Digital Animation

Associate in Applied Science Degree

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This program provides the skills and knowledge required for 3D artists to communicate effectively in a visual and verbal format; to prepare students to use creative methodology to solve visual problems; to provide advance knowledge of arts through diverse global, cultural, and historical perspectives; to utilize industry software and technologies to create 3D artwork; and to prepare students for a career as a 3D animator.  Graduates will be prepared to enter the fields of video game art, character design, modeling, and asset creation.  

Goal 1 To provide the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively in visual and verbal format

  • Students will articulate an understanding of the visual problem-solving process.
  • Students will collaborate in project critiques demonstrating the ability to discuss both their own work and the work of their peers.
  • Students will demonstrate appropriate communication with instructor and peers via critique, written assignments, and class interaction.
  • Students will recognize the principles of animation visual language including anticipation, overlapping, squash and stretch, and timing among others.

Goal 2 To prepare students to use creative methodology to solve visual problems

  • Students will demonstrate creative problem-solving methodology using visual art development procedures including research, brain-storming, thumbnails, sketches, and final art.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of the creative process, i.e. analysis, incubation, illumination, and verification.
  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of different ways and means to communicate information through various media and software.

Goal 3 To provide advance knowledge of animation through diverse global, cultural, and historical perspectives

  • Students will demonstrate knowledge of art on a global scale within a historical context.
  • Students will recognize the works of numerous masters from various backgrounds and cultures in animation and the arts.
  • Students will discuss work in comparison to contemporary and historical masters.
  • Students will discuss how the history of art and animation reflects significant historical and cultural events.
  • Students will research and organize resources to broaden their understanding of the field of animation.

Goal 4 To utilize industry software and technologies to create 3D artwork

  • Students will demonstrate competency in a variety of software packages pertinent to digital animation.
  • Students will demonstrate competency in selecting various frame rates and corresponding time configurations.
  • Students will produce and record a demo reel using video editing software and equipment.
  • Students will recognize foundational concepts in modeling, texturing, animating, and lighting.
  • Students will effectively manage files and document assets. 

Goal 5 To prepare students for a career as a 3D artist 

  • Students will create a quality portfolio consistent with industry practices and standards that can be used to present themselves in the job market.
  • Students will demonstrate an understanding of the methods of self-promotion and representation that are common to the field of animation.
  • Students will use traditional and contemporary information technology.
  • Students will identify, access, and appropriately use authoritative sources of information.

Total Credit Hours: 64

First Semester

This course is an opportunity for students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in college. Students learn the importance of the faculty-student and advisor-advisee relationship, develop time management techniques, apply effective study skill techniques, recognize the implications of living in a diverse society, utilize college resources, and explore career and transfer requirements. Collaborative projects are included. Students matriculated in a degree program must take this course in their first term of study.

EN101 English 1: Composition C-3 Cr-3

This course focuses on several kinds of writing-self-expressive, informative, and argumentative/persuasive, and others. A minimum of five essay compositions are required. The course emphasizes the composition of clear, correct, and effective prose required in a variety of professions and occupations. Prerequisites: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or EN090 Basic Writing Skills or SL116 ESL4: Advanced Composition.

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of visual communication and creativity with an emphasis on understanding historically significant art styles. Students explore various types of visual expression and apply creative problem-solving principles to both two-dimensional and three-dimensional projects in a variety of media. Emphasis is placed on formulating basic design and layout principles, with particular stress on application. Students are introduced to the masters, practices, and careers of painting, sculpture, graphic design, animation, film, digital media, illustration, and photography.

This course introduces the tools, media, and theory used in the creation of a drawing. It includes the fundamentals of perspective, the theory of light and shade, and a survey of graphic representation. Projects are executed focusing on proportion and placement, volume and structure, and value with tone.

Studio laboratory fee: $20

This course provides the foundation of traditional animation techniques. These techniques are mastered before moving on to digital animation. Techniques in portfolio projects are used in the second year.

This course introduces contemporary text manipulation, digital imaging, and digital illustration software. Students produce projects demonstrating their knowledge of both the software and the interfaces between page layout, raster graphics, and vector graphics. No previous software knowledge is required.

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Second Semester

This course introduces probability and statistics. Topics include graphs, tables, frequency distributions, measures of central tendency and dispersion, normal distribution, correlation and regression, probability, and inferential statistics. This course is available in two formats: lecture only, or lecture plus laboratory using technology. Prerequisite: Appropriate high school GPA or placement test score or MA089 Arithmetic.

This is an introductory course in drawing the human figure, focusing on the body’s geometric and anatomical structure. Classroom work consists of drawing from the live model and plaster sculpture casts. A hierarchy of form, working from general to specific, is emphasized. Studio work is supplemented by lectures and critiques on the principles of accurate representation of the human form in pictorial space, including gesture, proportion, anatomy, and light on form. Studio laboratory fee: $20

This course introduces digital imaging and digital illustration techniques, and software used by the animator. It explores the aesthetic and technological potential of digital imaging and digital illustration software. The use of digital media and the creation of computer-based imagery are emphasized. It includes advanced technical instruction in the use of software and peripheral devices (scanners, printers, file storage, and other technologies).

This course covers the developmental elements of computer animation. Topics include user interface, various 3D modeling techniques, texture mapping, and timing. The course builds on the basic principles of traditional animation with the techniques of computer animation and production processes. Prerequisites: CG133 Introduction to Animation.

This course introduces current sculpting techniques used by the animation industry for character creation and design. Work is done with traditional 3D media, digitized models, and 3D animation software. Earth clays, polymer clays, and foam sculpture are used. Armatures are used to study stop-motion, maquettes, and the digitizing process. Character types range from realistic to imaginary. Prerequisites: FA101 General Drawing.

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Third Semester

This course further develops digital animation skills and techniques. Topics include character modeling, mapping, materials, animation, and production techniques. Prerequisites: CG144 Digital Animation 1

This course introduces the principles and techniques used in the creation, practice, and production of storyboards for animation, multimedia, and filmmaking. It covers scriptwriting, along with the fundamental principles of storyboarding through traditional techniques and practice. Drawing skills and composition are applied to set location, cinematography, sound, special effects, and character actions along with fluid storylines in a variety of genres. The results are more proficient visual communicators in industry applications, including animated films, cartoons, commercials, documentaries, live-action feature films, industrial and institutional films, and video gaming. Prerequisite: FA101 General Drawing

This course incorporates full production animation techniques. It expects advanced exploration of storyboarding, set design, cinematography, sound, and finished character development. Contemporary digital recording and editing systems are synthesized with traditional animation techniques. Prerequisites: CG133 Introduction to Animation.

This course encourages a deeper understanding of human nature and the human condition through the study of ideas and values expressed in imaginative literature. Emphasis is placed on the use and development of critical thinking and language skills. Library-oriented research is required. Prerequisite: EN101 English 1: Composition or EN105 English Composition for Speakers of Other Languages or EN106 English 1: Composition & Reading.

This course examines the development of film as a medium of artistic expression. Topics include cinematic vocabulary, camera techniques, editing, sound, auteur theory, and personalities. Feature films are analyzed during the laboratory component.

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Fourth Semester

Any General Education Natural Science course

This course uses a production animation environment in which students are expected to work in groups to produce animations specific to an assigned topic. Projects may include animation for advertising, entertainment, educational, and scientific applications. Corequisite: CG234 Professional Practices for the Animator.

This course covers the theory, role, scope, and practice of emerging 3D technologies for digital animation students. Emphasis is placed on creating projects using 3D printing, photogrammetry, virtual reality, and other technologies relevant to 3D content creation. This course investigates approaches to tool and material use, utilization of software, interfacing with 3D printers, and finishing techniques for 3D prints.

This course gives an understanding of and a feeling for the society in which we live. The concepts and theories discussed relate to humanity, its culture and society, and to those forces that contribute to the smooth operation of this society as well as those forces that contribute to conflict and social problems. Topics include culture, socialization, stratification, population, and patterns of social organization.

This course emphasizes the completion of a professional demo reel, which demonstrates a student’s strength within 3D animation. Students complete a three-minute animation. Prerequisite: CG145 Digital Animation 2. Corequisite: CG233 Animation Production Workshop.

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