DIPLOMA IN 3D DESIGN AND DIGITAL ANIMATION COURSE INFO PACK

Transcription

1 Registered as a Private Higher Education Institution with the Department of Higher Education and Training in South Africa under the Higher Education Act 1997 Registration Nr. 2001/HE07/005 DIPLOMA IN 3D DESIGN AND DIGITAL ANIMATION COURSE INFO PACK 2016

2 2 DIPLOMA IN 3D DESIGN AND DIGITAL ANIMATION REGISTRATION AND ACCREDITATION Prestige Academy (Pty) Ltd is a widely recognised and credible institution. Prestige Academy is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution (PHEI) under the Higher Education Act (Act No 101 of 1997), registration number 2001/HE07/005. We offer exclusive career-orientated and vocational training of a very high quality standard. All qualifications are accredited by the Council on Higher Education and registered by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). CONTACT DETAILS PRESTIGE ACADEMY CAMPUS BUILDING Bellville Business Park D J Wood Street Bellville 7530 POSTAL ADDRESS P O Box 2220 Bellville 7535 GPS CO-ORDINATES S E Tel: Fax: ADDRESS: info@prestigeacademy.co.za WEB ADDRESS: FACEBOOK: TWITTER:

3 3 ADMISSION/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS The minimum admission requirement is a National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 30 39% in the language of learning and teaching of the institution (in our case it is English) coupled with an achievement rating of 3, 40-49% or better in four recognised subjects. Subjects such as Hospitality studies, Tourism and Computer Applications Technology, Design are recognized national senior certificate subjects. All recognized subjects have a credit value of 20, except Life Orientation (10) and thus therefore not count. Refer to the Higher Education Act, 1997 (Act 101 of 1997), Government Gazette Appendix: Group A and B Government Gazette (Refer to our Website for Namibian admission requirements) PORTFOLIO OF ARTWORK All applicants are required to have an art background and must present a portfolio of evidence. Please refer to the last section in this document for details on the portfolio requirements. COMPUTER LITERACY Computer literacy is required and students must be able to use computers and technology efficiently. Applicants must be able to operate a personal computer and its related software and to understand the basic underlying concepts. A portfolio of evidence must be submitted when registering for the course. (See end of this document) GENERAL INFORMATION The Diploma is provisionally registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the National Qualifications Framework as: Diploma in 3D Design and Digital Animation. Duration: 2 Years NQF Level: 6 Exit Level Credits: 255 SAQA Qualification ID no.: OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM The 2-year full-time Diploma in 3D Design and Digital Animation develops and refines artistic and technical design skills to potential employers. The multimedia animation artist is a highly skilled and specialized visual communicator with such entry level employment opportunities as: multimedia graphics designer, 3D animator, 3D modeller, 3D lighting specialist, 3D texture artist, special effects artist, and video post production artist. In the 1st year of study, the students are taught a solid foundation in the history of animation as well as in-depth knowledge in 3D Computer generated animation. In the second year, students sharpen their skills with a specially designed curriculum that builds on the basic knowledge gained in the first academic year. They will go through the pre-production process of Character Design and learn how to model their characters, including shading models and materials, UV layout, texture painting, rendering techniques and troubleshooting. They will go through the principles and practical techniques of both rigging and specifically animation for CG Characters, including principles of animation, blocking and smoothing, timing and facial animation with lip sync. They will end the year with an end-of-year 3D project that will hone and showcase the skills they ve learnt including post production techniques like film editing, sound effects and compositing in Adobe After Effects. During this project students also learn how to compile a portfolio website. YEAR 1 SUBJECT 1: 3D COMPUTER GRAPHICS This subject consists of two parts: establishes a foundation for 3D design and digital animation. The first part deals with 3D theory and principles, creative applications of 3D CG design such as graphic types (raster/vector), vectors, the notion of representing 3D space, Cartesian mathematics, viewport, coordinate systems, modelling types, the common tools available in the 3D CG environment, and common practical communication aspects such as the story idea, scriptwriting, storyboarding, animatics, and character design.

4 4 The second part covers applicable software functions and options, a variety of technical processes such as application of materials (surface shader types), render tree, multi/sub-object materials, textures and texture co-ordinates as well as workflow aspects such as sunlight system; photometric lights; rendering, units, selection options, viewing options, transformations, creation of standard 3D primitives, subd s, standard 2D shapes, and object modification. SUBJECT 2: FOUNDATIONS OF DESIGN The subject equips students with the necessary competencies to perform professionally. This subject establishes the necessary knowledge base for any intentional visual design applied by the professional 3D visual designer and animator. In particular, attention is paid to the fundamental concepts, elements and principles of design, and the features of functional design as opposed to poor design. Students have the opportunity to apply such knowledge in schematic drawing and creating character sheets to model 3D objects from. In addition, they will master techniques of creating action pose drawings for characters as well as three quarter view design concepts for new ideas. SUBJECT 3: APPLIED 3D COMPUTER GRAPHICS In this subject, students have the opportunity to obtain knowledge in a practical hands-on manner. It is required to apply the theory of 3D Computer Graphics in assignments that simulate the real world of work (as if working in an animation studio environment), starting with modelling 3D objects, and apply applicable Shaders and textures to their own 3D models according to the recommended rendering process. SUBJECT 4: FOUNDATIONS OF ANIMATIONS This subject equips the student with knowledge and skills on a variety of key 3D CG (computer graphics) and animation aspects organised under four broad themes: rendering and texturing, rigging and enveloping, non-linear animation, as well as applied post-production, which are inter-related and inter-dependent. Attention is paid to other relevant topics such as mixing, layering, editing, blending animation clips, appropriate controllers and required marking sets (non-linear animation), as well as modifying the various animation components. SUBJECT 5: BASIC COMPOSITING In this subject students are equipped with knowledge about manipulating 3D renders in Photoshop layers and using all the blend modes. Compositing also involves the replacement of selected parts of an image with other material, usually, but not always, from another image. In digital compositing, software commands designate a narrowly defined colour as the part of an image to be replaced. Then every pixel within the designated colour range is replaced by the software with a pixel from another image, aligned to appear as part of the original. It will develop understanding of compositing image effects and how the different elements that a final 3D render consists of, fit together. This knowledge is applied in Applied Post Production in the second year. SUBJECT 6: MODELLING AND MODIFIERS Modelling and modifiers are essential components of any 3D animation assignment. This subject will develop an in-depth understanding of modelling methods and the use of modifiers to be able to create objects for different application contexts such as architecture design, visual effects and character animation. Models are constructed from geometrical vertices, faces, and edges in a 3D coordinate system. Objects are sculpted much like real clay or plaster, working from general forms to specific details with various sculpting tools. This also allows students to test the modelling and modifier methods across multiple software platforms, such as Maya and 3d Studio Max. YEAR 2 SUBJECT 1: ENTREPRENEURSHIP This subject introduces the student to the entrepreneurial world and creates a platform for more advanced studies in this field. Students will explore the unique characteristics of the Entrepreneur as an individual with limited resources who seizes opportunities to develop new products and services which satisfy the multiple needs of consumers. Specific techniques for releasing creativity in the development and growth of new business ventures will be presented in practical terms. The differences between concepts such as: Entrepreneurship and Intrapreneurship ; creativity and innovation ; feasibility and viability, will also be explained with the aim to sensitise students for business opportunities even within existing and well established business environments. This subject finally introduces the student to the requirements of a structured mini-business plan. The role of women as emerging entrepreneurs is also highlighted, accompanied with base-line knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of the existing legal business forms available to entrepreneurs in South Africa.

5 5 SUBJECT 2: DIGITAL CHARACTER ANIMATION This subject gives students the opportunity to step into the world of the characters they need to animate. Animators are in many respects actors who bring their digital characters to life through the illusion of movement, breathing and thinking processes. In digital character animation you will move beyond the mechanical and technical processes of animation, and create living characters that movie audiences will be able to relate to. SUBJECT 3: APPLIED RIGGING AND ENVELOPING In this subject students will gain practical knowledge about the technical aspects of mesh deformers like creating controllers/ dummy objects, creating bone systems with hierarchies, enveloping using symmetry and blend weight for each bone (rigging and enveloping). In a process called rigging, a virtual marionette is given various controllers and handles for controlling movement. This includes creating control rigs for characters and mechanical objects, for example, cars. SUBJECT 4: NON-LINEAR ANIMATION This subject deals with the principles of character facial animation, including lip sync through shape animation and using morph targets. In order to get shape animation a student requires knowledge of rigging and enveloping which are cross platform techniques and also skills that are based in each of the software packages being taught, for instance; shape mixer in Maya and the Morph modifier in 3ds Max. Topics include mixing, layering, editing, and blending animation clips, appropriate controllers and required marking sets. SUBJECT 5: RENDERING AND TEXTURING After completion of this subject the student will be able to apply materials and Shaders to 3D models. This knowledge will be gained by learning about mapping co-ordinates, different unwrapping techniques, texture projections and troubleshooting problems when texturing objects in 3D environments. Students will also investigate the different rendering techniques, styles and usage of lights to create different moods in the different 3D environments. This knowledge is an important part of your training as a 3D Artist as you will be able to get employment as a Texturing specialist and lighting designer. SUBJECT 6: APPLIED POST PRODUCTION This subject introduces you to the principles and techniques behind post production methods and relevant software at a basic level. This knowledge is useful in constructing a show reel to show case examples of your animation work. In particular, students are introduced to motion graphic software, discussion on sound file types, the wave table, import sound file (music/sound effects), edit and sync to animation, work on effects, adjustments as required, multiple channels to create layered mixes, preparing a keyboard short-cut list. Other relevant aspects include broadcast theory (resolutions, title safe, action/picture safe, live area), and broadcast formats, file formats, codex, video window, timeline, source (drag and drop), layers, effects, discussion on keying, discussion on editing (transitions). SUBJECT 7: WORK-BASED LEARNING Work-based learning (also called internship or professional practicum) happens in your final year of study. It involves learning through placement at a company for the purpose of gaining hands-on experience through executing actual tasks and assignments. Work-based learning is structured around a clear purpose, performance (outcome) targets and procedures in collaboration with the employer and lecturer(s) concerned. It provides students with an opportunity to acquire first-hand experience of the world of work in the industry concerned. Students should acquire an in-depth knowledge of workplace practices as well as a broad knowledge and understanding of how the host organisation operates. They should develop competencies that are impossible or highly unlikely in the classroom environment, for instance the ability to deal with challenges and problems within context of the workplace itself. They will also develop the ability to integrate knowledge and skills across all program subjects at practical levels. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES Animation Artist Character Designer 3D Designer 3D Modeller 3D Texture Artist 3D Lighting Designer

6 6 Architectural Visualisation Artist Digital Special Effects Designer Compositor ARTICULATION POSSIBILITIES Students completing this qualification successfully may articulate to the following qualifications: Degree in Bachelor of Applied Arts in 3D Animation: 3 Years: NQF Level 7, SAQA I.D. No 83227