Courses

Biomedical Art: Interactive Narratives

Course No. BMA359.1  Credits: 3
Faculty Thomas Nowacki

This course serves as an introductory platform to investigate and discover object, environment, human and natural science 2D/web-based animation, in addition to basic interface design, to create a narrative with goals to communicate a message and/or educate and instruct the viewer. The student will use the concept of narrative to tell animated short stories of the body, environment and/or natural science through the medium of Adobe Flash (using AS 3.0) in conjunction with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver. Within the course, strong conceptual skills are emphasized and developed through professional production techniques, workflow and time-based linear media. The principles of 2D animation and web-based interface design will be used as the foundation for understanding how to communicate a message. Learning the ideas of simplistic object, environment and body motion accuracy/timing will be taught in 2D and students will be expected to create simple to complex animations (based on level and individual progress.) This course is designed to benefit all majors AND non-majors with required pre-requisites.

BMA: 2D/3D Compositing for Animation

Course No. BMA300.1  Credits: 3
Faculty Kasumi

The course is designed to instruct students in the process and concepts of integrating 2D and 3D images from multiple digital sources into a single, seamless whole composite. The course will be examining tools, techniques and concepts which help to augment and compose digital space for sequences of images (still images, animations & video). Digital compositing is the manipulated combination of at least 2 or more sources of images to produce and integrated result. The course will use the process of compositing to demonstrate the following advanced concepts & techniques: digital compositing concepts, motion graphics integration, post production special effects, matte painting/masking, basic 2D rotoscoping and animation of different composited layers, depth and 2D space composites, 3D generated render passes, lighting and color correction for image synthesis and rendering with correct frame rate and aspect ratios. The fundamental concepts, principles and practices of time based digital compositing and rendering in order to establish a common aesthetic and technical language necessary to develop quality professional visual communications. Based primarily in the software program Adobe After Effects, students will immerse themselves in the making of integrated 2D works that are driven by medical/scientific, socially, culturally and research connected narratives. 3 credits.

BMA: 2D/3D Compositing for Animation

Course No. BMA400.1  Credits: 3
Faculty Kasumi

The course is designed to instruct students in the process and concepts of integrating 2D and 3D images from multiple digital sources into a single, seamless whole composite. The course will be examining tools, techniques and concepts which help to augment and compose digital space for sequences of images (still images, animations & video). Digital compositing is the manipulated combination of at least 2 or more sources of images to produce and integrated result. The course will use the process of compositing to demonstrate the following advanced concepts & techniques: digital compositing concepts, motion graphics integration, post production special effects, matte painting/masking, basic 2D rotoscoping and animation of different composited layers, depth and 2D space composites, 3D generated render passes, lighting and color correction for image synthesis and rendering with correct frame rate and aspect ratios. The fundamental concepts, principles and practices of time based digital compositing and rendering in order to establish a common aesthetic and technical language necessary to develop quality professional visual communications. Based primarily in the software program Adobe After Effects, students will immerse themselves in the making of integrated 2D works that are driven by medical/scientific, socially, culturally and research connected narratives. 3 credits.

BMA: Adv Problems, Concepts, & Media

Course No. BMA354.1  Credits: 3
Faculty Thomas Nowacki

In this course the student will continue investigating complex concepts and techniques in Biomedical media and apply them to advanced visual communication problems. The focus will be on developing conceptual visual story-telling skills (First in sketch form/storyboarding for client proofing, then rendered digitally for final art) Students will learn to take complex information presented by biomedical subject matter and simplify it to solve visual communication problems effectively for the target audience. Advanced digital illustration techniques in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and the integration of flash will be used as the basis to solve illustration problems. Students outside the major will learn techniques and concepts in visual communication to for editorial and narrative based projects. Offered spring. 3 credits.

BMA: Intro to 3D Animation

Course No. BMA346.1  Credits: 3
Faculty Amanda Almon

This course serves as an introductory platform to investigate and discover object, environment, human and natural science 3D animation to create a narrative with goals to communicate a message and/or educate and instruct the viewer. The student will use the concept of narrative to tell animated short stories of the body, environment and/or natural science through the medium of 3D digital animation software. Within the course, strong conceptual skills are emphasized and developed through professional production techniques, workflow and time-based linear media. Successful animation breathes life into motion with clear communication of thought, emotion, narrative or experience. Any moving object is a ÒcharacterÓ in film or animation. We will hold regular discussions and workshops on how the dialogue of an otherwise stagnant object changes and evolves when put to motion. Methods of instruction will consist of lectures, demonstrations, art & scientific research, studio assignments, in-class lab time, and group critiques. The principles of 3D space and motion/timing will be used as the foundation for understanding how to communicate a message through animation. Learning the ideas of simplistic object, environment and body motion accuracy/timing will be taught in 3D and students will be expected to create simple to complex animations (based on level and individual progress.) The computer will be explored like other art media and will serve as a tool for creation.

Building Models: Artist, Art (and History) in the Framework of Theory and Criticism

Course No. ACD370.1  Credits: 3

Why should an artist be interested in art criticism and theory? Maybe, because critical and theoretical speculation offers the artists (and their audiences) insight into the complex and roles art plays in our society. Consequently, this course focuses on the evolving discourse network of criticism and theory that has given rise to the dominant critical models used to address modern and contemporary art as these respond to cultural, political, social and technological change. Through discussion, presentation and papers students will learn to apply these critical models to their own work and experiences. Visual Culture Emphasis course. 3 credits.

Censorship, Art, & the Law

Course No. HCS386.1  Credits: 3
Faculty Cynthia McGrae

This course will cover the history of censorship in America. We will begin with the language of the First Amendment. We will then study the evolution of the definition of obscenity starting with the Comstack Laws and moving through the current Supreme Court test for determining whether an expression is obscene. We will look at the laws surrounding child pornography as well as hate speech and art that incite violence. For each of these categories of expression, we will discuss anecdotal applications of the First Amendment using artists such as Mapplethorpe, Serrano, Ligon, Zimmerman, Scott, Diana and Finley. While the primary focus of the class will be on government action, we will also look at examples of self censorship by the entertainment industry and public galleries. Finally, we will finish with an overview of the Patriot Act, its current applications and its implications for our future freedom of expression. The question underlying all of the historical context, anecdotal applications and the current law is why do we censor? Are there ever legitimate justifications for censorship and if so, how do we, as a society, draw those lines? In addressing these issues, we will study in depth the feminist anti-pornography movement, excerpts from Susan Sontag's On Photography, and the outcry over music lyrics post Columbine. 3 credits.

Ceramics Vessel Utility

Course No. CER253.1  Credits: 3

This course will investigate the historical and contemporary forms of the ceramic vessel/pot. The dual nature of works that function, as receptacles for meaning and narrative as well as domestic work for the table or presentation will be researched. Construction techniques to be covered will include hand building and the potterÕs wheel along with a variety of surface treatments and firing methods. Open to all. 3 credits.