Category Archives: f24

class, elective, f24, grad, special topic

DM-GY 9103 Visual AI Studio for Art and Technology

This class is a practice-theory hybrid studio for visual AI. Using art historical inspiration, students will make work in a variety of practical modes—from text to image to GANs models and more. Critical writing and exploration exercises will allow students to think about the philosophical and ethical debates surrounding AI alongside their work.

There will be lectures; class visits from machine learning engineers, media theorists, artists and agency heads implementing artificial intelligence in multiple forms; along with hands-on introductions to working with and across AI platforms. There are no prerequisites for this course, students’ own interests will guide a hybrid final project. The course will culminate in an exhibition of students’ work at NYU.

class, elective, f24, grad, special topic

DM-GY 9201 Physical Interfaces For Networked Devices

NB – this is a 7-week course!

This course explores opportunities and limitations in designing physical interfaces for devices that communicate at a distance, primarily wirelessly. Physical, virtual, and social communication infrastructure will be used in the context of creating novel interactions. Students will learn to identify existing networked devices and objects, taking a critical look at their implementation from both a technical and social standpoint. While there are no prerequisites for the course, students are strongly encouraged to have some exposure to programming, electronics, or working with sensors.

Instructor: Scott Fitzgerald

class, elective, f24, grad, special topic

DM-GY 9201 Light and Control

NB : This is a 7- week course!

In this studio-based course, students will learn about and apply various protocols for controlling digital lighting for interactive, expressive, sculptural objects. While light-based art goes back centuries, the last few decades has seen an explosion of tools for creative output using various electric lighting fixtures and technologies. In addition to the technical aspects of control, this course explores aesthetic dimensions of this form through exposure to a variety of works and artist practices. At the end of the class, students will have a mini-exhibition displaying their work. Experience with programming and electronics is strongly encouraged.

Previous course site : https://wp.nyu.edu/lightandcontrol

Instructor: Scott Fitzgerald

class, elective, f24, grad, special topic

DM-GY 9103 Visual Design Studio

This course allows students to harness the power of visual language in order to convey messages and meaning. The elements of visual
foundation that will be covered include components (color, texture, image and typography), composition, and concept. Although non-
digital mediums will be addressed, the understanding and use of industry-standard software is also a primary goal.

Course site : https://vdsfa23.cargo.site/

Instructor: Jesse Seegers

class, elective, f24, grad, special topic

DM-GY 9103 Introduction to Machine Learning for Media

This course will introduce students to the wild and wonderful world of data analysis and machine learning from critical, practical and creative perspectives. Through readings, projects and programming assignments, students will develop a solid understanding of Machine Learning applications and techniques related to media processing, analysis and creation. We will use Python and Jupyter notebooks to run, fine tune and analyze existing machine learning models for creative media applications. Students should have prior programming experience.

Instructor: Thiago Hersan

class, elective, f24, grad, special topic

DM-GY 9103 Print and Code

his is a studio class on computational design, printing, drawing, and experimental publishing. We will work with Javascript (libraries like the P5.JS Riso), paper, plotters, and the risograph printer, combining computational design techniques with printed forms to explore unconventional methods of publishing. Students will be introduced to histories of radical publishing and will develop experimental printed publications. 

Previous course site : https://wp.nyu.edu/printcode2023/

Instructor: Tega Brain

class, elective, f24, grad, special topic

DM-GY 9103 Speculative Networks

This course focuses on the ethical, political and socio-cultural dimensions of digital platforms and social media. Course readings will explore the implications of digital design practices, and creative workshops will provide a means to creatively reimagine digital platforms through experimentation with networking techniques and platform affordances. Through a combination of seminar discussions, in-class workshops and experimental design projects, students will critically examine and remediate social media and other digital platforms.

In the course, we will explore the following questions:
• How do social media and digital platforms shape our social world?
• How can we apply digital design methods to reimagine social media and digital platforms?

Speculative Networks is a concept-driven, project-based course that explores theories of digital communication through the creation of three projects around the following themes:

  • Emotion and Affect
    What are the emotional impacts of digital media? How can we creatively reimagine “doomscrolling” and other forms of negative affect towards more empathetic technologies?
  • Attention Economies
    How do digital platforms exploit their users’ attention? What possibilities exist to use digital technologies to refocus attention away from the screen and towards new horizons?
  • Inverse Metaverse
    What are the limitations and possibilities of digital objects and commodities? What alternative forms of value might be embedded in 3D digital assets?

Additionally, we will be exploring design topics such as speculative design, affordance theory, values-oriented design, and user studies.
This course is medium-agnostic – you are welcome to use whatever media you are comfortable working in to create your projects. We will, however, be exploring techniques in gestural interface design, locative media, AR/XR, and machine learning. This is a useful course for students looking to expand the conceptual and critical depth of their interactive digital media projects through intensive thematic assignments.

Instructor: Craig Fahner

class, elective, f24, grad, special topic

DM-GY 9103 Design for Change: UX and Wearables

This course explores the intersection of user experience design, spatial computing, wearable technology, and fashion, with a strong emphasis on social justice. It aims to equip students with the skills to create innovative designs that are not only technologically advanced but also socially conscious and inclusive. Students will gain an understanding of the principles of user experience design and their application in spatial computing and wearable technology. The course will culminate in a prototype that embodies the principles of inclusive and socially responsible design.

Instructors : Reginé Gilbert & Kathleen McDermott

class, elective, f24, grad, special topic

DM-GY 9103 Tangible Electronics for Teaching and Learning

Tangible Electronics for Teaching and Learning is a cross-listed course between NYU Steinhardt’s Educational Communication and Technology (ECT) program and NYU Tandon’s Integrated Design & Media program (IDM), combining theory and practice for
researching, designing, and prototyping tangible educational technology. Students will gain an understanding of theoretical frameworks and best practices for undertaking a practice-
based research project in educational technology. Learners will analyze a learning context, identify learning objectives, conduct primary research, and work collaboratively with a “client”
in the field to develop and iterate on tangible designs for learning. Students will learn techniques for rapid prototyping, including techniques for brainstorming, mocking up ideas in low-fi materials, iteration, and will gain an introduction to the Tandon MakerSpace. Students will also gain an overview of physical computing, including how to use microcontrollers to interface with sensors and actuators, in order to implement their designs and gain feedback.

class site : https://wp.nyu.edu/tangiblesforlearning/

Instructors: Benedetta Piantella, Kayla DesPortes

class, elective, f24, grad, special topic

DM-GY 9103 Camera and Capture

This course provides an introduction to compositing video using traditional vfx and realtime pipelines with the Unreal Engine. Students will develop cinematics that composite video into a 3D virtual world. Using matchmotion tracking students will integrate the camera movement of footage shot on greenscreen with CGI. Students will develop their concepts using previz and virtual production techniques.

Instructor : Matthew Rader