Digital Animation & 3D Design Course Descriptions
DIGM 111- Storyboarding and Editing: After Effects (3 credits)
Students explore the wide range of project management and presentation skills within this pre-production activity. Concepts covered in this course include scene set-up, camera maps, camera angles, staging, camera motion, and presentation techniques for effective boards. Production techniques include the use of a variety of materials used to formulate rough thumbnail sketches from shot description boards to final animatics. Students discuss story board formats, the visual industry standard method of communication.
DIGM 112- Digital Production: Photoshop (3 credits)
This course introduces students to fundamental concepts, principles, and practices of digital imaging for animation, game development and 3D design. Students will learn to use the Photoshop tools to manipulate digital images for animation and design applications. Students will use layers, adjustment layers, layer effects, masks and filters to create special effects. Students will use paint tools, blending modes, and channels in the creation of their images.
DIGM 115- Maya I: 3D Modeling (3 credits)
This course introduces students to fundamental concepts, principles, and practices of 3D digital modeling. Students are given instruction in 3D modeling techniques including: production of geometric and organic surfaces and forms using NURBS, polygon construction and sub-divisional surfaces. The primary 3D modeling and rendering software used in this course will be Maya which is a commercial standard for 3D modeling.
DIGM 116- Maya II: Fundamentals (3 credits)
The course is a series of project-based lessons designed to guide students through the process of creating and generating an animation. This course builds on the modeling skills learned in Maya I: 3D Modeling and teaches students how to animate, texture map, add visual effects and render using the Maya software.
DIGM 215- Maya III: Rendering (3 credits)
Students will light 3D scenes, set-up shading networks and render 3D images with alpha channels for compositing. Students will demonstrate an understanding of composition through lighting, camera, and color manipulation. Students will establish a digital lighting design methodology.
DIGM 216- Maya IV: Character Rigging & Advanced Modeling (3 credits)
Students will build a standard bipedal skeleton with properly aligned rotation axes character rig. Students will construct a Full Body IK control rigging and skin for the model. The character setup and rigging techniques will include kinematics and inverse kinematics, and deformers. Expressions will be used to animate particles.
DIGM 113 - Digital Editing: Combustion (3 credits)
Students will learn to use a node-based digital video interface to create composites for motion graphics and visual effects. Students will use Combustion’s non-linear interface and extensive tool sets, in addition to operators and expressions, to create scenes in 2D and 3D environments.
DIGM 114 - Digital Modeling: Z Brush (3 credits)
Students will use ZBrush’s high-level controls and applications for 3D modeling and texturing. ZBrush’s Subdivisional surface modeler will be used for model creation and manipulation. This course includes the fundamentals of the ZBrush interface; the 3D edit mode; texturing techniques; Zspheres modeling; displacement; and rendering within ZBrush.
DIGM 230 - Practicum (6 credits)
This course is a design and production project for Digital Media Arts students enrolled in Digital Animation & 3D Design, Game Development, Design Option and Game Development, Programming Option. Students will produce a high-quality original game or animation product. The project begins with the creation of the original concept, continues with storyboarding, and ends with post-production processing. The student will document each stage of the project’s development. The project will be presented for critique and evaluation at each of the developmental stages.
DGMD 101-Introduction to Digital Media (3 credits)
Digital Media Technology is designed to familiarize the student with the expanding world of new digital media formats. Students will learn about audio, video, and print media in both a non-linear and hypermedia environment. The course will include the basics of digital media formats and CODEC introductions to software and concepts utilized in digital AV production and graphic design, and discussions about current and future concepts in the digital audio-visual domain. Some additional lab time is expected in this course. A fundamental understanding of a Windows OS, and basic computer knowledge is helpful.
COMP 126 - Computer Logic & Design (3 credits)
This course provides the student with an introduction to computer systems. The topics include computer architecture and data representations, computer programming logic and coding, operating systems, application software and Web design concepts.
TELV 122 - Digital Video Production (3 credits)
Digital video production deals with video field production in the digital domain. The student will plan, shoot and edit video taped projects in the documentary or informational format. Use of digital video production and editing techniques will be emphasized. (Perquisite: DGMD 101)
SPCH 115 – Effective Speech (3 credits)
Students will develop the speech communication skills central to success in academic, business, and professional life. Students who complete SPCH 115 will have demonstrated competence in critical thinking, effective listening, information and technological literacy, appropriate use of communication in public speaking and group discussion.
ENGL 121- English Composition: The Writing Process (3 credits)
English 121 is an introductory writing course where student compose and revise narrative and expository essays and prepare for the study of literature by using writing to analyze texts. Through a writers’ workshop approach, students explore the writing process, respond to a variety of texts and learn to communicate their ideas effectively and confidently in writing. (Perquisite: ENGL 095, ENG 097 or passing score in English on Basic Skills Test)
ARTS 111 – Drawing I (3 credits)
Students will gain a working knowledge of basic principles and techniques of drawing in a studio setting. The course includes: value systems, light/shade, perspective, proportion and composition. Field trips may be required.
ARTS 213 – Figure Drawing (3 credits)
In this studio course working from the live model, the student will be able to translate basic structural relationships, both skeletal and muscular, through the drawing medium. Various materials will be used. (Prerequisite: ARTS 111 or permission of instructor)
