COURSE DESCRIPTIONS RASMUSSEN COLLEGE GRA 1188C 3D Modeling 50 hours, 3 credits This course introduces students to the fundamentals of three-dimensional modeling. Students learn basic modeling techniques, texture, lighting, and environmental effects, to create forms based on observed objects, as well as student’s original concepts. Basic constructs are covered such as: primitive objects, polygon modeling, nurbs, booleans, extrusions, lofting, revolving/lathing, software interface navigation, model exporting and rendering. This course will provide training in a variety of industry-standard 3D design software. Prerequisite: Introduction to Animation GRA 1206C Typography 40 hours, 3 credits This course is an introduction to typographic design for static contexts in print and screen and kinetic contexts in web and broadcast. Basic typographic vocabulary and fundamentals are emphasized. Theoretical presentation is explored through design practice both on paper and utilizing industry standard Adobe software. Multiple exercises are culminated in major typographic projects for print, web, and broadcast. Prerequisite: Design Foundations GRA 1235C 3D Lighting, Texturing, and Rendering 50 hours, 3 credits Expanding upon prior experience with 3D modeling and animation, students will take a deeper look into the specifics of lighting, texturing, and rendering. Advanced texturing techniques and methods, in combination with best practices for lighting various model scenarios, will be explored and then further refined through examining output from multiple renderers. Prerequisite: 3D Modeling GRA 1281C Color Theory 40 hours, 3 credits This course offers methods and exercises for the study of color theory using the computer. Exploring color on the computer holds the advantage of speedy experimentation with many color techniques and solutions, as well as immediate application to projects. The digital approach used in this course will give students knowledge and practice that is immediately relevant as the student moves from color study to color application. Prerequisite: Design Foundations GRA 1377C Fundamentals of Web Design 50 hours, 3 credits This course is an introduction to the World Wide Web and the design and development of web sites. It provides a foundation in the planning, designing, and production of web pages through the creation of HTML and CSS using industry- standard web development software. Key components of the course include web design principles, the planning and management of content and structure, optimized image production, web typography and usability. Prerequisite: Interactive Media GRA 1461C 3D Animation 40 hours, 3 credits Building upon knowledge of 3D modeling and rendering and 3D animation from earlier coursework, this course will focus on advancing 3D animation skills, techniques, and proficiencies towards creating an animated digital short film. Emphasis on refining application of the 12 animation principles, life-like animation, forward and inverse kinematics, scene staging, and camera work. This course will provide training in a variety of industry-standard 3D design software. Prerequisite: 3D Lighting, Texturing, and Rendering GRA 1493C Digital Illustration 40 hours, 3 credits In this course students will create illustrations with industry standard digital software. Concepts and themes developed into visual painted and drawn messages will be explored. Illustrations will be created for print and screen. The process of illustrating an idea or story, from thumbnails to sketching, color and style studies, color comprehensives, to final illustrations, will be presented. Prerequisites: Drawing from Observation; Design Foundations GRA 1552C Introduction to Animation 40 hours, 3 credits This course introduces students to the 12 basic principles as well as the processes of animation. Student will learn about research, pre- visualization, storyboarding, animatics, character model sheets, and other processes integral to accomplishing a final animated film. Sketches, source imagery, and audio are utilized to effectively communicate ideas for time-based media. Documentation techniques are employed to chart progress with character and scene development, as well as cameras and lighting. Students will be able to relate the 12 basic principles to examples from animation history while applying them through hands-on analog and digital animation projects. Prerequisite: None GRA 1687C User-Centered Web Design 40 hours, 3 credits This course builds upon the fundamentals of web development with a focus on user-centered design. Expanding upon basic HTML and style sheets, the student is introduced to best practices, interface design, and the development of flexible, multi-use sites. Usability and accessibility are also explored in greater depth, using advanced web development tools. Needs of the visitor will be examined, including detecting and responding to the visitor’s browser, as well as utilizing the advanced media capabilities of HTML5 and CSS. Prerequisites: Fundamentals of Web Design; User Experience Design GRA 1747C Introduction to Web Scripting 50 hours, 3 credits This course introduces the advanced interaction capabilities enabled through the use of client-side scripting languages. Students are introduced to basic logic and programming concepts, with a focus on Javascript and AJAX (Asynchronous Javascript and XML). Enhancement of usability and function are explored and emphasized, with attention on collecting and validating user information and interacting with the site visitor. Prerequisite: Fundamentals of Web Design GRA 2060C Interactive Media 40 hours, 3 credits This course is a study of the integration of components used in multimedia applications using authoring software. Students use industry- standard software as well as skills developed in earlier coursework to produce interactive projects that incorporate graphics, sound, and interactive elements. Combining multimedia elements into HTML pages are explored. This course will provide training in a variety of industry-accepted Adobe design software. Prerequisite: Introduction to Animation; Typography GRA 2133C Print Design 40 hours, 3 credits This course utilizes techniques associated with designing computer graphics and multi-page and package design for both desktop publishing and digital distribution. Students will learn professional practices in proper file setup, saving and exporting, and delivery. Emphasis is on the exploration of combining illustration, images, and type in an effective manner while working toward industry- standard published files primarily in printed form. Prerequisite: Typography 78 rasmussen.edu GRA 2274C User Experience Design 40 hours, 3 credits This course expands on student’s knowledge of interactive design learned in earlier course work, exploring interactive design from the perspective of user experience. Metaphors for graphic interfaces and icon design are studied through industry product examples, student practice exercises and projects. Organizing, scoping, planning, design, prototype models, and creating, working and aesthetic interactive experiences of complex informational content through rich multimedia experiences are covered. Software training builds on previous knowledge to advance student’s skills with a variety of industry-standard design software. Prerequisite: Interactive Media GRA 2390C Digital Photography 40 hours, 3 credits Building upon skills already accomplished in earlier course work, students will advance their skills, aesthetic, and technique in digital image making. Professional artist’s sample work will be viewed, analyzed, deconstructed, and discussed in terms of concept, message, technique, and approach. A variety of techniques for digital image-based art making will be demonstrated, explored, and practiced. Images will be combined with typographic and written messages. Image output for print, screen, and broadcast will be presented. Software training builds on previous knowledge to advance student’s skills with a variety of industry-accepted Adobe design software. Prerequisite: Color Theory GRA 2442C Motion Graphics 40 hours, 3 credits Moving graphic 2D animation is the primary focus of this course. Students will composite video, digital images, motion graphics, vector and pixel graphics, titles, and kinetic typography into cohesive motion graphics pieces. Narrative and non-narrative form will be explored. Projects include: kinetic logo design, animated PSAs, broadcast titling, and advertising spots. Students will assemble a demo reel of motion work. Software training builds on previous knowledge to advance student’s skills with a variety of industry-accepted Adobe design software. Prerequisite: Audio/Video Editing GRA 2522C Digital Media Project 40 hours, 3 credits This course is a culmination of a student’s accumulated knowledge in narrative and non- narrative digital film creation. Students will produce a proposed film idea from concept to final presentation. Brainstorming, story writing, casting, storyboarding, animatic, character creation, animation, audio and video recording and production, camera techniques, digital capturing/rendering, non-linear editing, post production, titling, compositing, and final output will be evaluated in the final piece. The course will culminate in a screening of final student films. Prerequisite: Motion Graphics GRA 2607C Portfolio Development 40 hours, 3 credits In this course, students create an industry-quality portfolio consisting of enhanced and updated projects from previous classes as well as newly created projects. Students will create a final portfolio/demo reel using a consistent theme and targeting an intended market based on what career path they are pursuing. This course will provide training in a variety of industry-accepted Adobe design software. Prerequisite: Expected to be the final lower-level core course completed GRA 2754C Character Modeling 40 hours, 3 credits This course is designed to refine skills in 3D character creation and effects. During this course students will explore advanced 3D modeling and animation theory and principles that focus on character animation as it applies to the gaming environment. Specifically, these principles and theories are applied to the context of interactive narratives and video games. Students will engage in the study of character posing and rigging for games, advanced animation, and morphing, blending, and similar techniques to create more expressive characters. This course will further prepare a student for industry certification in Autodesk 3ds Max. Prerequisites: Figure Drawing; 3D Lighting, Texturing, and Rendering GRA 2819C Scripting for Web Servers 40 hours, 3 credits This course delves deeper into the power of web development through server-side programming. Building upon Introduction to Web Scripting, the student will explore and interact with server-side databases and collect and manipulate data using general PHP scripting language. Students will create dynamic content for web pages to perform simple calculations, collect visitor information, and interact with basic databases. Prerequisite: Introduction to Web Scripting GRA 2936C Mobile Web Design 40 hours, 3 credits This course focuses on current trends in web usage, specifically on the expansion of mobile platforms from laptops to tablets and smartphones. Emphasis is placed on responsive design: creating cross-platform web sites that provide equal and optimal usability across a wide range of devices, screen sizes, and resolutions. Various web tools and techniques are utilized to provide a fluid and flexible experience for the web visitor. Prerequisite: User-Centered Web Design GRA 2956 Design Internship 90 hours, 3 credits In this course, students will integrate prior knowledge and coursework within a hands-on learning environment in a professional design workplace. Students will create a variety of multimedia-based design projects under the guidance of a workplace mentor or supervisor as well as implement valuable transferable skills such as communication, critical thinking, and teamwork to grow as a professional. The work completed at the internship site will be complemented by weekly course activities such as reflective writings, peer discussions, time sheet documentation, and group activities to enhance the authentic learning experience for students. Prerequisite: Expected to be the final lower-level core course completed GRA 3005C Interactive Publishing 60 hours, 4 credits This course builds on prior coursework in interactive media, animation, motion graphics, kinetic typography, audio, and video. The course focuses on graphic, interactive, and animation design for mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets. Issues with user interface, user experience, usability, troubleshooting, and compatibility are explored, and strategies are developed to establish best practices. Prerequisite: User Experience Design GRA 3126C Graphic Design History 30 hours, 3 credits Students will examine the historical, cultural, technological, and social factors that contribute to an understanding of graphic design and its impacts on modern commerce and society. The development of graphic design from 1920 through the end of the 20th century will be a key focus of the course, with a larger focus on the development of graphic design through the digital revolution to present day. Western and non-Western graphic design is represented,
