Course Info:
Course Title & Number: Senior Thesis: Research and Innovation, IMM 498-02
Professor: Mark Thompson
Office Address: Art and Multimedia 312
Email Address: thompsom@tcnj.edu
Office Hours: Wednesdays, 9:30-12:30 or by appointment
Class Meets: Tuesdays, 9:30 – 12:20
Room: AIMM 206
Course Description:
This course is the first of two courses in the IMM thesis sequence, to be followed by IMM 499. It is also designated a writing intensive course, and requires a significant, formal writing component. This course requires students to conduct rigorous research into an area of interest within Interactive Multimedia, and to devise a project that demonstrates that research. Students implement a series of proofs-of-concept and ultimately write a thorough proposal for the project they will execute in the second semester of the IMM sequence, IMM 499. (Capstone)
Course Materials:
Additional Materials
- “The Innovators” videos
- OnInnovation Video Library
- Dust or Magic “Classic Talks”
- ACM SIGCHI “Interactions”
- A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Product Management
- Udemy Lean Canvas Course
- The Lean Stack
Course Requirements:
- Design Notebook
- Paper Prototype
- Functional Prototype
- Vision Document (fulfills writing intensive designation)
- Final Presentation
- Class Participation
Course Purpose & Learning Goals:
In this course students will:
- Develop a thorough understanding of the history of their chosen area of development, including major innovations, pioneers and leaders in the field, and influences from other areas of technology and culture.
- Gain an understanding of innovation — the conditions that lead to new and better ideas, the processes by which those ideas often develop, and approaches to innovation as practiced by some of the pioneering figures in media and technology.
- Forecast the future of their chosen area of development, based on the history of the area and an analysis of recent trends.
- Propose and advocate for a project that breaks new ground in their area and also serves as a crowning project in their college portfolio.
- Design and implement proofs-of-concept to test various creative and technical strategies for successfully developing their project in the second semester of the sequence, and revising their project proposal to reflect the results of these tests.
Course Schedule:
August 25 – 1st Day of Class
September 1 – Define the Problem Your Project is Solving
September 8 – Monday Class Schedule
September 15 – Who is your audience?
September 22 – What’s unique about your project?
September 29 – What’s your solution? Paper prototypes
October 6 – Through which channels will your project be delivered?
October 13 – Mid-Semester Break
October 20 – Revenue Streams: What’s in this for you? What rewards are you looking for in return for your efforts?
October 27 – What are your expenses? Functional Prototypes
November 3 – Dust or Magic?
November 10 – What are the key metrics you’ll use to measure success?
November 17 – Why are you uniquely qualified to complete your project?
November 24 – Prep for Show
December 1 – Final Preparations for Show
December 11, 8:00-10:50 – Final Presentations, Vision Documents due
Grading:
Grades will be determined according to the following formula:
- 20% Final Presentation
- 20% Vision Document
- 20% Design Notebook
- 20% Class Participation
- 10% Paper Prototype
- 10% Functional Prototype
Note: Details of how each of the above will be scored will be provided at the time of assignment.
TCNJ Policies:
The College of New Jersey Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace/Educational Environment governs the college’s commitment to and expectations of having an environment that respects the diversity of all members of the campus community. The link to this policy is: http://policies.tcnj.edu/policies/digest.php?docId=9122. Under this policy, forms of discrimination or harassment based upon specific protected categories are prohibited and will not be tolerated. If you wish to report a concern, please contact Kerri Thompson Tillett, Chief Diversity Officer, at 771-3139, or via email at thompsok@tcnj.edu.