Certificate of Achievement (Transcripted): Animation for Commercial Applications

Foundation-level course designed for graphic designers, artists, photographers, web designers, programmers, and animation artists working in the digital realm. Students are introduced to fundamental concepts, practices, and theories of digital art production. Course topics include integration of traditional design, color, and compositional principles with contemporary digital tools, including industry-standard software, such as Adobe Creative Cloud for print, web and time-based media. (Same as ART 195)

This course is for students entering a career in digital media and majors in the digital media field. This digital design course emphasizes critical examination of basic principles and elements of design in computer graphics. Students will not only produce designs, but examine the physiology and psychology behind fundamental elements of design, investigate their use in culture, as well as practice and reflect on how graphics, scale, and space can impact humans through visual design features and functions. Special focus on design for media applications, creative visual storytelling for digital applications.

Critical and historical survey of animation as a form of communication and cultural expression, from prehistoric origins to present digital formats. Animation history is studied in relation to the background for its creation in contemporary culture and society including the U.S.A., Europe, and Japan. Students analyze and evaluate a large cross-section of animated works.

This is an introductory course in developing digital 3D models for video games, film, advertising and pre-visualization for product and architectural design. Focus is placed on building digital 3d characters, props and environments that will be used in students’ own animated short film or video game ideas. By employing the teacher-provided project management tools, students gain hands-on experience in how animated and interactive media projects are developed. Industry-standard low and high poly modeling methods, which utilize normal map application, is emphasized to ensure optimized models with stunning detail.

Instruction in intermediate-level digital 3D modeling methods as used in video games, interactive media, television, film, previz, product illustration, architectural and bioscience visualization. Students are to model subjects geared to their chosen area of interest and then are provided instruction and guidance to increase proficiency, speed and communication skills required for professional 3D modelers.

Instruction in using 3D animation software for the purpose of linear storytelling. Emphasis on the incorporation of the classic principles of animation, and in learning the core components of the software that are necessary for effective visual communication.

From Star Trek to Wall-E, 3D characters are unique vessels supporting contemporary and creative narratives! In this course we offer instruction in the theories and practice of character animation. We address strategies for rigging, skinning and animating using character design. You will develop a short, animated narrative with a team of your peers and improve your creative portfolio.