Course Syllabus
DIGITAL CONTENT CREATION
EAE 1050 | Fall 2018 Syllabus
CLASS
Section 002:
Building 72, Room 250
Wednesday 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Section 003:
MLib 1735
Tuesday 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
INSTRUCTOR
Matt Anderson, MFA
Office hours: TBD, or by appointment
TA HOURS: WEDNESDAY 11:30am - 2:00pm in Bldg 72 Downstairs
TEACHING ASSISTANTS
Travis Treadway
Angie Wang
TA hours: Wed 11:30~1:30@Building 72 or on Discord
Sarah Soller
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course will establish a common language based on art and design principles while gaining a practical knowledge of digital creation techniques and software used in the gaming industry. Introductory skills in 2D and 3D software applications are explored through the lens of art and design theories and fundamentals (principles of art and design). No previous digital content creation experience required.
The course will be held in a computer lab/classroom to enable students to practice exercises during class. The class will include lectures, presentations, and project work both in and out of class. The Teaching Assistants will have lab hours for the students to use outside of class. All of the software will be available in several labs across campus, and most will be available for students on their personal machines.
NOTE:
A drawing tablet will be required for this class.
See the Hardware section below.
COURSE OBJECTIVES & LEARNING OUTCOMES
- Students will be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of art and design theories and fundamentals through the creation of personal art work, peer to peer critiques, and class presentations.
- Students will gain a practical and technical understanding of core 2D and 3D software used in the games industry.
- Students will be able to create 2D concepts, style guilds, digital paintings, UI, logos, fonts.
- Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of polygonal box modeling, edge flow, shape, form and digital sculpting in 3D space.
- Students will be able to demonstrate a basic understanding of composition, lighting and materials.
- Students will cultivate skills to continue to learn digital content creation independently via problem solving and internet resources long after this course.
HARDWARE
University of Utah computer labs will have the computers & software required to complete all assignments.
DRAWING TABLET
Each student will be required to bring a drawing tablet to class!
Wacom http://www.wacom.com/en-us
- Small to large drawing tablets, pen tablet displays (Cintiq) and pen tablet computers at a variety of price ranges. Any size will do for the purposes of this course.
- Wacom hardware drivers are installed on University Computers. Other tablet brands will have driver conflicts.
DRAWING TABLET ALTERNATIVES
- Pen-enabled computer with win-tab (Wacom) drivers
- Microsoft Surface Pro
- Wacom tablets available for checkout at Marriott Library (limited)
- Beware of non-Wacom tablets & drivers for use on University Lab Computers!
- Product reviews for pen computers, tablets and software compatibility can be found here: http://surfaceproartist.com/
HUION TABLETS:
https://www.huion.com/pen_tablets/
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071JN86L3/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_i_Xvf.AbTDGYEC5
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DTPYWBG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_i_Xuf.AbMHH2XRW
SOFTWARE
Software required for this course will be available in university labs and available for download as student or trial versions for use on personal computers.
Adobe Creative Cloud - Labs/Free downloads for educational use via University Portal
https://software.utah.edu/faq/license/adc/index.php
- Adobe Photoshop CC
- Adobe Illustrator CC
Autodesk Maya 2018 - Labs/Free downloads for educational use
https://www.autodesk.com/education/home
Pixologic ZBrush - Labs/Limited trials/Student discounts
- Zbrush 4R8
- Zbrush Core - Reduced features/cost (Optional)
- Sculptris 1.6 - Free (Self-study & exploration outside of this class)
TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER RESOURCES
- Due to the cost of a drawing tablet, no textbooks will be required, but text recommendations will be provided.
- Class lectures, technique demonstrations, instructor authored videos and internet resources will be provided.
CLASS STRUCTURE AND GRADING
The student will demonstrate their understanding of the art theory and lecture content through visual problem solving and execution of weekly assigned projects. All Software will be taught through the lens of art and design principles.
Typical course projects will encompass practical game content, such as environments, architecture, vegetation, simple characters, props, weapons, vehicles, animation, layout, composition, lighting, shading, effects, etc., in a variety of styles.
Grading Rubrics will typically be based on the following:
- Following Instructions
- Participation
- Perceived Effort
- Aesthetics
- Creativity in achieving the desired visual goal
- Technical Execution
Grading Breakdown
Assignments: 50%
Quizzes: 30%
Attendance: 20%
Grading Scale
Grades are based on the following scale, and may be finalized on an adaptive curve. Grades in Canvas may not necessarily reflect final course grade.
A 94 – 100
A- 90 - 93.99
B+ 87 - 89.99
B 84 - 86.99
B- 80 - 83.99
C+ 77 - 79.99
C 74 - 76.99
C- 70 - 73.99
D+ 67 - 69.99
D 64 - 66.99
D- 61 - 63.99
E 0 - 60.99
COURSE POLICIES
Attendance
There will be a large amount of theoretical and practical information provided in each class. Attendance will be necessary in order to achieve success in this class. Unexcused absences will affect the participation grade. Life happens. The instructor is very understanding and fair with proper notification of an absence due to circumstances beyond control.
Effort and Practice
Digital Content Creation can be broken down into structured approaches that a diligent student can satisfactorily learn and execute, regardless of their experience. Effort/Perceived effort will make up for the lack of experience or natural artistic skills.
Participation
Participation comprises several factors. Attendance, arriving on time, being prepared, participating in discussions, critiquing work, asking questions, offering suggestions, clarifying expectations, and challenging suppositions or ideas. Make your positive presence known.
Canvas
Check Canvas for announcements and important information. The student is responsible for all information disseminated via on Canvas.
Assignment Submissions
All homework files must be submitted in format required by Canvas. Please name your file using the following convention: Assignmentname_Studentname.(suffix) Naming conventions are extremely important in Content Creation.
Late Work/ Resubmissions
Grades on assignments may be penalized up to 10% per day at the discretion of the instructor. Resubmissions are subject to the discretion of the instructor.
Alternative Assignments
In limited cases, students with a demonstrable mastery of weekly subject matter may propose an alternate assignment. The goal of this class is to challenge the student and stretch their abilities. Alternate assignments are at the discretion of the instructor.
Syllabus
This is a new course. As such, the syllabus is subject to change. The Instructor will notify the class regarding all changes. In the event of any discrepancy between this syllabus and content found in Canvas, the information in Canvas will take precedence.
COE Policy
http://www.coe.utah.edu/wp-content/uploads/pdf/faculty/semester_guidelines.pdf
WEEKLY BREAKDOWN
Week 1
Introduction to the Syllabus
Industry Art Roles
Week 2
Lectures: Line
Software: Photoshop
Week 3
Lectures: Shape, Balance
Software: Photoshop
Week 4
Lectures: Color, Size, Emphasis
Software: Photoshop
Week 5
Lectures: Texture, Repetition
Software: Photoshop
Week 6
Lectures: Format, Space, Negative Space, Composition
Software: Illustrator
Week 7
Lectures: Typography
Software: Illustrator
Week 8
FALL BREAK
Week 9
Lectures: History of Graphics
QUIZ #1
Week 10
Lectures: Modeling
Software: Maya
Week 11
Lectures: UVs
Software: Maya
Week 12
Lectures: Perspectives
Software: Maya
Week 13
Lectures: Shaders
Software: Unity
Week 14
Lectures: Animation Principles
Week 15
Lectures: Sculpting
Software: ZBrush
Week 16
Lectures: ZBrush / Maya Workflow
Software: ZBrush
QUIZ #2
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|