Reflections

The sequence of the class was good. The first half of the semester plus the lighting lecture seemed to follow the book. However the web design and internet part was not in the book. It would have been good, if we had a text that covers the whole class.
I enjoyed the hands on parts with the video and the picture taking. But we could have spent more time on the video part, at least one more lab about it would have been helpful.
I liked the filmmakers handbook, the design of everyday things, and non-designers design book readings. They were very helpful. I would have liked, if the due readings were announced at the end of each class. It somehow carries more weight for the next class.
The lecture slides could have used some more definitions. Looking at them after class it was sometimes difficult to understand some of the slides since they tended to be very minimal.
Also I would have liked some more feedback on how I am doing in this class based on the assignments I submitted and the exams.
I feel that I know a bit more about how film and media uses design elements and conventions consciously to make a particular look; and how this can be the difference between professional and amateur media. I liked to read about framing of a scene and the differences between film and digital materials. I have a better understanding about angles of camera, and how much scene it can show with different lenses. Now when I see a movie I think about these things and see why the filmmakers may have used a particular shot. The history of film and film materials were very interesting as well. Plus I liked to work with photoshop, but I think it was not enough time to really get into it.
It was fascinating how well this class fit into my other two classes this semester – cartography and remote sensing. Both of these disciplines use design, color theory, photography, and web design. This also shows that media is not only important and interesting in itself, but it can reach over other fields. That was a nice aspect of this class.

Image source: http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/talks/talk_eps_dig_2009_01_05_page_02.htm