View Full List of Fine Arts Courses
FNAR 061
Film/Video I
This class offers film and video production as a means of personal expression. Students will be assisted in translating ideas into movies. Super-8 and/or digital video equipment will be provided; students must provide film stock, processing and/or video tapes.
FNAR 062
Film/Video II
Film/Video II is a hands-on course in super 8mm and/or digital video moviemaking in which each student plans and creates three short productions. Techniques learned in FNAR 061 will be refined while exploring the role of sound and aesthetics in the filmmaking/video process.
FNAR 123
Drawing I
This course integrates formal issues, technical skill and content in basic drawing. Investigative work is from observation. Drawing from ideas and the imagination will also be explored using a wide variety of materials (such as graphite, charcoal, conte, ink) and methods (continuous tone, subtraction, etc.) It is appropriate for beginners and those with modest experience.
FNAR 124
Drawing II
A continuation of FNAR 123. Drawing II expands upon drawing fundamentals and leads the student into a facility with materials and methods, and into finished drawing as an objective.
FNAR 235
3D Computer Modeling/Digital Sculpture
Students will develop a facility with fundamental 3-dimensional design concepts through the application of both computer graphics visualization and physical construction. The course will offer students a technical understanding of Polygonal and Spline based modeling, alternative and standard methods of 3-D input/output, and will cover regulations for creating models that will function properly for animation, video games and CMC/laser output.
FNAR 236
Digital Figure Modeling
3-D computer figure modeling is a course which will emphasize the modeling of the human figure on the computer. Students will be studying anatomy as it relates to an understanding of the human bone and muscle structure. This understanding will be implemented in constructing models which could be used for still images, medical illustrations, animation, computer games, 3-D output and motion capture.
FNAR 241
Hand-Drawn Computer Animation
Through the economy of simple pen lines, this course examines the storytelling capacity of 2D animation. Combining a digital stylus with a multi-layered computer application that allows real-time playback, innovative concepts and personal views will be communicated through clever graphics brought into motion. Emphasis will be placed on developing drawing skills. Line quality and weight and figure to space relationship on the flat animation stage will be examined. Acting with the figure, timing, and storytelling skills will be central in making a quick drawing with a splotch of color deliver a defined message within a restrictive amount of time and space.
FNAR 264
Digital Design Foundations
This course explores the elements and principles of design and composition. It is an introduction to the intentional organization of traditional and digital image-making. Emphasis will be placed on understanding compositional relationships through experimentation, iteration and critique. Students will create imagery using hand skills and the software programs Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
FNAR 266
Graphic Design
Students will gain an understanding of general communication design concepts using design conventions integrated with aesthetic intuition. Text/type and imagery will be used in a variety of construction methods for fixed and sequential design products communicating both structured and emotional expression.
FNAR 267
Computer Animation
The Animator places meaning and life into material by making it move. Working with ideas through the medium of images and sound, Adobe After Effects offers unlimited control and freedom in the manipulation of scanned art, photos, video, typography and sound. The student will learn many techniques used for big budget special effects and high concept music videos.
FNAR 289
Mixed-Media Animation
This animation course fuses hands-on studio drawing, modeling and cinematic processes with digital tools. Real world techniques such as stop-motion, claymation, hand-drawn and multi-plane animation will be practiced in the studio. Other techniques, such as keyframe animation, editing and blue-screen composition compositing will be practiced in the digital labs. Both production teams and individuals will create short mixed-media animations in form, material and time.