This course will build students’ understanding of colour and design principles through exploration and application across media, visual, and applied practice. This course will introduce students to the fundamental principles of colour theory through design, such as layout, composition, balance, colour science and theory and teach them how to apply these principles. These concepts will be reinforced through specific practical exercises and activities that will...

In this course, students will gain an understanding of the application and importance of image editing and construction as a universal skill in across diverse design genres. This course introduces students to raster image-editing software, Adobe Photoshop. Through this 'hands-on' course, students will acquire skills with workflow fundamentals, as well as advanced features, and tips, and acquire the skills to prepare images for digital output and print. Emph...

This is an introductory level course that prepares students to draw anatomically correct structures of the human body. Students will learn to draw the human figure in correct anatomic detail based on the observation of live models. This course will emphasize the anatomically correct proportions of the human body and the accurate portrayal of muscles and other landmarks by applying various techniques of shading and lighting, views, and perspective. Topical coverage...

This course focuses on the basics of 3D computer software graphics, using Autodesk Maya. Students are introduced to the interface, the workflow of 3D modelling, texturing, animation, lighting, and rendering, as a precursor to delving into more advanced methodologies. Familiarization with these introductory elements, will lend to those beginning in 3D the ability to demonstrate a required level of skills.

This course will focus on the development of perceptual and descriptive skills through an introduction to a variety of drawing media, techniques, and subject matter. Through this course, students will acquire a thorough understanding of the elements of art and the principles of organization as related to drawing. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of contour lines, positive and negative space, perspective, sighting of angles, and measurements of...

This is an intensive introduction to the complexities of working in a 3D application. The first portion of the class will focus primarily on the tools in Maya with navigation and the interface as a key element. Students will learn through simple and intermediate projects how to work in 3D. Time will then be spent introducing modelling in both NURBS and polygons. Students will then cover simple unwrapping procedures while understanding the complexities of UVs. Basic...

This course is dedicated in large part to drawing and representing the skeletal structure and musculature of the human body. Students will learn the anatomical names of the skeletal elements, landmarks, and muscle groups. Students will learn how to draw the structures of the human skeleton and then add the surface muscle groups and features appropriate to the skeletal sub-structure. The course will also explore the differences in the portrayal of male and female mu...

This course explores the design and production of characters for the animation and video game industry. Students will learn the principles of good character design, from research to final detailing, while focusing on character development, style, and personality. Students will apply principles and techniques of design and anatomy to achieve expressive, well-developed, appealing characters. By the end of this course, students should be able to work with a variety of...

This course introduces students to the concept of storyboarding for modellers and animators. Students will learn how to create clear, concise storyboards. Students will explore the elements that contribute to the final production of industry standard storyboards, including everything from a 30-second commercial, a television show, computer games, and feature films. Topics will include concept and production boards, thumbnail sketches, the role of character design,...

This course continues the coverage of modelling techniques. A key focus of this course is the exploration of modelling techniques using a low polygon count and the effective use of this technique. Students will learn to identify situations where a low poly count is appropriate versus situations where a higher count is required. Students will learn to design and model both organic surfaces and hard surface objects. Students will learn to produce models using polygon...

This course builds on the material delivered in Life Drawing II and continues strengthening the student’s knowledge of the human form. Students will work with life drawing samples and reference material to add appeal and strengthen their own personal style. Time will be spent both in class and during the student’s own time researching and developing these techniques. Props, drapery, and clothing will be introduced to the students. In the final weeks of...

This course continues the study of character design principles and the conceptualization stage of 3D character production. It then contextualizes this process by continuing the production of a 3D character through to a complete textured, rigged, posed, and rendered character. Building upon previous character design courses the aim is to have students produce an appealing, stylized character with unrealistic yet believable anatomical exaggeration. It will also build...

This course will explore the basic techniques of 3D animation. Using industry standard software students will take their first steps to animating a basic character. Using a hands-on approach, students will learn the techniques of basic animation. Topical coverage includes animation software tools and functions, key framing, modifiers, basic morphing techniques, and linear and non-linear animation.

This course addresses the creation of multilayer textures for environments and high-resolution textures for character and environmental models. It also seeks to provide students with the various production contexts in which the techniques are applicable, from texturing characters faces for film and games, to developing environment textures for next-gen game environments. In addition, the course seeks to provide students with an in-depth look at various direct light...

This advanced studio course explores the design and development of 3D environmental modelling and design. Students will work with a developed concept and follow the required specifications to develop professional environments and then translate their research into producing dynamic environments. Students will also learn to consider staging, atmosphere, and environmental mood to enhance the professional look of the environment. Topical coverage includes effective ad...

This course continues the study of modelling techniques with a focus on the design and modelling of a 3D character from an original idea, to a finished textured and rendered final 3D model. Students will need to develop and complete an original model to a standard suitable for film or television. Moreover, unlike previous character modelling projects thus far, which have had lower polygon counts and have been more suitable for interactive gaming, students will inst...

Animation II focuses on acting and intermediate animation techniques, students will improve on their skills from Animation I and push their timing, anticipation, follow through secondary action and cycles. Students will use live reference to enhance their animation. Time will be spent improving both technical and acting techniques to prepare the students for advanced animation and portfolio development. Students will have time to explore professional animation samp...

This course builds upon the previously covered topics of lighting and textures. It will take the students beyond the basic light sources and shadows and explore lighting and texturing as an art. Students will learn advanced lighting and texturing skills and techniques and how to apply them to their final modelling and animation projects. Students will learn to select the appropriate light type for a particular situation, as well as the correct material 2D and 3D te...

This course explores the process of preparing the setup of a character model for advanced animation. The course will take the students through the steps of character modelling and animation, with a focus on the rigging of the characters. Students will learn how to prepare and set up character rigs, bind structures to geometry, and work with meshes and armature. Students will learn how to rig facial expressions and lip movement and how to rig and animate armature. T...

In this advanced character modelling class, students will develop high poly models working between both Maya and Zbrush with a special focus on digital sculpting and texturing. Students will learn the interface and tools in Zbrush while designing and modelling their own characters. By the end of this course, students will understand the industry approach to developing character models and begin to assess if this is the creative direction they would like to explore...

This course focuses on teaching required programming fundamentals of Python and MEL for Maya. Knowledge in these languages will assist students in the practice of writing custom expressions and scripts for the purpose of creating toolsets, expression applications, problem solving, visualization, design, process methodologies, data organization and much more within current industry production pipelines.

This course explores production and rendering techniques for the purpose of showcasing scenes in a professional manner, be it animated sequences, turntables, look development scenes, moving cameras through a 3D environment or any other visual products that can be made with a physically based renderer. This course will examine what samples are, what path tracing is, what a linear workflow is and why it is important. After understanding 3D render theory, students wil...

This is an advanced animation course. Students will deepen their understanding of the twelve principles of animation as originally described by Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas. Students will further develop their observation skills so that they will be able to apply key principles from film and life to apply to their animation, Students will learn to apply advanced software techniques while pushing their creative boundaries in the context of design problems that wi...

Portfolio I is a conceptualizing and planning course for the development of the final student demo reel and portfolio. Students will discuss, create a plan, and consider their individual options while developing designs and storyboards. The development of two pre-visual animatics will be completed along with a production proposal focusing on design, colour, and composition. Time will be spent considering the timing of the final presentation and the overall aestheti...

This course focuses on the video presentation aspects of the final demo reel. Students will work with compositing and editing tools to add the final touches to their presentations. The first six sessions of the course will focus on small projects that will help the student understand the complexities and tools of compositing and editing. The final 6 sessions will be the creation of the final edit with the assistance of the Portfolio and Compositing and Editing inst...

Students will explore the basics of digital effects animation and work with particles and effects tools with Maya. Students will work with digital tools to develop simple, dynamic animations while considering effects elements to add life and atmosphere to their reels. Students will cover the basic forces and elements such as fire and water and discuss lighting, mood, and atmosphere created by these effects. Timing, physics, and design will be key components to ensu...

This course teaches introductory sculpture for modellers and animators. In this course, students will transfer their knowledge of anatomy, drawing of anatomical features, and character design, in developing a 3-dimensional sculpture. This course explores the materials, tools, and industry production techniques used in producing sculptures called ‘maquettes. Maquettes are used any time a studio (game, visual effects, 2D/3D feature films) wants to visualize a c...

The emphasis of this course is to prepare students for graduation and final portfolio development. Time will be spent developing a final demo reel to showcase the strengths and talents of each student in a branded visually appealing presentation. Students will have the option to develop a demo reel that focuses on their interests and skills within the 3D industry. Time will be spent focusing on content that showcases primary skills such as animation or modelling. T...