The Computer Science Department houses a minor in Digital Arts in collaboration with Film Studies, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Studio Art, and Theater. The Digital Arts 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.
Prerequisite
One of Computer Science 1, Computer Science 2, Computer Science 4. Of these, Computer Science 2 has been designed specifically to support this minor.
Computer Science 2: Programming for Interactive Digital Arts
(Not offered every year; 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.
Required Courses
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.
Computer Science 24: Computer Animation: The State of the Art
(Winter; Dist:ART)
This hands-on course focuses on state-of-the-art computer animation, presenting techniques for traditional animation and how they apply to 3D computer animation, motion capture, and dynamic simulations. Facial and full-body animation are covered through projects, readings, and presentations, including physical simulation, procedural methods, image-based rendering, and machine-learning techniques. Students will create short animations. This course focuses on methods, ideas, and practical applications, rather than on mathematics.
Computer Science 27: 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: 3D 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. This course has a required laboratory period.
Prerequisite: Computer Science 24 and one of the following courses: Film Studies 31, 35, 38; Studio Art 16, 29; Theater 30; Computer Science 20, 89; or Psychology 21.
Additional Courses
Psychology 21: Perception
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 20: Motion Study: Using Motion Analysis for Science, Art and Medicine (Formerly Computer Science 12)
Computer Science 28: Advanced Projects in Digital Arts (Formerly Computer Science 72)
Computer Science 77: Computer Graphics (Formerly Computer Science 52)
Computer Science 89: Topics in Applied Computer Science
Additional courses other than these may be approved by the Computer Science Department Undergraduate Advisor: Devin Balkcom.
History
The Digital Arts Program officially began at Dartmouth College in the Fall of 2007, when CS 22: Digital Modeling was offered for the first time. Since then, over a hundred students have put in countless hours of exertion, creativity, and fun, and continue to do so with the variety of classes offered every year through the Computer Science Department. For a continuously updated archive of the incredible work our students produce, click the Student Animations link in the toolbar below, or visit our Projects page.