Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2015

Course Code: COSC5381C

Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects

School: 345T Media and Communication

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5218 - Diploma of Interactive Digital 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

Teacher: Ms Nicole McKinnon
Phone: 99254375
Email: nicole.mckinnon@rmit.edu.au

Peter McDonald
Email: peter.mcdonald3@rmit.edu.au
 

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 of competency is delivered in the class Animation 1. The unit covers the skills required to design animation and digital visual effects for a screen based productions.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUFANM503A Design animation and digital visual effects

Element:

1 Clarify design requirements.

Performance Criteria:

1. With reference to production documentation identify the scope of design projects
2. Identify factors that may have an impact on the design process
3. Participate in preliminary concept meetings to clarify understanding of design requirements
4. With reference to production documentation, itemise elements that need to be addressed during the design phase
 

Element:

2 Generate and assess ideas.

Performance Criteria:

5. Generate a range of design ideas that respond sympathetically to the brief and provide creative solutions to design issues
6. Assess ideas and collaborate, as required, with relevant personnel to maximise contribution of ideas to initial concepts
7. Continuously reflect on and appraise ideas for implications on cost, technical feasibility, and creative requirements
 

Element:

3 Conduct research and experimentation

Performance Criteria:

8. Research aspects of content and target audience characteristics that might influence production styles and techniques
9. Trial various techniques to test the suitability of their use in given design projects
10. Organise research and experimentation material for ease of access by relevant personnel during the design development process
11. Analyse and document research and experimentation findings for use during the design phase
 

Element:

4 Produce draft design specifications.

Performance Criteria:

12. In consultation with relevant personnel, evaluate initial concept ideas in light of research and experimentation findings and select the most appropriate approach
13. Ensure that agreement is reached with relevant personnel on a consistent interpretation of design and visual details
14. Create storyboards as required
15. Prepare or supervise the preparation of sample material to be included in design specifications as required
16. Write draft design specifications to include relevant advice to design and development teams
17. Discuss draft design specifications with relevant personnel to ensure that all requirements have been addressed
 

Element:

5 Finalise design specifications

Performance Criteria:

18. Present draft design specifications to relevant personnel for review
19. Participate in the initial and ongoing evaluation of design specifications
20. Negotiate and agree to additions or modifications and amend design specifications as required
21. Clarify the ongoing role of the designer during the production phase and in the evaluation of the final animations or digital visual effects
22. 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 activities

  • teacher guided instruction
  • peer teaching and class presentations
  • online research
  • group discussion
  • independent project based work
  • workshopping of students’ own projects
  • screenings
  • teacher directed group activities/projects

Out-of-class activities:

  • independent project based work
  • online and other research
  • independent study
     


Teaching Schedule

 Week  Topic covered  Assessment task
 1  Review last semesters animation projects. Introduction to sem 2. Principles of animation class exercise (in groups).  
 2  Symbols graphic symbols / movie clips. what are they? Class exercise (in groups).  
 3  Animation Elements - fire, smoke/steam, water ripples. Class exercise (in groups).  
4  LIp synching and sound
 		  Assessment Task 01: submit all class exercises. (Minimum of 2 need to be submitted to pass.)
Ungraded
 5  Commence preproduction for Assessment Task: 02 Interactive Animation Project - Flying Game. Milestone 1: Surface Design (to be completed in the Animation class).  
 6  Continue working on preproduction for Assessment Task: 02 Interactive Animation Project. Milestone 1: Surface Design  
 7  Continue working on preproduction for Assessment Task: 02 Interactive Animation Project. Milestone 1: Surface Design Assessment Task: 02 Interactive Animation Project. Milestone 1: Surface Design, Preproduction.
Graded 
 8  Commence working on animation assests for Assessment Task: 02 Interactive Animation Project - Flying Game.  
 9  Continue working on animation assests for Assessment Task: 02 Interactive Animation Project - Flying Game.  
 10  Continue working on animation assests for Assessment Task: 02 Interactive Animation Project - Flying Game.  
 11  Continue working on animation assests for Assessment Task: 02 Interactive Animation Project - Flying Game. Assessment Task: 02 Interactive Animation Project. Milestone 2: Animated assests completed.
Graded 
12  Commence working on Assessment task A02: Interactive Animation Project Milestone 3: Production for Flying Game completed.  
 13  Continue working on Assessment task A02: Interactive Animation Project Milestone 3: Production for Flying Game completed.  
 14  Continue working on Assessment task A02: Interactive Animation Project Milestone 3: Production for Flying Game completed.  
 15  Assessment task A02: Interactive Animation Project Milestone 3: Production for Flying Game completed.  Assessment task A02: Interactive Animation Project Milestone 3: Production for Flying Game completed.
Graded
 16  Assessment task A02: Interactive Animation Project Milestone 3: Production for Flying Game and feedback.  


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

Williams, R, The Animator’s Survival Kit
Blair, P, Cartoon Animation

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.


Other Resources

You are advised to look at the course Blackboard site for ongoing updated information.

Williams, R, The Animator’s Survival Kit
Blair, P, Cartoon Animation

Other resources

You need to purchase tracing paper. Pencils, pens.

Students work needs to be backed up so some  sort of hard drive needs to be purchased for this purpose.


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

To demonstrate competency in this course you will need to complete the following assessments to a satisfactory standard.
You will receive feedback on all assessments and where indicated, you will receive a grade. Graded assessment tasks are equally weighted and will determine your final result for this course.

Assessment Task 01: submit all class exercises. (Minimum of 2 need to be submitted to pass.) Ungraded
Due week 4.

Assessment Task: 02 Interactive Animation Project. Graded.

Milestone 1: Surface Design, Preproduction. Due week 7

Milestone 2: Animated assests completed. Due week 11

Milestone 3: Production for Flying Game completed. Due week 15

 

See Assessment task briefs for full details in the Animation 01 Assessment task folder on Blackboard.

Grades which apply to courses delivered in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also use graded assessment:

CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competence achieved
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. These are available through the course contact in Program administration

Other Information

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

Cover Sheet for Submissions:
You must complete a submission cover sheet for every piece of submitted work, including online submissions. This signed sheet acknowledges that you are aware of the plagiarism implications

Attendance:
The major learning experience involves studio based exercises, demonstration and production. It is strongly advised that you attend all sessions in order to engage in the required learning activities, ensuring the maximum opportunity to gain the competency.

Feedback:
You will receive verbal and written feedback on your work. Where relevant, this feedback will also include suggestions on how you can proceed to the next stage of developing your projects.
Student feedback at RMIT: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=9pp3ic9obks7

Student Progress:
Monitoring academic progress is an important enabling and proactive strategy to assist you to achieve your learning potential.
Student progress policy: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=vj2g89cve4uj1

Special consideration Policy (Late Submission):
All assessment tasks are required to be completed to a satisfactory level. If you are unable to complete any piece of assessment by the due date, you will need to apply for an extension. Special consideration, appeals and discipline : http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=qkssnx1c5r0y

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 go to Academic Integrity : http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=kw02ylsd8z3n
 

Course Overview: Access Course Overview