B.A. Digital Media - Visual Effects

Visual Effects

Course Overview

This is an industry oriented, practice based program focusing on both the artistic as well as the technical aspect of integrating Computer Generated Imagery with Live action footage. The program provides a broad foundation of theoretical, practical and technical knowledge, upon which the student develops their own specialist focus as they progress through the course..

Students begin with the exploration of design elements, principles, colour, scale, typography, storytelling formats and through a series of historical and critical studies form an informed perspective of the evolution of the Visual Effects industry, its growth, its current form and the process of producing Visual Effects. Simultaneously the student develops a range of visual and tactile exploration skills by working on a range of creative process that include traditional art practices for Life drawing, Photography, Tactile Model-making and performance based art such as storytelling, acting and motion studies. They also develop understanding of film language, theories and practice of film making, Visual research and writing form an integral part of the program. Students are introduced to these early on in the program and are encouraged to apply them throughout the program.

Industry specific technical skills form an essential part of the program. Using industry-standard software, students work extensively on the various technical aspects of Visual effects production such as building 3D Models, Lighting a scene and Rendering them. Alongside they learn to create Miniatures and Matte paintings that serve as background plates. The students are then exposed to the concepts and practice of match moving and object tracking and learn to integrate live-action footage with computer generated imagery or other elements (such as miniatures or Matte painting) to create realistic environments. Live-action compositing techniques such as Colour correction and colour matching, Wire and rig removal, Rotoscoping, Masking and Chroma keying using blue or green Matte and editing techniques are also explored at length. The program lays the groundwork for students to work in a professional environment. The ability to manage time, prepare schedules, effectively manage resources and delivering on time are integral to all assignments. Throughout their studies the college lays emphasis on the development of their interpersonal and communication skills and students are expected to work on projects collaboratively as well as individually.

Visiting professionals bring current industry experience to the course and the student supplement this with visit to studios to get a firsthand look at how organisations work. Professional practise at the end of the course ensures students gain valuable firsthand knowledge of the industry.

Duration

B.A. Digital Media - 3 Years

Career Opportunities

  • Digital Artists
  • Compositor
  • Digital Effects Animator
  • Digital Effects Painter
  • Modeler
  • Pre-Visualization Artist
  • Technical Director
  • Visual Effects Supervisor

Course Content

BA (Hons) Digital Media Visual Effects Course Content

Entry Requirements: 10 + 2 or equivalent

Module Code Module Title Credits Level
AND101 Foundation Studies 20 4 (1HE)
AND102 Visualisation 20 4 (1HE)
AND103 Design Fundamentals 20 4 (1HE)
FMS101 Critical & Media Studies 20 4 (1HE)
AND105 Communication Studies 20 4 (1HE)
DMT101 Digital Media Techniques I 20 4 (1HE)
Module Code Module Title Credits Level
AND201 Pre Production 20 5 (2HE)
FMS201 Media Production I 20 5 (2HE)
DMT201 Digital Media Techniques II 20 5 (2HE)
DMT202 Digital Media Techniques III 20 5 (2HE)
FMS201 Media Production II 20 5 (2HE)
SPE201 Collaborative Project 20 5 (2HE)
Module Code Module Title Credits Level
SPE301 Project 40 6 (3HE)
SPE302 Dissertation 20 6 (3HE)
SPE303 Portfolio Presentation 20 6 (3HE)
SPE304 Professional Practice 40 6 (3HE)

Foundation StudiesTop ▲

This module provides the foundation level Art and Design skills. Students are taught a range of creative process that will introduce them to visual enquiry and self expression. Students are encouraged to use these processes and strategies to generate ideas, design concepts and generate compositions for design briefs given to them.

You will learn

  • Ideation through Mind map, Mood board, Semiotics, Metaphor, Themes and Styles
  • Developing Visual observation through Drawing
  • Exploration of Volume, perspective, structure and form
  • Introduction to colour, colouring and shading methods
  • Introduction to Set Designing
  • Introduction to Photography and Lighting
  • Researching, Referencing and Writing
  • Introduction to Reflective practice and Assessment process
  • Assessment process

VisualisationTop ▲

The module further develops drawing and design methods by extending the students awareness and technical understanding of Life Drawing as well as generating ideas, concepts, storyboards and colour schematics that will aid in the content production.

You will learn

  • Perspective
  • Gesture
  • Markmaking
  • Colour & Medium
  • Char dev
  • Storyboard
  • Study of Human Figures
  • Drawing the human figure with emphasis on gesture, proportions and form development
  • Basic structural and anatomical concepts
  • Design of Costume and Standard props
  • Detailed study of different parts of human anatomy
  • Character design
  • Concept Art and Storyboards
  • Clay modeling
  • Basic of 2D Animation
  • Story Bording

Design FundamentalsTop ▲

This module is designed to provide knowledge of principles and elements of design, color theory and physiology, Typography and the appropriate usage of the same. It includes an overview of design ethics and the development of Digital Media industry. The module further provides the underpinning knowledge of graphic design, the principles of various elements of design and related applications and technologies, the development of Digital Media industry and the applications that have been developed.

You will learn

  • Elements and Principles of Design
  • Visual perception & illusions
  • Simplification of Graphic Rendition
  • Symbol and Icon Design & Construction
  • Basic Typography.
  • Colour theory and physiology.
  • Interpreting & responding to a brief
  • Research and apply the history and theory of design to design practice.
  • Apply the design process to 2-dimensional & 3-dimensional work in response to a brief.
  • Project planning and implementation

Critical & Media StudiesTop ▲

This module is part of the transdisciplinary foundation level module complementing the Communication, Visualization and Design Modules. This module delves on the Art & Design timeline and looks at Key movements and styles that have influenced Contemporary design and narrative styles. Emphasis is placed on the development of a critical understanding and awareness on the inter-relationship and overarching concepts, debates and creative practices between different domains of media. Students are introduced to conceptual ideas and theories as a foundation for further discussion and research on how these encroach on their subject specialism.

You will learn

  • Art & style app
  • Development of Art & Design
  • Style & Medium of Art
  • Renaissance to Impressionism: Changing perspectives in painting
  • Fauvism to Cubism: Demise of the realistic perspective
  • Art and social change: Futurism, Constructivism
  • Surrealism and Abstract Expressionism: Beyond representation
  • History of Cinema/animation/game
  • Different film movement
  • Relation between social, political and economics and films
  • Genre & transition
  • Film/animation/game App.
  • Looking at film/game craft
  • Linear & non linear narrative structure
  • Story appreciation
  • Style substance
  • Use of color
  • Use of sound
  • Introduction to “media” as a product of culture
  • Analyze impact of media on our perceptions
  • Evolution of Cinema & Cinematic Visual Effects
  • Linear and non-linear narratives
  • Appreciation of moving images and sound
  • Origin and evolution of Animation
  • animation app-flip/stop motion/stereoscopy/cutout
  • Development of Interactive Art
  • Game development History & Evolution
  • Game appreciation

Communication StudiesTop ▲

This module is to enable students to develop their research techniques and introduce them to academic referencing system. It introduces the student to a range of research methods and practices, strategies and approaches used by Art & Design practitioners leading to the application of research competences in subject study. This module also enables students to develop their abilities to express themselves via spoken & written communication and through their chosen specialisation communication.

You will learn

  • Types of stories in short story format
  • Skills in storytelling
  • Dialogue writing
  • Continuity
  • Shot, Scene, Sequence
  • Screenplay writing
  • Direction Practical
  • How to find stories
  • Basic of Writing new stories and features
  • 5W's 1H
  • Photo features and essays
  • Writing articles
  • How to build characters
  • Making and Presenting a Pitch
  • Research methods
  • Debating and reasoning
  • Critical and reflective debate
  • Shots, Scenes
  • Documentary styles
  • Making documentary

Digital media techniques ITop ▲

This module is linked to Design Fundamentals module and is designed to introduce students to the techniques of using computer software to produce digital content in response to design brief. This module also introduces students to 3D Computer Imagery and Animation process.

You will learn

  • Digital Manipulation techniques such as enlargement, reduction, transformation and reshaping
  • Using filters for effects
  • Scanning, storing and transporting Digital images
  • Colour systems (RGB, grey scale, CMYK)
  • Understanding Colour & Colour Correction
  • Palette, mode and image attributes, file formats
  • Colour depth, image size and file sizew
  • Creating Backgrounds
  • Matte painting
  • Digital painting
  • Design of 3D artefact based on reference images in response to project briefs
  • Inorganic & Props modelling using techniques of NURBS & Polygon
  • Applying Materials and creating Textures
  • Basic Animation using Key frame animation technique and editing in graph editor
  • Basic lighting techniques
  • Essential Camera movements

Pre ProductionTop ▲

The module further develops drawing and design methodology and extends students awareness and technical understanding of drawing relevant to their area of specialisation. This module also introduces student to the concepts and practice of Matchmoving and exporting them for compositing.

You will learn

  • Advance storyboard
  • Miniature modelling
  • Introduction to Matchmove Process
  • Matchmove Pipeline
  • Basic Matchmove Scene with
  • Perspective matching
  • Scene geometry controls
  • Setting up Camera and Rigs
  • Working with Camera and on-set
  • measurements
  • Object tracking

Media Production ITop ▲

This module exposes the students to a variety of non Digital approaches to film making. It offers cross-disciplinary study within the multi-disciplinary media environment so as to widen the scope of their visual research base. Through broad themed assignments set within subject named routes, students will learn to critically analyse works of pioneers and work in teams to contextualise their studio practice in relation to historical and contemporary practice.

You will learn

  • Dramatic tension in the stories
  • Characters and dialogues
  • Introduction to Film production
  • Types of films
  • Introduction to Cinematography
  • Camera Movements
  • Basic Composition
  • Introduction to Direction
  • Designing of the scene
  • Setting
  • Lighting Styles
  • The role of sound in direction
  • Screenplay

Media Production IITop ▲

This hybrid - theory and practical module will provide students with the opportunity to investigate and practise rendering, editing and compositing the three essential parts of Post Production. Students will learn both the theoretical and practical aspects of editing, compositing and rendering in order to understand the cultural, social and cognitive effects of the editor's/compositor's art on the cinematic form.

You will learn

  • Introduction to Editing
  • Principles of Editing
  • Types of Editing
  • Video Capturing
  • Understanding Tools and concepts
  • Adding Effects and Transition
  • Introduction to Compositing with miniature and digital images
  • Compositing Techniques
  • Tracking and Stabilization
  • Chroma keying Studio Techniques
  • Multi layer Composting
  • Colour Correction

Digital media techniques IITop ▲

This module develops the compositing skill of the student by extending the students awareness and technical understanding of the Visual Effects industry. The focus is on developing a solid understanding of how professional effects are accomplished and develop a critical understanding of them and how to evaluate them. The methods of producing such composites using professional software are covered in this module.

You will learn

  • Introduction to Node based interface
  • Rotoscoping
  • Animation and re-timing
  • Colour correction
  • CG compositing
  • Keying
  • Tracking and Stabilization
  • Rendering CG for Post Production
  • Concept of Multipass
  • Rendering multiple Layers in Passes

Digital Media Techniques IIITop ▲

This module develops the student's awareness and technical understanding of the Particle Effects and Dynamics and their adaptation for producing stunning Visual Effects simulating physical phenomenon. This module is linked to the Digital Media Techniques II module and is designed to extend the students study of the development process.

You will learn

  • Introduction to Dynamics
  • Rigid Bodies
  • Rigid Body Constraints
  • Soft Bodies
  • Particle Expressions
  • Fluid Effects
  • Cloth Fur & Hair
  • N dynamics
  • Real flow
  • Paint effects

Collaborative ProjectTop ▲

This module provides an opportunity for the student to engage in a group in an extended self managed project and to demonstrate the ability to integrate the various elements of the course. The Collaborative Project is intended to further develop the student's ability to identify a topic relating to a problem or an issue in an area of interest developed through studies in the specialist pathway.

You will learn

  • Apply a range of research activities leading to the development of solutions to a design problem
  • Design development and use of appropriate visual language skills
  • Demonstrate a high level of competence in the use of an extended range of media techniques and practices.
  • Effectively manage time in achieving objective during production
  • Develop collaborative projects, team skills, and multi-disciplinary communication and establish common empathies amongst peers

Major ProjectTop ▲

This module extends knowledge of media, methods and process development within the individual to form an informed and critical approach to specialist practice. Students must excel in the production of their individual programmes of work using a range of media and techniques and by researching conceptual/technical aspects and contexts at the leading edge of the subject study. This module forms a major element in the final stage assessment for the honors award and is weighted accordingly.

You will learn

  • Initiate assignments, manage own learning and investigate appropriate research methodology and reflective practice
  • Independently analyse and evaluate own work and the work of others and show extensive knowledge within a specific area of subject study
  • Investigate concepts and practices involved in sustaining their individual areas of specialist practice
  • Prepare for career as practising artists and designers, as is appropriate to their needs

DissertationTop ▲

This module is intended to provide students the opportunity to undertake a substantial research project in an area of their interest and prepare them to work independent of tutors.

You will learn

  • Develop own individual approach to research, planning and writing a Dissertation
  • Develop the capacity for study independent of tutors
  • Independently analyse material from a range of sources, primary as well as secondary, relevant to the topic undertaken
  • Organise the material in a well structured, logical way in order to present a well informed argument
  • Methods and conventions of scholarly research, with accurate paratextual information, correct presentation and documentation

Portfolio PresentationTop ▲

This module prepares the student's ability to communicate their work and progress in a professional manner. Students prepare a portfolio of their work by authoring an individual, reproducible DVD. This is intended to be reviewed by their peers and potentially sent to production houses as an elegant and sophisticated digital portfolio for their comments.

You will learn

  • Demonstrate ability to understand and articulate, through drawings, concepts sketches, design documents and present an understanding of the design elements of the medium of their specialisation
  • Demonstrate the critical aspects of development of a media professional in the medium of your specialisation.
  • Respond effectively to questions following oral presentation

Professional PractiseTop ▲

This module provides an opportunity for students to work for an external client in the creation of Digital Media content to address a real world problem. Students will intern collaboratively in a Digital Media development team and apply or further develop their problem solving, design, development and evaluation skills.

You will learn

  • Professional approach in developing good working relationship with Clients
  • Develop a clear understanding of the relationship between design, production and commerce in various aspects of a business organisation
  • Methods and techniques to review, consolidate and extend the application of knowledge and understanding in solving real world problems
  • Deal with external parties appropriately and professionally (e.g. client, users) and to use the input gathered from them in a useful way
  • Make trade-offs during design and development process (including understanding of various parameters such as technical quality, aesthetic quality, conceptual quality, quality of media asserts, quality in terms of content and in interface design etc)
  • Develop a multitude of creative concepts as possible solutions to a real world problem
  • Report and present work that has been done, appropriately and professionally
  • Work collaboratively in a small development team (i.e planning and organising project work, managing intra-group conflicts and developing negotiation skills)
  • Further develop skills in terms of problem-solving, design, development, testing and evaluating