The Computer Science Department houses a new minor in Digital Arts in collaboration with Film Studies, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Studio Art, and Theater. The Digital Art Minor is designed to allow students from multiple departments an opportunity to bring their talents and skills into the digital arts realm.
No previous experience in computer science or digital arts is required. Our goals are to (1) teach students the principles, aesthetics and practice of digital art, modeling and animation through hands on exercises and assignments, (2) provide an understanding of technical concepts in order to allow students optimal control over the tools being used to create digital art, (3) offer an opportunity for students from different disciplines to work together, and (4) create a minor that is comprehensive and deep, through focused assignments and a demand for proficiency and high production values.
The Digital Arts minor is structured around three required courses and two additional ones. Students must also complete a course as prerequisite to the minor. For a formal description of the minor requirements, please consult the ORC.
One of Computer Science 2, Computer Science 4, Computer Science 5. Of these, Computer Science 2 has been designed specifically to support this minor.
Computer Science 2: Programming for Interactive Digital Arts
(Fall; Dist:TLA)
This course presents topics related to interactive visual art generated
on a computer. Although it briefly covers computer-generated media art,
the course focuses on the programming skills required for creating
interactive works. Rather than using commercial software,
students write their own programs, using the Processing language,
to create compositions with which users can interact.
The course introduces fundamental concepts of how to represent and
manipulate color, two-dimensional shapes, images, motion, and video.
Coursework includes short programming assignments to practice the
concepts introduced during lectures and projects to explore visual
compositions. The course assumes no prior knowledge of programming.
Computer Science 22: 3D Digital Modeling
(Fall; Dist:TLA)
This projects-based lab course teaches the principles and practices
of 3D modeling. Lectures focus on principles of modeling, materials,
shading, and lighting. Students create a fully rigged character model
while learning their way around a state-of-the-art 3D animation program.
Assignments are given weekly. Students are graded on the successful
completion of the projects, along with a midterm examination.
Work will be evaluated on a set of technical and aesthetic criteria.
Prerequisite: Computer Science 2 or 4 or 5 or permission of
the instructor.
Computer Science 32: Computer Animation: The State of the Art
(Winter; Dist: ART)
This course focuses on the subtleties of 3-Dimensional computer animation and
the concepts behind it. Students will work with a state of the
art 3D computer animation program to create animations that
display both the emotion of a character and the physics of a
scene. Emphasis is placed on learning how the principles of
traditional animation, composition, acting and storytelling can
be applied to computer animation. Students complete weekly
assignments using models given as well as those created in the
from the 3D Modeling (CS22) course. Prerequisite: Computer
Science 22.
Computer Science 42: Projects in Digital Arts
(Spring; DIST: ART)
This is the culminating course for the Digital Arts Minor.
Students from arts and sciences come together to complete
projects in digital arts, including: 3
D computer animations; innovative digital installations;
creative mobile media; interactive pieces; 2D digital projects.
Students work in small teams to complete work of a high
production quality or work that incorporates innovations in technology.
Prerequisites: Computer Science 32 and one of the
following courses: Film Studies 31, Film Studies 35, Film Studies
38, Studio Art 16, Studio Art 29, Theater 30, Computer Science
12, Computer Science 52, Computer Science 82, Psychology 21.
Film Studies 31: Film Making I: Basic Elements of Film
Film Studies 35: Animation: Principles and Practice
Film Studies 38: Advanced Animation
Studio Art 16: Sculpture I
Studio Art 29: Photography I
Theater 30: Acting I
Computer Science 12: Motion Studies
Computer Science 52: Computer Graphics
Computer Science 82/182: Topics in Computer Graphics
Psychology 21: Perception
Additional courses other than these may be approved by the Computer Science Department Undergraduate Advisor: Chris Bailey-Kellogg.