DXARTS 473: Mechatronic Art, Design and Fabrication III

Wed: 15.30-18.20 Fremont

Fri: 14.30-17.20 Fremont

Instructor - James Coupe coupe at u.washington.edu
Office hours - please email for an appointment

TA: Annie Wan anniewan at u.washington.edu
Office hours - please email for an appointment

SYLLABUS

Please note that this site is subject to modification as the course progresses.

DESCRIPTION

DXARTS 473 is a one-quarter long studio project for students who have successfully completed DXARTS 471 and 472. Students are expected to complete a substantial mechatronic art installation, performance or system. Class time consists of regular critique, discussion and lectures.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

Attend all lectures, workshops, labs and critiques (Lab session on Wed + Lecture on Fri each week, other sessions TBA)
The class has only twenty lecture sessions, and each one will have a lot of information packed into it. Therefore it is important that you don't miss any sessions, and attend regularly. If you have to miss class due to emergency, illness or due to an established religious holiday, then you must notify the instructor directly and in advance. You will be expected to make up any missed sessions.
Students are expected to come to class on time, ready to start promptly. Please bring any required materials, homeworks and notetaking equipment.
Complete weekly research, assignments and/or reading homeworks, typically small experiments related to the current week's topics.
Participate in class discussions
Complete a mid-term assignment and critique: late work will not be accepted
Complete a final project and presentation: late work will not be accepted
Creative experimentation is required and expected: attempt the impossible; use your imagination to stretch the boundaries of any and all assignments.

PROJECTS

Online journal
Students will maintain an online journal of their project, updated weekly. It will contain all of the below information:

Abstract/Conceptual overview
Time Plan
State Diagram
Research Methodology
Historical Background
Bibliography
Mechanics
Fabrication Issues
Electronics
Circuit Diagrams
Code/Programming Issues
Revisions
Presentational Scenarios
Language of Praise

Final Exhibition
Students produce a substantial art work, chosen in consultation with the instructor.
The project will be split into three phases: research/planning; fabrication; exhibition/critique
Students must present their finished project, in the form of an exhibition, at the end of the quarter.

Reading
Each week, you will also be assigned a range of reading materials, which you should come to class prepared to discuss.

GRADING

Grading of all assignments will be based upon the quality of concept, experimentation, work ethic and realization.

The overall class grade will be approximately broken down as follows:

Ability to meet deadlines: 10%

Online journal: 40%

Final Exhibition: 50%

POLICIES

No smoking, eating or drinking in the laboratory, classroom or building.
Back up your data. No excuses for losing papers, web documents, images, etc. Keep at least three copies of everything: one on your hard drive, one on a CD, and one somewhere else just in case.
If you have a disability that you think may impact your participation in this class, please contact Disabled Student Services. Every effort will be made to accommodate your needs.

RESOURCES

Students have access to the Fremont studio (off-campus) according to the following lab policies:
- any equipment that you have used must be put away in its proper place before you leave the lab.
- be considerate to other users of the lab. Do not leave any mess behind.
- never use a power tool without someone else being in the lab.
- never use a tool which you have not been trained to use, or which you do not feel comfortable using.
- never use a tool that is damaged. If you discover a tool that is damaged, report it to your TA immediately.
- never work in the lab when you feel tired or drowsy, or under the influence of medication.
- if the lab is unsupervised, only use tools that are you are allowed to use without supervision. If you want to use a tool that requires supervision, then contact your class TA.
- always wear appropriate clothing in the lab. No open-toed sandals, loose clothing, etc.
- do not use power tools whilst wearing gloves.
- tie back long hair whilst in the lab.
- use goggles and, where appropriate, ear protection when using power tools.
- do not use noxious chemicals in the lab.
Students will be assigned a storage locker within the DXARTS mechatronics laboratory.