Course Syllabus

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "DMA 225"
COURSE NAME: "Principles of Motion Design and Visual Effects"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2024

SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Giulia Panadisi
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W3:30 PM 6:15 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Recommended: COM 230
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course introduces students to visual communication design for new media, offering an overview of the grammar of motion design and a communication approach designed to be multi, trans and cross-medial. The main objective of the course is to provide students with approaches, methods, and tools needed for the design of multimedia projects in all their components. The course will integrate the theoretical knowledge needed to develop conceptual frameworks as well as the practical skills needed to implement these across a variety of texts and platforms. This course ultimately gives an overview of the grammar of motion design and prepares students for more advanced work in a field where things like keyframes, nodes, and curves have become as ubiquitous as Moviolas.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

The Principles of Motion Design and Visual Effects course aims to provide the student with a theoretical and practical approach to the design project for new media; for this reason the course includes theoretical lessons and practical workshops to give the student a complete training from different perspectives on the subject.

• Theoretical lessons to provide students with an adequate knowledge background for the development of the design activity; the lectures will be based on presenting to the students the historical framework of the discipline, the uses and the potential of the new media in current communication design.

• Practical lessons that will put students in the position of knowing how to govern the workflow of a complex multimedia project. Through a series of practical workshops, students will have the opportunity to learn the main digital tools for the correct execution of the project. Through the use of specific software, they will be able to experiment various stages of the project, from 2D design to 3D modeling, from animation to video-assembly, from rendering to post-production.

• Exercises and collective reviews to create a moment of confrontation between students and teacher, verify the assimilation of concepts as the teaching progresses and ensure the resolution of any problems.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The course in Principles of Motion Design and Visual Effects aims to connect the areas of arts and graphic design to the design of multimedia:

• Achieve the ability to instrumentally apply knowledge and theoretical-technical skills in the field of new media in contexts of communication, design and transmedia.

• Knowledge of the new media as tools, languages and distribution platforms in a perspective of design experimentation.

• Understanding, analysis, acquisition and management of the tools to plan and complete communication and audiovisual transmedia/crossmedia narrative strategies from the concept to the final outcome.

TEXTBOOK:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments	Format	Local Bookstore	Online Purchase
The history of motion graphics. From avant-garde to industry in the United States	Michael Betancourt	Wildside	1434441504, 9781434441508		Suggested Chapters 1-2-3-4-5-6	Hard Copy

REQUIRED RESERVED READING:

Book Title	Author	Publisher	ISBN number	Library Call Number	Comments
Design for Motion: Fundamentals and Techniques of Motion Design	Austin Shaw	Routledge	978-1138318656
Motion Graphic Design: Applied History and Aesthetics	Jon Krasner	Focal Press	978-0240821139

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:

NONE

GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:

Assignment	Guidelines	Weight

tot	The evaluation during the final exam will depend on: • the verification of the learning of historical and theoretical notions through an oral interview (30%) • the evaluation of the quality and the coherence of the multimedia project realized (40%) • the evaluation of the exercises and the presentations made during the semester (20%) • the participation and the attendance during the lessons (10%)

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course.
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:

The course is compulsory; attendance refers to the student's active participation. For the student, an important part of the course will be the active comparison with the professor and the colleagues; the collective reviews and presentations will be an important moment for discussion and reflection on the topics of the course, therefore the participation of each individual student is essential.

ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

1. Course structure, main objective and theme explanation. Introduction to new media, taxonomy, history and examples

2. Storytelling, explanation, technique and examples of digital storytelling. Digital Video Art Showcases. Create a Moodboard and a Styleboard.

3. History of motion graphics, from video art experimentation to VR/AR (part 01- 1870-1960).

4. Software Workshop Adobe Premiere

5. Motion design production process from pre-production to post-production. Create a Storyboard.

6. History of motion graphics, from video art experimentation to VR/AR (part 02- 1960-today).

7. Create a Pitchbook.

8. Software Workshop Adobe After Effects.

9. External visit in a production factory in Rome or Lecture from a professional (Art Director, Animator, VFX Supervisor).

10. Software Workshop C4D.

11. Communication Design & AI, tools and case studies. Create references with AI tools.

12. Manage production and post-production phases. Platforms, post-production and exportations formats.

13. Correction and classroom work

14. Correction and classroom work