Spring 2008
Tues, Thurs 5:30-8:20 pm
MCCE 506

Instructor:Cullen Stephenson, CStephenson@missouristate.edu

OBJECTIVES

Computer Animation 1 will cover basic theory and practices in creating computer animation, and will combine software training(AfterEffects, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator ) with creative practice, art history, and critical thinking. This course is an exploration of visual expression through the use of sequential images as well as to allow students experience with a wide range of digital processes. While the development of technical skill will be expected, this course will focus directly on art making, and will be taught as a multidisciplinary studio art course which uses digital tools. The projects will provide a way to learn the technical skills, and the technical skills will provide a way to complete the projects gracefully. But, our primary goals will be thinking critically, producing creatively, and applying effort to achieve results. The objective is to instill working relationships between concept, visualization and technical considerations, and to introduce basic animation concepts and techniques. The emphasis of this course is on visual expression and communication.

I take sweat equity very seriously, and expect you to work hard for your own benefit.The standards of this course are high. This is not a recreational art course or high school art course, but a college level course designed for a 4-year art program. I expect you will enjoy many aspects of the course if you are prepared to work hard, and take on new challenges. Use this time to your advantage by working on subjects and concepts that are deeply interesting to you. Work toward guiding the small decisions with larger personal beliefs and interests.

This class will require participation and patience. It is not approached as a typical lecture or technical environment, but one where we learn from each other and solve problems collaboratively. Students are expected to be respectful of their peers. Creative and reading assignments should be done on time, and comments should be thoughtful and constructive. The best projects will be the ones in which thoughtful and intelligent ideas are presented in a clear, organized, and engaging manner from your own viewpoints and beliefs. Both concept and execution should illustrate critical thinking and engagement with the objectives of each assignment.

PROJECTS

Students will complete five projects for this course. These projects are organized around different practices and concepts related to the art of animation and the program AfterEffects. Throughout the semester students will be graded based on technical proficiency, content and ability to discuss and defend work during critiques. While students will be evaluated for technical ability this is a content driven course. Make the assignments your own. Use the techniques to explore ideas and images you care about.

At the end of the semester, students are required to document all assignments on CD/DVD. Students will turn this in on the last day of class. It is imperative to keep copies of all of files from the semester so that they can be collected and archived for this purpose.

Important: archive all assignments as Quicktime.

ATTENDANCE

Regular attendance is essential. Students are allowed three unexcused absences during the semester. Any absences beyond that will affect your final grade by minus 3% per missed class. Repeatedly arriving late to class and/or repeatedly leaving early will also lower your final grade.*
If you miss a class (or a part of a class), it is strictly your responsibility to make up the missed material.

*The only absences that are considered excused are absences due to participation in University-sanctioned activities and programs, family or medical emergencies. You must give proof. Proof may be submitted up to the date of our final exam. After that date I will no longer accept proof.



• Concept and Creativity- 25%
Idea, intention, and meaning.
Does the artwork clearly communicate something to other viewers? Is the response thoughtful and creative?

• Understanding and Execution of the project- 25%
Did the artist carefully consider the project and its objectives as described in the syllabus. Did the artist utilize the design problems to their own andvantage? Is it well thought out?

• Craftsmanship - 25%
Attention to technique and detail.
Does the artist skillfully use timing and movement? Are all details carefully finished and/or intentional-looking?

• Effort and Improvement - 25%
Commitment and work ethic.
Did the artist work hard to improve their knowledge and achieve the results they desired? Is the project personally challenging?



CRITIQUES
Participation in all in-progress and end critiques is mandatory and a part of your overall grade. On the day of critiques, you must be present and your work must be complete AT THE START of the critique in order to be accepted. If you are late for a critique, at my discretion we may not critique your work. If, for whatever reason, you do not have work on the day of critique, you are still required to attend and participate in the critique. Late work will only be accepted at my discretion, and will be marked down 15 points for each class period.

STATEMENTS OF INTENT
For each in-progress critique, you will submit a brief statement of intent that outlines your ideas, decisions, and intentions as they relate to the project and its objectives.

READING RESPONSES
You are required to submit a brief (one page or so) written response to each assigned reading on the due date of the reading. The reading responses are not intended to be formal book reports. But, they should provide your honest opinion about the reading and evidence of critical thought. All written work will be graded on a credit/no credit basis, and will factor into your participation grade.

SKETCH BOOK
You are required to keep a sketchbook. This will function as your visual journal for the duration of the class. USE IT! It will count for a significant portion of your grade. Write down important and new ideas we discuss. Show me that you are thinking out of class about the projects. Use it for sketching, thinking, writing …fill it up! I will give you outside classroom assignments throughout the course and expect them to manifest in your sketchbooks.
Projects and assignments (unless otherwise stated by the instructor) will not be accepted unless accompanied with said journal or sketchbook. In this sketchbook you must include some physical source materials for your animations(things cut out of magazines, your own photos, scraps of trash, science journals, examples of texture, etc.) This will help incorporate a wider scope of thought beyond the top ten results in a google image search. Collect random things that are interesting. You are allowed to sketch and storyboard digitally. If you choose to work this way, print hard copies for your notebook.

STUDIO TIME & WORK OUTSIDE OF CLASS
Studio time is scheduled in class for each assignment. Students are expected to come to classes identified as "Studio" prepared to work. Even if you prefer to work from your home computer or PC, you are required to attend studio classes prepared to work with any and all files that you are using in the project. You are welcome to use your own laptops as long as you have the necessary software.
Work outside of class is required. The average student requires approximately 8 hours of work a week outside of class. Open lab times will be posted on this website as soon as they are available.

FINAL
In addition to completing a self-evaluation, each student is required to document all projects on CD. Students will turn this in on the day of our final exam with a printed copy of the self-evaluation. It is imperative that you keep all of your files from the semester so that you will have them at the end for this purpose.

GRADING

Your final grades will be determined by the following:

RECOMMENDED TEXT

• After Effects 7.0 For Macintosh & Windows, Antony Bolante, Peachpit Press

SUPPLIES

• An 8x11 bound journal/sketchbook or a binder with 8x11sheets of paper. The actual format is not really important other than the size (8x11) and that it is dedicated entirely to this class.
Additionally, you will be responsible for archiving and backing-up your CDs throughout the semester.
• 1-2 CD-R's/DVD's for submission of assignments and projects at the end of the semester.
• 5-10 CD-R/RW's for backing up data. Note: Students will be solely responsible for making backup copies of ALL their data. This is important! Accidents do occur and you will be held to all deadlines regardless. Save now, save often and make LOTS of backups.

Some projects may require the purchase of additional supplies as needed on an individual basis.

Statement of nondiscrimination:
Missouri State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution, and maintains a grievance procedure available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. At all times, it is your right to address inquiries or concerns about possible discrimination to the Office for Equity and Diversity, Siceluff Hall 296, (417) 836-4252. Other types of concerns
(i.e., concerns of an academic nature) should be discussed directly with your instructor and can also be brought to the attention of your instructor’s Department Head.

Statement on disability accommodation:
To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Director of Disability Services, Plaster Student Union, Suite 405, (417) 836-4192 or (417) 836-6792 (TTY). Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Services prior to receiving accommodations. Disability Services refers some types of accommodation requests to the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, which also provides diagnostic testing for learning and psychological disabilities. For information about testing, contact the Director of the Learning Diagnostic Clinic, (417) 836-4787.

Statement on academic dishonesty:
Missouri State University is a community of scholars committed to developing educated persons who accept the responsibility to practice personal and academic integrity. You are responsible for knowing and following the university’s student honor code, Student Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures, available at http://www.missouristate.edu/assets/provost/AcademicIntegrityPolicyRev-1-08.pdf
and also available at the Reserves Desk in Meyer Library. Any student participating in any form of academic dishonesty will be subject to sanctions as described in this policy.

Dropping Classes
It is your responsibility to understand the University’s procedure for dropping a class. If you stop attending this class but do not follow proper procedure for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade and will also be financially obligated to pay for the class. For information about dropping a class or withdrawing from the university, contact the Office of the Registrar at 836-5520.

Cell phone policy:
The use by students of cell phones, pagers, or similar communication devices during scheduled classes is prohibited. All such devices must be turned off or put in a silent mode and cannot be taken out during class. At the discretion of the instructor, exception to this policy is possible in special circumstances. See http://www.missouristate.edu/acadaff/Policies/default.htm for complete policy

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