Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects
Part B: Course Detail
Teaching Period: Term1 2021
Course Code: VART5093C
Course Title: Design animation and digital visual effects
School: 375T Vocational Design and Social Context
Campus: City Campus
Program: C6151 - Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media
Course Contact: Andrew Harrison
Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4350
Course Contact Email: andrew.harrison@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 |
Details of Class Activities |
Assessment |
1 |
Introduction to Design animation and digital visual effects
|
Discuss course structure and assessment expectations
Revision of After Effects Keying, masking and animated masks in After Effects |
Receive Brief and assessment tasks |
2 |
Tracking and Stabilisation
|
Motion tracking, pinning and stabilisation options in After Effects.
Creating and exporting particles from Motion, Tracking and masking particles in After Effects |
|
3 |
Animation techniques in After Effects.
Virtual Studio Tour |
Keyframe options, seamless loops, nesting, interpolation, animation assist, parenting and puppet pinning |
Collaboration meeting 1 - introduction the the Virtual Studio, review assessments, form production groups and brainstorm ideas.
AT1 Brief due |
4 |
Rotoscoping and advanced masking and compositing techniques in After Effects
|
Roto-brush and Refine Edge tools and the paint options. Blend mode and track matte options.
|
Collaboration meeting 2 - organise research and visual presentation to pitch at least 2 ideas that meet client's brief and target audience characteristics. Search Epic Games marketplace for Environments that are suitable for your Project.
Pitch ideas. |
5 |
Zero Density's Reality
|
The Virtual Studio set up. Introduction to Zero Density and their influence in industry. Understanding a virtual studio as a real-time photorealistic studio.
|
|
6 |
Reality and Unreal Editor
|
Understanding the relationship between reality and Unreal Games Editor. Preparing 3D environments in Unreal Editor. Editing, cooking, creating sets and launching in Reality Editor and Launcher
|
Collaboration meeting 3 - Finalise presentation docs and present designs to relevant personnel. Present initial designs.
AT2 Part A due |
7 |
Virtual Studio Practice
|
Learning how to operate the Virtual Studio. Cook and launch your 3D environments. Trial ideas and record findings.
|
AT2 Production |
8 |
Virtual Studio Practice
|
Learning how to operate the Virtual Studio. Cook and launch your 3D environments. Trial ideas and record findings.
|
AT2 Production |
9 |
Virtual Studio Practice
|
Learning how to operate the Virtual Studio. Cook and launch your 3D environments. Trial ideas and record findings.
|
AT2 Production |
10 |
Edit and composite from trials. Update paperwork and design documentation from findings for AT3
|
Using After Effects with Virtual.
Utilising animation and compositing techniques to increase "reality" of virtual footage.
|
Collaboration meeting 4 - Design and experimentation progress meeting
AT2 Part B Due |
11 |
Discuss findings and draft any changes to your approach to final project.
Prepare 3D environments.
|
Prepare 3D environments in Unreal games engine and Reality.
|
AT3 Preparation Collaboration meeting. Update paperwork and design documentation from findings for AT3.
AT3 Part A Due |
12 |
Finalising sample material.
|
Virtual Studio Trials and Experimentation for AT3
|
AT3 Production |
13 |
Finalising sample material.
|
Virtual Studio Trials and Experimentation for AT3
|
AT3 Production |
14 |
Finalising sample material.
|
Virtual Studio Trials and Experimentation for AT3
|
AT3 Production
|
15 |
Post Production.
Final Presentation. |
Finalise Edit and VFX.
Preview all group member's individual projects and collectively decide on 3 samples to present to the client.
|
Collaboration meeting 6 - Prepare final documentation with sample material for final presentation. Present design specification and sample material to relevant personnel.
AT3 Part B Due |
16 |
Review own performance, evaluate areas for improvement. |
Receive results and feedback through Canvas.
|
|
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.
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.
Assessment Task 1 - Interpret brief, research and return brief meeting. Students must independently clarify design requirements, breakdown brief, analyse the scope, itemise elements, research content and target audience characteristics, and develop a range of ideas to present to the client in return brief meeting. Due date: Week 3.
Assessment Task 2 - Return brief meeting, draft design specs, pitch ideas, refine design specifications, trial and experiment, report findings. Working as a team, each group must clarify design requirements, collaborate in preliminary concept meetings to respond to return brief findings, draft design specifications and develop a range of ideas (2-4 ideas that meet brief) to present to the client in pitch, finalise project idea. Due date: Week 10.
Assessment Task 3 - Produce sample materials for Museums Project and review outcomes. This task demonstrates the student’s ability to develop a refined project to meet the client’s brief. Each student must evaluate initial concepts in light of research and experimentation findings. Then collectively select the most appropriate approaches to improve and refine the project. Making sure that the client's requirements are met in the installation sample material, the production design is appropriate for historic accuracy and ensure that all design specifications have been updated and addressed prior to production. Collaborate and contribute to developing final script and storyboard, producing final trials and experimentation to use as sample material to present to the client. Edit, composite, and review for future improvement. Due date: Week 15.
Assessment Tasks 1, 2 and 3 are to be finalised by no later than end of Semester 1 Week 16
Results that apply to courses that are delivered and assessed in accordance with competency based assessment are:
CA: Competency Achieved
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
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.
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.
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/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