3D Computer Animation

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Courses - January 2025

Level 1

Course details

Anatomy and Life Drawing
ARTS8010

Description:

This course will enhance the student’s awareness of the relationships between human and character development, with specific focus on refinement of life-drawing skills. Emphasis on structural drawing techniques and sequential figure drawing will contribute towards an understanding of human/skeletal anatomy and how movement and animation of characters evolve. Students will design and create a unique character that will be utilized in concurrent and future animation projects.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Story Development I
ARTS8020

Description: Students will research, create and develop stories that will form the basis of their personal e-portfolio production toolkit. These stories will be integrated in concurrent and future courses and become the scripting component of storyboarding for shot selection and composition.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Sound Design and Engineering
ARTS8030

Description: This course will provide the students with the opportunity to create or acquire audio elements. Studio and location sound capture will be processed and engineered for voice or special effect/s sound tracks that contribute towards creating believable animation sequences.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Conestoga 101
CON0101

Description: This self-directed course focuses on introducing new students to the supports, services, and opportunities available at Conestoga College. By the end of this course, students will understand the academic expectations of the Conestoga learning environment, as well as the supports available to ensure their academic success. Students will also be able to identify on-campus services that support their health and wellness, and explore ways to get actively involved in the Conestoga community through co-curricular learning opportunities.
  • Hours: 1
  • Credits: 0
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Animation Methodologies I
DSGN8030

Description:

This character animation course is designed for students who are interested in expanding their animation skills and knowledge, focusing on creating realistic and stylized character movements. Students will dive deep into advanced animation principles, body mechanics, digital animation tools, and action analysis to enhance their abilities in producing captivating and polished animations. Through practical assignments and hands-on exercises, students will develop a strong foundation in animation terminology and methodologies, applying traditional animation principles to digital platforms. By the end of the course, students will have the ability to produce professional-quality animations for various media, including films, games, and television streaming services.

  • Hours: 84
  • Credits: 6
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Environmental Constructs
DSGN8040

Description:

In this course, students will prepare for their Directed Project, which focuses on the creation of a 3D character animated short. Recreating the workflow of real pre-production pipelines. Students will work on projects mentored by industry veterans, learning time management, problem-solving, and software like a seasoned animator. This immersive experience will motivate your storytelling potential. By using the power of storyboarding, animatics, and layout, students will learn to craft a basic narrative blueprint for their final animation project. Ensuring a smooth transition from pre-production to production in the succeeding semester.

  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Safety in the Workplace
OHS1320

Description: This course focuses on developing awareness and skills for the student to safely manage and conduct him or herself within a variety of employment settings. Through the units of the course, participants will have the opportunity to enhance their understanding and knowledge of general Health and Safety guidelines, including WHMIS, Fire Safety and Workplace Violence. The unit on Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act will instruct the student on the requirements for Accessible Customer Service and Integrated Accessibility Standard Regulations. General information on Safe Driving, Privacy of Information and Hand Washing will be addressed as well. The course also provides participants with critical information regarding their insurance coverage (WSIB or other) while employed. As well as guidelines to follow in the event of an injury. Participants will receive a printable Record of Completion upon successful conclusion of this course, in order to demonstrate awareness of safe working practices to their employers.
  • Hours: 14
  • Credits: 1
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Level 2

Course details

Story Development II
ARTS8040

Description: This course is the foundation for the final portfolio element. Students will research, create and develop a story and storyboard for a comprehensive animation sequence that will be generated via the Directed Project – Lab course. Students will incorporate their knowledge of different genres, story mechanics, story structure and story arcs in the development of coherent story structures.
  • Hours: 56
  • Credits: 4
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Directed Project - Lab
ARTS8050

Description:

Directed Project is a hands-on course where students apply their learned skills to produce the animation for their final animated short project, using pre-development work carried out in the first semester as a basis. Students will develop and create animated sequences while incorporating industry best practices. The course emphasizes effective communication and collaborative critique, providing a professional setting for refining work based on constructive feedback. The goal is to ready students for their future roles in the animation industry.

  • Hours: 84
  • Credits: 6
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Character Design
DSGN8050

Description:

Students will strategically apply the principles & elements of design to create unique, appealing and highly compelling characters for use in animation, comics, graphic novels, video game design, film and marketing media. Utilizing animation related technologies, art direction deconstruction, group critiques and target audience “brandscape” demographic insights, students will develop & iterate upon their unique characters to support storytelling and promote personality-driven performances for use in engaging animated content.

  • Hours: 42
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Animation Methodologies II
DSGN8060

Description:

Students will dive deep into the world of character animation, exploring techniques and principles that bring characters to life. The course covers a range of topics, from body mechanics to facial expressions, lip-sync, and storytelling. Through hands-on projects, students will create and refine character performances and develop professional work for a character animation demo reel. By analyzing great character animation performances and engaging in collaborative class exercises, students will gain a strong understanding of weight, balance, timing, staging, and acting. With an emphasis on critique, feedback, and iteration, this course aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the competitive field of character animation.

  • Hours: 84
  • Credits: 6
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Portfolio Development and Presentation
ETR8100

Description:

This course focuses on the preparation of a professional portfolio that demonstrates the skills and capabilities of the student. Students will identify and select examples of their work that emphasizes their strengths, and customize a portfolio to fit the specific job requirements of their target market. Students will present and speak to scope of work, with focus on the production pipeline and identify the specific personal work accomplished as well as the skills and knowledge required in production.

  • Hours: 28
  • Credits: 2
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:
Electives: Program Option
Student must pass 1 Course(s), selected in the Student Portal from available course options

View Program Option Electives

Please note that all courses may not be offered in all semesters. Go to your student portal for full timetabling details under "My Courses".

Project with Community Involvement
ARTS8060

Description:

Students will focus their abilities through various computer animation production challenges using skills obtained throughout the program. Students will interact with industry partners to produce elements of production-ready work. These challenges prepare students for real-world scenarios and strengthen their connections with industry professionals.

  • Hours: 80
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites:
  • CoRequisites:

Field Placement (3D Computer Animation)
FPLT8000

Description:

This course facilitates a placement experience with a company/agency which has been approved by the program. Students will take an active role in securing a placement by practising employability skills learned through preparatory courses. Engaging in the work environment of a professionally relevant company/agency will allow students to apply their education and skills contributing to their mutual benefit. Appropriate workplace behaviour and etiquette is expected as students use this opportunity to expand their network of industry contacts and effectively market their personal brand. Through this experience, students can cultivate confidence, escalate awareness of industry practices, add to their resume & portfolio, and contribute to their own career success.

  • Hours: 80
  • Credits: 3
  • Pre-Requisites: OHS1320
  • CoRequisites:

Program outcomes

  1. Design animated sequences using storyboarding and pre-visualization that meet production requirements.
  2. Communicate effectively with colleagues and clients throughout all stages of production.
  3. Complete the production of live action plates for use in animated sequences.
  4. Manage the planning, implementation, and production of animation projects to meet production schedules.
  5. Select appropriate hardware and software protocols specific to the field of computer animation.
  6. Analyze images and physical sets to digitally re-create lights, cameras, locations and objects.
  7. Create photo-real images to match live action footage.
  8. Recreate natural phenomena by using appropriate particle or dynamic effects and the principles of performance theory.
  9. Integrate 2D and/or 3D computer generated imagery and live action elements.
  10. Create customized tools through software or scripting to allow for more advanced application of animated techniques.
  11. Work collaboratively in interdisciplinary teams on the production of 3D computer animation.
  12. Assemble digital assets such as background, environment, characters and objects, according to project brief using production pipeline methodologies.
  13. Present an e-portfolio of animation projects that highlights one’s creativity, animation skills and proficiency with relevant 3D- animation technologies.