Animation Course Descriptions
MEA 102 History of Animation
3 units | UC:CSU 54 hours lecture
Surveys and analyzes animated motion picture and television masterpieces from their inception to the present, including the ideas and values of the examined animated films as reflected and emphasized through artistic techniques.
MEA 106 Introduction to Animation
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Introduces the principles of animation, laws of motion, timing, analysis, and the production of a short animated narrative video using traditional drawing methods.
MEA 109 Story Development and Storyboarding
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Introduces story development and storyboarding for animation. Emphasis is on storyboarding as well as the understanding of traditional story structure for animated film, television and internet.
MEA 118 Introduction to 2D Digital Animation
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Introduces 2D computer animation. Students produce a short narrative film using characters
MEA 131 3D Modeling and Surfacing
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Introduces 3D computer design, including modeling, surfacing, textures, lighting and rendering through the use of Maya software. Students learn how Maya nodes work with polygon modeling as well as surfacing controls. Students also learn how to design environments and explore camera and lighting setups.
MEA 135 Computer Animation and Special Effects
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Recommended Preparation: MEA-131
Introduces 3D computer animation and special effects through the use of Maya software. Students learn how the graph editor works to control animation, how to apply the principles of motion and emotion to animated scenes, and how to create visual special effects used in animation and live-action entertainment
MEA 231 Digital Sculpture
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Prerequisite: MEA-131
Presents digital sculpting software to create 3-D Computer images or characters from concept to digital model as well as a professional production process to create digital 3-D creatures for films and games.
3 units | UC:CSU 54 hours lecture
Surveys and analyzes animated motion picture and television masterpieces from their inception to the present, including the ideas and values of the examined animated films as reflected and emphasized through artistic techniques.
MEA 106 Introduction to Animation
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Introduces the principles of animation, laws of motion, timing, analysis, and the production of a short animated narrative video using traditional drawing methods.
MEA 109 Story Development and Storyboarding
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Introduces story development and storyboarding for animation. Emphasis is on storyboarding as well as the understanding of traditional story structure for animated film, television and internet.
MEA 118 Introduction to 2D Digital Animation
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Introduces 2D computer animation. Students produce a short narrative film using characters
MEA 131 3D Modeling and Surfacing
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Introduces 3D computer design, including modeling, surfacing, textures, lighting and rendering through the use of Maya software. Students learn how Maya nodes work with polygon modeling as well as surfacing controls. Students also learn how to design environments and explore camera and lighting setups.
MEA 135 Computer Animation and Special Effects
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Recommended Preparation: MEA-131
Introduces 3D computer animation and special effects through the use of Maya software. Students learn how the graph editor works to control animation, how to apply the principles of motion and emotion to animated scenes, and how to create visual special effects used in animation and live-action entertainment
MEA 231 Digital Sculpture
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Prerequisite: MEA-131
Presents digital sculpting software to create 3-D Computer images or characters from concept to digital model as well as a professional production process to create digital 3-D creatures for films and games.
MEA 232 Character and Prop Design for Animation
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
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.
MEA 233 Advanced 2D Digital Animation
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Prerequisite: MEA-106 Recommended Preparation: ART-124A
Studies design, composition, perspective, atmospheric and psychological lighting, and camera placement as applied to the construction of scenes, the congruency of sequences, and the designing of environments for animation. Utilizes 2D digital software in the creation of character driven narratives
MEA 234 Character Animation
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Prerequisite: MEA-135
Explores 3-D computer character animation through the use of Maya software to create
characters showing action and emotions, including facial animation and nonlinear editing.
MEA 235 Visual Effects
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Recommended Preparation: GMD-173
Presents advanced practice and theory of using computer-generated special effects combined with live action, video, and film. Addresses compositing special effects in a variety of different styles and looks as well as the use of green-screen or matting and rotoscoping and digital set extensions.
MEA 261 Advanced Animation
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Prerequisite: MEA-106
Examines 2D, digital character animation and its Techniques in depth. Students will complete advanced animation exercises, as well as design and produce a short animated film.
MEA 265 Animation Production
3 units | CSU 36 hours lecture, 54 hours lab
Prerequisite: MEA-106, MEA-131, MEA-135
Presents designing, planning, and creating an animated Film in a team-based environment.