presentation. (in-class feedback)
  
  
• final project: Design Your Own Interactive Audiovisual Software Tool
  "Design and prototype an interactive software tool, integrating real-time audio and graphics and interaction."
  milestone 1
  - Wednesday (11/20, 11:59:59pm) webpage + "something working"
  - Thursday (11/21, 12 - 2pm) in-class presentation. (in-class feedback)
  milestone 2
  - Monday (12/02, 11:59:59pm) minimal essential system
  - Thursday (12/05, 12 - 2pm) in-class presentation (in-class feedback)
  final deliverables
  - Thursday (12/12, 11:59:59pm) final deliverables (on webpage)
  final presentations
  - Friday (12/13, 12:15pm) CCRMA Stage (3rd Floor)
  
  
  

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  MCD | CCRMA | music | CS | stanford