Art Degrees Online

Course Descriptions
CRN Course title Emphasis Credits
ANIM 112 Fundamentals of 2D Computer Based Animation Animation 3

ANIM 202 Art Studio 1: Life Drawing Animation 3

ANIM 212 Art Studio 2: Drawing for Animation Animation 3

ANIM 300 History of Animation Animation 3

ANIM 303 3D Animation in Maya Animation 3

ANIM 310 The Business of Animation Animation 3

ANIM 313 Character Design, Rigging, and Animation Animation 3

ANIM 403 Advanced 3D Animation Techniques Animation 3

ANIM 413 Graphics for Television Animation 3

ANIM 416 Culminating Project Animation 3

ANIM 423 Special Effects for Film and Television Animation 3

ANIM 480 Production Practicum Animation 1 to 3

ANIM 490 Independent Study Animation 3

COMU 100 The Christian Role in the Arts Today Animation 3

COMU 200 Survey of Communication and Popular Culture Animation 3

ANIM 343 History of Animation Animation 3

ANIM 450/ Special Effects for Film and Television Animation 3

Animation Core Requirements (51 credits)
COMU 100 The Christian Role in the Arts Today (3)
CTVU 102 Cinema-Television Equipment Workshop (1)
CTVU 210 Storytelling and Scriptwriting (3)
CTVU 258 Audio Production (3) (3)
CTVU 270 Editing Theory (3) (3)
CTVU 356 Non-linear Video Editing (3) (3)
ANIM 103 Introduction to Digital Art (2) (2)
ANIM 112 Web-Based Graphics and Animation (3) (3)
ANIM 202 Art Studio 1: Life Drawing (3) (3)
ANIM 212 Art Studio 2: Drawing for Animation (3) (3)
ANIM 343 History of Animation (3) (3)
ANIM 303 3-D Animation in Maya (3) (3)
ANIM 310 The Business of Animation (3) (3)
ANIM 313 Character Design, Rigging, and Animation (3) (3)
ANIM 403 Advanced 3D Animation Techniques (3) (3)
ANIM 413 Graphics for Television (3) (3)
ANIM 416 Culminating Project (3) (2)
ANIM 450 Special Effects for Film and Television (3) (3)
Electives (20 credits)
Elective credits can be taken in any discipline (100-400 college-level courses)
Total Degree Hours: 120

3-D Animation/Game Art and Animation – 3-D Animation emphasizes development of skills in the concept and execution of 3-D animation targeted toward the entertainment industry as well as advertising and corporate communication. Skills are developed in conceptualization, 2-D and 3-D computer graphics, 3-D animation techniques, and digital video compositing. Game Art and Animation emphasizes the development of 2-D/3-D artwork and animation skills for the computer gaming industry. Students also learn level design concepts and how to integrate high-end 3-D computer graphic files with software game engines.

Web-Interactive Media/Digital Video – Digital Video focuses on developing the concept, design, and production skills necessary for creating digital video content. Students learn how to create concept storyboards, work with video cameras and lighting, and edit video with current software tools. Web-Interactive Media is a quickly-evolving, field requiring both traditional and cutting-edge skills for content delivered online, through intranet networks or by digital media. Students in this program learn techniques in concept development, HTML/ Javascript, interactive design, digital graphics preparation, animation, and interactive scripting.

AAS – 3-D ANIMATION / GAME ART AND ANIMATION

72 credit hours

First Year

First Semester

ARTC 1305 Basic Graphic Design

ARTC 1325 Introduction to Computer Graphics

ARTV 1211 Storyboard

ARTV 1345 3-D Modeling and Rendering I – Maya

ENGL 1301 Composition/Rhetoric I

FLMC 1301 History of Animation Techniques

Second Semester

ARTC 1302 Digital Imaging I

ARTV 1341 3-D Animation I

ARTV 1343 Digital Sound

ARTV 2345 3-D Modeling and Rendering II – Maya

Technical Course *

Third Semester

ARTS 1316 Drawing I

ARTV 2351 3-D Animation II – Maya

PHED/DANC Any activity course

Technical Course *

Technical Course *

Second Year

First Semester

ARTS 1301 Art Appreciation

ARTV 2372 Advanced Character Rigging and Animation

MATH 1332 College Mathematics

SPCH 1311 Fundamentals of Speech Communication

Technical Course *

Second Semester

ARTV 2335 Portfolio Development for Animation (Capstone)

FLMC 2331 Video Graphics and Visual Effects II

PSYC 2301 General Psychology

Technical Course *

Note: Preferred core choices in italics; see other options in AAS core, unless otherwise noted.

* Technical Courses:

• If the student emphasizes 3-D Animation, they will take the following: ARTC 1353, ARTV 1303, ARTV 1351, FLMC 1331, and FLMC 2305.

• If the student emphasizes Game Art and Animation, they will take the following: COSC 1315, GAME 1303, GAME 1304, GAME 2359, and IMED 2301.

AAS – WEB-INTERACTIVE MEDIA/DIGITAL VIDEO SPECIALIZATION

72 credit hours

First Year

First Semester

ARTC 1305 Basic Graphic Design

ARTC 1325 Introduction to Computer Graphics

ARTV 1211 Storyboard

FLMC 1301 History of Animation Techniques

IMED 2301 Instructional Design

Technical Course *

Second Semester

ARTC 1302 Digital Imaging I

ARTC 1353 Computer Illustration I

ARTV 1303 Basic Animation – Flash

ARTV 1343 Digital Sound

SPCH 1311 Fundamentals of Speech Communication

Third Semester

ARTS 1316 Drawing I

IMED 1316 Web Design I

MATH 1332 College Mathematics

PHED/DANC Any activity course

Technical Course *

Second Year

First Semester

ARTS 1301 Art Appreciation

ENGL 1301 Composition/Rhetoric I

Technical Course *

Technical Course *

Technical Course *

Second Semester

ARTC 2305 Digital Imaging II – Photoshop

ARTV 2335 Portfolio Development for Animation (Capstone)

IMED 2313 Project Analysis and Design

PSYC 2301 General Psychology

Note: Preferred core choices in italics; see other options in AAS core, unless otherwise noted.

* Technical Courses:

• If the student emphasizes Web-Interactive Media, they will take the following: ARTC 2311, ARTV 2301, ARTV 2330, ARTV 2373, and IMED 2315.

• If the student emphasizes Digital Video, they will take the following: ARTV 1351, ARTV 2341, DRAM 2366, FLMC 1331, and PHTC 1345.

Certificates

3-D ANIMATION/GAME ART AND ANIMATION CERTIFICATE

41 credit hours

First Year

First Semester

ARTC 1325 Introduction to Computer Graphics

ARTV 1211 Storyboard

ARTV 1345 3-D Modeling and Rendering I – Maya

Second Semester

ARTC 1302 Digital Imaging I

ARTV 1341 3-D Animation I

ARTV 2345 3-D Modeling and Rendering II – Maya

Technical Course *

Third Semester

ARTV 2351 3-D Animation II – Maya

Technical Course *

Technical Course *

Second Year

First Semester

ARTV 2372 Advanced Character Rigging and Animation

Technical Course *

Second Semester

ARTV 2335 Portfolio Development for Animation (Capstone)

Technical Course *

* Technical Courses:

• If the student emphasizes 3-D Animation, they will take the following: ARTV 1303, ARTV 1351, FLMC 1301, FLMC 1331, and IMED 2313.

• If the student emphasizes Game Art and Animation, they will take the following: COSC 1315, GAME 1303, GAME 1304, GAME 2359, and IMED 2301.

WEB-INTERACTIVE MEDIA/DIGITAL VIDEO CERTIFICATE

41 credit hours

First Year

First Semester

ARTC 1325 Introduction to Computer Graphics

ARTV 1211 Storyboard

FLMC 1301 History of Animation Techniques

IMED 2301 Instructional Design

Technical Course *

Second Semester

ARTC 1302 Digital Imaging I

ARTV 1303 Basic Animation – Flash

Third Semester

IMED 1316 Web Design I

Technical Course *

Second Year

First Semester

Technical Course *

Technical Course *

Technical Course *

Second Semester

ARTV 2335 Portfolio Development for Animation (Capstone)

IMED 2313 Project Analysis and Design

* Technical Courses:

• If the student emphasizes Web-Interactive Media, they will take the following: ARTC 2311, ARTV 2301, ARTV 2330, ARTV 2373, and IMED 2315.

• If the student emphasizes Digital Video, they will take the following: ARTV 1351, ARTV 2341, DRAM 2366, FLMC 1331, and PHTC 1345.

Marketable Skills Achievement Award

Some of the course in these award programs may require prerequisites. Please check the course descriptions.

MSAA – 3-D Animation

14 credit hours

ARTV 1211 Storyboard

ARTV 1341 3-D Animation I

ARTV 1345 3-D Modeling and Rendering I – Maya

Elective *

Elective *

* Electives (6 credit hours): ARTC 1302, ARTV 2351, ARTV 2372, or FLMC 1331

MSAA – Web-Interactive Media

14 credit hours

ARTC 1302 Digital Imaging I

ARTV 1211 Storyboard

IMED 1316 Web Design I

Elective *

Elective *

* Electives (6 credit hours): ARTC 1353, ARTV 1303, ARTV 2301, or IMED 2315

The six fine art degree awards reflect the expansion of media that is a hallmark of contemporary fine art practice. All six awards share a common structure, providing the core skills and knowledge required to be a successful practitioner in the ever-broadening sphere of fine art. The courses are dedicated to the development of studio practice and offer a dynamic curriculum that embraces creativity, encourages ambition and cultivates talent and skill. Practical training is combined with stimulating intellectual discussions of key theoretical debates in the visual arts. In addition, there is a programme featuring national and international visiting artists and visits to major national and international exhibitions.

What you do

At Level 1 you are provided with the opportunity to sample a wide range of media that relate to the various pathways. In addition, you will explore critical, theoretical perspectives. At Level 2 you will pursue your chosen pathway at a more advanced stage together with theoretical studies.

At Level 3 you will work towards your final degree exhibition. In addition, you will follow common professional practice modules to equip you with appropriate knowledge and skills for careers in the creative industries.

Taking a fine art orientation, the animation pathway will facilitate creative practice in areas such as digital and traditional animation,claymation, stop-motion and computer game design. There is a long history of animation as fine art practice. This degree enables fine artists to enter what has become a rapidly expanding field of practice. The demand for this area has increased three-fold over the past year and reflects the increased demand for on and offline animation-based art practice. The degree will also provide valuable digital media skills, enhancing employment options.

Where next

A fine art degree equips students with many of the essential transferable skills needed to be both employable and entrepreneurial in a wide range of creative industries. Production skills, new media skills (photography, video, animation, digital media), communication skills, team-working skills, initiative and an innovative approach to problem solving, are all desirable attributes
to employers.

The variety of awards offered provides a solid foundation for a broad range of arts-related occupations in the public and commercial sectors. Notable fine art graduates from Staffordshire University hold positions that are indicative of this diversity, such as: Senior Pictures Editor of the Independent on Sunday magazine; Director, Goldsworthy gallery, New York; and Model Designer for Hogwart’s Castle on the Harry Potter films. In addition, many UK museums and galleries have our graduates working at the very highest levels, and artists such as Alan Currall and Richard Hughes have won many prestigious contemporary art awards and have been represented in national and international exhibitions.