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2013-2014 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Interactive Arts and Media
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Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Science
Minor
36-1000 Interactive Culture
Through discussion, lecture, and critique, this course develops critical thinking skills and the student’s ability to apply media theory to media design. Students learn how interactivity plays an increasingly important role in our world by exposure to leading designers, artists, thinkers, authors, and critics throughout the history of media.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-1151 Writing and Rhetoric I COREQUISITES: 52-1151 Writing and Rhetoric I or 52-1111 Writing and Rhetoric I - Enhanced or 52-1121 Writing and Rhetoric I for Non-Native Speakers of English or Computer Application Proficiency EXC score >= 97 or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) score >= 710 or ACT (American College Test) score >= 30
36-1001 Animation I
As an introduction to basic film animation techniques for persons with little or no animation production experience, course explores basic animation techniques including object, drawn, and 3-dimensional, including concept development, storyboarding, and final production techniques. Animated films and videos, both domestic and international, will be screened and discussed. Students will be expected to complete short exercises in each of the techniques mentioned, then complete a 10-second final project from storyboard to final shooting onto film.
4 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-111 or COMPASS Placement Test score >= 97
36-1010 Computational Media Development
Contemporary interactive media share a common computational canvas. This course explores technology underlying these media, and introduces students interested in programming and interactive media development to foundational theories and practices in interface design and development. Interaction principles will be explored through practical assignments; sketching, prototyping, and design are essential parts of the development process. Students complete the course with an understanding of participant-centered design, usability, and foundational development terms and concepts.
3 Credits
36-1100 Game Culture
Course explores the increasing popularity of games within today’s culture, which necessitates analysis of how games are impacted by social and ideological forces and influence them in turn. Questions like Why do we play and How do we play differently are explored, with many others, as students are guided through topics such as role-playing and identity, ethics, group behavior, competition, gender, race, and aesthetics in modern (and historical) games.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-1151 Writing and Rhetoric I
36-1114 Web Design
One credit hour course offers the student basic skills in designing and creating a Web site. Course will engage students in planning, creating, and defining a site primarily using Macromedia Dreamweaver. Other topics covered will include using text, graphics, and tables, working with layers, image maps, animation, multimedia, drop down menus, rollovers, frames, and forms.
1 Credits
36-1115 Imaging Techniques
One credit hour course introduces students to image creation and manipulation using an imaging application. Course will present basic principles of image editing and enhancement, composition and workflow strategies. Though primarily skill based students will enhance their creativity through class assignments.
1 Credits
Repeatable
36-1116J Introduction to Blogging
With 110 million web logs (blogs) in cyberspace, and thousands of new ones created every day, anyone can blog but very few do so successfully. This class focuses on the effective planning, creating and maintaining of a blog. Students will learn how to research a topic, find their voice, leverage their own skills/experiences and effectively communicate their ideas to an online audience in both a written and a visual perspective.
1 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-1112 Writing and Rhetoric - Enhanced II or 52-1151 Writing and Rhetoric I or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) score >= 710 or ACT (American College Test) score >= 30
36-1200 Computer Architecture
Course provides a programmer’s view of how computer systems execute, store information, and communicate. It enables students to become more effective programmers, especially in dealing with issues of performance, portability, and robustness. Topics include Boolean logic, data representation, processor organization, input/ouput, memory organization, system support software, and communication.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2550 C++ Programming I
36-1300 Digital Image Design
This fundamental media art course introduces students to imaging applications and techniques for art making through demonstrations, assignments and projects. The development of technical, conceptual and aesthetic skills and concepts will inform an introductory body of work. Idea development, research, vocabulary and critical analysis skills will enhance development of individual voice.
3 Credits
36-1310 Art and Code
This course allows students to explore making art with computer code. Students learn basic programming skills in a creative, artistic context using Processing, a robust and easy to learn language. Class time is divided between demonstration, practice and a survey of contemporary artists and programmers. Students consider automation, randomness, and algorithms as a medium of expression that challenges notions of authorship and creativity. Weekly exercises accumulate a set of methods and templates that students use in larger, more complex assignments.
3 Credits
36-1400 Sound for Interaction
Course provides the foundation for understanding sound in the visual and non-visual media. The first half of the course examines the power of creating images with sound and music without using visuals. Sound sculptures and landscapes, as well as classical impressionistic examples are reviewed and critiqued. The second half of the course investigates the impact of sound on both moving and still image. Film, Web site, game, and animation audio is analyzed for impact, technique, structure, and effectiveness. The terminology used in the field is underscored with reading and writing examples. The roles of all the people involved with film, game, and Web sound are covered.
3 Credits
36-1410 Linear Audio Production for Games
Course is concerned with both linear and non-linear aspects of sound design. Many games have sequences of shots that also may require sound and music. These scenes are linear in nature, and a close cousin to animation. The concepts of linear sound design and music editing are a necessary skill for a sound designer today. Film sound and animation sound act as the foundation for the understanding of linear game sound. Film, animation, and game examples are presented throughout the course. Project work is essential to completion of the course.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 39-2300
36-1420 Scripting for Web and Mobile
This course focuses on scripting for web and mobile applications, and is designed for students with no prior programming experience. JavaScript, markup, script libraries, and other tools and technologies will be used to create simple applications and prototypes.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 56-172 or 56-27
36-1500 Introduction to Game Development
Foundation course of the Game Development concentration focuses on applied critical discussion and development of the student’s own game concepts. Various techniques and methods of concept and story development are reviewed, including journaling and workshop/discussion, in an effort to identify development best-practices. Students are also exposed to game design documentation formats, as well as the particulars and requirements of the professional game development cycle. The course also places special emphasis on exploring and identifying the characteristics of the diverse game genres. By the class’s end, students are asked to produce written documentation and develop their own game concept.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-1151 Writing and Rhetoric I or COMPASS Placement Test score >= 97 or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) score >= 710 or ACT (American College Test) score >= 30
36-1501 Introduction to Programming
Course provides a fundamental introduction to computer programming theory and concepts to students with little or no previous experience. Students learn structure, syntax, logic, and the difference between object-oriented and procedural systems.
3 Credits
Requisites COREQUISITES: 56-172 or 56-27
36-1510 Introduction to iOS Programming and App Development
1 Credits
36-1600 Character Visualization for Games
This course is on one hand a traditional drawing course, trying to assist students in their knowledge of line, value and perspective when dealing with observational drawing, while on the other hand, it is a course designed to assist in the transition between the analog and the digital world.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1300 Digital Image Design and 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development
36-1650J Motion Capture Survey
In this introduction to motion capture, students apply previously captured data to 3D models, learn how to clean captured data, and experience a motion capture session. This course is designed for those who have no prior experience with 3D, animation, or motion capture.
1 Credits
36-1700 Introduction to Performance Capture
The motion capture process is a way to glean convincing and natural character animations from live actors. This course will give students a basic understanding of Motion Capture terminology and aesthetic concerns. In this course students will learn how to capture, clean and apply motion capture data.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-1151 Writing and Rhetoric I or SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) score >= 710 or ACT (American College Test) score >= 30
36-1800 Interactive Arts and Media: Topics
Course explores current trends and development in interactive media and interface/interaction design.
3 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-111
36-1900J Successful Freelancing
Course deals with presenting, marketing, managing, and succeeding as a freelancer. Freelancing is often a necessary way of creating one’s artistic career but it means that the freelancer has to wear many hats: boss, secretary, salesperson, bookkeeper, creative director, and delivery person. Learn how to support yourself while you pursue your art, managing all the details of being self-employed.
1 Credits
36-1930J The Demoscene: An Introduction to Programming and Subcultures
Course will cover the history, culture, and aesthetic of the demoscene as a significant part of digital culture. The demoscene is a subculture centered on the creation of non-interactive real-time graphic demonstrations, run as computer programs. Demos existed as early as the 1980s. This subculture began as users performing simple hacks or digital graffiti on their new computers or even when a program was cracked for underground distribution. But soon, the demoscene became a thriving community pushing the limits of computational power, with hundreds of musicians, artists, and graphics hackers making shout-out’s to one another and proving their technical virtuosity. Today’s demoscene, based largely in Europe, is a vibrant and influential digital community, with huge conferences every year. Students will consider artistic and cultural practices emerging from the demoscene and also look at related artworks by artist such as: BEIGE, Brion Gysin Darwinia, JODI, John Klima, and Paperrad. Students will also have the opportunity to create their own demos, using techniques employed by beginning demoscene programmers. The class will culminate in a demo party where students will present their projects.
2 Credits
Repeatable
36-1950 Virtual Worlds Concepts
Course will explore hands-on development of virtual worlds. Students will engage in character representation, collective storytelling, and alternative social and communications methods. Students will practice environmental simulation, and economics appropriate to virtual worlds. Students will use audio, video, bitmaps and 3D modeling techniques for in-world and real world media creation. Object scripting for interactivity, commerce, data communication, and motion will be introduced. Students will participate in virtual world cultures.
3 Credits
36-1950J Virtual Worlds Concepts
1 Credits
36-2000 Media Theory and Design 2
Course furthers practical understanding of media theory by applying it to media design and production. Building on the static composition analysis in Media Theory and Design I, this course focuses on time-based or dynamic media, incorporating text, moving image, and sound.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-111 and 36-1000 Interactive Culture and 36-1300 Digital Image Design or 35-1300 and 52-111 and 36-1000 Interactive Culture COREQUISITES: 52-111
36-2015 Introduction to Computer Animation
Course will introduce the beginning student to the three 3-dimensional computer animation applications that they will be studying in future semesters: Maya, XSI, and 3D-Studio Max. Concepts, relationships between concept and technical skills, and the need to understand the historical development of 3-dimensional computer animation will be emphasized. Exercises will highlight application similarities and differences, while showing that the process becomes increasingly familiar as each application is explored.
4 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 35-1300 COREQUISITES: 36-1001 Animation I
36-2025 Drawing for Animation I
Drawing intensive course gives students an understanding of figurative human emotions and movements, enabling them to create believable animated characters. Students will create model sheets, learn the principles of animation, and learn how to endow their characters with believable actions and acting. Digital pencil testing will allow for the building of the animation from basic motion to more refined movements and emotion. Particular attention will be given to timing, layout, the creation of extreme drawings, and the process of inbetweening.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 26-1000 Animation I
36-2116 Blogging: Beyond the Basics
Anyone can blog; this course will teach you how to blog well. Students from throughout the School of Media Arts work in teams to create and troubleshoot a custom blogging platform, identify a niche, research the editorial and advertising opportunities for that audience, report and write posts, shoot and upload relevant photos and videos, and implement blogging best practices, including ethics, copyright, links, SEO and monetization.
3 Credits
Repeatable
36-2130 Interactive Conversation Interface
Course introduces the theory and assumptions behind interactive conversation design pioneered by Chicago’s own Jellyvision in games like You Don’t Know Jack. As the aesthetic of interaction evolves, a promising new genre has emerged: Interactive Conversation Interface. The interactive conversation interface offers a greater degree of engagement than typical navigational models, and its dependence upon spoken word and audio broaden the reach and application of interactive media beyond visual environments. Students have the opportunity to author highly engaging, writing-centric interactive content. From fiction to non-fiction, poetry to ad copy, this new interaction model offers substantial creative and professional territory for interaction designers and writers alike.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-1152 Writing and Rhetoric II or
36-2210 Game Engine Programming
Students learn about complex graphical game engines, and the interlocking components that define these systems. Throughout the semester, students modify and extend an open source game engine and complete the course with programming examples for their portfolio. Topics include best practices for engine development, data structures, memory management, physics systems, input devices, graphic rendering, file access, debugging, and interface development.
3 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development and 36-2550 C++ Programming I and 56-172 or 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development and 36-2550 C++ Programming I and 56-27
36-2300 Digital Image Experiments
Students explore complex 2-D image manipulation and generation options and refine technical skills in preparation for advanced work. Emphasis is on integration of drawing, scanned images, image processing, and 2-D paint graphics into high-resolution images for output and use in multimedia. Projects are designed to combine student’s conceptual abilities with 2-D technical expertise.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1300 Digital Image Design
36-2301 Digital Collage
This class explores techniques and approaches to digitization, manipulation, and enhancement of 2-D imagery using photographic and non-photographic sources and imaging software. Instruction addresses issues of image alteration and role of the computer in exploring means of representation.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1300 Digital Image Design
36-2310 Media Production Strategies
This course is about the interactive media production process. Students gain a deeper understanding of techniques and practices by sketching, thumbnailing, storyboarding, and making physical mockups for digital projects. The iterative production cycle is practiced by rapid prototyping in a collaborative environment, and is informed by research and testing. This class develops a student’s ability to communicate quickly visually before committing to code and design, and to create participant-centered works based on usability-testing results.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 35-1300 or 22-1320 Design Lab or 36-1010 Computational Media Development
36-2320 Computer Illustration
Course explores the use of object-oriented graphics for illustration, graphic arts, and fine arts applications. Emphasis is on mastery of high-resolution graphics production using vector drawing and text tools.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 35-1300 or 22-1320 Design Lab
36-2350 2D Art for Games
This course introduces students to the process of game art creation; brainstorming and conceptualizing, iterative design, interface design, pitching ideas, and documenting production. Students will complete the course with a portfolio of work that includes research, documentation, sketches, storyboards, interface designs, and formalized character, prop, and background sheets.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1300 Digital Image Design and 36-1600 Character Visualization for Games
36-2360 2D Motion for Games
This course starts by introducing fundamental animation techniques and the basic principles of animation in the context of game design; a large part of this course addresses issues specific to gaming such as scripted animation, optimization, and interactivity. Building on the concepts introduced in 2D Art for Games, students will storyboard from original ideas and create interactive animations that include environments, characters, and interface design. Students will complete the course with several pieces for their portfolio including a larger interactive animated work.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1300 Digital Image Design and 36-1600 Character Visualization for Games COREQUISITES: 36-2350 2D Art for Games
36-2375J Topics in New Media: Installation, Curation and Exhibition
1 Credits
36-2400 Sound Design for Games I
This course allows the student to actively implement, design, and control the audio assets in a game. Open source game engines and game editors are widely used in this course to familiarize students with the production and creative demands that will be required of them. Technique, production, and creativity are fostered in texts and lectures throughout the course. Sound libraries are the source of much of the raw audio for project work.
3 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2610 Sound and Music for Interactive Visual Media COREQUISITES: 36-1410 Linear Audio Production for Games
36-2402 Linear and Nonlinear Sound Design for Games
Course provides the essential skills required to create sound objects for the linear aspects of game production as well as a grounding in nonlinear game production. Sound effects assets are generated, logged and implemented using various types of linear and nonlinear game formats. The classes focuses on sound effects production and game sound theory.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1400 Sound for Interaction or 36-2610 Sound and Music for Interactive Visual Media or 39-2300 COREQUISITES: 39-2300
36-2410 Web Animation I: Flash Web Design
Course introduces students to creating Web sites using Flash. Interactive interfaces and content input using Flash’s text capabilities are emphasized. Students begin learning Actionscript for interactivity, animation, and special effects. Students integrate HTML, CSS, and Flash to create dynamic, interactive, and typographically advanced sites.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2601 Authoring Interactive Media or 35-2400
36-2411 Web Animation II:Scripting
Course further guides students through time-based software applications for future applicability in movement-enhanced Web design. Students combine a variety of software programs for Web-optimized finished projects and will further their study of cross-platform hardware and software troubleshooting for motion-enhanced design.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 35-2410 or 36-2410 Web Animation I: Flash Web Design
36-2421 Advanced Scripting for Web and Mobile
This course builds on concepts introduced in Scripting for Web and Mobile. Students build advanced applications using markup, JavaScript, script libraries, and other tools and technologies. At the completion of this course students will have one or more applications for their portfolio.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1420 Scripting for Web and Mobile
36-2440 Time Based Composing I
Course explores issues and techniques involved in creating digital motion sequences for multimedia production. Students learn to combine still images, graphics, text, sound, and music using compositing and editing. Lectures, lab time, critiques, visiting artists, and field trips increase the understanding of concepts and techniques.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 35-2300 or 36-2300 Digital Image Experiments
36-2500 Simulation and Serious Games
Course introduces the students to the concepts of simulation design and develops the student’s ability to analyze a realistic process or environment in terms of the elements within each that lend themselves to modeling, interaction, and play. Though games are traditionally viewed as being for fun, there exists a significant potential for using game-style presentation and techniques for realistic purposes, so-called non-entertainment serious games. The designer’s practical skills develop through the use of a basic scripting language and generally available interactive authoring environments and design tools.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: and 36-2600 Object Oriented Programming COREQUISITES: 52-112
36-2501 Simulation Design II
Building on the skills learned in Simulation Design I, course delves deeper into realistic simulation by analyzing a scenario or situation with an eye toward identifying the elements within them that lends themselves to engaging interaction and play. Course also continues the development of the designer’s practical skills in using scripting languages and interactive authoring environments as game concept development and production tools. By its end, students taking this course will also be able to recognize the interrelationship between authentic realism, perceived realism, and potential gameplay.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2500 Simulation and Serious Games
36-2510 Game Engine Scripting
Course is a production-oriented class focusing on applied game design and development, utilizing existing game production software tools and engines. Students learn to use asset management software to integrate a variety of media and asset types from multiple sources. The course also emphasizes utilizing the scripting elements of the game engine to create and refine game world events related to story, gameplay, and multimedia presentation. Time is also spent utilizing these scripting elements to create computer-controlled characters that display meaningful character behaviors and artificial intelligence, resulting in the appearance of personality.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1501 Introduction to Programming and 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development or 35-2500 COREQUISITES: 36-2600
36-2515 Game Production
This course builds on the general game development principles presented in Intro to Game Development and allows students to gain experience with basic game production by making a simple 2D game using professional middleware production tools. Students pitch simple gain ideas and then divide into production teams to create the project. Multidisciplinary teams of game artists, designers, programmers and sound designers learn to work and create in a small team production environment using industry best practices. Students finish the course with a game prototype for their portfolio.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development and 36-1501 Introduction to Programming and 36-2350 2D Art for Games and 36-3301 3D Composition for Interactive Media I or 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development and 36-1501 Introduction to Programming and 36-2510 Game Engine Scripting and 36-1400 Sound for Interaction or 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development and 36-1501 Introduction to Programming and 36-2510 Game Engine Scripting
36-2520 Game Design I
Course builds on the skills and techniques learned in Simulation Design I and Engine Based Design as a foundation for deconstructing play elements and player goals, as well as play-time transactions and interactivity through the development of small, turn-based games. The various aspects of game state are reviewed, as well as the interactive elements with an eye toward determining how much control a player has or needs over that game element and in terms of participant involvement and agency.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-112 and 36-1100 Game Culture and 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development
36-2530 Game Design II
Course furthers the student’s ability to develop games using a real-time engine and game development system. Course gives the designer the opportunity to develop a small, real-time game. The course focuses on time as a play element and surveys games that have leverage real-time and faster than real-time simulations as a means of maximizing player engagement. Emphasis is placed not only on maximizing transaction/interaction frequency (speed), but on variation of pacing to evoke a more complex play experience.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 336-2500 Simulation and Serious Games and 36-2520 Game Design I
36-2550 C++ Programming I
Course introduces the student to programming using the C++ language. Students learn basic programming of graphic and business applications in C++. Instruction emphasizes good programming practice, programming structure, and object-oriented programming.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1501 Introduction to Programming
36-2551 C++ Programming II
Course builds on the techniques covered in the C++ I course and further explores the concepts of classes, inheritance, polymorphism, and the use of graphical interfaces. Course concentrates on data structures, interactivity, and working with game libraries. This is primarily a project-based course with an emphasis on creating game applications.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2550 C++ Programming I or 35-2550
36-2600 Object Oriented Programming
Extending the theory initiated in Introduction to Programming: Theory and Concepts, course, through a variety of exercises, stresses the practice of programming. Object-oriented, event-driven strategies are emphasized to prepare students for more advanced programming studies in subsequent classes. Students are also introduced to programming best practices including comment to code and naming conventions.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 35-2500 or 36-1501 Introduction to Programming
36-2601 Authoring Interactive Media
Course focuses on effectively communicating content in an interactive format. Students research, plan, and produce interactive media projects. Several media components are developed and integrated to support the goal of each piece. Topics covered include contextual problem solving, information architecture, and usability. All projects are designed with participants in mind, considering their culture and demographics. Contemporary authoring technology and content creation tools will be used.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1300 Digital Image Design or 22-1320 Design Lab
36-2606 Interactive Advertising Campaign
Student teams from the Marketing Communication Department and Interactive Arts & Media Department will conduct research, develop strategies, create concepts and produce interactive advertising campaigns for select products and services. The students will formally present their fully developed interactive campaigns and will have produced work for their portfolios.
3 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1000 Interactive Culture and 36-2601 Authoring Interactive Media
36-2609 Sound and Motion Production
This course introduces advanced production techniques related to time-based media including sound, animation and video, and projects emphasize these media types.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2000 Media Theory and Design 2
36-2610 Sound and Music for Interactive Visual Media
Course will offer students a chance to study the psychological and technical aspects of applying sound and music to interactive visual media. Students will be given projects to complete which will include creating their own sound effects and music tracks as well as creating sounds for use in interactive projects such as Web-based programming and sound design software.(ACID, SOUND FORGE,VEGA VIDEO, and/or other similar software).
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1400 Sound for Interaction COREQUISITES: 36-2510 Game Engine Scripting
36-2800 Story Development for Interactive Media
The increasing impact of interaction on the narrative (stories) told in today and tomorrow’s educational and entertainment media requires a different perspective on story development. This class begins with an overview of the area and its history from the writers’ perspective, and then moves on to review and analyze common interactive structures and narrative requirements. Students are also exposed to the basic types of interactive narrative and media being created today, and conceptualize and develop their own interactive narrative projects.
3 Credits
WI
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-1152 Writing and Rhetoric II or COMPASS Placement Test score >= 97
Requirements 30 Completed credit hour
36-2810J New Media Communication
With 110 million web logs (blogs) in cyberspace, and thousands of new ones created every day, anyone can blog but very few do so successfully. This class focuses on the effective planning, creating and maintaining of a blog. Students will learn how to research a topic, find their voice, leverage their own skills/experiences and effectively communicate their ideas to an online audience in both a written and a visual perspective.
1 Credits
36-3001 Transmedia Analysis: Games, Film and Television
Modern storytelling is not constrained to one medium. This course provides students with an opportunity to learn about the ways in which core narrative properties can be adapted to various media, specifically narrative games, television, and film. Through selected case studies, students will analyze the ways in which core narrative properties are defined, adapted, and transformed across media. This class is a prerequisite for the Semester in LA/Transmedia Production: Games, Film, and Television course.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2800 Story Development for Interactive Media or 24-2710 Screenwriting II: The Feature Film or 40-3202 Writing for Television
36-3005C Transmedia Development: Game
This interdepartmental Semester in L.A. course brings students from various backgrounds together to develop their IP Bibles into material for the game industry. Each student will develop one piece of material, such as a short game or game sequence that incorporates at least one extensive dialogue tree and substantive narrative content.
3 Credits
Repeatable
36-3045A Computer Animation: Maya
Course emphasis will be on establishing the modeling skills and knowledge necessary to create a character that can be animated using Alias/Wavefront’s Maya software application. Exercises and quizzes will help to establish a solid understanding of polygonal modeling, rigging, lighting, rendering, and animation using this application. Students will be expected to log a minimum of four hours of lab time outside of class each week.
4 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 26-2015 Introduction to Computer Animation or 36-2360 2D Motion for Games
36-3045C Computer Animation:3-DS Max
Course will explore the Discreet Logic 3-DS Max software application. Exercises and quizzes will help to establish a solid understanding of polygonal modeling, rigging, lighting, rendering, and animation using this application. Emphasis will be on establishing the modeling skills and knowledge necessary to create a character that can be animated using this application. Students will be expected to log a minimum of four hours of lab time outside of class each week.
4 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 26-2015 Introduction to Computer Animation
36-3060J Indie Game Sprint
Indie Game Sprint is a three-week (twice a week) intensive course in rapid independent game development. Under the guidance of an independent game developer, students learn to work with state-of-the-art tools and techniques to make a simple game or game prototype in the brief time allotted. Emphasis is placed on faster iteration techniques balanced against the requirement to maintain quality, integrity and artistic vision. Students taking this class are warned that a significant amount of non-classroom production time is required.
2 Credits
Repeatable
Requirements Permission of Instructor
36-3080 Motion Capture I
Course provides an introduction to motion capture terms, concepts, and history. Students learn the process of capturing motion data by conceptualizing, planning, and directing on-site sessions. A 3-D character performance is created by converting data from sessions and linking it to a character skeleton created in a computer animation class.
4 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-3045A Computer Animation: Maya and 36-2025 Drawing for Animation I and 36-2360 2D Motion for Games
36-3081 Motion Capture II
This course emphasizes the skills needed to edit and assemble motion capture data. Students learn the technical and aesthetic considerations necessary through a series of homework exercises and classroom critiques. Various motion editing applications will be introduced and discussed. By converting final edited data to work with a variety of 3-D animation packages, students learn how to apply data from motion capture sessions to either create a series of rendered animation images for film/video or create animation content for game production.
4 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 26-3080 Motion Capture I
36-3082 Environmental Design & Modeling I
This course emphasizes the design and technical ability needed to model non-character 3-D objects. Students will be introduced to level design, industrial design, and architectural terms and concepts. Using 3-D software, students will design and build environments, set dressing, and vehicles. Level of detail exercises will introduce the concept of polygon and image budget creation. Exercises in stand-alone software packages will teach advanced texture/mapping.
4 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 26-3045A Computer Animation: Maya or 36-3045A Computer Animation: Maya
36-3086 Character Design & Modeling 1
Course emphasizes the design and technical ability needed to model 3-D characters. Students will be introduced to design, sculpting, and anatomical terms and concepts. Using 3-D software, students will design and build characters and other organic models. Level of detail exercises will introduce the concept of polygon and image budgets. Exercises in stand-alone software packages will teach advanced texture-mapping.
4 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-3045A Computer Animation: Maya and 36-2025 Drawing for Animation I or 22-1230 Fundamentals of 3-D Design or 36-3045A Computer Animation: Maya
36-3089 Advanced Character & Environmental Design
This course continues to refine and advance the design and technical abilities needed to model 3-D characters and non-character 3-D objects. Using Maya for 3D modeling and Z-Brush for advanced texture-mapping, students will design and build either characters or environments based on industry standards. This process will also allow the students to contribute models in the Game Engine chosen for the subsequent courses in the Game Major: Game Project (36-3997) & Game Studio (36-3998).
4 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 26-3086 Character Design and Modeling I or 26-3082 Environmental Design & Modeling I or 36-3086 Character Design & Modeling 1 and 36-3082 Environmental Design & Modeling I
36-3100 Navigational Interfaces
Course advances students’ practical understanding of media theory, with an emphasis on interactive models of communication. Expanding upon the dynamic composition analysis in Media Theory and Design 2, this course focuses on navigational models of interaction design. Additionally, students continue to develop critical and analytical skills related to the component media typical of navigational interface design, including text, static image composition, sound and animation. Students produce substantial written critiques to demonstrate their growing understanding of the discipline.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 35-1300 or 36-1300 Digital Image Design or 36-2000 Media Theory and Design 2 or 36-2601 Authoring Interactive Media
36-3110 Advanced Interfaces
Course leverages the broader and interdisciplinary foundational understanding of media-related theories from preceding courses to explore advanced theory and practice of interface design. Supplementing the navigation interface study in Media Theory and Design 3, this course focuses on impressive and environmental models of interaction design, including simulations and game design. Students produce substantial written critiques as well and paper-based written proposals for their own interactive work to demonstrate a literate and evolved understanding of the diverse media theories that influence design.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-3100 Navigational Interfaces
36-3200 Graphics Application Programming
In this advanced course students will build graphics applications for Mobile Media and Game Programming. Topics covered include leveraging libraries, optimization, and cross platform operability. Students will complete the class with several projects for their portfolio and reusable components for future work.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2600 Object Oriented Programming
36-3210 Game AI Programming
Course will introduce the topic of artificial intelligence and how it is used to create game characters with realistic behaviors. A variety of modern technologies, including decision trees and neutral networks, as well as more standard techniques such as rule-based systems will be explored.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development and 36-2550 C++ Programming I
36-3270 Game Programming
This course focuses on building games using good programming practices, design patterns and practical problem solving. Students will use current technologies and may experiment with image/texture design, 3D mesh manipulations, game components (strategy pattern implementation), game services (singleton/factory), input handling (observer pattern) and state management.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development and 36-2600 Object Oriented Programming
36-3300 Experimental Imaging and Emerging Forms
This course explores 2-D and 3-D image processing, paint programs, and experimental approaches to image generation and output. Content emphasizes large projects, image sequencing possibilities, and exposure to contemporary work in visual digital media.
3 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2300 Digital Image Experiments
36-3301 3D Composition for Interactive Media I
Course covers the basic principles and language of modeling, texturing, and animation, which are supported by a firm theoretical grounding in 3-D design. 3-D modeling, texturing, and animation have become essential components of most media-driven events. The strategies and processes needed for 3-D composition are vastly different from those of traditional 2-D graphic design. 3-D is particularly important for interface design as well as in creating convincing spaces for simulation or other educational environments.
3 Credits
36-3302 Advanced 3D for Games
This course focuses on how to work between 3D applications and a game engines. Through this course, students will learn how to create high quality 3D assets and implement them into various game engines. Students will learn how to use basic scripting techniques for implementation and polish in engine. Students will work with engine specific visual effects and physics to create immersive and convincing environments using game engines.
3 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-3301 3D Composition for Interactive Media I
36-3310 Generative and Algorithmic Art
Junior level course allows students to explore code as art in an advanced setting; students are expected to create complex work using various generative techniques and principles. Students will experiment with algorithmic techniques throughout the semester, and complete the course with a larger work or series of works.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 52-1151 Writing and Rhetoric I and 36-1300 Digital Image Design or 22-1320 Design Lab
36-3350 3D Digital Sculpting
This course focuses on skills, techniques and concepts that pertain to 3D digital sculpting. In this class students learn how to concept, produce and present high quality 3d models created using specialized digital sculpting software.
3 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-3301 3D Composition for Interactive Media I
36-3399 Independent Project: Interactive Arts and Media
Course is an individualized project in Interactive Arts and Media, determined by interest and ability of the student, and carried out under the direction, guidance, and supervision of an instructor.
1-6 Credits
Repeatable
36-3400 Sound Design for Games II
Course follows on the first section by introducing more effective means of producing quality work. This is achieved through the use of original recordings and the implementation of these recordings into the game environment. A completed game level will be completed by the end of the semester.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2400 Sound Design for Games I
36-3405 Authoring Interactive Media II
Project-oriented course covers intermediate design and production issues involved in the creation of Web sites. Using software for creation and site management, students build cross-platform Web sites that use thoroughly conceived interface and navigation schemes. Students learn to design and develop efficient, easily edited and updated sites. Emphasis on innovation and effective layout and design, information architecture, navigation, and usability.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2601 Authoring Interactive Media
36-3430 Programming Content Management Systems
Developing effective, large scale websites requires a dynamic, data-driven approach. This course develops student skills in managing and extending open source web content systems using current technologies and languages, and utilizing data sources.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2601 Authoring Interactive Media
36-3444 Emergent Web Technologies
Course builds on previously developed skills by using them in new contexts focusing on a specific current emergent Web technology. The internet and the World Wide Web include a perpetually evolving set of technologies and production practices that include design conventions, programming languages, and media techniques.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2601 Authoring Interactive Media and 36-1501 Introduction to Programming and 36-1300 Digital Image Design
36-3445 Introduction to Machinima
Course will introduce the student to the basics of Machinima (live game engine performance/video). In this class, students will be shown current work, techniques, create a storyboard, and make short Machinima movie.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2000 Media Theory and Design 2
36-3500 Advanced Game Programming
This course builds on 36-3270 Game Programming; students will develop advanced games using good programming practices and design patterns. At the completion of the course students will have an advanced game for their portfolio.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-3270 Game Programming
36-3510 Advanced Game Scripting and Environments
Course is a programming/scripting intensive course that places additional emphasis on character behavior (AI) and interweaving in-game events with other world elements or supporting media. During this course, students develop their own proofs of concept utilizing their own original, functional script elements and stock game assets and environments.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2510 Game Engine Scripting
36-3520 Programming Data Design
In this course object-oriented and event-driven programming is used to build applications that utilize large data stores. Students will further their understanding of programming best practices, including creating more stable code, error handling, and minimizing the risk and effects of malicious user behavior.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2600 Object Oriented Programming
36-3550 Game Development Process
This course analyzes multiple methodologies of game production, from commercial to independent, both in terms of professional practices and their application in the game development senior capstone course sequence. Students also ideate and document multiple game ideas with regard to their viability as senior capstone projects in terms of production scope and scheduling. Lastly, students learn professional quality assurance and game testing practices through their supervision and responsibility for testing the current Indie Team Game Studio and Large Team Game Studio projects.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2500 Simulation and Serious Games and 36-2800 Story Development for Interactive Media and 36-2000 Media Theory and Design 2 COREQUISITES: 36-2530 Game Design II
36-3600 IAM Team
Intensive team production course teaches students to work collaboratively while producing projects for an external client. Course begins with concepts of team organization and communication and continues with the formation of production teams, design of the project, and acquisition of media elements. Students practice scheduling and meeting deadlines by shipping multiple versions of the project.
6 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 39-2609 or 36-2609 Sound and Motion Production and 39-2510 or 36-2600 Object Oriented Programming and 36-3100 Navigational Interfaces
36-3610 Digital Media Culture
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1000 Interactive Culture and 39-3110 and 36-3600 IAM Team and 39-3510
36-3611 Application Design
Course covers application planning, design, and development as students create a substantial application that leverages persistent data. Content created in Data Design and Object-oriented Programming will be utilized. Topics covered in Data Design such as programming best practices, data normalization, and database theory will be expanded upon.
3 Credits
36-3620 Introduction to Robotics
Course teaches students to read wiring diagrams and design and build basic electronic circuits for general applications. Students use commercially available tools to design, build, and program a simple functional robot that interfaces with a computer. Completed work and work in progress are shown in a group critique setting.
3 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1300 Digital Image Design and 36-1501 Introduction to Programming
36-3630 Computer Controlled Installation Environments
3 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1300 Digital Image Design and 36-1501 Introduction to Programming
36-3650 Studio Collaboration
Students in Studio Collaboration act effectively as interns to Indie Team Game Studio, which is the final stage in the Indie Team senior/capstone sequence of the game development classes, continuing from Indie Team Game Project the previous semester. In that course, students complete work on multiple small to medium sized game concepts proposed or begun in the previous class. Students complete the class with multiple portfolio-worthy game examples in different emerging forms and the experience of small team collaboration and development.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2530 Game Design II and 36-2360 2D Motion for Games or 36-2610 Sound and Music for Interactive Visual Media or 36-2550 C++ Programming I COREQUISITES: 36-2551 C++ Programming II or 36-2400 Sound Design for Games I or 36-3301 3D Composition for Interactive Media I
36-3690 McCarthy Technologies Bootcamp
3 Credits
Repeatable
36-3690J McCarthy Technologies Bootcamp
3 Credits
Repeatable
36-3710 IAM Programming Topics: Mobile Programming
This course expands students understanding development for current mobile platforms. Through a series of projects students are required to use current Software Development Kits or Application Programming Interfaces to author applications. The application development in this course will emphasize modern tools and practices.
3 Credits
Repeatable
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-2600 Object Oriented Programming or 36-2550 C++ Programming I
36-3798 Directed Study: Web Development
1-3 Credits
36-3799 Internship: Interactive Arts and Media
Course provides students with internship opportunities to gain valuable work experience in an area of interest while receiving academic credit. Graduating seniors find internships invaluable in aiding their job search.
1-6 Credits
Repeatable
36-3994 Indie Team Game Project
Emerging Forms Game Project is the first stage in the Emerging Forms senior/capstone sequence of the Game Design Major, continuing in Emerging Forms Game Studio the following semester. In this production course students begin work on multiple small to medium sized game concepts in the emerging areas of mobile, serious/simulation, web, alternative or experimental games, or game mods. Students are exposed to project management, art and sound, technical, and design pre-production techniques and requirements, both technical and documentary.
3 Credits
Requisites PREREQUISITES: 36-1010 Computational Media Development and 36-1100 Game Culture and 36-1300 Digital Image Design and 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development and 36-2601 Authoring Interactive Media or 36-1000 Interactive Culture and 36-1100 Game Culture and 36-1300 Digital Image Design and 36-1500 Introduction to Game Development and 36-2601 Authoring Interactive Media
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