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Department of Architecture
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Spring 1998

4.183 Projects in Computer Aided Multimedia Design

MIT Department of Architecture Spring Workshop 1998
Instructor: Megan Yakeley
Units: 2-4-6 (H-Level)
Time: MW 12-1 and W 2-6 Room: 3-415
Prerequisites: 4.203 or permission of instructor

Aim of the Workshop: To integrate virtual and real products in the process of design

This workshop shows how computers may be better integrated into the process of design. It aims to foster an understanding of how a computer can aid in design work. It goes beyond mere imagery, and uses the potential of the School's rapid prototyping machine to develop a multimedia approach to design synthesis. This machine is very new; students in the course will lead the School, which is itself at the cutting edge of technology in design.

Multimedia is more than the use of text, images and sounds on a computer screen. It is the integration of all types of media, from paper and pencil, to physical model, through to computer screen and beyond. This course gives the opportunity to explore the integration of the real and virtual aspects of true multimedia design, and to understand the limitations and potentials of them both individually and together. The cycle of computer mediated design is now widened to include physical models, that give a better representation of the design than the computer screen alone. Students are encouraged to develop their own ideas for the final project of the workshop which is not prescribed. It is possible to integrate this workshop with projects from other courses, in particular 4.181 Unbuilt Palladio. The final outcome of the semester will be a complex model of design shown in a variety of media.

The workshop offers a unique opportunity to study the algorithmic approach to three dimensional synthesis, using the speed and accuracy of the computer coupled with the physical models produced by the rapid prototyping machine. Secondary to the design work, the workshop will give a basic understanding of the structure of computers and procedural programming languages. The course requires no background in computer programming. The emphasis of the course is to develop more appropriate models of computer mediated design.

This workshop is intended for students who wish to develop techniques for the integration of all types of media into their design process. It is also aimed at those who are interested in studying a particular aspect of design or have a project in mind that they wish to develop using all of the facilities the School has to offer.