Winter 2025
email: stlarson@nmu.edu
phone: x1488 (227-1488)
Office: 84 ART
"Development of concepts and methods for computer art with a focus on portfolio development. Topics may include advanced animation, experimental animation, scripting, game development, motion capture, digital sculpting, and advanced rendering with emphasis on creative exploration."
When you're apprehensive, there's an opportunity to learn.
When you feel like you can't do it, you're about to learn.
When it's frustrating, you are learning.
When you make something terrible, you just learned something.
This is a studio course. Each project block will consist of technical discussion, theoretical discussion, discussion of artists working within the given project domain, and production review. The primary emphasis in virtually all projects is the integration of the technique, design, and concept.... meaningful content supported by engaging design created with technical expertise.
With that in mind, the big objectives for the course are:
* To gain critical awareness of strengths and weaknesses inherent in any computer art processes. What software is suitable for what task?
* To create a habit of learning and a personal process to facilitate learning. Software instruction will be minimal and it becomes the responsibility of the student to learn the required techniques.
* To refine comprehension of the field of computer art, refine a sense of self-awareness, and refine the ability to self-critique.
* To understand and apply a production workflow in the creation of projects. "I work my way" is not always an option.
* To build a body of work in preparation for portfolio presentation.
This course is partially about pre-professional practices - production techniques and professional considerations (like contracts, timelines, and teamwork). This course is partially about portfolio development. This course is not about software instruction - so, in a way, this course is about determining how you learn best and how you can continue to learn without specific direction from an instructor.
Technique Outcomes
1. Apply advanced knowledge of animation to control motion in the creation of animation.
2. Demonstrate software (and non-software) integrative approaches to content creation.
Design Outcomes
1. Analyze and evaluate imagery and animation for effective control of design.
2. Apply advanced knowledge of animation principles to control visual hierarchy and/or convey meaning in the creation of images and animation.
Concept Outcomes
1. Create images and animation that include narrative and/or metaphorical representation.
2. Synthesize ideas, processes, and decision-making into final output appropriate to a variety of methodologies.
Each project has an evaluation rubric linked to the project page detailing the evaluation criteria. The general criteria include evaluation of technique, evaluation of design, and evaluation of concept.
It is expected that all projects will be submitted by the appropriate deadline. Projects will not be accepted late short of something like catching leprosy or having your hand fall off.
All projects have a grading rubric with the specific criteria for project evaluation. The rubrics are linked to each project webpage.
The semester points grade scale is approximately as follows (max 2,500 pts):
A: 2,300+
B: 1,775
C: 1,250
D: 725
The grade weighting of the various projects is approximately as follows:
Module 1 8%
Module 2 8%
Module 3 8%
Module 4 8%
Opposition 13%
PortDev 25%
Group 23%
Engagement: 5%
As a reminder, if you are a Computer Art major, you must maintain a 2.7 (B-) average across your computer art courses and complete each Foundations course with a C- or better.
Projects will not be accepted late.
Stuff happens. Sometimes life stuff collides with class stuff. Sometime you just stumble during a project. Every student receives an Oops Token at the start of the semester.
Oops tokens:
* May be used at any time to receive a no-questions-asked 48-hour extension on a project. Extensions may not be used for the final project.
* May be used at any time to receive a project revision/do-over. The revision/do-over will typically be due 48 hours after the normal deadline but for larger projects, that may be extended to 72 hours. Revisions/do-overs may not be used for the final project.
* If unused, Oops tokens will provide a warm fuzzy feeling of accomplishment.
Attendance is essential. The course is comprised of lectures, demonstrations,
class discussions, critiques, visual presentations, and working in class,
all of which cannot be repeated so it is in your best interest to conscientiously
attend class... but there is no formal attendance policy - it is just assumed you will attend class.
*** The final is required
for all students (as per the NMU requirement) - failure to attend the final will result in automatic
failure of the course.
Consistent participation in critique is expected both in the class critique of peers and in the presentation of one's own work. Active participation in discussions, production during class sessions, and engagement with material is encouraged and expected. Student engagement (participation, critique productivity, willingness to explore course material, completion of projects/challenges, etc.) contributes to the semester grade.
* A second storage system for files/backups: USB drive at least 16GB size (32+ is recommended), external hard drive, or regular access to Google Drive.
* The latest Maxon student license system requires a $60 license fee for one year. See the link on the Links page (left links bar) for information and instructions.
* The course does not provide consumable materials, such as sketch paper and pencils, and does not charge a course service fee.
* It is assumed that students will keep backups of all projects.
* As an advanced course, it is expected that technical issues will be resolved by the student. While some material relating to software will be covered in the class, any areas that are unfamiliar to the student (perhaps the software has not been used in two years) becomes the responsibility of the student to learn. "Learn how to learn" is a critical component of the course.
* Any project (except the final project) may be revised one additional time after the final submission. The optional revision is due one week after the initial project deadline.
Outside of class, I can most easily be reached via email (stlarson@nmu.edu). I will respond to emails within 24 hours - usually within 6-8 hours; responses on Saturday/Sunday may be slower. When emailing, please use a subject line to assist in prioritizing responses - "Cinema4D problem" and "Project feedback" are more useful than "Help!" when I scan my inbox.
Drop-in office meetings and appointments also work for more complex problems or abstract discussion.
* There will be no food or drink in the computer lab.
* If you have a cell phone - answer it in the hallway, NOT in the lab (and never during class).
* The computer studio will have open lab hours. It is assumed that projects cannot be completed during regular class meetings.
* Computers are to be utilized for coursework and activities related to coursework. Do not use computers for entertainment during class meetings.
* Do not display material on screen which may be distracting or offensive to your neighbor.
* Look at stuff regularly - follow artists on vimeo/instagram; watch animation (especially shorts). Find inspirational work that motivates you to make stuff. Looking at stuff builds an internal library of designs and concepts that you will draw from later, consciously and unconsciously.
* Make multiple backups. "My laptop died" is not an acceptable excuse for not handing in your assignment. Keep a copy on your laptop, your backup drive, the server, etc.
* Version your work. Save different versions of your project whenever you make a significant change so that you can easily go back to an earlier version if things go wrong. (e.g. save files animation01.aep, animation02.aep, animation03.aep, etc.) There is a built-in Save Incremental function in both After Effects and Cinema4D.
* Try things on a test scene, not your main work. Everything can be copy/pasted together. This is particularly relevant when trying to fix a problem... sometimes it is easier to go back to an earlier version of the project (you did see the previous suggestion, right?).
* Be careful googling techniques/tutorials. There is a ton of good stuff out there but some of it is out of date (i.e. does not work the same way in current versions of software; this is more of a problem in Cinema4D than After Effects) or uses techniques that are not production ready (i.e. the technique is slow, inappropriate, non-scalable, destructive, only works in one situation, etc.). Before using a long tutorial, check out the creator's other content to see if they have legit cred.
My classroom is a place where you will be treated with respect. In this course, each voice has something of value to contribute. Please take care to respect the different experiences, beliefs, and values expressed by students, faculty, and staff. Each member of this class is expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment for every other member of the class.
The instructor may duplicate your artwork from this semester for instructional and/or promotional uses that relate to the educational mission of the instructor, department, or university. If you are unwilling to allow your portfolio to be copied for these specific purposes, please inform the instructor.
If you have a need for disability-related accommodations or services, please inform the Coordinators of Disability Services in the Dean of Students Office at 2001 C. B. Hedgcock Building (906-227-1737 or disability@nmu.edu). Reasonable and effective accommodations and services will be provided to students if requests are made in a timely manner, with appropriate documentation, in accordance with federal, state, and university guidelines.
It is the responsibility of the student to safeguard his or her personal property, including any personal property that is required for any course. Northern Michigan University, the School of Art and Design, faculty and staff, are not responsible for loss or damage to personal property of students.
If you are a veteran and need assistance with your benefits or are experiencing complications with your education due to military service-connected issues, contact the Veteran Resource Representative in 2101 Hedgcock (227-1402 or mrutledg@nmu.edu). The Veteran Resource Representative can advocate for you before the Veterans Administration and can also help you solve any veteran-specific issues you may have.
