Dept of | by Philip Likens

Graduate Studies

Below I’ve included a chronological listing of my graduate studies.  I’ve also included samples of work from each class where I am able.  Most of the samples I’ve given are in PDF form (where noted) or have been posted to this blog.  Some projects are live and I’ve provided links for those.  Enjoy!

Interactive Media and Game Design Master of Arts
Savannah College of Art and Design

Fall 2010

ITGM-748 Interactive Design/Game Development MA Final Project

Students have the option of choosing to develop a final project or a final portfolio. This course allows returning professionals who have already constructed professional portfolios to work on a full-term project while giving those who are in need of a portfolio the chance to create one with the professionalism and presentation quality industry demands.

GRDS-705 Design Methodologies

This course focuses on developing creative problem-solving methodologies for graphic design. Students explore the relationship between theoretical constructs of creativity and the pragmatics of client identified parameters. The course facilitates student development of a personal visual communication style through rapid visualization techniques.

Summer 2010

ITGM-719 Scripting for Interactivity

This course explores programming skills through the use of scripting languages found in industry-standard Web development tools. They create highly interactive Web applications with sophisticated and exciting interfaces.

  • Final Project – XOX | naughts vs crosses (live)

ITGM-723 Human-centered Interactive Design

The aim of human-centered interaction studies is to humanize technology and to design interfaces from a human-centered, activity-based approach rather than from a technological or design perspective. This course provides students with knowledge that enables them to design Web and interactive applications that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also highly usable by their intended audiences.

  • Final Project – Disciplesoft Interactive Wireframes (live)

Spring 2010

ITGM-709 Visual Interface/Info Design

This course focuses on the issues of information structure, the interactive design process, delivery, and designing visual interfaces, the cognitive process, prototyping and testing. Students develop conceptual framework for real-world applications, exploring issues from the industry, art, and society.

  • Project 1 -  Google Redux (pdf)
  • Project 2 – “Guess the Number” branded game (pdf) (live)
  • Final Project – The Trenches (pdf) (live)

ITGM-715 Interactive Web Design

This course focuses on design and development of Web sites through a series of technical and design workshops. Students explore technical and conceptual aspects of Web design. Students are introduced to key elements of industry-standard Web design tools and are shown how to apply their knowledge of the software to create dynamic and exciting designs.

  • Project A – Stefan Sagmeister (pdf) (live)
  • Project B – Null Process (pdf) (live)

GRDS-709 Typography Studio I

The course introduces students to the role of typography in various print communication contexts. Critical Analysis of message, meaning, and context prepares student to design print-based typographic solutions. Students also develop their own display typeface in response to criteria established through analysis of existing historic type design.

  • Project A – Visual Hierarchy (pdf)
  • Project B – Book Cover Redesign (pdf)
  • Project C – Experimental Booklet Design (pdf)
  • Project D – Original Typeface Design (pdf)

Winter 2010

Arth701 Contemporary Art

This course responds to the diverse and personal nature of contemporary art. Outstanding artists from many aesthetic backgrounds are profiled, offering the student significant examples to evaluate. The course is organized around media, such as painting, sculpture, photography, performance, video/film and music. An in-depth, case-study approach is used throughout the course to provide information about personal sources and processes of art making.

  • Short Essay Response I – Cindy Sherman/Jorg Immendorff (pdf)
  • Short Essay Response II – Jeff Wall, Milk (pdf)
  • Final Research Paper – Math, Science, and Technology in Contemporary Sculpture (pdf)

ITGM705 Interactive Design/Media Applications

Through the integration of historical studies, theory and practice, students address issues central to interactivity in art making and design. Theoretical methods and models are utilized to inform and develop student practice. The class discusses on-screen projects as well as physical computing and immersive environments within the context of business, design, the gallery environment and the public forum of the World Wide Web.