Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2023

Course Code: VART6493C

Course Title: Design specifications for animation and digital visual effects

School: 515T Creative Industries

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5413 - Diploma of Screen and Media (Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects)

Course Contact: Nat Bates

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 3326

Course Contact Email: nat.bates@rmit.edu.au

Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Teacher: Maya Toone
maya.toone@rmit.edu.au
9925 4815

Program Coordinator: Nat Bates
nat.bates@rmit.edu.au
9925 3326

Nominal Hours: 90

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

In this course you will develop the skills and knowledge required to design specifications for animation and digital visual effects for screen productions such as television commercials, feature films, animated films or interactive games.

 

National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:	CUAANM513 Design specifications for 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 Clarify design requirements through participation in preliminary concept meetings 1.4 Itemise and plan elements to be addressed with reference to production documentation
Element:	2. Generate and assess ideas
Performance Criteria:	2.1 Generate different design ideas that respond to the brief and provide creative solutions to design issues 2.2 Assess initial ideas and concepts in collaboration with required personnel 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 suitability of various techniques for given design projects 3.3 Organise research and provide required personnel access to experimentation materials 3.4 Analyse and document research and experimentation 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 required personnel, and select the most appropriate approach 4.2 Discuss and confirm with required personnel suitable documentation to present design specifications 4.3 Create storyboards according to design requirements 4.4 Prepare or supervise development of sample material to be included in design specifications 4.5 Advise the design and development teams on draft design specifications
Element:	5. Finalise design specifications
Performance Criteria:	5.1 Present draft design specifications to required personnel for review 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 and devise 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 course you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency in the above elements. 

Details of Learning Activities

This course consists of 2 Units of Competency that are clustered together for delivery and assessment. The other unit of competency in this clustered course is: CUAPPR411 Realise a creative project

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

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

• maintaining secure daily backups of all assessment and project data to your RMIT OneDrive account
• 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

Please note: While your teacher will cover all material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs & resources

WeekDateTopicAssessment / Learning activities

Week 1	10/7	Welcome to Animation 1 Introduction to AT1 Foundation Projects Introduction to Animation Principles AT1 Part A - Bouncing Ball
Week 2	17/7	Animate metamorphosis AT1 Part B - Metamorphosis
Week 3	24/7	Animate Text & Shapes in After Effects AT1 Part C - Text & Shapes	Submission: AT1 Part A - Bouncing Ball and  AT1 Part C - Text & Shapes
Week 4	31/7	AT1 Part D - 2d Asset Creation	Submission: AT1 Part B - Metamorphosis
Week 5	7/8	AT1 Part E - Scenes Put together and animate a simple scene.
Week 6	14/8	Finalise & submit AT1	Submission: AT1 Part D & E Scenes Finalise & submit all AT1 DUE END WEEK 6
Week 7	21/8	Intro to AT2: Design & Manage Preproduction AT2 PART A:  Responding to the client briefs Research, Treatments, Storyboards
Week 8	4/9	AT2 Part B - Client Pitch	AT2 Part B Client Pitch in class Submission: AT2 Part A & B
Week 9	11/9	AT2 Part C - Final Preproduction Budgets & Schedules, Refined Storyboards
Week 10	18/9	AT2 Part C - Final Preproduction Budgets & Schedules, Refined Storyboards, Safety.	AT2 Part C Client Pitch in class
Week 11	25/9 Friday - Public Holiday	AT2 Part C - Final Preproduction Final Pitch to Client	Finalise and submit all AT2 DUE END WEEK 11
Week 12	2/10	AT3 Production & Review Part A - The Animation Sequence Commence work on Animation
Week 13	9/10	AT3 Part B WIP 1 Continue work on Animation	AT3 WIP 1 in class
Week 14	16/10	Continue work on Animation
Week 15	23/10	AT3 Part B WIP 2 Continue work on Animation	AT3 WIP 2 in class
Week 16	30/10	AT3 Production and Review Part C Review	Finalise and submit all AT3 DUE END WEEK 16
Week 17	6/11 Tuesday - Public Holiday	Scheduled feedback & review

 

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge and understanding of course content is assessed through participation in class exercises, oral/written presentations and through the application of learned skills and insights. Full assessment briefs will be provided and can be found on CANVAS.

Assessment Tasks

Students enrolled in Vocational Education and Training qualifications are assessed for Competency.  To be assessed competent means you have consistently demonstrated the required knowledge and skills at a standard expected in the workplace. To be assessed as Competent in this course, you will need to complete each assessment task to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback from the teacher at the conclusion of each assessment task.

 

You should refer to the assessment brief which is available through Canvas for full assessment criteria.

AT1 Foundation Projects

You will complete 5 weekly class projects, as well as a logbook that documents the completion of these projects.

Due week 6

AT2 Design and Manage Preproduction

Design preproduction material for two x 10 second 2D animation sequences that respond to two provided client briefs.

Due week 11

AT3 Production and review

Using images, animation, typography and audio, create a 10 second animation or motion graphics sequence that responds to the Client Brief chosen in AT2. 

Due week 16

Assessment in this course uses the following grades:

CA - Competency Achieved
NYC - Not Yet Competent
DNS - Did Not Submit

Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix for this course demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the unit of competency. These matrices are available through 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.

Attendance:
Your learning experience will involve class-based teaching, discussion, demonstration and practical exercises. You are strongly advised to 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.

Information about your studies:
You can access My Studies through the RMIT website for information about timetables, important dates, assessment dates, results and progress, Canvas etc. https://www.rmit.edu.au/students

Assessment:
Information on assessment including Special consideration, Adjustments to assessment, (eg. applying for an extension of time): https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/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.

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.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview