Full-time Programs

DIGP 1013 Web Authoring 1

This course provides the learner with an introduction to HTML and the web environment. It includes associated applications: Browsers (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera, Chrome, Plugins), Image formats (.gif .jpg .png), web design principles and design parameters, PhotoShop and other graphic Web creation tools are introduced. 

DIGP 1014 Animation 1

An introduction to the terms and concepts of animation in general and the history of animation. Students will explore the 3D environment (simple modeling, materials, textures, lighting, animation and rendering) the mathematical concepts involved in the creation of animation and the production process (story telling, scripting, story boarding, production planning/timelines, production and postproduction).

DIGP 1015 Interactive Media 1

The student will be introduced to the latest methods and best practices in the development of interactive titles. We will walk through the creative and functional planning stages and then into development and finally delivery and packaging. Topics covered include preparing graphics, sound and video for multimedia, encoding and compressions, creating interactivity, navigation and deliverables.

DIGP 1016 Digital Imaging

Adobe Photoshop is integral to all three years of Animation. The basics and beyond will be covered in Digital Imaging. There will be an emphasis on learning Photoshop tools vital to animation, compositing and web building.

DIGP 1017 Audio/Video 1

Proper understanding of audio and video elements and their usage is an essential part of the digital production workflow, whether the end result is used in broadcast, web, or gaming applications (to name just a few). This course will provide the student with a technical foundation in AV which will be applied as they progress through the program. Subjects covered will include: image acquisition, image processing, media file formats, CODECs, basic video editing, audio acquisition and manipulation, and graphics production as they relate to the digital AV workflow. Corequisite: DIGP 1020.

DIGP 1019 Production Design 1

Art direction will introduce how to reinforce the concept of a project through colour, lighting, composition, textures, choice of components, character style, typography, motion, illustration styles, camera angles, framing and more. Art Direction 1 also builds skills in conceptualizing, sketching and will touch upon animation history and art direction styles.

DIGP 1020 Project Management 1

Description to come

DIGP 1029 Communications 1

Good communication abilities are essential in both college and business. Using a combination of lectures, exercises, group discussions and assignments, students in this course will develop their written and verbal skills in order to express themselves with clarity and creativity.

DIGP 1021 Web Authoring 2

This course provides an introduction to web authoring software applications. Dreamweaver and Adobe Creative Suite will be major components of the course. Intermediate web subjects include meta tags, search engine optimization and using CSS for style, positioning and proper page layout. Web design principles are emphasized. Rich media content creation is introduced and the use of scripts is explored. The students will also design and build websites for real-world clients. Prerequisite: DIGP1013

DIGP 1022 Animation 2

This course will introduce more advanced animation concepts, such as the animation mixer, cycles, rotoscoping, dubbing, and motion capture. It will also reinforce basic animation, key framing, and introduce FK/IK chain animation. The student will also be introduced to character design, rigging, and enveloping/weight painting. Compositing, post-rendering FXs and other basic postproduction techniques will be introduced. Students will use various animation platforms to achieve a final animated product. Prerequisite: DIGP 1014.

DIGP 1023 Interactive Media 2

This course is a continuation of DIGP1015 (Interactive Media 1) with reinforcement of the principles of timeline-based navigation, cast members and object behaviors. Students will learn concepts in Graphic User Interface Design, basic custom scripting, and game development (including flowcharts and pseudocode). Students will also learn basic DVD authoring using Adobe Encore. Prerequisite: DIGP 1015

DIGP 1024 Enhanced Interactivity 1

This course is an introduction to scripting in the Animation industry. Many creative projects require scripting to accomplish many tasks. This course will provide an intro-duction to programming basics. VBscript programming is used throughout Digital Media, from web sites to scripting for 3D animation. Other topics include programming practices, debugging, and documenting your code. The skills learned here will be applied in Enhanced Interactivity 2. Prerequisite: DIGP 1015

DIGP 1026 Art Direction 2

Art Direction 2 builds on the visual basics covered previously. There is a focus 2-D and 3-D animation, visual design for websites and games special effects and motion graphics. Students will consider specifics such as developing conceptualizing abilities, research, strengthening skills in composition, sketching, typography, colour and digital illustration. Prerequisite: DIGP 1016/1019.

DIGP 1027 Project Management 2

Description to come.

DIGP 1030 Communications 2

This course is a continuation of Communications 1, with an emphasis on the importance communication in the arts and entertainment industries, notably visual communication. Students will create industry standard scripts, storyboards and creative briefs. Prerequisite: DIGP 1029 Communications 1

DIGP 2000 Web Authoring 3

The students will be introduced to and use Macromedia Flash to create rich media content for the web. This course will cover drawing, basic animation, importing, exporting, audio, video, interactive navigation and content creation. The students will learn the fundamentals of good web design using interactive media content. This course also includes information on file compression, quality versus size, and an introduction to other rich media formats. Topics will include vector graphics, symbols, libraries and Actionscript. Prerequisites: DIGP1013/DIGP1021/DIGP1024

DIGP 2001 Animation 3

Using various animation platforms, the students will explore intermediate animation techniques such as expressions, scripted operators, linking parameters and custom parameter sets. Advanced materials and shader techniques, surface and FX shaders, advanced texture mapping (UV mapping, 3D painting), advanced lighting (light matching, light shaders, radiosity, HDRI) and advanced camera techniques (camera matching, match moving, camera shaders) will also be considered. As well students will also learn FX animation, physics, hard and soft body dynamics, collisions, hair cloth, and particles. Prerequisites: DIGP 1014/1019/1022

DIGP 2002 Game Design 1

This course uses the Valve Source engine and the Unreal UDK to apply basic game design principles and to create interactive environments. The course emphasizes game content creation using XSI and the Valve Source engine. Models are created and animated in XSI which are then incorporated in Game MODs the students produce. Scripting and game design concepts such as hitboxes, physics models, triggers, rigging, and artificial intelligence will also form important elements of the course. The course includes discussions on game systems and what makes games successful. Other concepts include game textures, lighting, weapons, breakable objects, compiling and testing. Prerequisites: DIGP1015/DIGP1023/DIGP1017

DIGP 2003 Audio/Video 2

This course is a continuation of DIGP1017 (Audio-Video 1) and covers advanced AV topics including: online editing (with Final Cut Pro), advanced character generation and motion graphics (with After Effects and Motion), and audio editing, mixing techniques and sound design (with Soundtrack Pro and Garageband). Students will be encouraged to use concepts and software in this course to create material for their personal portfolios and other projects Corequisite: DIGP 2005 Prerequisite: DIGP 1017

DIGP 2004 Enhanced Interactivity 2

More advanced scripting for interactive applications and animation. Students will learn how to apply the skills they received in Enhanced Interactivity 1. VB scripting will be done within XSI to enhance animation and to do repetitive tasks. Students will learn how scripts effect objects in 3D animation and in games. Students learn how to use existing objects, object libraries, object hierarchies, and class files. Programming in VB script and Python will be discussed. Prerequisites: DIGP 1015/DIGP 1024

DIGP 2005 Digital Compositing

Digital compositing is the layering of images from various sources and formats to create a finished image. This course will use timeline-based and node-based compositing software (After Effects and XSI Illusion) to demonstrate various compositing techniques, including: basic layering and compositing, colour and alpha keying, edge rolling, blurring, and aliasing/corona matching, noise, camera match/moving, film grain and noise and colour lighting/matching. Corequisite: DIGP 2003 Prerequisite: DIGP 1017

DIGP 2006 Production Design 3

This course further builds on the Art Direction theory and practice covered previously and focuses on art direction in 2-D and 3-D animation, visual design for websites and games, special effects and motion graphics. To build a strong frame of reference, the class will view and deconstruct the industry’s best. The class will also do assignments in sketching, art history, maquettes/character development. Students will work collaboratively on a group project and focus on this project development including concept, overall look and art direction style, completing animatics and incorporating feedback from faculty and student colleagues into their project. Prerequisite: DIGP 1016/1019

DIGP 2007 Web Authoring 4

This course will move into more advanced programming using Actionscripts. Fundamental programming concepts will be studied. Students will build interactive questionnaires, control complex animation, load external swf movies and sound files, create a jukebox, build a preloader that displays percentage loaded, apply advanced sound, sync sound, create drag-able windows, sliding menu drawers, scrolling text boxes, controlling video. Students will learn outputting and publishing with HTML and be able to apply Flash Detect features. Class will understand designing larger scale titles using a modular approach. Students will learn how to make a design strategy. Prerequisites: DIGP1013/DIGP1021/DIGP1024/DIGP2000. Corequisite: DIGP 2012.

DIGP 2008 Animation 4

Using various 3D animation software platforms, students will explore advanced character modeling and animation techniques. Special emphasis will be placed on creating photorealistic characters in Zbrush, Maya and XSI as well as facial animation and lip-synch. Students will learn to produce motion capture files using MOCAP and integrate them into the XSI motion editor. Emphasis will be placed on developing industry ready character animation skills. Other topics include: creating character, model, texture & animation content for games. Students will use content produced in this course for the UDK game mods created in DIGP 2009. Prerequisites: DIGP 1014/1019/1022/1026/ 2001 / 2006.

DIGP 2009 Intermediate Game Design

This course is an Introduction to Gaming and Game creation. Tools for game creation will be introduced as well as concepts in interface design and other aspects of the game development process. Everything from idea to concept art, character creation, level design, story telling, and game development documents to marketing and game testing. The main goal of this course is for the student to design a complete game from the ground up and to document the design. Other topics include 2D vs. 3D, game engines, game types, triggers, storytelling and artificial intelligence. Students will understand how to test games, give feedback and to use feedback to enhance game products. As part of the development process the Valve Source engine will be used to emphasize certain design principles. Prerequisites: DIGP1015, DIGP1023, DIGP1017, DIGP 2002

DIGP 2011 New Media Production 1

This course will emphasize the team approach to project planning. The students will learn to plan, storyboard, template and price out a major project. The project developed this term will be completed in the final term. In this course, the student will use all concepts learned to date and commence work on a final project. Prerequisites: DIGP 1013/1014/1015/1021/1022/1023/2000/2001/2002. Corequisite: DIGP 2008, DIGP 2009, DIGP 2012

DIGP 2012 Art Direction 4

Building upon last semester’s group experience in creating 2-D and 3-D animatics and group work, Art Direction 4 will continue using the Art Direction Guide created in DIGP 2006 to complete the group project. As well as this focus on the group project and group dynamics, we will also be building upon existing drawing skills, motion graphics with an emphasis on kinetic typography and movie titles. Prerequisite: DIGP 1016/1019 

DIGP 3008 Freelance & Enterpreneurship

Students will become familiar with taking on freelance jobs and running a small business. Areas covered will be financial systems, tax planning, estimating, contracting, enterprise development, government regulations, alternate funding sources and how to develop a business plan. 

INTN 2006 Internship

The student will complete a three-week (105-hour) internship in the area of their intended specialization. This first internship is intended to provide the student with additional skills and experience that can be applied to final projects in the third year of Animation. Note: This course must be successfully completed for advancement into third year.

DIGP 3001 Animation 5

The emphasis in this advanced Animation class will be on creating advanced portfolio pieces that demonstrate the student’s mastery of character modeling and animation. Character animation exercises will polish the student’s abilities and speed in creating industry-ready work. Students will produce several highly finished animated pieces in the areas of character modeling and animation, visual FX, and photorealistic modeling and rendering. Prerequisites: DIGP 1014/1022/2001/2008 Corequisite: DIGP 3005

DIGP 3003 Independent Production 1

This course will emphasize individual approach to project planning. The students will plan, storyboard, template and price out a major project. The projects developed this term will be a personal portfolio piece. In this course, the student will use all concepts learned to date and commence work on a video game mod for the valve 2 engine, web site or a short animated film. Prerequisites: DIGP 2011

DIGP 3005 Art Direction 5

Using the techniques learned in previous Art Direction courses, the students will act as Art Directors for their final projects. A collaborative approach will be used in this course to generate a final project for the student’s choice of: an animation, a multi-level video game with original material; a live action/special effects piece or three fully-functioning websites with e-commerce capabilities. The student will focus on developing the look and feel for this project. Students will also look at designing self-promotional material to use as part of the internship and job search process in the Winter semester.

DIGP 3016 Communications 3

This course explores verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills in the Creative’s professional environment. Explorations include: building listening and speaking skills; conducting and being a helpful part of business meetings; responsible client management; creative presentations and selling ideas; becoming aware of professional conduct; constructing business documentation for creative work including an estimate and responding to an RFP (Request for Proposal). Our skills will be acquired through discussions, observations of self and others, presentations, role-playing exercises and as-signments. Prerequisites: DIGP 1029 and 1030

DIGP 3013 Web Master

Building on an intermediate knowledge of web development the students will be encouraged to move into an advanced path in web development. As a result of exploring/researching current web trends and through consultation, students will be expected to present a proposal for a project focusing on a specific web technology or system. This will be manifested through presentations and a project. Some possible avenues of discovery include Content Management Systems such as Joomla, e-commerce and security systems, Social Networking Software, Rich media content delivery and management, advanced Flash development, actionscript 3.0, XML, PHP, mySQL, Flex and mobile content delivery (iPhone, Blackberry) but not limited to these. Prerequisites: DIGP1013, DIGP1021, DIGP1024, DIGP2000, DIGP2004, DIGP2007. Corequisites: DIGP3004, DIGP3000

DIGP 3011 Animation Master

This course allows the specializing student to learn advanced camera, lighting, shading and rendering techniques. Emphasis will be placed on integrating CGI elements into live action backgrounds. Students will also learn advanced facial animation techniques as well advanced rigging, muscle control, anatomy advanced motion capture and advanced character animation. Emphasis will be place on acting and performance, in order to create highly evocative and realistic character animations. Prerequisites: DIGP1014,DIGP1022,DIGP2001, DIGP2008 Corequisites: DIGP3005, DIGP3001

DIGP 3012 Game Master

This course will help students to better understand the game industry where they are seeking employment. Advanced discussions of the game studio environment and the game production pipeline from concept, to design, to model and art creation, to level building, compiling and marketing the finished product. The course will cover moral, ethical and then psychology of games and game play. Much of the course will focus on the students’ major productions. Providing them with directed content and one-on-one consultation. Prerequisites: DIGP1024, DIGP2002, DIGP 2009 Corequisite: DIGP 3002

INTN 3010 Internship

This second four-week internship (140 hours) is intended to provide the student with direct work experience in a business that provides experience in the student’s area of specialization. This longer placement will allow the student to gain specific experience and be integrated in a work team. 

DIGP 2010 The Job Search

The student will learn the latest methods and best practices on how to establish and nurture business relationships. They will learn what is expected in the industry and how to get an edge on the competition through research exercises and the building of collateral.

DIGP 3006 Portfolio Production

The students will develop a new media portfolio designed to assist in their internships and eventual job placement. The portfolios will demonstrate their understanding of all elements of the program. Prerequisites: DIGP 1016/2010. Corequisite: DIGP 3008

DIGP 3007 New Media Production 2

Students will use all the skills they have acquired to complete a final new media-based project. Aspects of this course will focus on design and art direction for the student’s major  individual project,  for their demo reel, as well a self-promotional website and DVD cover, menu and titles for their demo reel. The ultimate goal is to conceive and produce a consistent visual presentation for their demo reel.  The other component of this course will focus on the production process to create the major project and the promotional materials including timelines and adherence to production schedules.

DIGP 3009 Independent Production 2

This course is a continuation of Independent Production 1. This course will emphasize project planning and production.  This course will allow students time to produce content for their major third year production/portfolio piece. In this course, the student will use all concepts learned to date and finish their major project which was either a video game mod, a series of web sites or a short animated film. Prerequisites: DIGP 3003/3005 and one of  DIGP 3011/3012/3013.