Danny Rankin is an instructor in the Creative Technology & Design (CTD) program. Both the courses he teaches and his individual research reflect a diverse array of expertise, including graphic design, material fabrication, game design, hardware hacking, sustainable agriculture and large-scale installation art.
keywords
game design, interaction design
Teaching
courses taught
ATLS 1100 - Design Foundations
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Summer 2019 / Summer 2020 / Summer 2021 / Summer 2022 / Summer 2023
Introduces foundational principles, practices and methods of design. Emphasizes design as an expressive and creative problem solving tool. This course engages with design from a broad perspective including visual, computational, physical and auditory design practices. Through lectures, discussions and creative projects, students will gain a familiarity with the diverse applications of creative technology through design.
ATLS 2300 - Text
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Summer 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Summer 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Summer 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024 / Spring 2025 / Fall 2025 / Spring 2026
Introduces technologies, terminology and histories related to the design of text within digital and analogue media. Students will learn the fundamentals of design, typography and layout through lectures, projects and critiques. The curriculum surveys significant theoretical perspectives, historical periods and significant practitioners that influence the practice of typographic design.
ATLS 3519 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021
Analyzes special interest areas of multidisciplinary creative technology and design research and practice. May be repeated up to 21 total credit hours for different topics.
ATLS 3710 - Material Studies and Practice
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Surveys the broad array of physical materials used in design and practically applies this knowledge via hands-on projects that introduce basic tools and techniques for fabrication in the domains of woods, plastics, ceramics, concrete, fibers and metals. Practical work is complemented with inquiry into the social, aesthetic, and ecological significance of materials used in design.
ATLS 4010 - Capstone Projects
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2019 / Spring 2022 / Spring 2024
Focuses on the development of an individual thesis project. Specific class sessions will feature a combination of lectures, demonstrations, guest speakers, lab sessions, and critiques. This course also entails group work, portfolio development, critical theoretical readings, and a significant written component.
ATLS 4040 - Game Design
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Spring 2024 / Summer 2024 / Spring 2025 / Summer 2025 / Spring 2026
Introduces students to game design, development, history, theory and culture through readings, discussion, game analysis and the iterative design process of non-digital games. Same as ATLS 5040.
ATLS 4050 - Alt Arcade Interfaces
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
In this project-based studio course, students will move beyond conventional button and joystick interfaces into the design of bespoke interfaces for game control, with an emphasis on games designed for public exhibition. Students will, both individually and in groups, design and develop multiple games, and build custom control interfaces for them. Same as ATLS 5050. Recommended prerequisite: ATLS 3300 (Object), and ATLS 4050 (Game Development).
ATLS 4519 - Advanced Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024 / Fall 2025
Analyzes special interest areas of multidisciplinary creative technology and design research and practice. May be repeated up to 32 total credit hours.
ATLS 5040 - Game Design
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2020 / Summer 2021 / Spring 2024 / Summer 2024 / Spring 2025 / Summer 2025 / Spring 2026
Introduces students to game design, development, history, theory and culture through readings, discussion, game analysis and the iterative design process of non-digital games. Same as ATLS 4040.
ATLS 5050 - Alt Arcade Interfaces
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2025
In this project-based studio course, students will move beyond conventional button and joystick interfaces into the design of bespoke interfaces for game control, with an emphasis on games designed for public exhibition. Students will, both individually and in groups, design and develop multiple games, and build custom control interfaces for them. Same as ATLS 4050.
ATLS 5519 - Adv Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024 / Fall 2025
Analyzes special interest areas of multidisciplinary creative technologies and design research and practice. May be repeated up to 9 total credit hours for different topics.
COEN 3930 - Engineering Internship/Co-op
Primary Instructor
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Summer 2025
Students enrolled in this course participate in a pre-approved internship or cooperative education program with an employer that allows them to explore the relationship between theory and practice and demonstrate evidence of significant learning (e.g., academic assignments and employer/sponsor evaluations). Credits may apply towards BS or BA degree program in CEAS, please check with the department for specifics (even if student has multiple enrollments in this course and/or COEN 4950).
CSCI 4830 - Special Topics in Computer Science
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2025
Covers topics of interest in computer science at the senior undergraduate level. Content varies from semester to semester. Only 9 credit hours from CSCI 4830 and/or CSCI 4831 can count toward Computer Science BS or BA.
CSCI 7000 - Current Topics in Computer Science
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2025
Covers research topics of current interest in computer science that do not fall into a standard subarea. May be repeated up to 18 total credit hours.
GEEN 1400 - Engineering Projects
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2026
First-year students solve real-world engineering design problems in interdisciplinary teams. Design projects vary by section. Curriculum focuses on iterative design process, teamwork and team dynamics, supporting design with testing and analysis, and technical writing. Completed projects are exhibited at an end-of-semester design expo. Students responsible for contributing towards their design project budget (approximately $75). Degree credit not granted for this course and ASTR 2500, ASEN 1400, ASEN 1403 and ECEN 1400.
