Note:
Course content may be changed, term to term, without
notice. The information below is provided as a guide
for course selection and is not binding in any form,
and should not be used to purchase course materials.
ARTS 473 Syllabus
COURSE SYLLABUS
ARTS 473
2D/3D GRAPHICS AND ANIMATION
COURSE DESCRIPTION
An introduction to 2D and 3D design concepts and terminology. Practical experience in the
design and evaluation of 2D/3D still and motion graphics. Students gain practical experience by
storyboarding, designing, animating, and rendering 2D/3D graphic objects, characters, and
environments. Advanced training in industry standard 2D and 3D programs guided by principles
of design.
RATIONALE
Communications are dependent on visual presentation to convey the total message. This
dependence on visual communication necessitates that graphic design students understand the
role visual imagery plays in an information-dependent age. Computers have amplified the rapid
accumulation of information and an awareness of the world and universe in which we live.
Computer graphics, 2D and 3D graphics and animation in particular, expand our ability to
communicate giving the student the tools necessary to design more effective graphics that
integrate easily with other imaging software. This is a fast growing area of graphic design and
visual communication in general. It can be found in formats such as, television, animation,
graphics, special effects, and simulations. Software for 2D and 3D graphic design is easily
integrated with other software to create rich interactive products. The demand for individuals
with these skills is great, especially among those who espouse Judeo-Christian principles.
I.
PREREQUISITE
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic
Course Catalog.
II.
REQUIRED RESOURCE PURCHASE
Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are
registered: http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm
III.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR LEARNING
A.
Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B.
Three-button mouse
C.
Internet access (broadband recommended)
D.
Microsoft Word
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)
E.
Other common applications/software/tools needed
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ARTS 473 Syllabus
(Remember to reference any that are used throughout your academic program.)
IV.
F.
Autodesk Maya 2013 3/D animation software. Free download from Autodesk.
http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=download_center
G.
Text files for text tutorials. Free download from Sybex.
http://www.sybex.com/go/maya2013essentials
H.
MPEG Streamclip for compositing frames. Free download from Squared 5.
http://www.squared5.com
I.
Free Membership: Autodesk Education
Community. http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=community_center
J.
Free Membership: Area. Tutorials, forums, blogs, and galleries.
http://area.autodesk.com/
MEASURABLE LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
V.
A.
Convey and utilize 2D and 3D animation vocabulary and terms in film, television,
science, architecture, engineering, web design and other industries.
B.
Convey and utilize knowledge of the various tools and palettes as well as the
menu bar and its various fly-out menus, including which fly-out menus contain
what commands and utilities.
C.
Convey and utilize knowledge of keyboard commands as needed.
D.
Comprehend and distinguish the use of the 12 Principles of Animation in their
own work and the work of others, both professional and non-professional.
E.
Adapt the use of basic design principles into the production of 3D stills as well as
short productions.
F.
Convey and utilize techniques in the use of splines, polygons, NURBS,
HyperNURBS, keyframes, F-Curves, lighting, the use of shaders, texture
mapping, and rendering.
G.
Adhere to project guidelines and creatively adapt them to personal expression.
H.
Analyze and appraise the work of fellow classmates, as well as professionally
produced materials.
I.
Analyze issues concerning how worldview impacts industry issues.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS
A.
Textbook readings and lecture presentations
B.
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the syllabus Student Expectations, the student will then complete
the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C.
Discussion Board Forums (6)
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ARTS 473 Syllabus
The student will complete Discussion Board Forums in Module/Weeks 2–7 which
discuss how personal worldview impacts indusrial issues. These forums will
address how worldview impacts industrial issues and will consist of 1 thread and
at least 1 reply. Threads must be 250–300 words in length; replies must be 100–
150 words in length. Any citations or references must be cited according to
current APA formatting.
D.
Animation Analysis Group Projects (4)
The student will be placed in a group discussion board by the instructor at the
beginning of the course for the pupose of collaboration. Group projects will
consist of watching assigned animated clips, and discussing how the creators used
the 12 Principles of Animation. For each project, one student will submit the
conclusions of the group. In addition, each student will submit an evaluation of
the other group members’ participation for the project.
E.
Tutorials (7)
The tutorials are from the text and require the student to move through step-bystep training in each chapter. The goal is for the student to learn enough about the
program from the tutorials to then utilize what he/she has learned in a personal
project.
F.
Ten Objects Project
The project will be completed in 2 stages.
Part 1: Thumbnails
Part 2: Rendered Still Frame
G.
Architectural Project
The project will be completed in three stages.
Part 1: Thumbnails
Part 2: Storyboards
Part 3: Rendered Movie
H.
Animated Character Project
The project will be completed in 4 stages.
Part 1: Thumbnails
Part 2: Front/Side Profile
Part 3: Pose
Part 4: Rendered Movie
I.
Quizzes (7)
Quizzes will cover the vocabulary and details from the software, including
screenshots of tools, palettes, menus, and explanations of usage of the aforesaid.
Quizzes will be in the form of multiple-choice, true/false, matching, and hotspot
questions.
VI.
COURSE GRADING AND POLICIES
A.
Points
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ARTS 473 Syllabus
Course Requirements Checklist
Discussion Board Forums (6 at 10 pts ea)
Animation Analysis Group Project (4 at 40 pts ea)
Tutorials (6 at 40 pts; 1 at 20 pts)
Ten Objects Project
Part 1: Thumbnails
Part 2: Rendered Still Frame
Architectural Project
Part 1: Thumbnails
Part 2: Storyboards
Part 3: Rendered Movie
Animated Character Project
Part 1: Thumbnails
Part 2: Front/Side Profile
Part 3: Pose
Part 4: Rendered Movie
Quizzes
10
60
160
260
20
70
20
20
80
Total
B.
20
20
20
100
150
1010
Scale
A = 900–1010 B = 800–899 C = 700–799 D = 600–699 F = 0–599
C.
Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must
contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the
instructor will receive the following deductions:
1.
Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will
receive a 10% deduction.
2.
Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20%
deduction.
3.
Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the
class will not be accepted.
4.
Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be
reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
D.
Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s
Office of Disability Academic Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu to
make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be
found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.
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ARTS 473 Course Schedule
COURSE SCHEDULE
ARTS 473
Textbooks: Naas, Autodesk Maya 2013 Essentials, (2012).
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
Naas: chs. 1–2
11 presentations
3 websites
Course Requirements Checklist
Class Introductions
Animation Analysis Group Project 1
Tutorial ch. 2
Ten Objects Project Part 1: Thumbnails
Quiz 1
10
0
40
20
20
49
Naas: ch. 3
8 presentations
2 websites
DB Forum 1
Tutorial ch. 3
Architectural Project Part 1: Thumbnails
Animated Character Project Part 1:
Thumbnails
Quiz 2
10
40
20
20
11
Naas: chs. 4–5
2 presentations
DB Forum 2
Animation Analysis Group Project 2
Tutorial chs. 4–5
Ten Objects Project Part 2: Rendered Still
Frame
Quiz 3
10
40
40
70
6
4
Naas: chs. 6–7
4 presentations
1 website
DB Forum 3
Tutorial chs. 6–7
Architectural Project Part 2: Storyboards
Animated Character Project Part 2:
Front/Side Profile
Quiz 4
10
40
20
20
26
5
Naas: chs. 9–10
[NOTE: ch. 8 left out
intentionally]
3 presentations
DB Forum 4
Animation Analysis Group Project 3
Tutorial chs. 9–10
Architectural Project Part 3: Rendered
Movie
Quiz 5
10
40
40
80
23
6
Naas: chs. 11–12
4 presentations
DB Forum 5
Tutorial chs. 11–12
Animated Character Project Part 3: Pose
Quiz 6
10
40
20
18
1
2
3
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ARTS 473 Course Schedule
MODULE/
WEEK
READING & STUDY
7
Naas: chs. 13–14
2 presentations (review)
DB Forum 6
Animation Analysis Group Project 4
Tutorial chs. 13–14
Quiz 7
10
40
40
17
8
None
Animated Character Project Part 4:
Rendered Movie
100
TOTAL
1010
ASSIGNMENTS
POINTS
DB = Discussion Board
NOTE: Each course week (except Module/Week 1) begins on Tuesday morning at 12:00 a.m.
(ET) and ends on Monday night at 11:59 p.m. (ET). The final week ends at 11:59 p.m.
(ET) on Friday.
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