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 aesthetics 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. Students will learn to create audiovisual software systems and prototype them using the ChucK/ChuGL programming language. Prerequisite: experience in C/C++, Java, ChucK, Unity, or Unreal Engine.

256a topics include:

• real-time software system design for music (integrating audio, graphics, interaction)
• audio-visual interactive programming
• technology-mediated toolbuilding for creative expression
• game and toy design for music
• a practical philosophy of shaping technology

• weekly reading responses: see guidelines + schedule
  
  
• homework #1: Reading Response + Design Etude + ChucK Exercise
  due date: Sunday (9/28) 11:59:59pm
  
  
• homework #2: Sound Peeking
  due dates: milestone
  - Tuesday (10/7, 11:59:59pm) video demo on webpage, URL submitted to Canvas.
  - Wednesday (10/8, 3:30-pm) in-class critique.(in-class feedback)
  due dates: final deliverables
  - Thursday (10/16, 11:59:59pm) final video demo on webpage, URL submitted to Canvas
  - Wednesday (10/15, 3:30pm) OR Monday (10/20, 3:30pm) in-class presentation. (in-class feedback)
  
  
  
• homework #3: Interactive Audiovisual Music Sequencer
  milestone 0
  - Thursday (10/23, 11:59:59pm) webpage + initial research + 3 sketches, URL => Canvas.
  milestone 1
  - Tuesdsay (10/28, 11:59:59pm) working core mechanic, URL => Canvas.
  - Wednesday (10/29) in-class presentation. (in-class feedback)
  milestone 2
  - Tuesdsay (11/4, 11:59:59pm) working core mechanic, URL => Canvas.
  - Wednesday (11/5) in-class presentation. (in-class feedback)
  final deliverables
  - Tuesday (11/11, 11:59:59pm) final video demo on webpage, URL => Canvas.
  - Wednesday (11/12) in-class presentation. (in-class feedback)
  
  
• final project: Design Your Own Interactive Audiovisual Software Tool
  "Design and prototype an interactive software tool in ChucK/ChuGL, integrating real-time audio and graphics and interaction."
  milestone 0
  - Thursday (11/13, 11:59pm) webpage + 3 brainstorming sketches
  milestone 1
  - Tuesday (11/18, 11:59pm) something working: core mechanics
  - Wednesdsay (11/19) in-class presentation. (in-class feedback)
  milestone 2
  - Sunday (11/23, 11:59pm) minimal essential system
  - Monday (12/1) in-class presentation (in-class feedback)
  final deliverables
  - Wednesday (12/10, noon) polished final deliverables + documentation
  final presentations
  - Wednesday (12/10, 7pm, CCRMA Stage) public final presentations (in-class feedback)
  
  
  

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  MCD | CCRMA | music | CS | stanford