3D Animation and Game Design
3d Animation and Game Design Course Descriptions
The 3D Animation and Game Design (ANGD) program prepares students to pursue careers in the field of computer-generated animation in film, television, advertising, and games. Graduates find work as modelers, texture artists, animators, character animators, compositors, game programmers, production managers and game designers. In addition to layout, illustration, and cinematic skills, students learn professional production values and practices.
The goal of the 3D Animation and Game Design program is to prepare students for a demanding and competitive field. Because of this competitiveness, the department must be selective and demanding in course work requirements and assessments. A student's success in this area depends on a solid foundation in modeling, form finding, texture painting, motion studies, animation mechanics, cinematic theory, problem solving ability, and/or software skills. Since the experiences and backgrounds of entering students vary widely, some students need additional time at the foundation level before they are ready for their concentration courses.
It is University policy that students must pass courses in their major with a minimum grade of C. Students who make a D or less must re-take their major courses. In the 3D Animation and Game Design program, students may attempt each ANGD course twice.
Portfolio Review
The 3D Animation and Game industries are highly competitive and demanding. Finding work in this environment requires a strong portfolio that can compete in a national and international arena.
Understanding this reality, the ANGD department strives to help students find if they will be successful in this major as early as possible in their academic career. The first year of the curriculum is dedicated to giving students an overview of the varying areas and skills used in the 3D industry. At the end of the first year of study, all ANGD students are required to submit a portfolio of the work completed in the ANGD first-year core. Only upon passage of this Portfolio Review can students enter the Animation, Modeling, Programming for Games, or Production Managment concentrations and continue study within the major.
Portfolios are reviewed at the end of the first year. All transfer students who wish to start in the Modeling or Animation concentration classes must submit a portfolio at the scheduled portfolio review time the SPRING semester before they plan to attend. Since the number of applicants will vary each year, passing grades in first-year classes will not guarantee admission to the major.
Students who do not pass the portfolio review may resubmit a portfolio the following year. Students who plan on resubmitting a portfolio for review should retake some or all of the first-year courses to enhance their portfolio.
Please note that acceptance to the University does not guarantee admission to the 3D Animation & Game Design major.