Scheduled Course Offerings
Spring 2008
- Online Course
Jan. 21 - May 16, 2008
CRN 30301
Course Description
This course examines the principles of character and environment design, with an emphasis on using digital tools to produce concept art and preproduction materials for animation, games, and multimedia. The student will explore the processes of character development and design, environment design and layout, and storyboarding.
To do well in this class you should plan to dedicate between 8-12 hours per week to class activities, homework, and assignments.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful complete of this course, the student will be
able to:
- Examine and categorize the significant events in the development of the preproduction and visualization studio units.
- Compare the foundations of life drawing, composition, background, set and character design as they relate to the pre-production processes in animation, gaming, and multimedia.
- Demonstrate understanding of the basic concepts of color theory.
- Visualize, sketch, detail and paint character concept art using a digital painting program.
- Visualize, sketch, detail and paint environment concept art using a digital painting program.
- Visualize and implement a storyboard that visually depicts the plot and planned art style of a media project.
Course Requirements
Students must have their textbook(s) and software the first day of class. If you anticipate any shipment delays from a particuluar retailer, you should find an alternate source that has the product in stock and ships overnight.
Requisite Skills
This is an entry-level course. No previous knowledge of Photoshop is required. Students should have strong skills in computer and internet use, however. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- opening, saving, and managing files and directories
- installing software, plug-ins, and fonts
- troubleshooting operating system errors
- navigating the Web
- researching the Web
- sending and receiving e-mail with attachments
Take this quiz to see if you are ready for an online course.
Textbooks
- Seegmiller, D. (2004). Digital Character Design and Painting: The Photoshop CS Edition. Charles River Media. ISBN-10: 1584503408. ISBN-13: 978-1584503408.
- Zhu, F. (2004). The Techniques of Feng Zhu, Volume 3: The Fundamentals of Shot Design for Environments (DVD). The Gnomon Workshop. ISBN-10: 1930878761, ISBN-13: 978-1930878761
Software
- Adobe Photoshop Extended CS3 Software
If you plan to complete the Web Design certificate or degree, purchasing one of the Adobe Creative Suite packages is a better value to obtain all the software you'll need. (purchase into)
System and Connectivity Requirements (online classes only)
Minimum System Requirements (based on Adobe Creative Suite 3 Design Premium. The Master Collection, which includes motion graphics and video applications has more stringent requirements.) Both Windows and Macintosh platforms are acceptable.
Students can successfully complete the course with dial-up internet connectivity. However, if students wish to participate in optional weekly live presentations, they should have access to DSL connectivity or faster. If you don't have this at home, accessing these demonstrations at a public or school library might be a viable option.
Assignments
An online class entails 4 required asynchronous student activities:
- Completing textbook reading assignments
- Reading text-based lectures
- Completing tutorials, quizzes, assignments, and project
- Participating on the class discussion board, including several collaborative critiques
An optional synchronous activity may also available:
- BreezeLive presentations. See the course syllabus for scheduled times.
Campus classes will have an online component and similar activities will be required. |
