Bachelor of Fine Arts in Technical animation

Core Principles of Technical Animation

Animation technical direction requires a balance of artistic sensibility and applied skills to support cinematic storytelling. In this course, students learn the principles of a creative 3D pipeline from modeling to rendering. Students synthesize these skills to produce appealing, stylized animations. Prerequisite(s): ANIM 190.

Technical Animation: Fundamentals of Character Rigging

Building from the skeleton to the skin, rigs bring animated characters to life through articulated movement. In this course, students explore the principles of modeling and rigging through the use of industry-standard tools to create believable character motion. Major emphasis is placed on proper identification of controls. Prerequisite(s): ANIM 249.

Technical Animation: Digital Modeling for Environments and Props

From haunted castles to futuristic temples, 3D environment and prop modelers create complex and believable models that match the art direction of an animated movie. Students explore advanced topics in 3D environment and prop modeling, with an emphasis on hard-surface modeling techniques and stylization that supports storytelling. Prerequisite(s): ANIM 249.

Technical Animation: Organic Surface Modeling

From hideous, giant trolls to adorable, little kittens, 3D character modelers create complex and believable animated characters. Students develop 3D character design and organic surface modeling skills, with an emphasis on anatomy as it applies to predetermined movement requirements. Prerequisite(s): ANIM 349.

Technical Animation: Animation Look Development

A visual development artist is an essential part of an animated movie's creative team, designing and developing the look of a film. In this course, students use a variety of character-driven approaches to create illustrative-quality look development and bring an original aesthetic to their animation. Prerequisite(s): ANIM 349 and ANIM 359.

Technical Animation: Lighting for Animation

Cinematic lighting can alter the entire feel of a scene. Students enhance the emotional impact of animated scenes through stylized lighting that emulates specific look development criteria for mood, atmosphere and focal points. Students employ various lighting, shading and rendering techniques to meet character and narrative needs in the production of a short animated film.

Technical Animation: Cloth and Hair for Animation

From realistic hair blowing in the breeze to princess robes gliding down the stairs, a multitude of complex animations are driven by technical animators. In this course, students use CG dynamics, including hair and cloth simulation, to create secondary motion and enhance animated storytelling.