Visual Communication Design Independent Study will allow students to obtain instruction in specialized areas of interest to enhance their individual course of study. Working with a faculty adviser, students will propose a focused curriculum related to their academic and/or future career interests. Visual Communication Design Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor to enroll.**NOTE: Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA **

Students will learn the general production workflow of creating and integrating three-dimensional rendered elements into a two-dimensional motion graphics setting. The production process will include an overview of modeling, lighting, shading and rendering techniques in a 3D application. Then the course will also explore how to integrate these assets into a 2D animation setting and techniques of creating a professional, polished result quickly and efficiently.

This course is an introduction to digital three-dimensional visualization. Students learn all aspects of 3D design, from modeling all the way through rendering the final images to setting keyframes for animation. Once familiar with the basics of production, students are encouraged to focus on specific topics such as lighting and texturing and the creation of visual effects for gaming, broadcast, visualization and education.

This course focuses on three-dimensional special effects using 3D software in combination with other techniques. Course content addresses particle systems and dynamic simulations in a 3D environment. Physical reality concepts such as water flow, air movement, smoke, clouds, fire, and gravitational effects are explored in relation to their effects on cloth, hair, and fluids. Students will incorporate these dynamic simulations in practical design contexts for film, broadcast, and online.

This course focuses on motion graphics as an extension of traditional design that incorporates a temporal or time-based element into the message. Students are exposed to video compositing software and learn the craft, practice, and theory of what it takes to make it in the fast-paced, competitive world of motion graphics design. Computer software is used to composite visual effects in both animation and live video. Sequencing, storyboarding, digital audio, titling, and animation are integrated to produce time-based projects for film, broadcast, and the web.

This course focuses on the visual look of a three-dimensional model. Students apply lighting methods to illuminate 3D models and spaces. The interaction of light and pigment, use of light in painting, photography, and film are used as examples. Techniques in using shading networks are incorporated into the projects. Displacement textures are used to create detail in models. This course also covers a contrast and comparison of various methods and resolutions of rendering and outputting information from 3D software.