BACHELOR DIGITAL ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

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2 BACHELOR DIGITAL ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Ready to push the limits?! DAE is a three year full time bachelor program designed by and developed for creative, ambitious, passionate and exceptional individuals, ready to push the limits of tomorrow s interactive 3D. Compiled with the input of the major players in the international games and interactive media industry, our curriculum offers all the skills and insights to create complete interactive 3D environments. Our unique program contains artistic 3D as well as technical programming courses and produces highly talented and sought after technical artists that are recruited throughout Europe and beyond. Let s go international! For a student in Digital Arts and Entertainment, the world is their playground. That s why we decided to offer our entire curriculum not only in Dutch but also in English to an exclusive group of international students. From the academic year , this international group of students will be able to follow our curriculum in English. From the very start of their higher education, students will be able to expand their international network, since we are actively recruiting students from around the entire globe. DAE courses are taught by qualified experts using state of the art equipment and industry-standard practices. Our students complete real life and team-based, industry assessed projects, follow lessons and labs, enjoy guest lectures by key industry speakers, go on international study tours in the States and Europe, experience practical training, enter worldwide competitions and expose their work in the most renowned books on digital art. If you put in the necessary efforts, we will make sure you will have an international high profile internship. International Digital Arts and Entertainment, a bachelor at Howest University Howest University consists of four departments spread over four campuses in Bruges and Kortrijk. Today more than 5000 full-time students are enrolled at Howest University pursuing 22 Bachelors and 7 Masters covering a wide range of disciplines. Our industry-approved and award-winning education is housed in Kortrijk, a city of innovation, creation and design located in Belgium. Belgium with its rich cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife, medieval and artistic cities like Bruges, Ghent, Antwerp and Brussels the capital city of Europe is also close to other famous European places such as Paris, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague and Barcelona. For more information, go to or read our brochure for international students. DAE is no game! Due to the demanding nature of this industry, this degree program is not attainable for just any student. However, for those who do succeed, a wonderful future is in store in one of the most challenging and innovative sectors: interactive 3D. Want to find out more and get your international career started? Check out our website at:

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4 BACHELOR DIGITAL ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Who are our partners? Here you can find a few of our partners whose input has been and still is of major importance to the constant development of our curriculum or where some of our students do their internships: Microsoft Game Studio s (USA), Hoaxland (BE), Larian Studio s (BE), Playlogic (NL), Eyetronics (BE), Creative Conspiracy (BE), VRT (BE), FX-Motion (BE), Digipen (USA), Electronic Arts (USA), Dice/Electronic Arts (SE), Cruden (NL), Grid (BE), Black Rock Studios/Disney (GB), Visual Impact Production (BE) Spicy Horse (CN), Playlane (BE), Crytek (DE), Ciant (Prague), Two Tribes (The Netherlands), Ex-Dream (DE), Your dreamjob? The gaming technology offers a lot of perspectives! Students in Digital Arts and entertainment end up in a diversity of sectors and functions. Our students are technical artists or artistic technologists and create an enormous added value in various segments like advertising, media, game development, animation movies and other companies where simulations and product visualizations are playing a central role for promotional or educational purposes. But, nobody in the game business knows where the future lays. Multiplayer online games? Openworld games? Should we focus on Facebook applications, episodic games or games for the iphone? Everything changes fast. An the driving force behind this evolution is you! What does the industry think: In my work at the DigiPen Institute of Technology I was aware of many programs which were pushing into new educational frontiers in the areas of digital art as well as the intense math, science, and hard core C++ programming that are required in the demanding field of modern gaming and digital media. What I have seen almost none of is the kind of program with the lofty and ambitious goals of the DAE program where both are emphasized in such a grueling, but ultimately rewarding degree program. The students who can graduate from a program such as this should be well positioned to be among the best prepared entry level programmers, game artists, and technical artists anywhere in the world. Royal Winchester Technical Art Director ACES Game Studio - Microsoft Game Studios What do our graduates think: DAE is a high quality education which, together with your determination and dedication, can help launch your career in the game development industry. I felt that it s goal is not only to teach and hand out degrees, but to stimulate people in becoming better developers/artists, which is exactly what the industry needs. Jeroen Maton (Graduate DAE) 3D Modeler and Texture Artist - Dice - Sweden I was looking for a school that could teach me how to get inside the game industry. In only 2 and half years, they managed to teach me a very broad and solid base to become anything I wanted inside the game industry. From creating 3D art works and post production, to advance c++ and c# programming. With all these experiences and skills, I managed to get an internship at Crytek, where I am now fully employed as a gameplay programmer. So if you are looking for a school that can give you the push to get into the industry, then don t doubt, and choose DAE. They ll make your dream come true. Laurens Brock (Graduate DAE) Gameplay Programmer - Crytek Germany

5 CURRICULUM ORIENTATION YEAR ECTS Semester 1 Preproduction 1 3D 1 Creativity 1 Programming 1 Applied Math & Physics 1 Semester 2 Preproduction 2 3D 2 Creativity 2 Programming 2 Applied Math & Physics 2 After the second semester you have the choice to specialize in the Major 3D Arts or the Major Game Development. Second year: MAJOR 3D ARTS ECTS Second year: MAJOR GAME DEVELOPMENT ECTS Semester 3 Preproduction 3 3D3 (+Animation) Integration Project 1 Programming for Artists 1 Semester 3 Programming 3 3D for Games 1 (+Level Design) Integration Project 1 Graphics Programming 1 Semester 4 Postproduction 1 3D4 (+Animation) Integration Project 2 Programming for Artists 2 Semester 4 Programming 4 3D for Games 2 (+Level Design) Integration Project 2 Graphics Programming 2 Third year: MAJOR 3D ARTS ECTS Third year: MAJOR GAME DEVELOPMENT ECTS Semester 5 Integration Project 3 Postproduction 2 3D 5 3D Animation Elective course 3/ Semester 5 Integration Project 3 Tool Development Platform Development 3D for Games 3 Elective course 3/ Semester Internship 30 Semester Internship 30

6 ORIENTATION YEAR Technical Artist or Artistic Technician Our fulltime three year Bachelor program prepares students for a successful career in one of the fastest growing industries in the world. In the course of three years you will be able to develop yourself into an exceptional professional with a technical artist profile and expertise in either 3D Arts or Game Development. Our close relationship with the international industrial and educational scene is tied together with the way we educate. DAE courses are taught by qualified experts, industry guest speakers and self-taught teachers. In this way we can guarantee that our curriculum constantly progresses to meet the upcoming trends and requirements of the industry. The curriculum is divided in three years, 180 ECTS credits or semesters that make up the body of the program. During the first year we will provide you with general but necessary basic insights and skills to create complete interactive 3D environments. After the first year you can specialize yourself and choose between the major Game Development or the major 3D Arts. The final semester is reserved for a work placement. During preproduction classes we will teach you several expressive skills that will help you to design effortlessly and swiftly. Both analogue and digital tools will be used to create new work that is creative, technically strong and innovative. You will learn to work with C++, the programming language used for creating video games. At the end of the first semester you become a basic level object-oriented C++ programmer and have a lot of experience with programming 2D Graphics. After one year the students must be able to develop their own 2D arcade game in which as many of the recommended programming principles have been used. We will also make sure you have a complete overview of the 3D production pipeline from concept art to the final rendered image. We will introduce you to industrystandard 3D software packages (in our case Autodesk 3DStudio MAX). We want you to feel, see, create, and be 3D. You will soon find yourself making some cutting-edge three-dimensional images, ready to put in your portfolio! The choice and the order of our lessons are based upon the workflow in a typical production: from concept art we move on to 3D modeling and animation, after which we add programming code for interaction and graphical effects. Open your eyes and enrich your mind Our graduates explore and push the boundaries of technology and amaze friend and foe with a fresh vision and an inventive approach. To sharpen these human skills and let them flourish, we will pay a lot of attention to the genesis and growth process of ideas throughout the integration module.

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8 MAJOR 3D ARTS You will learn to visualize your imagination in a world where the possibilities are endless! To choose for the major 3D Arts in the second and third year means that you choose to further develop your conceptual and artistic side. The Major 3D Arts is all about becoming a 3D artist with skills in 3D animation, video production and visual effects. You will reach for perfection by mastering techniques like modeling, texturing, mise en scène, lighting, animation, rigging, skinning, rendering, compositing, Our curriculum focuses entirely on the creative and technical needs of the professional computer animation industry. You will work with state of the art equipment and learn the finest production techniques to create 3D computer graphics for movies, video games and television. Our major in 3D arts prepares you towards a successful career as animator, technical director, modeler, texturer, compositor in the international entertainment, advertising and movie industry or in other domains like architecture, R&D or the cultural sector. As a technical artist, you are also responsible for the graphical look of the 3D application or visualization. In the courses Programming for artists, you will learn to develop shaders with the ShaderFX tool for use in 3D Studio Max, XNA, Unity3D or your own 3D application. After this module you can develop an interactive user interface mockup, fully functional with animation and sound effects. This result is ready to be implemented by a programmer in a gameengine. During the 3D classes your target will be to integrate these characters into a next generation game engine, so they can come to life, through animation and in an interactive manner. By then you will have all the knowledge needed to build a character from scratch with Zbrush and 3DsMax and turn it into a finished interactive in-game character that carries next generation specifications. After 3D5 you will be in a position to explore the unlimited possibilities of animation. During the lessons you will realize a project in a team and combine all the skills you have picked up over the last year. You will create a professionally finished product that, who knows, might bring home an international prize. Every year semester will be rounded off with an integration project. Together with your fellow students from the major Game Development you will develop a visualization, simulation or game project. Choose your function in the group (lead, programmer, 3D Artist, concept artist, ), make sure you meet the deadline and get good reviews! Want to get started? Courses like preproduction and postproduction will provide you with the necessary skills to design both realistic and cartoony characters. You will deal with storyboarding, model sheets, storytelling, academic figure drawing courses, drawing and painting sessions and digital painting. Integration between 3D and real world footage will also be a focus in this module.

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10 MAJOR GAME DEVELOPMENT Making games is not a game! The major Game Development prepares students for a successful career in the national or international game industry. We offer you an innovative and creative environment and provide you with all the necessary cutting-edge, industry standard game development kits to excel in the world of game development. In this way you will create games using the same tools employed by the games industry. Not only will you master the necessary insights in the field of game development and level design, you will also control the 3D game content pipeline: modeling, unwrapping, normal mapping, texturing, without losing focus of the aesthetic side. As a technical artist, you are also responsible for the graphical look of the 3D application or visualization. In the courses graphics programming, you will learn how to work with the DirectX 10 API and to how to think in 3D while you are programming. You will also find out how to develop shaders with the ShaderFX tool for use in 3D Studio Max, XNA, Unity3D or your own 3D application. During the first year, you learned to make basic low poly 3D objects and photorealistic high poly 3D. In 3D for Games we will combine both techniques to create highly detailed low poly objects, indoor and outdoor scenes. Additionally, the lessons also cover a big amount of level design and the use of a professional game editor, Unreal 3. We will also explore all the possibilities of Mudbox. At the end of the 3D for games course, we expect you to work in a team of four students and to create an outdoor scene in the unreal engine of the same level as Gears of War. During the programming courses you will be confronted with advanced C++ and the power of STL. Writing programs and games is all about managing data. Therefore, you will learn more about Entity Relationship (ER) diagrams and how to compose SQL statements and implement database communication via C++. C++ is one of the most complex programming languages in the business. In comparison to languages like for example C# or Java, the C++ language gives the programmer a lot of freedom and possibilities. For that reason we will also deal with the topics of how best to tackle actual problems in C++. Every year semester will be rounded off with an integration project. Together with your fellow students from the major 3D Arts, you will develop a visualization, simulation or game project. Choose your function in the group (lead, programmer, 3D Artist, concept artist, ), make sure to meet your deadline and get good reviews! Want to get started? In the module tool development we will deal with the entire C# 3.0 language and we will teach you the principles of the Microsoft.Net framework. You will build your own mini game using a graphical user interface editor. In addition, we will guide you through the unlimited possibilities and interesting world of platform development.

11 PRACTICAL INFORMATION Here you can find more information about application and admission to Digital Arts and Entertainment. 1 ) General Information - Application deadline is 10/0/ For international students admissions are based on the student s application materials - For national students admissions are based upon the official high school transcripts / basic diploma - Students are informed of decisions within one week after a their application is received. 2 ) Application materials a. Signed Application form for admission Please complete the form in detail so that it can be processed efficiently. Incomplete forms will not be accepted. Make sure the form is signed. b. Official high-school transcripts / basic diploma c. Motivation letter and Resume Your motivation letter and resume are an important part of your application for admission to DAE at Howest University. What you write will help us find out more information about you. d. Portfolio DAE s intent in reviewing applicants portfolios is to ensure that students have appropriate foundational skills. The portfolio should demonstrate that the applicant has adequate foundational skills and enough passion to handle the rigors of the curriculum. Please include pieces that you feel demonstrate your strongest work, and reflect your personal interest. e. One letter of recommendation (for non-eea students) Letters of recommendation MUST be from individuals familiar with your academic background and/or work ethic, i.e. an instructor, guidance counselor or employer. Recommendation letters from family members will not be considered. Each letter MUST be sealed, signed and dated by the author and must contain a contact phone number. f. Proof of sufficiency in the English language (for non-native English speakers) by means of: - A signed confirmation letter from your university, stating that your English language skills reach the B2 level and thus are sufficient to attend courses, participate in classroom and examination activities and present your project and its results. - An official certificate or score report referring to the European Framework or from one of the recognized language tests (e.g. TOEFL 500/173 or IETLS 5.0, no partial results below 4.5) (Applicants from USA, Canada, Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia are not required to document their English skills.) 3 ) Registration For final registration you need to present yourself in person at the student administration office of the Howest campus where you want to enroll. For DAE students, this is the campus in the Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, 8500 Kortrijk Belgium. The payment of the tuition fees takes places during your final registration at the student administration office. You cannot pay in advance! 4 ) Contact details Howest University Atn: Inge Defour Graaf Karel de Goedelaan Kortrijk Belgium Europe Inge.defour@howest.be Fax: +32 5/241224

12 TUITION FEE Tuition Fee for academic year Other costs Belgian Students English Courses 54, Dutch Courses 54,30 Books and other school materials are costs that are not included in the tuition fee. EEA-Students* 54, ,30 non EEA-Students** 5.54, ,30 Home students Home students have the choice to follow classes either in English or Dutch. The tuition fee for Dutch courses is 57, 80 EUR for the academic year 200/2010. The tuition fee to follow classes in English is 57,80 EUR EUR costs of study for the academic year Please note that the tuition fee can be subject to change and annual inflation rate increase. EEA students If you wish to study in the Belgium and you are a national of a country belonging to European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA), you can also chose to follow classes either in English or Dutch. The tuition fee for Dutch courses is 57, 80 EUR for the academic year 200/2010. The tuition fee to follow classes in English is 57,80 EUR EUR costs of study for the academic year Please note that the tuition fee can be subject to change and annual inflation rate increase. Non EEA students Non EEA students can also chose to follow classes either in English or Dutch. The tuition fee for a full time non- EEA student for Dutch courses is 557,80 EUR for the academic year The tuition fee for a full time non-eea student to follow classes in English is 557,80 EUR EUR costs of study for the academic year Please note that the tuition fee can be subject to change and annual inflation rate increase. EEA students* EEA students are students with a nationality from a country from the European Economic Area (the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein). The EEA includes the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom Non-EEA students** If you do not hold the nationality from one of the countries of the European Economic Area, then you are a non-eea student, and must pay the non-eea student tuition fees. Students from candidate EU member states Croatia, Macedonia, and Turkey pay the same tuition fee as other non-eea students.

13 INFRASTRUCTURE Helpdesk We know that your laptop is very important for your education. Therefore we have installed a helpdesk that can assist you with all your problems and questions concerning hardware and software. The helpdesk will repair your computer as quickly as possible and if that is not feasible we will temporarily replace your computer with another. Pen Tablet You will not only draw on paper but also digitally. We recognize that pen tablets, interactive pen displays and digital interface solutions are quite expensive, therefore you can use our hardware for free. Between two lessons or during a free moment you can easily plug in your laptop and get started. Our scanners are also available to our students. Xbox Because we develop for Xbox, we have multiple consoles, which students can use to can test their projects. Multimedia centre Our multimedia centre is much more than a library with books. It is a modern, dynamic and up-to-date library. Apart from specialized books, 3D magazines and press, you will find PCs, printers, scanners, software and places for individual study or teamwork. All the students have access to multiple electronic databases, which, in a few clicks, lead to thousands of newspapers, magazines, specialist journals and scientific publications. Green Key, Sound & Radio Studio The studio of our University College includes a green key space for video recording, a room for editing a sound studio and a radio studio. You can also use our professional cameras, video cameras, Of particular importance is our green key studio, to make video material for your different projects. In the editing room you can immediately make adaptations to your visual material. Animation class with lighting boards We practice storyboarding in style. A brand-new classroom with state-of-the-art material is waiting for you so that you can start drawing under the best circumstances. Mocap (Motion Capture) Students will learn how to use a mocap for recording actions of human actors, and using that information to animate digital character models in 2D or 3D computer animation. The Studios The Studios is an accelerator for the new media industry. The Studios create a mix with industry and young talents, who want to create innovative and new ideas for the ever growing sector! The Studios stimulate talented students from Howest in entrepreneurship and creativity. In the studios, students can develop their ideas, use the professional infrastructure and are supported by senior entrepreneurs which guide them through the process. This entrepreneurship stimulation is offered towards the creative bachelors and masters of Howest University like Digital Arts and entertainment. For more information you can always contact: Christel De Mayer Christel.de.maeyer@howest.be website

14 LAPTOPS BEYOND STUDYING Your own workstation All MCT-students follow courses on their own laptop. This offers a lot of advantages: you can work on the train, there is no mess with CD-Roms, in every class you have the disposal of your own workstation, you can work with the latest versions of your documents at home and at your student s apartment, you can install the latest software on your laptop through our network, Bargain AND legal We can offer you a real bargain, which includes a service package and the guarantee that you will not need to upgrade your notebook within 3-years- time. Alternatively, you yourself can buy your own choice of laptop that fulfils the basic necessities and standard configuration. MCTstudents can download all Microsoft tools, Adobe products and 3D Studio Max at strongly reduced prices and use them as much as they want! You can find more information on For your questions concerning deferred payment you can contact pih.sovowes@howest.be Multi-mania Multi-Mania is a European event where national and international guest speakers present the newest trends in the field of new media and interactive 3D. At the end of this spectacle students and secondary school scholars can win an MM Award in various categories. A jury of specialists selects the winners. You want to participate or know more? DAE Game Awards The DAE Game Awards traditionally end the academic year. A select panel of professionals from the game sector will evaluate your project. Work yourself into the picture! DAE Experience DAE Experience is a community by and for Digital Arts and Entertainment students. You can post your work-in-progress, get good advice from fellow-students, take a quiz, discuss games and hardware or gossip about one of the professors. Have a look at Hotspots Our campus has wireless internet connection available. This makes surfing the internet even more comfortable! By the way, did you know that we can offer you a very profitable wireless subscription?!

15 HOWEST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE General Information Howest University College is one of the leading providers of higher education in the province of West Flanders in Belgium. Today more than 4700 full-time students are enrolled at Howest pursuing 22 Bachelors and 7 Masters covering a wide range of disciplines. Howest consists of four campuses situated in Bruges and Kortrijk. Bruges is known as the Venice of the North, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. In 2000 UNESCO included the entire historical city centre on the World Heritage list. Walking along the maze of winding cobbled alleys and romantic canals, you imagine yourself to be in medieval times. Bruges is also home to contemporary culture, such as the new Concert Hall, which is one of the most prominent music centres in Flanders. Kortrijk is the city of innovation, creation and design. Although the city is proud of its historical patrimony, famous architects and designers such as Arne Quinze, are busy redesigning the city. Students will find here an open, vibrant, cosmopolitan and friendly environment that offers a wealth of educational opportunities, with emphasis on high quality and practiceoriented courses. Housing accommodation, specialized libraries, individual study schemes, student counseling and study-related services at departmental level stress our student-oriented policy. Our competent teaching and administrative staff form a compact community and are always approachable. All classrooms and auditoria are well equipped to meet the present-day teaching facilities (wireless internet access all over the campus). include new areas of knowledge and to meet the changing needs of today s student. Flanders, Brussels, Belgium and Europe Flanders is the gateway to Europe. Flanders is the Flemish (Dutch-speaking) Community of the federal kingdom of Belgium. The capital of Flanders is Brussels, a capital it shares with Belgium and the European Union. Flanders six million inhabitants live right at the crossroads of Europe. Paris, London, Köln and Amsterdam are all within a radius of 300 km. Brussels, capital of Flanders and Europe, is home to the European Commission, NATO and many international institutions. With 15 embassies and 2,500 diplomats, Brussels is the second largest diplomatic city in the world. The Flemish capital is also the world s second largest congress centre and the world s seventh largest financial market. Higher education in Flanders The standard of education in Flanders is one of the highest in Europe and it steadily continues to improve. Higher education institutions in Flanders operate a fullfledged credit system based on ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). Each course counts for at least 3 credits, with a maximum of 12 courses per 0 credits. One credit represents 25 to 30 hours of a student s workload. A bachelor degree requires 180 ECTS or three years full study; a master degree requires at least 0 ECTS, but mostly 120 ECTS or another one or two years full study, completed with a master s thesis. Howest has loads of links to industry and other outside bodies. Howest continues to attract the best available academic staff and to modify and develop its curriculum to

16 HOWEST UNIVERSITY COLLEGE Our Programmes Howest offers a broad variety of interesting programmes in different fields of study. The programmes comprise 22 professional bachelors and 7 academic masters in industrial sciences (engineering). The regular programmes are taught in Dutch, the Flemish mother tongue. Students who come to Howest on an Erasmus exchange programme, should preferably have some knowledge of Dutch. However, our staff will do their utmost to accommodate students and coach them through the programme. The bachelor Digital Arts and Entertainment is taught in English, just like our international semesters. The programmes run side by side with the regular programmes and often students form teams with our Dutch speaking students. Both parties appreciate this. Our Flemish students are usually fluent in English and our incoming students see it as an opportunity to acquire a basic knowledge of Dutch. Language course for incoming students A 3-week Erasmus Intensive Language Course (EILC) Dutch is offered twice a year in Kortrijk, at the beginning of each semester. Exchange students at Howest can attend it. The international semester programmes generally contain at least one language course. Student facilities Stuvo Howest is a professional service whose main objective is to make life at Howest as smooth, pleasant and interesting as possible for all students. As a foreign student you can come and find us for all information and assistance about: - Lodgings: But Howest also has a number of studios to let both in Bruges and in Kortrijk. - Student organizations and activities; - Mobility, bike rental and allowances for public transport (Buzzy Pazz); free public transport by bus in Kortrijk. - Student grants - Laptop rental, after approval of a social file - Self Care: Stuvo Howest offers psychosocial counseling, renders assistance to disabled students, and organizes awareness campaigns. - Student jobs: Stuvo Howest informs students about the financial and fiscal aspects of student jobs, and provides them with useful links and model contracts. - Organization of sports events and cultural activities The Stuvo Howest staff members are always at your service. Call or mail them for an appointment, or visit them during their office hours. More information can be found on More information You can find more information on our website: Or order one of our international brochures by contacting our international office: international.office@howest.be Howest International Office Isabelle Pertry Marksesteenweg 58 B Kortrijk +32 (0) (0)