MEA-232 - Character and Prop Design for Animation - Miles Horst
| Course: | Character and Prop Design for Animation |
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| Professor: | Miles Horst |
| Email: | miles.horst@canyons.edu |
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Introduction
Welcome to the distance/remote section of MEA 232 – Character./Prop Design/ Animation. This orientation letter is provided to give you a sense of the purpose, workload, and learning goals for the course. Because the course is 100 percent online, we will not meet on-campus for the duration of the course. All tests, exams, assignments, classes and conferences will be conducted online. There will be an official schedule published on the 1st day, and you will access this from the online course management system. For COC, we use a software program called Canvas; access to the course is included with your paid registration. The link to the course is: https://coc.instructure.com
Course Description
This class Introduces traditional and digital tools to create character designs, emphasizing emotional content
and clarity of design, as well as technical conventions.
What to Expect in this Course
Expect assigned reading and viewing of the course PowerPoint presentations, and other audio/visual media online. When we do our coursework, there will be assignments, discussions, and projects to do according to a prescribed schedule. The course will be set up using Modules for each lesson. Each module will contain that lesson’s PowerPoint presentation (including links to videos), any relevant material that the instructor or students will need to share, such as models or images, and a discussion posting to upload and discuss the day’s work.
The course involves students using the skills learned in previous classes, Recommended Preparation: ART-124B & Introduces traditional and digital tools to create animated models, emphasizing emotional content and clarity of design, as well as technical conventions.. These are foundational skills recommended for success in MEA-232.
In addition, our class will meet online, via Zoom, for most class sessions. The meetings will be live and held during the regular class meeting times. Instructions and official meeting dates/times will follow.
Course grades will be based on a combination of discussion postings, participation in the “live” class sessions and most importantly meeting the course milestones. The syllabus (available at the first class session) will detail the grading system.
Mandatory Attendance During the First 72 Hours of the Course:
When the course becomes available, you need to begin accessing and completing the coursework online from the first day of the session/semester. In order to be counted as “present” and attending the course, the college requires that you attend the first day of instruction, and begin to complete coursework at that time. IMPORTANT: If you do not log in and complete the first assignments by the third day of the session you will be dropped from the course (aka “No Show” Drop).
Types of Assessments
Written Assignments, Projects and Skill Demonstrations.
Textbook Information
None. Additional text information may be distributed during classes by the instructor
Other Relevant Course Information
All course materials for this course are delivered online; your computer and Internet connection should be outfitted for online communication to include:
- A Mac OS, PC/Windows OS (Windows XP or higher), or Linux OS-based computer;
- An Internet connection (broadband speed recommended for video and chat features);
- A current web browser (Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, IE 9);
- Adobe Reader software installed, (this is pdf file viewer to read online articles and as an alternate way to view the PowerPoint slides) available for free from Adobe at: http://get.adobe.com/reader/
- Microsoft PowerPoint (or Adobe Reader) to view the slides and the links to the movies
- Software used in the creation of the images might include:
- Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects and Animate)
- Hardware may be needed for the portions that might be animated using traditional methods. This may include:
- Pen, pencil, eraser and paper
- A camera or camera phone to capture images
- There will additional software used for scheduled online meetings (these are synchronous ‘real-time’ meetings held online, on dates listed below); the CCC Confer web conferencing software will be used for real-time communication via web conferences (see below).
- CCC Confer can be accessed here (software/system is free of charge): http://www.cccconfer.org.
- SyncSketch is a free program (must register) that allows collaboration and annotation of video and images (https://syncsketch.com/)
- Workload for online classes: Because we don’t meet on-campus, there are additional assignments and activities that require online research. On average, students will spend between 90-130 hours of study for this course over the full-length semester. If at any point in the session you have difficulty keeping up with course content/assignments, please do not hesitate to contact me; I will also make an effort to check in regularly with you via
- Circumstances may arise which require modifications of the above guidelines and the following schedule of assignments for the course, as deemed necessary by The instructor reserves the right to make necessary changes, in compliance with COC academic policies.
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 09/16/2021 Sub#: 217