The Mission of the Media Arts & Animation Bachelor of Science degree program is to prepare students for entry-level positions creating 2D and 3D imagery for employers that produce traditional and digital illustration, modeling, animation and motion graphics.
Location-based entertainment, gaming, film and video, architectural design, virtual reality, broadcast television, advertising, education and law are among the industries that need skilled animators. Graduates of The Art Institute of York – Pennsylvania Media Arts & Animation program develop skills including traditional and digital animation, design, illustration, compositing and 3D computer modeling.
Students at The Art Institute of York, Pennsylvania begin the Media Arts & Animation program with a foundation in drawing, color, character design and computer applications. Under the guidance of an industry-experienced faculty, students examine advanced 2D and 3D animation principles as well as story development, background design, scenic layout and special effects. Along the way, students have the opportunity to learn and become experienced with program-specific software, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier, After Effects and Flash, Autodesk 3D Studio Max and Maya, Pixelogic Z-Brush and Digicel FlipBook Pro.
Finally, students are required to create a digital portfolio that showcases their conceptual and creative focus within the program range of traditional and digital 2D and 3D techniques. The portfolio enables students to showcase their collection of skills to potential employers upon graduation.
Curriculum
Total Credit Hours: 180 — 12 Quarters
Each class listed is a 3 credit, 4 clock hours per week course. Each quarter is 11 weeks. Three quarters or 33 weeks is defined as an academic year, during which a full time student would earn 48 quarter credits. Media Arts and Animation students graduate with a total of 180 quarter credit hours. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Science Degree.
Some courses are offered on a rotating basis. Students should consult their Academic Advisor and/or Department Chair when creating their course schedule to ensure they are following the recommended sequence.
C120 Video I Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of technical terms and uses of basic video production equipment and techniques.
C121 Character & Object Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
In this course students will design and draw characters or objects for animation using line to accurately delineate the form. Students will learn appropriate proportion and form for an animated character or object. Course assignments include gesture drawing, action poses, turnarounds and the creation of 3D characters or objects. Students will animate their characters and objects through the use of flip books and/or stop motion animation.
C123 Life Drawing for Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C131, CC110
In this course students will continue to develop the use of basic understructure for animation. Proportion will be stressed as well as the refinement of body joints, hands, feet and head.
C130 History of Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
This course is an historical survey of traditional animation. Students learn to identify various types of animation. The illusion of artistic animation is analyzed and executed through exercises. This course also involves discussions of new developments and future trends in the industry, analysis of major sectors of the industry and the career opportunities within them.
C131 Drawing and Anatomies Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CC110
CC110
In this course, students continue to develop their basic drawing skills. Students will focus on rendering life forms in space. Emphasis will be placed on the basic anatomical structures of human & animal forms.
C210 2D Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C234
C234
Students will continue to develop skills involving the principles of animation, character development, key drawings and timing charts. The main focus will be on combining shots to understand screen direction and further studies of locomotion.
C211 Storyboard Rendering for Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C321
C321
This course explores design graphics for effective animated sequences through the development of storyboards. Students will utilize design, drawing and rendering skills, as well as problem-solving creativity.
C212 Computer 3D Modeling and Animation I Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C121, CC133
An introduction to 3D computer modeling techniques.
C213 Advanced Life Drawing for Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C123, C131, CC110
In this course students will continue to develop the figure by using the basic understructure for animation. Rotation of poses, simple motion studies, sense of weight, gesture studies, action line, and the use of light and shadows will be incorporated in the development of the figure studies. Prerequsite: CC123 or C131 and CC110.
C220 Intermediate 2D Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C210
C210
An introduction to the development of personality and emotion in animated characters is explored. Students will produce an animation of a character expressing emotions and also will work with multiple characters to increase the level of complexity.
C221 Digital Editing-Video, Audio Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CC133
CC133
This course explores the features and functions of digital editing systems and their use to manipulate video and audio. The student will use digital non-linear editing systems to output their projects.
C222 Computer 3D Modeling and Animation II Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C212
C212
Students will continue their study of material and animation techniques using a 3D computerized environment.
C223 Camera and Lighting Techniques Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C212
C212
This course explores the various camera and lighting techniques as applied to computer animation. Discussion will cover the general concepts and principles of camera moves and lighting in computer animation. Focus will be placed on applying camera and lighting techniques to computer-generated animation.
C230 Advanced 2D Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C220
C220
In this course, building on the study of personality and emotion in character animation, students are responsible for organizing the elements required to finish an animated short.
C231 Introduction to Digital Compositing Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C221, C222
This course is an introduction to the terminology and methods involved with digital compositing.
C232 Computer 3D Modeling and Animation III Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C123, C222
A study of 3D animation techniques using a computerized environment. Students will create their own 3D models and animate them in different situations.
C234 Principles of Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C121, C130
This course is a practical survey covering the principles of animation. Animation exercises are explored and students learn to use a capture system to study and analyze the flow of movement.
C310 Digital Ink & Paint Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C220, CC133
This course is an introduction to the computer as an ink and paint medium for 2D animation. Students will combine a piece of their 2D animation with a digital ink and paint software program to generate a demo-quality color animation. The basics of scanning, cleanup, ink and paint, and camera will be explored.
C312 Computer 3D Workshop Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C325, C333
A production course where students use 3D modeling and animation techniques to create an animation.
C313 Digital Compositing Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C231
C231
This course explores the terminology and methods involved with digital compositing.
C321 Acting / Movement Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: CC110
CC110
This course will introduce the student to the perception and rendition of movement in animation through references in the real world. The student will learn to observe and reproduce movement, human or otherwise, in a convincing manner and will transcribe those notions to the 3D and 2D environment.
C322 3D Character Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C325, C333
This course will introduce the student to the refinement of characterization for the purpose of animation. The articulation, personality, and expressions of a character will be studied and experimented with in depth. Previous notions from 2D and 3D classes will be reiterated and applied.
C325 Advanced 3D Modeling Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C232
C232
Students will continue their application of 3D modeling and texturing techniques within a computer animation environment. Students will then create a complex character, texture it, and prepare it for animation.
C330 Pre-Production Team Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C230, C313, C325, C333, C412
This course will expose students to the production disciplines used in the animation and related industries. The primary components of the course will be a thorough review of all preproduction activities and project management. Students will participate in production teams and will focus on planning all aspects of an animation production. They will work as a functioning production team for in-house projects for non-profit organizations.
C332 Advanced Software I Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C232
C232
A lecture and workshop course in which the student will apply information from the lectures and texts to complete projects involving 3D modeling, surfacing, lighting, animating, and rendering using high-end 3D modeling and animation software.
C333 Advanced 3D Textures Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C232
C232
Building on what was previously taught, students will learn techniques used to create complex realistic textures and maps for advanced 3D models.
C334 Web Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
C220, C310
This is an introductory course in animation for the Web. The student will explore the creation of animation using current industry standard vector and raster-based software for producing animation to be used on the Internet and similar content formats.
C410 Production Team Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C330
C330
This course will be a continuation of the Pre-Production Team course and is designed to strengthen students in the disciplines of production used in the animation and related industries. The primary components will be a thorough review of all animation concepts as well as concept management. Students will continue to work in production teams and will focus on completing all aspects of the animation begun in the pre-production course.
C412 Advanced Software II Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C332
C332
This course is an introduction to creating assets for games. Focus will be placed on creating and executing designs within strict technological restrictions.
C424 Pre-Portfolio Presentation for Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
160 credits successfully completed in the Media Arts & Animation program
A class concentrated on the pre-production and production of a demo tape and a flat-work portfolio that represents the student?s abilities and interests.
C430 Portfolio Presentation for Animation Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: C424
C424
A class concentrated on the production of a demo tape that represents the student?s abilities and interests.
C433 Advanced Modeling / Animation Topics Top
3 Credits
Prerequisite: none
165 credits successfully completed in the Media Arts & Animation program
This laboratory allows students to explore and/or expand their knowledge in the areas of modeling and/or animation. Students will choose projects, complete them, and present their results to their peers.
