Art Degrees Online

3D Character Animation Stream

***Semester 5 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
ACT550 Advanced Acting for Animators 2
ANI501 Advanced Animation Principles 4
ANI502 Advanced Life Drawing 4
ANI504 Advanced Lighting, Texturing, Rendering 3
ANI512 Storyboarding for the 3D Environment 2
ANI521 Basic 3D Modeling 3
ANI524 Advanced Animation Tools 3
ANI531 Basic Rigging for 3D Animators 3

Semester 6 Subject Name Hrs/Wk
ANI623 Lighting, Texturing Rendering II 3
ANI624 Advanced Character Animation II 4
ANI625 Introduction to MEL Scripting 3
ANI630 Advanced Rigging 3
ANI671 Advanced Digital Tools II 2
LIF641 Life Drawing Portfolio Development 4
PRT681 Portfolio Presentation and Professionalism 3
STR600 Storyboarding and Project Development Advanced 2

*** Streaming subject to enrolment and not guaranteed. (Students are required to make stream selection by week 2 of the 4th semester. Both streams may not be available in all semesters.)

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

10-201-139 Design and Color 1 3 credits
Design and Color 1 provides involvement with the creative process, the
traditional elements and principles of design, and various techniques for
solving two-dimensional design problems.
10-207-110 Introduction to Animation 3 credits
General overview of professional animation, including current industry
standards and practices. Students begin a basic study of motion
dynamics based largely on the industry’s “Fundamental Principles of
Animation,” presented through a combination of lecture and
demonstration and continual analysis of existing professional animation.
Contemporary standards, definitions, workflows, etc., are discussed as
well as job organization and job-tracking skills, and translation of basic
motion principles into digital 3D space. Corequisites: 10-201-103 and
10-207-111.
10-207-111 Introduction to Digital 3D 3 credits
A foundation introduction to digital 3D. Students learn to organize
electronic files and projects into a professional workflow, and to
electronically navigate Cartesian space. Class activities include the
basics of digital modeling and surfacing, and the translation of 2D prepwork
into 3D prototypes. Corequisites: 10-201-103 and 10-207-110.
10-207-120 Animation 2 3 credits
Continuation of the study of motion with emphasis on character
movement and animation. A combination of lectures and class
demonstration introduces students to forward- and inversekinematics,
and gradually more complex character rigging. The
continued study of body mechanics and dynamics by analyzing
classic and contemporary professional animation will assist
students in translating their own ideas into credible motion in
digital form. Prerequisites: 10-201-103, 10-207-110 and
10-207-111.
10-207-122 Advanced Digital 3D 3 credits
A continuation of Introduction to Digital 3D, this course moves
students into more complex modeling and surfacing
challenges. Specialized techniques such as patch- and
advanced spline-modeling are explored as well as specialized
shaders, displacement maps, and other advanced surfacing
options. Students complete the semester with the design and
creation of a complex, multi-part object correctly constructed,
linked and boned for advanced animation techniques.
Prerequisites: 10-201-103, 10-207-110 and 10-207-111.
10-207-130 Level and Set Design 2 credits
Students concentrate on the planning and construction of
architectural and environmental forms to create sets and
backgrounds for animation projects. Basic architectural
principles as they relate to animation and appropriate effects
for specific themes are explored as well as environmental
factors relating to the creation of credible worlds. Class
activities include the exploration of specialized perspective
problems, world-specific texture-sets, lighting and composition.
Prerequisites: 10-201-139 and 10-207-122.
10-207-131 Animation 3 3 credits
By exploring various off-computer techniques for analyzing
character motion, students practice translating their
observations into digital form and applying them to their own
creations. Extensive study of actual footage and professional
work helps students make the conceptual transition from realworld
to believable virtual motion. Prerequisites: 10-207-120,
10-207-122 and 10-207-151.
10-207-140 Advanced Animation Studio 1 3 credits
This is the first class in a two-part comprehensive animation
studio series. It is a project-based course in which students
develop their own projects in consultation with instructors.
Extensive studio time provides advanced students with large
blocks of instructor and equipment access and allows an indepth
study of particular aspects of digital 3D targeting the
completion of a professional quality demo-reel. Group study
and interaction is encouraged and detail job tracking is
required. Prerequisites: 10-207-120, 10-207-122, 10-207-150.
10-207-141 Animation 4 3 credits
Animation 4 is an advanced course in the manipulation of 3D
technology. The focus of this course is to develop more
intricate and complex character development. Emphasis is
placed on the selection and manipulation of sounds, voices
and idiosyncratic movements to produce personality types and
scenarios. Prerequisites: 10-207-120, 10-207-122, and
10-207-151.
10-207-142 Animation Internship 1 credit
Students work on-site in a professional setting or work on a
specific task in consultation with a professional mentor.
Regular reviews with a professional are scheduled to assess
the student’s progress and work quality. Details of internship
arrangements can be developed between the student and the
participating company as long as specific minimum course
requirements are fulfilled. Prerequisite: final semester in
program and registration in 10-207-143.
10-207-143 Animation Portfolio 2 credits
Each student finalizes a series of short animations to be
included in a final 3- to-4-minute demo-reel demonstrating
his/her capabilities. The collection is prepared for distribution
to potential employers or to four-year animation degree
programs for continued education. In addition, each student
prepares a professional-level 2D portfolio and a personal ID
package (stationary, business cards, etc.) and is required to
participate in the class preparation for the year-end portfolio
show in conjunction with the other art degree programs.
Prerequisites: 10-207-131 and final semester status.
10-207-144 Advanced Animation Studio 2 3 credits
This is the second class in a 2-part comprehensive animation
studio series. It is a project-based course in which the students
develop their own projects in consultation with Instructors and
industry professionals. Extensive studio time provides
advanced students with large blocks of Instructor and
equipment access, and allows an in-depth study of particular
aspects of digital 3D targeting the completion of a
professional-quality demo-reel. Group study and interaction is
encouraged and detailed job-tracking is required.
Prerequisites: 10-207-131 and 10-207-140.
10-207-150 Animation Concepts 1 3 credits
Students will work to develop their concepts into finished
images, working traditionally and on the computer. The course
will concentrate on the development of these skills through the
exploration of different topics and projects relevant to
professional animation. Course emphasis will be placed on
architectural ideas, working machines, modes of
transportation, and other subjects related to the creation of
credible and functional environments. Prerequisites:
10-201-103 and 10-201-139.
10-207-151 Animation Concepts 2 3 credits
Students will work to develop character concepts into finished
images, working traditionally and on the computer. The course
will concentrate on the development of these skills through the
exploration of different topics and projects relevant to
professional animation. Course emphasis will be placed on
character development, functional body-mechanics,
personality traits and other subjects related to the creation of
the illusion of life. Prerequisites: 10-201-117 and 10-207-150.