Oct 11, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Visual Communication, Digital and Media Arts (VCDMA) Animation & Motion Graphics Concentration (ANMG), BS


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The Animation & Motion Graphics (ANMG) concentration focuses on coursework in animation, motion graphics, and production; as well as film studies and screenwriting. The concentration provides students with an overview of the business of animation and motion graphics design. The concentration under the Visual Communication & Digital Media Arts, (BS) Major, allows students the opportunity to focus on a highly competitive and successful career option. The objectives of the concentration are to prepare graduates to enter a career in animation (2D, 3D, and Stop-motion) motion graphics, compositing, special effects, and new media. They will also be empowered to continue their success and studies at the graduate level and beyond. Students will focus primarily on animation, sequential and time-based art, including the integration of video and film production. The Animation & Motion Graphics concentration prepares students for careers in (but not limited to): 2D/3D animation, compositing, special effects, broadcast, and motion graphics industry. Students also merge skills in illustration, art/design, new media, and digital video/film production.

Student learning outcomes: After successful completion of coursework, portfolio reviews, exhibitions/screenings, internships and senior thesis projects, students will be able to:
 

  • Organize the advanced elements and principles of art, design, and animation
  • Demonstrate the organizational principles that underline the effective manipulation of the optical elements in 2D/3D space with animation, video, motion graphics, character and text/typographic-based animation
  • Demonstrate a full command of a variety of design/animation and digital video, audio editing, compositing software packages and develop creative and effective problem-solving skills
  • Utilize animation, motion graphics and compositing software to create 2D and 3D animation and graphics
  • Apply successful usage of principles of animation, physics, motion, character design and conceptual design
  • Examine and use vocabulary of animation terms and techniques
  • Design and produce scripts, treatments, animatics & storyboards
  • Develop concepts and narratives for animation
  • Assemble an entry-level portfolio of short animation projects and examples
  • Develop advertising and visual marketing campaigns using animation, motion graphics and other time-based media (film/video)

General Education and Institutional Requirements


See the full list of University General Education and Institutional Requirements and BSU website/catalog for all options and any updates.

English Composition (6 semester hours)


Arts and Humanities (6 semester hours)


• ____ ___ Arts and Humanities Electives 3 Credits (Students in VCDMA will take VCDM 230)

• ____ ___ Arts and Humanities Electives 3 Credits (Students in VCDMA will take THEA 100/105

Science (7-8 semester hours; at least one of which shall be a laboratory course)


• ____ ___ Science Elective 3/4 Credits

• ____ ___ Science Elective w/laboratory course 4 Credits

Mathematics (3 semester hours)


Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 semester hours)


Free General Education Electives (9 Semester Hours)


Institutional Requirements (6 semester hours)


Total General Education Requirements:  46 semester hours


 All Fine Arts, Theatre Arts and VCDMA majors in the DFPA must pass all major courses (ART, ENGL, VCDM, THEA, COMM, MGMT, MKTG, MUSC & THEA as applicable) w/grade of “C” or better; maintain a 2.0 GPA in major

*Transfer students bringing in 12 credits or more can substitute the Freshman Seminar requirement with another (3) credit course not being used

DPFA Requirements


See the full list of University General Education and Institutional Requirements for all options.

Note:


All VCDMA majors must pass all major courses (ART, ENGL, VCDM, THEA, MGMT, MKTG, MUSC & THEA) w/grade of “C” or better; maintain a 2.0 GPA in major

ART/VCDM History Requirements


Choose any (4) four courses, see where indicated for concentration; 12 credits total

ENGL (3rd) required course from LLC (200/300 level), 3 credits needed:


Suggested Additional Coursework (Not Required)


ANIMATION & MOTION GRAPHICS CONCENTRATION (ANMG)


Sample Program


Freshman Year


Total: 15

Second Semester


Total: 15

Sophomore Year


First Semester


Total: 15

Second Semester


Total: 16

** VCDM 219 PORTFOLIO REVIEW & ASSESSMENT (1st Review): Students must submit a portfolio and successfully pass the 1st and 2nd portfolio review/assessment. In addition, they must submit a senior thesis proposal, min. 2 pages, typed with sketches, references, storyboards, etc. (as applicable to concentration/focus). See Advisor or Program Coordinator for details and the portfolio review form. Must be reviewed by min. of (3) full-time, VCDMA faculty.

ADVANCE TO CANDIDACY


Junior Year


First Semester


Total: 15

Total: 15

Senior Year


Total: 15

Total: 15

Note:



** VCDM 498 Senior Thesis & Exhibition 3 Credits

*** VCDM 419 Portfolio Review & Assessment II (2nd Review) - 0 PASS/FAIL

**VCDM 498 requires prior approval. Students must begin their senior thesis body of work in their junior year and after approval of senior thesis proposal (VCDM 219) and completion of other required courses in concentration as well as all foundation courses. This work is due the semester before graduation and must be successfully completed, reviewed, and approved by faculty a min. of (1) one semester before a student will be allowed to take VCDM 498 Senior Thesis Exhibition. See Senior Thesis requirements.

*** Students must maintain and submit a final portfolio and successfully pass both the 1st and 2nd portfolio review/assessment (VCDM 219 & 419) in the VCDMA major. In addition, they must submit a senior thesis proposal, min. 2 pages, typed with sketches, references, storyboards, etc. See Advisor or Program Coordinator for details and portfolio review form. Must be reviewed and approved by VCDMA coordinator and FT faculty (3 min.) A successful portfolio is a requirement for graduation.

Graduation checklist, check off and complete for all concentrations (all must be completed) including courses and requirements above and/or successfully passed and approved by faculty advisor and/or Program Coordinator.

____ Completion of all foundation and lower-level ART/VCDM courses
____ Passing all major/concentration courses in sequence, with a “C” (2.0) GPA or better; last 30 credits at BSU
____ 1st Required Faculty Portfolio Review (VCDM 219 passed); Y | N When:
____ Senior thesis proposal and sketches, storyboards, etc. (typed and approved)
____ Senior thesis proposal (typed and approved) Y | N
____ Senior thesis proposal exhibition; passing of VCDM 498 Senior Thesis Exhibition course

____ 2nd Required Faculty Portfolio Review (VCDM 419 passed); Y | N When:
____ Internship/Apprenticeship (s) and VCDM 491 Internship course. Where/When:

Total: 121 Credits

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