Electronic Art & Animation courses support other areas of emphasis within the School of Art & Design, developing expertise in digital sculpting and animation.
ELECTRONIC ART & ANIMATION
Electronic Art & Animation at NMU
(previous major name: Computer Art)
Electronic Art & Animation provides broad competencies in the various digital technologies involved with computer graphics production. This includes aspects of 3D modeling, animation (both 2D and 3D) and motion graphics, visual effects, and scripting. Courses are taught as a blend of software instruction, design fundamentals, motion principles, media appropriate concept development (for example, is a character design for 3D sculpting equally good for 2D animation?), business practices, and problem solving all under a larger umbrella of industry-standard practices. As the fields related to Electronic Art & Animation continually change, a key tenant throughout all courses is to become adaptable to change.
Electronic Art & Animation courses support other programs within the School of Art & Design to provide advanced coursework that augments the student's primary emphasis. For example, students with an emphasis in Illustration may take Digital Sculpting to provide other methods of creating character designs; students with an emphasis in graphic design may take Motion Design to provide a basis for creating motion graphics for broadcast, trailers, and social media.
In addition to the university laptop initiative which provides each student with an Apple laptop computer, students are provided access to industry-standard software applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, Substance Painter, Maxon Cinema4D, ZBrush, and Unity3D. The program is housed in a state-of-the-art facility, including Apple workstations, 4K video production, access to digital cameras, lighting studios, a greenscreen stage, extensive computer peripherals such as drawing tablets and scanners, and an array of printers including laser printers, large format (44 inch wide) printers, and archival inkjet printers.
Electronic Art & Animation Includes 3D Modeling Animation, and Motion Graphics.
Click to Learn MoreElectronic Art & Animation Studio
EAA Students utilize the shared Art & Design Computer Studio. The studio has four labs - two designed for laptop use, and two equipped with Apple computers, large flat screen displays, Wacom drawing tablets, and scanners. Software includes Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Animate, Adobe Premiere, Adobe After Effects, ZBrush, Maxon Cinema 4D, Unity3D, Rhino3D, Apple Final Cut Pro, and many others. The facility provides digital cameras, digital video cameras, tripods, panoramic heads, 360 cameras, lighting equipment, and microphones for overnight checkout. A large format inkjet printer, mid-sized pre-press inkjet printers, and color laser printing are available for student use. The studio is open approximately 80 hours outside of class times for student use.
The Computer Art Studio is Equipped with a Wide Range of Software and High End Workstations
Click to Learn MoreElectronic Art & Animation Faculty
click to open/close
Stephan Larson
Professor
BFA University of Louisiana, Lafayette
MFA Syracuse University
Stephan Larson started creating images with computers long ago when an Atari 400 showed up in his home (yes, Atari used to make computers). He continues to utilize the computer as his primary production tool with the majority of his time experimenting with 3D animation. When not trying to overheat computers with abstract simulations, he dabbles in creating 3D models of quirky characters because he finds the process immensely amusing. His work is influenced by biological growth, quantum physics, synesthesia, Abstract Expressionism, eight years of work as a medical animator, and the Hulk. His animations have been shown in over two hundred exhibitions throughout the world including the ACM SIGGRAPH Electronic Theater and Art Galleries, Anima Mundi in Brazil, Art Futura in Spain, and earning an honorable mention in the Prix Ars Electronica in Germany. He has been teaching at Northern Michigan University since 2001 and still plays Tetris.
WEBSITE
www.graysense.com
Electronic Art & Animation Courses
click to open/closeAD 234 Electronic Art & Animation: Foundations
4 credit hours
Offered: Fall, Winter
Introduction to the concepts and practices of electronic art and animation. Topics vary and are based upon technology developments and professional practices in the field of electronic art and animation. (Topics may include 3D modeling, digital sculpting, 2D/3D animation, basic scripting, introductory game development, 3D printing, analog to digital workflows, augmented reality, and/or AI.)
AD 334A Digital Sculpting and Modeling
4 credit hours
Offered: Winter, even numbered years
Prerequisite: AD 101 or AD 234 or instructor’s permission.
Practical overview of the theory and practice of 3D digital sculpting and modeling with consideration to concept art, game/animation characters, illustration, scenic props, sculpture, collectible toys, and 3D printed objects. Commercial applications of digital sculpting and modeling will be explored in tandem with concepts focusing on form, design, and articulation.
AD 334B Motion Design
4 credit hours
Offered: Fall
Prerequisite: AD 101 or AD 234 or instructor permission.
Practical overview of the fundamentals of motion graphics and animation with consideration to broadcast, cinema, web, app, and multimedia applications. Creative and commercial approaches to motion design will be explored while developing conceptual skills, aesthetic awareness, and pre-professional production workflow practices.
Electronic Art & Animation FAQ
click to open/closeWhat degree should I pursue?
Electronic Art & Animation is not a dedicated emphasis in the School of Art & Design. Students wishing to pursue studies in Electronic Art & Animation support the interest with related media to support Electronic Art & Animation, such as Digital Cinema, Illustration, and Graphic Design. Most students pursue the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, referred to as the BFA degree. This degree provides for more studio credit hours than a BA or BS degree. The BA and BS degrees provide students with the option to pursue a minor or studies in other programs at NMU.
Will I need to submit a portfolio for admission?
No portfolio review is required. For general requirements for admission into the University you should check with the Admissions Office.
Are there scholarships for incoming Art and Design majors at the Freshman level?
Yes, there are scholarships available - for specific information on requirements and deadlines check on-line at:
Scholarship Information
What focus will I find in Electronic Art & Animation?
Electronic Art & Animation focuses on 2D animation, some 3D animation, and 3D modeling/sculpting. The courses serve largely to support other emphasis areas within the School of Art & Design while providing a sub-emphasis, of sorts. The primary software used in the curriculum is Maxon Cinema 4D, ZBrush, Adobe Photoshop, and Adobe After Effects.
What kind of computer do I need?
As a student at Northern Michigan University, you will be issued a laptop computer and as an Art and Design major, the laptop will be an Apple laptop. The laptop will come with the majority of the required software already loaded. There are four computer labs available for student use as well. The labs are used for instruction and in some cases when specific software is unavailable for the laptops, projects must be completed in the labs. Additionally, digital cameras and digital video cameras are available in specific classes for student use.
More Questions?
Please write Professor Stephan Larson stlarson@nmu.edu
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