1st stage Interactive Animation (QANTM)

Course Content of Interactive Animation Course - 1st stage

Digital Audio & Video Production:

This module provides students with knowledge of the digital audio and video production process and introduces them to the fundamental methods used.

Fundamentals of Drawing:

Introduces the student to the fundamental methods and concepts of observational and expressive drawing practice, focusing primarily on drawing and the visual representations of ideas, concepts, characters and environments.

Concept & story writing:

Provides students with the skill to create and write a story using fully realized characters. These skills can be put in practice in film as well as in game animation and programming. This is the basis for creating exciting and appealing interactive entertainment.

Design for Interactive Entertainment:

This module focuses on the fundamental design of electronic interactive entertainment applications. It introduces the principles of game theory, basic interactive design, rule and level design and more practical aspects such as design documentation, testing and the game development business.

Principles of 2D Animation:

Introduces the student to the principles and practices of 2D animation, providing a foundation for the more advanced modules in 2D animation and 3D modelling which follow in later semesters.

Principles of 3D Modeling:

Provides students with an understanding of 3D modeling and its place in the multimedia and interactive entertainment environment. It introduces students to current tools, principles and practices for the efficient creation, transformation and editing of 3D objects.

Scripting and Storyboarding:

Provides the students with skills and concepts to develop complex scripts and storyboards for various media. Examines traditional elements such as tone, pace, flow, tension, beginning, middle, end, equilibrium, protagonist, problem, sub-plots, climax, resolution and style and the challenge of applying these elements to interactive media.

Interactive animation:

Gives the students the opportunity to study effective game level design in a variety of genres and export and test some of these levels for playability using game engines. Explores aspects of game level design, examines strengths and weaknesses of existing games and creating their own templates.

Flash Game Production:

Develops the skills necessary to produce small interactive applications; students will develop their 2D animation skills and implement sound design. Additionally students will be introduced to interactivity and get a brief overview of object oriented programming using ActionScripting.

Character Animation:

Develops the knowledge and skills in the design and creation of 3D animated characters, exploring pose to pose and keyframe animation theories, examining the use of dialogue and lip-sync in 3D. This develops the students’ 3D animation skills and enables them to translate the principles of animation to 3D digital characters.

More topics like:

Realtime texturing, environmental modeling, rigging, rendering, exporting, etc. are covered in other lectures during the course. Content is subject to change.

Note: The sections outlined above do not exist as separate modules within the course and do not necessarily reflect the order in which these subjects are taught.

Assessment method

Practical:

• students submit a number of prescribed practical exercises throughout the course
• students undertake a substantial (interactive) animation, within the guidelines set by the college
• students sit a final practical examination

Theoretical:

• students sit theoretical progress examination at regular intervals over the duration of the course
• students submit a written diploma assignment on a subject of the student's choice (subjecs must be approved by QANTM / SAE Academic Staff)
• students sit a final theory examination

who is this course for?

This course is suitable for those who would like to learn the practi- cal skills and gain overall knowledge about the games industry, 3D production and related subjects. Furthermore this course pre- pares students for the Bachelor of Arts. To enrol in this course an understanding of drawing and graphics is required and should be presented before or during the intake interview in a personal port- folio. A good command of the English language and good computer skills are necessary. A basic understanding of mathematics and physics as well as a (hobby) art background can be advantageous. All entry requirements will be assessed during the intake test and intake meeting.

This course is ideal for candidates who:

• pursue an occupation in the field of interactive animation and/or game development
• artists who wish to create their own interactive animations or visual graphics
• want to start their own business or company related to interactive media and animation