Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 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


Teaching Schedule

 

CUAANM503 Design animation and digital visual effects

 

Class content

Assessments

Wk 1

Define scope for animations, interactive and web projects. Investigation of a creative
production process - What
is a synopsis and project
Treatment? Design Project 2 - Student directed concept development and preproduction tasks.

 

Wk 2

Pitch concepts, peer critique and feedback Design Project 2 - Student directed concept development and preproduction tasks.

A01 - Concept documents for Design Project 2

Wk 3

Reviewing the pre-production requirements for the Design Project 2.

 

Wk 4

Continue working on Preproduction requirements for Design Project 2. Looking at a range of pre-production tools and protocols.

 

Wk 5

Continue working on Preproduction requirements for Design Project 2. Looking at a range of pre-production tools and protocols.

 

Wk 6

Continue working on Preproduction requirements for Design Project 2. Looking at a range of pre-production tools and protocols.

 

Wk 7

Reviewing  the principles of Animation, a look at the A02 Principles, and practise of animation Part 1 - Discuss the 3 principles of animation you intend to explore create a  preproduction plan.

 

Wk 8

Exploring different Animation Techniques.   


Work on A02 Principles, and practise of animation Part 1 - Discuss the 3 principles of animation you intend to explore create a  preproduction plan.

 

Wk 9

Exploring different Animation Techniques.   


Work on A02 Principles, and practise of animation Part 1 - Discuss the 3 principles of animation you intend to explore create a  preproduction plan.

 

Wk 10

Work in Progress Review A02 - Principles, and Practice of Animation (Part 1)

 

Wk 11

Review the requirements for A02 Part 2. Create Animation sequence between 5 - 10 seconds that demonstrates the 3 principles of animation at least once. Using any animation style and medium. Including appropriate music and sound. 5 - 10 seconds of animation.

A02 - Principles, and Practice of Animation (Part 1)

Wk 12

Continue to work on A02 Part 2. Create Animation sequence between 5 - 10 seconds that demonstrates the 3 principles of animation at least once.

 

Wk 13

Continue to work on A02 Part 2. Create Animation sequence between 5 - 10 seconds that demonstrates the 3 principles of animation at least once.

 

Wk 14

Work in progress Review for A02 - Principles, and Practice of Animation (Part 2)

A02 - Principles, and Practice of Animation (Part 2)

Wk 15

Scheduled review and feedback of all assessments

 

Wk 16

Scheduled review and feedback of all assessments

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

N/A


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 64Gb 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

Assessment for this course is competency based. To show competency, you must complete all assessments 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 A0x and A0x and for the course.

Late submissions or submissions that do not reach the required standard, may be assessed Not Yet Satisfactory. You will receive resubmission instructions via email, myRMIT or LMS feedback. Resubmissions must occur within a week of this notification.

Graded assessments which are resubmitted, are eligible for CAG (Competency Achieved Graded) only.

Please refer to the assessment brief for full assessment criteria or assessment rubric. All assessment documents are available on the course LMS page through MyRMIT.

UNGRADED:

A01 - Concept documents for Design Project 2
Produce documents showing 3 concepts, synopsis & project treatment.
Ungraded - Due week 2

GRADED:

A02 - Principles, and Practice of Animation (Part 1)
Discuss the 3 principles of animation you intend to explore, and create a preproduction plan for Part 2.
Graded - Due week 11

A02 - Principles, and Practice of Animation (Part 2)
Create an animated sequence between 5 - 10 seconds that demonstrates 3 principles of animation at least once. Using any animation style and medium. Including appropriate copyright free music and sound effects.
Graded - 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: https://www.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.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/academic-progress

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.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/adjustments-to-assessment

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.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/rights-and-responsibilities/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.

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/enrolment/apply-for-credit

Course Overview: Access Course Overview