Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: VART5093C

Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5361 - Diploma of Screen and Media (Interactive Media)

Course Contact: Program Administration

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4585

Course Contact Email: mcvet@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nicole McKinnon
e: nicole.mckinnon@rmit.edu.au
ph: 9925 4375

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to design animation and digital visual effects for screen productions such as television commercials, feature films, animated films or interactive games.

It applies to individuals who have high-level skills in research and creative concept development. They work closely with people such as directors or producers to generate concepts and prepare design specifications for animation or visual effects for a range of projects.

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CUAANM503 Design animation and digital visual effects
Element:	1. Clarify design requirements
Performance Criteria:	1.1 Assess scope of design projects with reference to production documentation 1.2 Analyse factors that may impact the design process 1.3 Participate in preliminary concept meetings to clarify the design requirements 1.4 Itemise elements to be addressed with reference to production documentation
Element:	2. Generate and assess ideas
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Generate a range of design ideas that respond to the brief and provide creative solutions to design issues 2.2 Assess ideas and collaborate, as required, with relevant personnel to maximise contribution of ideas to initial concepts 2.3 Appraise ideas for implications on cost, technical feasibility and creative requirements
Element:	3. Conduct research and experimentation
Performance Criteria:	3.1 Research content and target audience characteristics that influence production styles and techniques 3.2 Trial various techniques to test their suitability for given design projects 3.3 Organise research and provide relevant personnel access to experimentation materials 3.4 Analyse and document research and experimental findings
Element:	4. Produce draft design specifications
Performance Criteria:	4.1 Evaluate initial concept ideas in light of research and experimentation findings in consultation with relevant personnel, and select the most appropriate approach 4.2 Discuss and agree with relevant personnel on suitable documentation to present design specifications 4.3 Create storyboards as required 4.4 Prepare or supervise development of sample material to be included in design specifications as required 4.5 Draft design specifications to advise the design and development teams 4.6 Discuss draft design specifications with relevant personnel to ensure all requirements have been addressed
Element:	5. Finalise design specifications
Performance Criteria:	5.1 Present draft design specifications to relevant personnel for review to ensure they are clearly presented 5.2 Participate in evaluation of design specifications 5.3 Negotiate and agree to additions or modifications and amend design specifications as required 5.4 Clarify designer’s role for the production phase 5.5 Review process of designing animation and digital visual effects and note areas for future improvement

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will have developed the skills required to design animation and digital visual effects for a screen based production.

 

Details of Learning Activities

In class learning activities may include, but are not limited to:

• lectures and/or lab work
• teacher directed group activities and projects
• concept development of group and individual projects
• group discussions and class presentations
• peer and teacher feedback
• WIP (work in progress) reviews
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection
• class excursions to events and locations outside of RMIT

Out of class activities may include, but are not limited to:

• maintaining secure daily backups of all assessment and project data
• accessing online tutorial resources
• self directed online, library and industry research
• self directed project production work and reflection
• class excursions to events and locations outside of RMIT

Teaching Schedule

Wk	Class Content	Assessments	CUAANM503
Wk 1	Introduction. Principles of animation Introducing A01 - Post-it note morph Create a sequence of animation start with the initials of your name and have them morph into something. Utilise the following principles of animation - timing - squash and stretch - pose to pose animation or straight ahead animation		3
Wk 2	Timing, squash and stretch, pose to pose animation or straight ahead animation Continue working on A01 - Post-it note morph Create a sequence of animation start with the initials of your name and have them morph into something. Utilise the following principles of animation - timing - squash and stretch - pose to pose animation or straight ahead animation		1, 3
Wk 3	Scanning and assemble Post-it note Morph. Flash basics – using it to composite your animation sequence A01 - Post-it note morph - Work in Progress presentation. A one on one presentation of work in progress to the teacher to receive feedback		3
Wk 4	WIP review – Present your progress A01 - Post-it Note Morph. Introducing: A02 - Create a puppet style walk cycle, anticipation move, and action.	A01 - Post-it note morph Create an animated sequence morphing from your initials into a different image.	2
Wk 5	A01 review and project feedback Walk cycles Different animation styles – Frame by frame animation – puppet style animation		3
Wk 6	Creating a puppet style walk cycle with an action. Introducing A03 - The Haunted Project Part 1 Preproduction.	A02 - Create a puppet style walk cycle, anticipation move, and action	1
Wk 7	A02 review and project feedback Character Design for animation and storyboarding And Design Document. Review A03 - The Haunted Project Part 1 Preproduction.		1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Wk 8	Character Design for animation and storyboarding		1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Wk 9	WIP review – Present your progress - A03 - The Haunted Project Part 1: Work in progress review. A one on one presentation of work in progress to the teacher to receive feedback Introducing: A03 - The Haunted Project Part 2.		3
Wk 10	Work on A03 - The Haunted Project Part 2		3
Wk 11	Work on A03 - The Haunted Project Part 2		3
Wk 12	Work on A03 - The Haunted Project Part 2		3
Wk 13	Work on A03 - The Haunted Project Part 2		1, 2, 3
Wk 14	WIP review – Present your progress - A03 - The Haunted Project Part 2: Work in progress review. A one on one review of work in progress to the teacher to receive feedback	A03 - The Haunted Project	1, 2, 3
Wk 15	A03 review and project feedback		1, 2, 3
Wk 16	Review of assessment tasks and feedback.		1, 2, 3

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

None.

References

The University Library has extensive resources. The Library has produced a number of subject guides that includes quality online and print resources for your studies. The Library provides guides and subject specialist help via your Liaison Librarians.

Other Resources

Students are encouraged to make full use of class time, open studio time and University computer lab resources. Please consult the RMIT University web site for details of access times and locations.

Other required resources include, but are not limited to: an A4 or A3 visual diary, drawing materials (pencils of various grades (1B & 2B), erasers, coloured pencils and pens, graphic markers such as Copic brand) broadband internet access, suitable digital media storage such as a portable hard drive or USB flash drive, with at least 32Gb capacity.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, practical project work and through the application of learned skills.

Assessment Tasks

This course is assessed in accordance with competency-based assessment.To demonstrate competency you must complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task. Once you have demonstrated competency, you will receive a grade for A03 and for the course. Please refer to the assessment brief for full assessment criteria or assessment rubric. All assessment documents are available on the course Blackboard page through MyRMIT.
 

Ungraded Tasks:

A01 - Post-it note morph 
Create a sequence of animation start with the initials of your name and have them morph into something. 
Utilise the following principles of animation
- timing
- squash and stretch
- pose to pose animation or straight ahead animation
Due week 4

A02 - Create a puppet style walk cycle, anticipation move, and action
(A detailed Assessment Task brief will be available on Blackboard in the Design Studio 1 Assessment task folder).
Due week 6

Graded Task:

A03 - The Haunted Project
Based on the theme “Haunted”, students will combine a 2D animated character within a 3D background, to create an short animated sequence that includes titles, music and sound effects.

Part 1: Preproduction documentation for and presentation
(A detailed Assessment Task brief will be available on Blackboard in the Design Studio 1 Assessment task folder).
Due week 9

Part 2: Completed Haunted Project
(This assessment task forms part of the assessment of the following units of competency: 
CUAANM503 Design animation and digital visual effects RMIT code: VART5093C
 and CUAANM502 Create 3D digital environments RMIT code: VART6443C)
Due: Week 14

Graded assessment in this course uses the following grades:

CHD - Competent with High Distinction
CDI - Competent with Distinction
CC - Competent with Credit
CAG - Competency Achieved - Graded
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit for Assessment

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant unit of competency.

The assessment matrix for this course can be found on Blackboard through myRmit, or from your teacher.

Other Information

Please refer to the RMIT student page for extensive information about study support, assessment, extensions, appeals and a range of other matters: http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students

Cover Sheet for Submissions:

You must complete and sign a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions.

http://mams.rmit.edu.au/s1llva641yxuz.pdf

Attendance:

Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises

It is strongly advised that you attend all timetabled sessions. This will allow you to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring you the maximum opportunity to complete this course successfully.

Assessment Feedback:

You will receive spoken and written feedback on all your work.  Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/policies/assessment-policy

Student Progress:

Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy designed to assist you in achieving your learning potential.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/acadprogress

Adjustments to Assessment (eg. applying for an extension of time):

If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment satisfactorily by the due date, you can choose to apply for an adjustment to your assessment. RMIT University offers a range of adjustments designed to support you in your studies, including an extension of time to complete the assessment.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/adjustment

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism:

RMIT University has a strict policy on plagiarism and academic integrity. Please refer to the website for more information on this policy.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/academic-integrity

Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning:

Credit transfer is the recognition of previously completed formal learning (an officially accredited qualification).

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is an assessment process that allows you to demonstrate competence using the skills you have gained through experience in the workplace, voluntary work, informal or formal training or other life experiences.

Recognition of Current Competency (RCC) RCC applies only if you have previously successfully demonstrated competence in a unit of competency, and now require to be reassessed to ensure that the competence is being maintained.

Please speak to your teacher if you wish to discuss applying for Credit Transfer, RPL, or RCC for the unit(s) of competency addressed in this course.

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit

 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview