Art Department - Fall 2009 - Digital Art - Ronaldo Kiel

Course Description Class Projects Schedule Important Dates Contact Index

This course provides a introduction to the process of creating motion graphics for video or film productions. During the semester, students will explore two-dimensional and basic three-dimensional animation techniques for broadcast television, film or the Web. Basic concepts of compositing and special effects will also be covered.

You should keep in mind that learning the software is only a small part of the work. Successful design is a matter of communicating your thoughts clearly to achieve your goals.

Course Objectives

Software

This course covers some of the industry-standard software packages for the creation of moving graphics. Final Cut Pro will be used as our non-linear editor. In Final Cut Pro, students will finalize all projects and output their productions to videotape. Adobe After Effects will be the tool to create special effects, two-dimensional animation and compositing. The 3D part of the course will cover basic modeling techniques and animation in 3D using Maya. This course requires a proficiency with the Macintosh environment, with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Please see me if you feel a need to review of any of this programs.

Materials

You will need at least one CD-R to backup your files. You must supply your own re-writable CDs. If you are planning to digitize more than a few seconds of source footage, you probably should get several CDs or DVD-Rs (4.7GB). The computers of both labs can write DVDs (-R, -RW, +R, +R DL, +RW) and CDs. You can use the assets that I provide for all the projects in this class. But I strongly suggest that you try to create your own assets for the projects.

Course Requirements

• attend class regularly
• complete all the final assignments and submit them on time
  (no incompletes will be given)
• present the draft versions all projects on their specific due dates
• a minimum of four hours/week of independent work in the Lab
• study the selected tutorials and read the literature

Attendance & Grades

This course will offer training in multiple software packages in only 14 classes and a total of four projects will be required to pass the course. These projects demand a lot of work and time. The material in this course is technical and specific. At least four hours a week of independent work in the lab is required (most students spend much more time). Attendance is essential and work on the tutorials will be necessary to successfully finish all projects. All final versions of the projects for the class should be presented on videotape. Prior notification and arrangement with me will be required in the case of late work. Any project submitted after its due date will be graded down at least one letter grade.

Note: All students will be graded on the work that they complete during the semester. No incomplete grades will be offered. Projects submitted still in progress will be graded accordingly.

Recommended Reading:

Apple Pro Training Series : Final Cut Pro HD (Apple Pro Training) - Price: $37.52

Adobe After Effects 6.0 Classroom in a Book by Adobe Creative Team - Price: $36

Books on 3D

The Art of 3D Computer Animation and Effects by Isaac Victor Kerlow - Price: $44

Learning Autodesk Maya 8|Foundation +DVD - Price $51

Maya 8 Visual QuickStart Guide by Danny Riddell, Andrew S. Britt - Price: $23

Industrial Light & Magic: Into The Realm by Mark Cotta Vaz and Patricia Rose Duignan - Price: $54.60

Online Resources:

Final Cut Pro

Adobe Video Workshop

Adobe After Effects

Maya

Highend 3d Tutorials