Instructor: Anh Do                         

Mail box               Harris Hall 216                             Section:                 VCAD-431

Art Dept. Office    (804) 542-5944                              Location:               Harris Hall 205

E-mail                  ado@vsu.edu                               Semester hours:    3 credits

If you need to see me out of class, make an appointment. E-mail is the best way to get in touch with me.

 

Class Prerequisites: All required 100, 200, and 300 level major courses.

 

Course Description: Develop an understanding of 3D modeling for 3D-animation technology.

 

Course Objectives: To introduce the students to basic principles of 3D-animation and to further their knowledge and skills in animation with class exercises and projects.

 

Tests & Quizzes: There will be short quizzes during the semester to verify the students understanding of the information given in class.

 

Projects: There are three projects; one project that will be a semester long and will be counted as the final project, and two exercise projects, one is due before midterm, and the other will be due before the end of the semester.

 

Writing Assignments: Student will be writing proposals for their animation projects.

 

·          Something to keep your proposals and storyboards in

·          Index cards

·          A ream of 8 ½ X 11 sheets of white paper

·          Drawing pencils, erasers, and fine point black Sharpies

·          A 2GB USB flash drive and/ or blank CD-rom disks

 

Required Textbook: Principles of Three-Dimensional Computer Animation, by Michael O’ Rourke,

Additional Recommended Texts: A list will be provided to you a pond request.

Class Structure: This is a three-hour class. The activities in this class will include, but are not limited to, lectures, demos, screenings, introductions to projects, discussions, exercises, critiquing, project progress evaluations, and self-pacing work. Students are expected to spend as much time as needed outside the classroom to complete their assignments.

 

 

 

To receive a grade of A for the semester astudents’ work must reflect outstanding achievement level of achievement both in quality and quantity, and all work must be completed on time and as assigned. Student must display exceptional attitude in critique participation, response to criticism, and professional conduct. Student’s ability to communicate and execute ideas exhibits outstanding achievement. Student has perfect attendance.

To receive a grade of B for the semester astudents’ work must reflect above-average achievement level of achievement both in quality and quantity, and all work be completed on time and as assigned. Student must display a positive attitude in critique participation, response to criticism, and professional conduct. Student ability to communicate and execute ideas exhibits above-average achievement. Student has near perfect attendance.

To receive a grade of C for the semester astudent work must reflect an acceptable achievement level of achievement both in quality and quantity, and all work must be completed as assigned. Student must display a positive attitude in critique participation, response to criticism, and professional conduct. Student should exhibit an acceptable level of ability in communication and execution of ideas and have an acceptable pattern of attendance.

 

To receive a grade of D for the semester astudent’s achievement is below average level of achievement in quality and/or quantity. Work was not completed as assigned. Student response to criticism, professional conduct, and participation in critique is below acceptable standards or reflects an indifferent attitude. Student work reflects an inability to satisfactorily communicate and execute ideas. Student pattern of attendance was unsatisfactory.

 

To receive a grade of F for the semester astudent work and attitude reflect an unsatisfactory level of achievement both in quality and quantity. Student exhibits an unsatisfactory ability to communicate and execute ideas and a pattern of low productivity. Student attendance record is unacceptable. The student’s lack of participation in critiques, poor response to criticism, and inappropriate conduct will receive this grade.

 

To receive a grade of I for the semester astudent must have experienced unreasonable hardship and was prevented from completing 1 project that is necessary to pass the class. The student must have an average of C or above for the class without the 1 missing project, and the student must make arrangements before the end of the semester with the instructor contractually to complete that project before the end of the next semester. To justify an incomplete for a grade I will consider circumstances on individual bases. If I find that it is not justify, you will get an F for the semester. It is unfair to other students who were able to do the work and turn it in on a timely manner.

 

To receive a grade of N for the semester astudent is on the class roster but never attended the class.

 

·          Research- were research methods used by the student, and were they used effectively? Was it implemented to arrive at successful solution for the project, and does it cover all aspects of the project?

·          Concept- are concepts inventive and appropriate, and do they satisfy the objectives of a stated project?

·          Motivation- did the student stay on task, was he/she motivated throughout the entire process of the project in and out of class?

·          Visual organization- is all syntactic concerns, such as form, composition, and visual hierarchy, well articulated?

·          Communication- does the project present a clear message, and is this message appropriate for the intended audience?

·          Colors- does the application of color support the message and satisfies aesthetic concerns? Does the use of color show evidence of an understanding of color theory? Is the lack of color appropriate to the project?

·          Drawing- does the drawing exhibit technical and conceptual development? Is it appropriate for the project?

·          Typography- is the typography effective in terms of structure, legibility, and function?

·          Kinetic- does the visual solution provide a kinetic quality that holds the attention of viewers/readers?

·          Craft- does the project reflect the appropriate use of tools and materials, and is it presented in a professional manner?

 

 

·          Deadlines- was the project turned in on time?

·          Verbal articulation- was the student able to critically address his/her work orally and respond to concepts discussed in class?

·          Written articulation- when required, did the student document his/her work clearly, concisely, and accurately?

·          Participation- did the student actively contribute to critiques and topic discussions on a regular basis?

 

 

Class Preparation: You are to be prepared at the start of each class with assigned work and supplies needed for the class. If you are not prepared with the assigned work and/or the supplies needed for the day, you will be counted as absent and will receive an F for the day. Students who do not participate in class critiques or individual discussions when scheduled to do so should not expect private critiques and/or discussions with me at a later time. Students who miss lectures and class discussions due to absences or tardiness must obtain the information missed and any projects given from a classmate prior to the next class period. While I will be happy to clarify information for students who are unclear about the information given, I cannot repeat lectures or elaborate project descriptions on an individual basis. Students should make every attempt to obtain general information from classmates before discussing details with me.

 

Class Room Decorum: Students are to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times. Behavior that I perceive as disruptive and/or disrespectful on the part of any students will not be tolerated and I reserve the right to evict any students from the classroom for such offense. Students who are consistently disruptive and/or disrespectful will get an F for the semester. Examples of classroom disruption and disrespectful activities are: talking or constantly going in and out of classroom during lecture, cell phone use in any way, being perceived as overly aggressive in any manner, leaving before the class is formerly released, etc. If a student is asked to excuse himself or herself and refuses to leave, or becomes argumentative, they will fail the course and be dropped from the class. A student that is dropped will have only one week to appeal their expulsion.

 

Attendance: Prompt and consistent attendance develops professional behavior and insures you have access to the full range of experiences/information necessary to complete class assignments and acquire the skills and knowledge emphasized in this course in order to pass it. I will look at each absence on an individual basis. For me, excused absences are the things that are not in your control i.e. sickness, weather, family emergencies, etc. Unexcused absences are thing that you can control i.e. non-emergency doctor appointments, advisor conferences, and employment in some cases. Coming to class unprepared without materials to work in class will count as an absence. Doing work for other classes; being evicted from class will also count as an absence even if it is near to the end of the class.

 

Computer Use in the Lab: Anything other than class or approved work on the lab computers is considered a misuse of the computer. If I see an offence, it will result in an absent for the day. If this is a habitual offense, you will get an F for the semester.

Percentage of value Criteria

 

 

 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require Virginia State University to provide academic adjustments or accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students seeking academic adjustments or accommodations must self-identify with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities on the appropriate campus. After meeting with the Coordinator, students are encouraged to meet with their instructors to discuss their needs, and if applicable, any lab safety concerns related to their disabilities.

 

Please note that students who have self-identified through the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities should provide their instructors with an official memo from the Coordinator detailing needed academic adjustments or accommodations. Students who have not self-identified with the appropriate Coordinator should do so.

 

It is the responsibility of each department chairperson to provide testing sites for students who require isolated areas to complete examinations. If a quiet space is not available, faculty may contact the appropriate Coordinator for assistance. Students who require exam modifications using auxiliary services or aids such as readers, proctors or scribes should make arrangements for those modifications through the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. A minimum notice of 72 hours prior to the exam, by either the instructor or the student, is requested.

 

Student Affairs: Services for Students with Disabilities

Campus location: Room 412 Memorial Hall, 1 Hayden St.

Petersburg, VA 23806

Voice/TDD: (804) 524-5061

 

 

I reserve the right to change anything within reason on this syllabus to accommodate the pace of the class. You will be informed of the changes before they are in effect.