Animation & Game Art

Outcomes

• Formal

  Students will develop the ability to appropriately apply 2D and 3D compositional strategies to animation and game projects and will acquire a deep understanding of the twelve principles of animation: squash and stretch, anticipation, weight, arcs, timing, easing, overlapping motion, staging, straight ahead versus pose to pose, exaggeration, solid drawing, and appeal. They will cultivate an in-depth knowledge of the application of cinematic principles to animation, and competency in cinematography techniques, including camera distance, motion, angle, focal length, parallax motion and lighting, as well as in special effects and compositing. They will master editing techniques such as cuts, dissolves, match shots and jump cuts, and will learn how to make sophisticated color choices and palettes in services to composition and meaning. They will master the ability to translate scripts in order to create storyboards, animatics and teasers. Students will develop a trained eye for seeing the nuance of motion in character animation.

• Conceptual

  Students will cultivate skills in storytelling and in the development of the personal concepts that drive their work. Upon completion of the program, they will have the ability to tell compelling visual stories, which is the overarching goal of animation and game art. They will be capable of creating work at all phases of the animation/game design process, from conceptualization to planning to pre-production, production and post-production processes. They will develop the ability to work independently and collaboratively in the classroom community in support of developing processes and work by which one cultivates sound studio and professional practices. They will be able to supply a range of conceptual approaches to a game or story, apply and explore key concepts in character development (such as shape, color, exaggerated characteristics, personality flaws, backstory, dress and props), and encode and decode the significance of choices of symbols, objects and environments in games and animation projects. As students gain experience programming games, they will acquire a sophisticated understanding of how art and logic mutually inform and modify the experience of interaction. An understanding of acting as a fundamental component of creating moving characters will inform their work. Students will master a strong critical vocabulary for the assessment of all aspects of animation and game art.

• Technical

  As a technical discipline, animation and game art requires knowledge and abilities in both traditional and developing technologies, from drawing to motion graphics. Students will hone their ability to draw on paper and digitally for planning, design and production. They will develop the ability to sculpt in analog and digital environments, and will develop a broad range of software proficiency in 2D, 3D and stop motion animation (including Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Maya, Toon Boom, Dragon Frame, and Audition). They will learn 2D and 3D game art and development, and related software such as Stencyl and Unity 3D. Exploration of established and emerging platforms for games and animation (Mobile, Arcade, VR, AR) will help expand their skills. They will master animation shortcuts (for example, cycles, camera moves and holds) in service to efficient production. Students will master the techniques of modeling, texturing, rigging and animating 3D characters; they will also develop proficiency in visual effects and compositing for animation and games. Students who complete the program will be able to create 2D and 3D game art using industry-standard production techniques.

• Professional

  Students will develop an online portfolio that displays standard production skills and highlights their areas of interest and of particular excellence; they will complete the program with a resume and professional reel. Every graduating student is required to show their work in the BFA Thesis Show; moreover, all MECA students can exhibit their work in organized College exhibitions and on their own (after getting approval for space) during all four years of their MECA experience. As a major, students will learn to effectively collaborate on team productions; they will also be able to work independently. They will hone the communication skills required to competently critique work in various stages of production, from pre- through post-production, and will also demonstrate competency in written communication in the form of self-evaluations that address research, development processes, historical precedents and contemporary practice. Students develop proficiency in using online resources and communities as learning and problem-solving systems. Through its Artists at Work program, the College has a large national network that allows students to take advantage of internship opportunities with artists, illustrators, animators and game artists.