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CCOG for MM 231 Spring 2024

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Course Number:
MM 231
Course Title:
2D Game Graphics & Animation I
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture/Lab Hours:
20
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Introduces the tools used to create 2D graphics in games and other interactive media. Discusses the different requirements for art in games and interactive work, including technical challenges and design considerations. Provides the opportunity to practice an asset workflow from prototyping with sketches and thumbnails through saving and sharing files. Uses techniques to apply 2D design foundations to screen-based games and interactive experiences. Prerequisites: MM 130 or instructor permission, and (WR 115 and RD 115) or IRW 115 or MTH 20 or equivalent placement. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

  • Prototype a game screen with a player, interactive foreground elements, and a static background.

  • Differentiate between the types of animation in modern industry game pipelines, such as frame-by-frame animation, puppet animation, minor effects and filters, sprite animation, and complex procedural effects.

  • Identify techniques used to create environments for games and player-focused interactive media. 

  • Apply Thomas and Johnston's 12 principles of animation to create game objects and characters. 

Course Activities and Design

Course material will be presented in a lecture format. This course is designed to maximize learning through the use of strategies such as outcome based instruction", collaborative learning, contextual application and performance based assessment. Lecture material will consist of discussion, diagrams, multimedia," and other educationally sound practices. Other activities will include hands-on utilization of vector and production software. Demonstration and handout materials will be provided.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assessment is designed to indicate achievement of the course outcome and performance tasks. The instructor will outline the methods used to assess student progress and the criteria for assigning a grade at the beginning of the course. Assessment will be based upon a combination of in-class participation", attendance, examinations, and quality of the multimedia project(s). Determination of problem solving skills, teamwork, and communication skills may also be included.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Project planning

Storyboarding

Terminology

Setting animation key frames

Working with layers

Working with audio

Applying special effects

Optimization

Publishing projects

Industry standards

Real world applications