The Computer Animation Program will offer training and education in Computer Animation techniques, with a foundation in artistic skills and development of aesthetic awareness.
Objective
Computer Labs
Maintain current versions of software applications and upgrade hardware as necessary to meet industry standards.
Indicator
Assess Hardware And Software Of Labs
An annual evaluation of computer labs and software configurations for comparison with the current industry standards for computer animation.
Criterion
Current Software Applications
The Macintosh lab will have 20 workstations with machines with current operating systems capable of running contemporary software. PC lab will have 10 machines with current operating systems. The Mac lab will offer current 2D and 3D software applications. The PC lab will offer 3D applilcations and both labs will have current image editing software.
Finding
Mac Lab Assessment
The workstations in the Macintosh Lab are Macintosh G5's with sufficient memory and processor speed to run the software currently used. A subscription for Autodesk Maya upgrades was purchased and the current version of Maya is on all of the machines. The Adobe bundles on all machines need to be upgraded as they are not current versions. ToonBoom software is also not current.
Finding
PC Lab Asssesment
The PC lab has 12 workstations with Intel xeon cpu 5110 @ 1.6 ghz, and 2GB RAM. There are 10 licenses of Autodesk Maya 2008. 3D StudioMax 8 and ZBrush are also installed. The adobe bundle is CS3.
Action
Upgrade Labs
Mac Lab: hardware is adequate, reassess at the end of 2009-2010. Adobe bundle will be upgraded, University has a licenses for CS3 available for install on University machines. Upgrade before Fall 2009. Consider whether ToonBoom Studio will continue to be used or replaced by Flash in Adobe CS3. Upgrade ToonBoom if the decision is made to use it.
PC Lab: A Captital Equipment budget request has been made to add five workstations to the lab. Request budget to replace 5 existing workstations with dual core processors at the end of 2009-2010. Purchase subscriptions for Autodesk Maya and 3D StudioMax upgrades.
Objective
Recruitment
Increase the number of motivated, dedicated and talented students persuing a degree in computer animation.
Indicator
Class Enrollment
An annual count of the number of students enrolled in each Computer Animation course and a comparison of this count with that of the previous year.
Criterion
Increasing Enrollment
The number of students enrolled in animation courses and the number of animation majors is expected to increase annually for the next five years. An annual increase of at least 20% is desired.
Indicator
Number Of Majors
An annual count of the number of official and unofficial majors declaring a BFA Computer Animation and a comparison of this count with that of the previous year.
Criterion
Increasing Majors
The number of declared and undeclared animation majors will increase annually for the next five years. An annual increase of at least 20% is desired.
Finding
Enrollment Increase
The number of unofficial majors in 2007-2008 was 33. The number of official majors in that period was 3. Total majors 36 In 2008-9, the number of unofficial majors was 72. The number of official majors was 6. Total majors 78. This is an increase in enrollment of of over 100%. Of the total of 72 unofficial majors, 6 are seniors, 12 juniors, 21 sophmores, and 33 freshmen. This indicates a steady increase in enrollment.
Action
Continue Recruitment Efforts
Continue to distribute flyers and brochures to High School Art Departments, Participate in Regional and National Conferences and publicize the program through exhibitions of student work. In fall 2009, assess the need to advertise the program nationally and determine the best venue for advertisement.
Objective
Enhance The Reputation Of The Computer Animation Program
Increase the visibility of the Computer Animation Program in the Academic and Professional Community
Indicator
Advertising
An annual count of the number of advertisements and articles about the Computer Animation Program in Trade Journals and Industry Websites.
Criterion
Industry Journals And Publications
The animation program will be advertised or described in at least 2 major industry journals or publlications.
Finding
Advertising
The Computer Animation Program was not advertised in industry journals and publications during the past year.
Action
Reassess The Need For Advertising
Computer Animation faculty will reassess the need for advertising the program in industry publications and determine the most effective websites and journals for placing information about the program.
Action
Track Alumni
Develop a plan to track alumni and their professional careers. Post this information and links to the alumnis' portfolios on the computer animation website.
Objective
Fine Art Foundations
Students will enter the program with basic skills in drawing and design, and have an awareness of comtemporary art.
Indicator
BFA Review
All BFA Candidates participate in BFA Review after completion of Sophomore level art foundation courses to assess their retention and integration of skills learned. Students bring work from these classes to the review and are assessed by a panel of faculty.
Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to make sophisticated compositions using the elements of line, shape, color, form, texture, value and scale and the principles of balance, movement, symmetry, organization, and figure-ground relationships. Students will be evaluated on their ability to keep a sketchbook and to creatively solve problems by exhibiting works that are unique examples of harmonious design. Students will be expected to demonstrate the ability to convey concepts through the use of the elements of design.
To successfully pass the BFA review, students must 1) earn a grade of B or higher in all foundation courses and 2) receive a "pass" from the faculty reviewers. Faculty evaluators will recommend that each student pass, fail, or resubmit work to the BFA review.
Criterion
Passing The BFA Review
Students will pass the BFA review before enrolling in upper level Computer Animation courses. It is expected that at least 80% of Computer Animation BFA students pass the BFA review.
Finding
Foundation Skills Need Improvement
In the 2008-2009 period, 7 Animation students submitted portfolios to the BFA review committee. 2 failed and 5 passed producing a 71% success rate. Because this is a small sampling of students the results may not be accurate. However, large percentage of failures from students ini all art department disciplines indicates a problem. The problem may be with the review process, the foundation courses, or both.
Action
Refine The BFA Review And Evaluate Foundation Courses
This is the second year that the BFA review has been enacted and the department continues to refine and develop the process. The BFA review committee will review the criteria for portfolio assessment and review the curriculum of the foundation courses to ensure that an accurate assessment is being made.
Objective
History Of Animation
Students will learn the History of Animation.
Indicator
ART 473 History Of Animation
ART 473 History of Animation was offered as a writing enhanced class in the Summer 2007 and will be offered in subsequent summer sessions. This course is required for Computer Animation BFA students. Students in the course are tested on factual knowledge and write a research paper on a topic in Animation history. Students are graded on their ability to identify styles, trends and techniques in animation from 1900-the present. Students will be able to recognize the time period associated with these styles and their cultural significance. Students will be given multiple choice and short answer examinations that will be graded on a scale of 1-100. Students will write a research paper on a specific topic in the History of Animation. In this paper, the student will describe in detail the work of a particular animator or studio, give a history of this, and describe the relationship of the work to the culture to which it belongs. The papers will be graded on a scale of 1-100.
Criterion
History Of Animation
Computer Animation students will pass the exams in ART 473 and make a passing grade on the research paper in this course. It is expected that at least 80% of the students make a grade of C or higher in the course.
Finding
History Of Animation Requirement
20 students completed ART 473W, The History of Animation. 8 received a grade of A, 9 received B, 2 received C, 1 received D. 95% of the students received a grade of C or higher.
Action
Continue To Offer ART 473W
Continue to offer 473W. As enrollment increases, the number of sections offered per year may need to increase.
Objective
2D Animation And Basic Principles
Students will learn the Principles of Animation and acquire the skills to create 2D Animation.
Indicator
Demonstration Of 2D Techniques And Basic Principles
Students in ART 231 and ART 331 will demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of animation and the ability to complete 2D animations. At the completion of ART 331 the student should be able to animate 2 dimensional drawings in a way that suggests believable motion of objects governed by the laws of physics; demonstrate an understanding of the Principles of Animation described in the attached document; animate graphics and text to effectively communicate the content and purpose works made for video or film. The portfolio of work done in art 331 will be submitted as a final project in this course and will be used to asses these skills and abilities. Faculty will score the work on a scale of 1-100.
Criterion
2D Animation Skills
Computer Animation Students will pass ART 331 by completing a portfolio that demonstrates 2D Animation techniques and an understanding of the principles of animation. It is expected that at least 80% of the students make a grade of C or higher in the course.
Finding
2D Animation Requirement
18 students completed ART 331 with the scores of 4 A's, 7 B's, 5 C's, 2 D's. 88% received a grade of C or higher.
Action
Continue To Offer ART 231 And 331
Continue to offer ART 231 and 331. In the next assessment period, refine the criteria to measure the percentage of students who make a "B" or higher since a gpa of 3 or higher is required to complete the program.
Objective
3D Computer Animation
Students will become skilled in 3D Computer animation software.
Indicator
3D Skills
Students completing ART375 and ART376 will be able to model complex objects in a 3D program;
effectively rig and animate a character; create believable and aesthetic textures and surfaces;
create animations that are effectively lit and rendered;
demonstrate an understanding of the Principles of Animation described in the attached document. At the conclusion of ART 376, the student's work in the final portfolio will demonstrate these skills and abilities. This portfolio will be graded by faculty on a scale of 1-100.
Criterion
3D Skills
Computer animation students will successfully complete ART 376. It is expected that at least 80% of the Computer Animation BFA students make a C or higher in the course.
Finding
3D Animation Requirement
In Fall 2008, 11 students completed ART 376 with the scores of 7 A's, 2 B's, 1 C's, 1 D. 82% received a grade of C or higher. 73% received a grade of B or higher.
Action
Continue To Offer ART 375 And 376
Continue to offer ART 375 and 376. In the next assessment period, refine the criteria to measure the percentage of students who make a "B" or higher since a gpa of 3 or higher is required to complete the program.
Objective
Portfolio
At the completion of the program, students will have a portfolio that will enable to them to compete for jobs in the animation and gaming industries.
Indicator
ART 490 Animation Portfolio
Students in ART 490 will work on a thesis project consisting of an animated work that demonstrates skill and talent in a specific area of expertise. The students will create a Demo Reel (Portfolio) consisting of the thesis project and clips of work that demonstrate expertise in other areas of animation. These clips will be drawn from work done in previous courses in the Computer Animation Program. The demo reel will be evaluated by Computer Animation Faculty and by Professionals in the Animation and Gaming Industry. Professionals in the Gaming and Animation Industry will evaluate the Demo Reel when the students apply for jobs. The Faculty will evaluate the Demo Reel by rating each of the following on a scale of 1-5: 2D Animation- Is the student able to animate 2 dimensional drawings in a way that suggests believable motion of objects governed by the laws of physics? Does the work demonstrate an understanding of the Principles of Animation described in the attached document? Can the student animate graphics and text to effectively communicate the content and purpose of the works? 3D Computer Animation- Is the student capable of modeling complex objects in a 3D program? Can the student effectively rig and animate a character? Does the work indicate that the student creates believable and aesthetic textures and surfaces? Are the animations effectively lit and rendered? Does the work demonstrate an understanding of the Principles of Animation described in the attached document?
Criterion
Portfolio
Students will have a professional quality portfolio that will include 2D Animation, 3D Models and environments, with textured surfaces, and character animation with an emphasis on one area of specialization. It is expected that at least 90% of the students receive at least 30 points on a 1-40 point evaluation of their portfolio by two Computer Animation Faculty. It is expected that at least 75% of the students who submit a portfolio to an industry professional or studio are granted a job interview.
Finding
Portfolio Assessment
6 students successfully completed the Portfolio requirement and subsequently graduated with BFA in Computer Animation. Of the 6, 2 received a score of 40, 3 received a score of 30, 1 received a score of 20. 83% scored above 30. It is unknown whether or not any of the students received interviews or jobs in the industry.
Action
Track Alumni
Develop a plan to track alumni and their professional careers. Post this information and links to the alumnis' portfolios on the computer animation website.