Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2019
Course Code: VART5093C
Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects
School: 345T Media and Communication
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6151 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media
Course Contact: Program Administration
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4815
Course Contact Email: mcvet@rmit.edu.au
Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff
Trewlea Peters
9925 8011
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
In this course you will cover skills and knowledge required to design animation and digital visual effects for screen productions.
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 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 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 course, you will be able to undertake design specifications for animation and digital visual effects.
Details of Learning Activities
In this program, structured learning occurs in the classroom and through completion of assessment. However, as an independent learner you will also be engaged in unstructured activities such as private study and practice of technical skills required in using cameras, lighting and sound equipment and editing tools . You are also expected to familiarise yourself with different aspects of the screen and media industry. This includes spending time engaged in attending films and film festivals, watching streamed content, attending industry events and exhibitions and building relationships with industry bodies such as the Screen Producers Association and the Australian Society of Cinematographers.
In-class learning activities include, but are not limited to:
• demonstration and practical application
• peer teaching and class presentations
• group discussion
• online research
• individual and group project based work
• teacher directed group activities/projects
• workshopping of students’ own projects
Out-of-class activities include, but are not limited to:
• online research
• workshopping
• group project based work
Teaching Schedule
Please note: While your teacher will cover all the material in this schedule, the weekly order is subject to change depending on class needs and availability resources.
Week |
Class Content |
Assessment |
1 |
Orientation to the course Resources, assessments and course expectations Introduction to Design animation and digital visual effects. Revision of After Effects. Includes class exercises and discussions |
|
2 |
Keying, masking, split screen and animated masks in After Effects. Collaboration meeting – IM and VFX
|
|
3 |
Motion tracking, pinning and stabilisation options in After Effects. Assessment Task 1: Virtual studio trials and experimentation (ungraded) handed out
|
|
4 |
Creating and exporting particles. Tracking and masking particles in After Effects. Collaboration meeting – Sound, IM and VFX |
|
5 |
Virtual Studio practice and protocols. Studio set up, Unreal Editor and Reality.
|
|
6 |
Virtual Studio practice and experimentation Collaboration meeting – Sound, IM and VFX
|
|
7 |
Virtual Studio practice and experimentation
|
|
8 |
Shoot Assessment 1 |
|
9 |
Shoot Assessment 1 Composite and edit Assessment 1 trials
|
Assessment 1 due next week |
10 |
Composite, edit and finalise Assessment 1 |
Assessment Task 1 (ungraded) Virtual studio trials and experimentation
|
11 |
Virtual Studio – prepare and test environments for Assessment 2: Virtual Studio Museum Installation Collaboration (graded) - Collaboration meeting |
|
12 |
Virtual Studio Production Test environments for Assessment 2 Finalise 3D environments in Unreal Editor Collaboration meeting
|
|
13 |
Virtual Studio Production Composite Assessment 2 Collaboration meeting |
Assessment 2 due week 16
|
14 |
Virtual Studio Production Composite Assessment 2 Collaboration meeting |
|
15 |
Virtual Studio Production Composite Assessment 2 Collaboration meeting |
|
16 |
Export and submit Assessment task 2
|
Assessment Task 2 (graded) Virtual Studio Museum Installation Collaboration
|
Learning Resources
Prescribed Texts
References
Other Resources
Other resources for this course are available on Canvas.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment for this course is ongoing throughout the semester. Your knowledge of course content is assessed through participation in practical exercises, knowledge assessment tasks and practical projects.
Assessment Tasks
For each assessment task you will receive a detailed brief specifying requirements
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 (ungraded)
Assessment Task 1 - Virtual studios trials and experimentation. This is a group based research, design and experiment task for the animation and visual effects requirements for the Virtual Studios project. Due Date: week 10
Assessment Task (graded):
Assessment Task 2 - Virtual Studio Museum Installation Collaboration. This is a group based task involving creating an historical Museum installation. You will be collaborating with Interactive Media and Sound Production students for this assessment. Due Date: week 16
Assessment Tasks 1 and 2 are to be finalised by no later than end of Semester 1 Week 16
Grading criteria for graded assessment can be found on the course canvas site. You will be assessed using 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 demonstrated 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:
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