University of Connecticut Department of Digital Media & Design
DMD 4200/DMD 5280
Advanced Motion Media: Motion In New Media
Course: DMD 4200/ DMD 5280 Advanced Motion Media
Course Instructor: Heejoo Kim
Term: Spring 2024
Class Meeting: Bishop Room 007
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs 10:00-5:00 by appointment, Office hours are available in person or via Zoom.
Schedule: Monday & Wednesday 12:20-2:50pm
Heejoo.kim@uconn.edu
COURSE OVERVIEW
3 credits. Prerequisite DMD 3200
Motion in New Media is a course dedicated to the in-depth exploration of motion-related topics within the contemporary film, animation, and motion media industry, along with emerging technologies such as UI/UX, AR, VR, XR, gaming, and more.
I. COURSE DESCRIPTION
Throughout this course, students will enhance their technical skills in 2D and 3D motion design, film, UI/UX design with the goal of creating work suitable for inclusion in a portfolio and demo reel. The course places a strong emphasis on tailoring the curriculum to each student’s unique study path. Students will develop their semester study plans and nurture their projects through guided research and hands-on experience. In addition to their individual projects, students will participate in an interdisciplinary collaborative project. The class will cultivate a cohort environment in which students learn from and alongside one another.
II. COURSE MATERIALS
Adobe Creative Cloud applications (required): Can be acquired at a student rate directly from Adobe (https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/buy/students.html) or from UConn UITS (https://software.uconn.edu/adobe-products-students/)
Cinema 4D (required): Cinema 4D is free for students. Available through Maxon. https://uconn-dmd.gitbook.io/dmd-knowledge-base/software/how-to-get-cinema-4d-students
Free OpenAI software (required): More information will be shared. Software will be freely available.
External Hard Drive / Data Back-up (required): You should have access to an external hard drive for storing your work and you should regularly maintain a back-up system for all of your work. This is both responsible and necessary in our digital age. Hardware and software problems are no excuse for late or missing work. Time Machine, Super Duper, and CrashPlan are among the many available back-up softwares.
Sketchbook/Notebook (required): You should have a sketchbook or notebook available for use in this class. Your notebook will be a place for you to record ideas, brainstorms, sketches, storyboards, information, and feedback.
Additional materials as needed for your self-defined projects.
III. COURSE OBJECTIVE & GOALS
The goal of this course is for students to engage in the conceptualization and development of motion media for collaborative and interdisciplinary projects, and for students to hone their skills as hybrid creatives using a variety of motion media techniques.
● Strengthen technical skills in 2D and 3D motion design related to emerging medium
● Conduct research relating to subject materials and techniques for the motion media projects
● Develop concepts and pre-production materials for complex motion media projects
● Apply a high level of craftsmanship to the execution of complex motion media projects
● Work effectively both individually and collaboratively
● Respond successfully to feedback from instructors and internal and external collaborators
● Use visual, written, and spoken communication for the successful presentation of work
COURSEWORK
Students will pursue the following coursework:
● Demo Reel
Based on your own plan of course develop your demo reel in high quality
● Collaborative Project
Collaborating with other concentration students in the creation of motion/fim/UIUX project including emerging technology
Researching and presentation on a motion media work of your choosing
● Active engagement in activities, demos, discussions, and critiques
This course will involve a combination individual and collaborative learning. Students will participate in a combination of whole class meetings and flexible group meetings and workdays according to the class schedule. Students must also be prepared to meet in-person with collaborators inside and outside of scheduled class times. All team members must be active throughout project development and must be present for meetings outside of class sessions, even if they feel that their portion of the project is complete.
COMMUNICATION
Good communication is essential to our successful class experience.
Please let me know if you anticipate any conflicts with any of the class sessions or due dates, or if you need any special accommodation in order to succeed in this course. The sooner I know about any exceptional circumstances the better, and the more likely we are to come up with alternatives.
If you encounter any questions or challenges with an assignment, please let me know.
Please try to email at least 24 hours before a deadline, and please try your best to compose emails with a salutation and closing, using complete, grammatical sentences. This is good professional practice!
Good communication is especially important as we will be collaborating with students from other departments.
Good communication, patience, and flexibility will be key to a successful collaborative experience.
IV. GRADING
Succeeding in this course will require a sense of curiosity and experimentation, as well as hard work and patience. Assessment for this course consists of participation, successful completion of exercises, and planning, pre-production, and production for one interdisciplinary collaborative project. Assessment will be based on idea generation, research of animation subject matter and visual references, craftsmanship and execution, creative problem solving, presentation, enthusiasm, and diligence.
Participation: Your participation is what will make this class meaningful and fun. Your class participation will consist of a presentation on a motion media inspiration of your choosing, regular engagement during class discussions and critiques, and a final portfolio submission. Successful students will be punctual, reliable, prepared, respectful, and active class participants. Your participation in this course is especially important as we will be working collaboratively with actors from the Dramatic Arts Department. By being an engaged and professional participant, you will contribute to the overall learning experience of all, and you will set yourself up for success.
Late work: We will be working collaboratively, so late work is especially discouraged as it will impact not only your own success, but the success of others within and outside of our class. There are no make-ups for in-class projects without pre-approval. Assignments turned in late without a pre-approved extension will be marked down 10% for each day they are late.
Portfolio: All the work produced in this course should be considered suitable material for your portfolio and/or show reel if it is crafted to the standards expected. The portfolio is the single most valuable artifact you will generate during your coursework and the most important one for when you graduate and seek employment and/or clients. Collect, keep, record everything towards this purpose. All the documentation you generate may well be viable in a portfolio.
GRADE BREAKDOWN
Item Percentage
Weekly research and presentation
Managing workload and weekly schedule 60%
Participation
Active engagement in class activities, discussions, and critiques 10%
Website 10%
Reel 10%
Collaborative Project 10%
Total 100%
STANDARD GRADES
A 94-100 A- 90-93
B+ 87-89 B 84-86 B- 80-83
C+ 77-79 C 74-76 C- 70-73
D 60-69
F less than 60 points I Incomplete
LETTER GRADE EXPLANATION
[A] Excellent. Exhibits command of the material; demonstrates the ability to express and apply the material in a creative way, i.e., not simply what’s been covered in class or the texts. Strong articulation of a point of view, aesthetics, and/or technique, both in the work completed and in the presentation of material.
[B] Good. Exhibits an advanced understanding of material covered in class; some consistency in performance on assignments; presents the material in a clear, organized fashion. Still needs work on clear expression of ideas, aesthetics, and/or technique in the work completed and/or in the presentation of material.
[C] Fair. Basic understanding of material covered in class, but inconsistent, poor, or confused application of the material; or an inability to express and/or apply ideas, aesthetics, and/or techniques clearly and/or effectively.
[D] Poor. Perfunctory coverage of the material; inconsistent, incomplete, or missing performance on assignments; misunderstanding of the material; incomprehensive use of skills, aesthetics, and/or techniques.
[F] Failure to do the assignments as stated; failure to hand in an assignment; complete or near complete misunderstanding of the material; plagiarism.
For additional information on undergraduate grading policies see here: https://registrar.uconn.edu/grades/
SCHEDULE
Course calendar is subject to change with advance notice.
Class meeting times are Monday / Wednesday 12:20 – 2:50 PM
V. POLICIES
Students are responsible for completing and/or preparing all assigned material and/or project work prior to meetings. Check the course schedule for details.
File management is an important part of any digital pipeline. Start good habits now: label properly, organize your files, and back up your work regularly (online and/or external drives).
EXPECTATIONS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
This is a stacked course with both undergraduate and graduate students enrolled. The expectation for graduate students is that they will apply the information learned in class toward a thematic, cohesive, individualized body of work, either their MFA thesis project or larger body of work, etc. During Week 1, meet with your instructor and provide a plan for completion of the graduate student-specific assignments mentioned below. Graduate students will follow along during the first month of technical exercises to master the techniques but should then use the deadlines (or your own proposed schedule, if you would like them to coincide with your thesis production schedule) to create # number/description of projects for the duration of the semester. While XXXX is the preferred software, due to time limitations, graduate students may continue in their preferred software, adding XXXX into the pipeline. Although for the most part all course# students will meet, there will be regular times when graduate students meet to discuss their own body of work in depth. Best efforts will be made by the professor to keep this class relevant, challenging, and informative for the graduate students’ studio practice. In return, graduate students are expected to make significant contributions to the class through participation, experimentation, and overall effort.
Graduate students are required to meet with the professor at least three times during the semester for regular check-ins. This is to ensure that the level of work produced in this class meets the graduate standard. Meetings must occur during the following schedule, and it is the student’s responsibility to schedule these meetings with the professor. INSERT SCHEDULE
EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL DMD STUDENTS
ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION
The digital media and design fields are collaborative, team-based industries where people work together, help each other, and share ideas and feedback. To succeed in this course and prepare you for a successful career, DMD faculty expect that all students demonstrate active participation in each class. Attendance is crucial to your success in this class. Each class we will discuss readings, learn important technical information, critique work, screen videos, and/or work on in-class exercises. These important activities will not be repeated.
If for any reason you cannot be in class, be sure to visit the HuskyCT site and/or talk to the professor or classmates to see what was covered and if work was assigned. Absence is not a valid excuse for coming to the following class unprepared or for not having an assignment completed that was given while you were gone. It is especially important to attend all critiques. If due to an emergency you cannot attend a critique, please schedule an appointment with the professor upon your return.
CRITIQUES
Crits are a vital part of an artist’s learning process and help to strengthen both individual art practices and the DMD community. They are an excellent way to understand if your message is being received by seeing how your colleagues responded to the assignment. During critiques, each student’s full attention and respect are expected. Listen, take notes, and formulate your ideas before speaking. Computers & cell phones are TURNED OFF. Critiques begin promptly at class start time. Participation in critique will be graded. Attendance and participation in the Final Critique (insert date/time) are mandatory.
CLASS MATERIAL
You are accountable for material covered in class, including handouts. IF ANYTHING IS NOT CLEAR, ASK! It is your responsibility to get missed materials from the professor or your classmates. Professor will gladly clarify any information but will NOT repeat demonstrations for absentees.
STUDENT PROJECT USE
Projects created in any Digital Media Design course may be used for the purpose of promoting the student, the department, and/or the university. These materials may also be used for instructional purposes in future courses.
ORIGINALITY
Students must create new, original work for all assignments and projects. You cannot recycle projects made in prior classes or submit client/paid/internship work (ie double dipping) for this class. If you are unsure of this, please speak with the professor BEFORE you explore that route.
Suggested Language from CETL on the use of AI
Academic Integrity (AI Permitted)
In this course we’ll conduct ourselves as a community of scholars and writers, recognizing that academic study is both an intellectual and ethical enterprise. Please build on the ideas and texts of others–that’s a vital part of academic life. You may certainly discuss readings and assignments outside of class, study in groups, share drafts with classmates or friends, and go to the Writing Center with your drafts.
When you use or borrow or closely imitate another’s ideas or language–or even syntax–you must formally acknowledge that debt by signaling it with a standard form of academic citation. This means documenting not just direct quotations but also paraphrases and summaries. In less formal or creative genres, you may show your debt to a source (or classmate!) with a signal phrase (“According to Jose Calabra….”) or acknowledgement statement (“In this essay I drew inspiration from…I got the_____ idea from Kayla during peer review.”). If you have any questions about when and how to credit the work of others, please come talk to me.
You are welcome to use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT on most assignments (I’ll alert you when you can’t) but whenever you use them, you must include an acknowledgement statement that briefly shares that and how you used them. For example, “I used ChatGPT when I was struck at the start and retained substantial parts of what it produced, including X and Y ideas and most of the wording in paragraphs 3 and 4” or “After I wrote my first 2 paragraphs, I used GPT-3 playground to extend the text for another 200 words but then edited…” Please also note that all large language models still tend to make up incorrect facts and fake citations. You will be responsible for any inaccurate, biased, offensive, or otherwise unethical content you submit, regardless of whether it originally comes from you or an AI tool (these last 2 sentences adapted from the course policies of Ryan S. Baker, University of Pennsylvania).
If you engage in intentional academic dishonesty–whether plagiarizing or submitting the work of others or copying from others on a test or failing to acknowledge use of AI or other tools–you will fail not only that assignment but the course.
Academic Integrity (AI Prohibited)
All students are expected to act in accordance with the Guidelines for Academic Integrity at the University of Connecticut. If you have questions about academic integrity or intellectual property, you should consult with me or consult UConn’s guidelines for academic integrity. Posting course material on student tutoring and course sharing websites (e.g. Chegg, Course Hero) may be a violation of my copyright and intellectual property and a violation of academic integrity. Many of you may also be aware of the recent release of ChatGPT3, a Large Language artificial intelligence (AI) model that has the capacity to quickly produce text on a range of topics. ChatGPT3 aggregates the ideas and insights of many researchers without giving them credit. Submitting ChatGPT-generated text as your own work would be an act of plagiarism insofar as it would involve passing off the work of others as your own. For these reasons, you are not allowed to use this ChatGPT or other similar tools.to produce essays or other academic work for this class, unless otherwise explicitly permitted to do so. You should also know that the university has AI detection software that distinguishes between AI generated content and human generated content.
The following links detail UConn Policies and Community Standards.
THE FOLLOWING LANGUAGE COMES FROM THE OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY PROVOST OFFICE
https://provost.uconn.edu/faculty-and-staff-resources/syllabi-references/
→Copy/paste and fill in the blanks as needed. These policies change periodically, so please check this site and update each semester. Examples from a UConn DMD Stamford syllabus are provided below.
VI. Resources for Students Experiencing Distress
The University of Connecticut is committed to supporting students in their mental health, their psychological and social well-being, and their connection to their academic experience and overall wellness. The University believes that academic, personal, and professional development can flourish only when each member of our community is assured equitable access to mental health services. The University aims to make access to mental health attainable while fostering a community reflecting equity and diversity and understands that good mental health may lead to personal and professional growth, greater self-awareness, increased social engagement, enhanced academic success, and campus and community involvement.
Students who feel they may benefit from speaking with a mental health professional can find support and resources through the Student Health and Wellness-Mental Health (SHaW-MH) office. Through SHaW-MH, students can make an appointment with a mental health professional and engage in confidential conversations or seek recommendations or referrals for any mental health or psychological concern.
Mental health services are included as part of the university’s student health insurance plan and also partially funded through university fees. If you do not have UConn’s student health insurance plan, most major insurance plans are also accepted.
Visit https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/ and https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/regional-campuses for services or questions.
VII. Accommodations for Illness or Extended Absences
Please stay home if you are feeling ill and please go home if you are in class and start to feel ill. If illness prevents you from attending class, it is your responsibility to notify me as soon as possible. You do not need to disclose the nature of your illness, however, you will need to work with me to determine how you will complete coursework during your absence.
If life circumstances are affecting your ability to focus on courses and your UConn experience, students can email the Dean of Students at dos@uconn.edu to request support. Regional campus students should email the Student Services staff at their home campus to request support and faculty notification.
COVID-19 Specific Information: People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus and can include:
● Fever
● Cough
● Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
● Chills
● Repeated shaking with chills
● Muscle pain
● Headache
● Sore throat
● New loss of taste or smell
Additional information including what to do if you test positive or you are informed through contract tracing that you were in contact with someone who tested positive, and answers to other important questions can be found here: https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/updates-events/coronavirus/
Please be respectful of the wishes of those who prefer to maintain social distancing. For their own protection, unvaccinated individuals are requested to maintain 6 feet social distancing from others.
XIII. Emergency Preparedness
In case of inclement weather, a natural disaster, or a campus emergency, the University communicates through email and text message. Students are encouraged to sign up for alerts through http://alert.uconn.edu.
Students should be aware of emergency procedures, and further information is available through the Office of Emergency Management at http://publicsafety.uconn.edu/emergency/.
IX. Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Related Interpersonal Violence
The University is committed to maintaining a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environments for all members of the University community – students, employees, or visitors. Academic and professional excellence can flourish only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. All members of the University community are responsible for the maintenance of an academic and work environment in which people are free to learn and work without fear of discrimination or discriminatory harassment. In addition, inappropriate amorous relationships can undermine the University’s mission when those in positions of authority abuse or appear to abuse their authority. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, the University prohibits discrimination and discriminatory harassment, as well as inappropriate amorous relationships, and such behavior will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University. Additionally, to protect the campus community, all responsible employees (including faculty), as outlined in the Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Related Interpersonal Violence, are required to report to the Office of Institutional Equity any information that they receive related to sexual assaults, intimate partner violence, and/or stalking involving a student. An exception to this reporting exists if students disclose information as a part of coursework submitted to an instructor in connection with a course assignment. Even in the absence of such obligation, all Employees are encouraged to contact OIE if they become aware of information that suggests a safety risk to the University community or any member thereof. The University takes all reports with the utmost seriousness. Please be aware that while the information you provide will remain private, it will not be confidential and will be shared with university officials who can help. More information, including confidential and exempt employee resources available for support and assistance, can be found at equity.uconn.edu and titleix.uconn.edu.
X. Students with Disabilities
The University of Connecticut is committed to protecting the rights of individuals with disabilities and assuring that the learning environment is accessible. If you anticipate or experience physical or academic barriers based on disability or pregnancy, please let me know immediately so that we can discuss options. Students who require accommodations should contact the Center for Students with Disabilities at https://studentservices.stamford.uconn.edu/disability-services.
XI. Help
Technical and Academic Help provides a guide to technical and academic assistance.
This course uses the learning management platform, HuskyCT. If you have difficulty accessing HuskyCT, you have access to the in person/live person support options available during regular business hours through the Help Center. You also have 24×7 Course Support including access to live chat, phone, and support documents.
Dean of Students Office, Academic Achievement Center, Writing Center, Quantitative Learning Center, Center for Students with Disabilities, Title IX Office, Student Health and Wellness — Mental Health, etc.
NOTE: This course has NOT been designed for use with mobile devices.
XII. Recording Lectures
Please remember that the unauthorized recording or sharing of course content may be considered a violation of the law, University policy, and/or The Student Code.