Syllabus

LINK TO WORD DOC

Course Title:                         Portfolio Foundations           
Course Code: MAA470  GA470
Session/Year: Winter 2014
Contact Hours:            6 hours per week
Lecture:                        2 hours per week
Lab:                              4 hours per week
Credit Values:              4 credits
Room:                            1019


Instructor Name:            Sam Ellis
Contact Info:                        smellis@aii.edu
CLASS WEBSITE:            http://aiwmaa470winter2014.blogspot.com
                                   
Office Hours:                        Monday and Wednesday 9 AM - 10:30 AM Room 901, or 1019;
                                                                      


Course Description:
Course Competencies:  Upon completion of this course, the students will be able to:
Required:  Graphic Artists Guild Handbook: Pricing and Ethical Guidelines, 13th ED.
Materials and Supplies:
Technology Needed:
Estimated Homework Hours: 6-8+ hours week.
Quarter Credit Hour Definition: A quarter credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:
Student Evaluation / Methods of Assessment:
Students with Disabilities: The Art Institute of Washington provides accommodations to qualified students with disabilities.  The Disability Services Office assists qualified students with disabilities in acquiring reasonable and appropriate accommodations and in supporting equal access to services, programs and activities at The Art Institute of Washington  Students who seek reasonable accommodations should notify the Disabilities Services Coordinator at (Arber Winn, 703-247-2685 ) of their specific limitations and, if known their specific requested  accommodations. Students will be asked to supply medical documentation of the need for accommodation.  Classroom accommodations are not retroactive, but are effective only upon the student sharing approved accommodations with the instructor.  Therefore, students are encouraged to request accommodations as early as feasible with the Disability Services Coordinator to allow for time to gather necessary documentation.  If you have a concern or complaint in this regard, please contact the Dean of Student Affairs in Room 1107, telephone 703-247-6841.  Complaints will be handled in accordance with the school’s Internal Grievance Procedure for Complaints of Discrimination and Harassment.
Student Conduct Policy:  The Art Institute of Washington expects its students and employees to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.  In addition, the Art Institute of Washington has a strict policy, which disallows sexual harassment of either students or employees.  All students or employees are encouraged to report any professional or sexual misconduct to the academic director.
Academic Honesty at the Art Institute of Washington:  As a member of he academic community, students are expected to recognize and uphold standards of intellectual and academic integrity.  Under all circumstances, students are expected to be honest in their dealings with faculty, administrative staff, and fellow students.  In speaking with any member of the college community, students must give an accurate representation of the facts at hand.  Students are required to refrain from any and all forms of dishonorable or unethical conduct related to academic work.  In class assignments students must submit work that fairly and accurately reflects their level of accomplishment.  Any work that is not the product of the student’s own efforts is considered dishonest.  Engaging in academic dishonesty can have serious consequences for the student.
  1. Cheating
  1. Plagiarism
  1. Submission of the same work in two or more classes without prior approval of the
  1. Submission of any work (full or partial) not actually produced by the student.
  1. Submission of any works without the clear acknowledgement (reference/credit) of the original author or creator of the work.
Attendance Policy: 
Late Submission of Work: NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED.
  1. Grasp core concepts
  1. Basic design elements, Composition, Craftsmanship, Design process, Professionalism (each category will be assigned specific points and added together for a final grade)
  1. Originality, execution and timeliness.
  1. Effort Expended DOESN’T COUNT FOR ANYTHING. (sorry)
  1. Final grade will be calculated based on quality and appropriateness of finished work.
  1. We will use the Final Review Rubric (FRR) to evaluate your work
  1. Anything that receives a 2 in your major will result in failure for the class.
Grading Scale:
Grading Scale
Points
A
100 to 92
A-
91.9 to 90
B+
89.9 to 88
B
87.9 to 82
B-
81.9 to 80
C+
79.9 to 78
C
77.9 to 72
C-
D
71.9 to 67.2
67.1 to 67
F
66.9 and below
DATE
TIME
STUDENT
ADVISOR
TOPICS Discussed
Week 1














Week 2














Week 3














Week 4














Week 5













Week 6













Week 7













Week 8













Week 9













Week 10


















 Requirements for Portfolio classes and Studio classes
 Requirements for Final Review
 Quarter Breakdown for Animations
Important Information
In this course, students begin production of their digital portfolio and explore career development concepts.  Through class activities, students organize their work to reflect and enhance their individual strengths in computer animation.


1.     Evaluate personal and professional skills and interests relative to application in possible career path
2.     Demonstrate the ability to pitch a concept
3.     Explore self-promotional strategies
4.     Produce a portfolio in accordance with program requirements and industry-standards
5.     Conduct research related to the job search and career development, using a variety of resources
6.     Examine and differentiate personal and career goals
7.     Identify career paths and salaries
8.     Select and apply various management strategies in business situations
9.     Apply basic business principles to the creation and maintenance of a business
10.  Apply legal principles to the formation, operation, and termination of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations
11.  Explore the opportunity and the operation of a freelance business
12.  Develop a code of business and personal ethics

                        ·  ISBN-10: 0932102158
·  ISBN-13: 978-0932102157

·       Writing/Drawing Materials
·       Sketchbook (8.5 x 11) –at least-
·       3 Ring Binder
·       Loose-leaf
·       USB Flash Drive (at least 2GB)

SUPPLIED BY SCHOOL


(1)    One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for 10-12 weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or

(2)     At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Projects with specific guidelines including tools and techniques will be assigned. Projects will be graded on the following:  

Final Deliverables (incl. Portfolio): 100%

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Faculty members of the classes involved

Students proven to have been dishonest in submitting or presenting their work in a class will receive a grade F for the class and may be subject to further disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion from school.  Record of this incident will also be kept in a student’s file.  If such an incident occurs and you would like to file a written appeal, you may do so with the academic director of the department. Please refer to page 39 of the NEW Student Handbook for the complete Academic Dishonesty policy.


-       You are required to attend all class meetings, to arrive on time, and to stay for the duration of the class. Any deviation from class policies will be marked as a demerit.
-       Each class time will go towards a direct professionalism grade, determined through number of demerits (this will be 50% of your grade). Upon your 4th demerit, you will be penalized for the full amount of your professionalism grade, ultimately causing you to receiving a letter grade of F for the quarter. If you have documentation of a particular situation that prohibits your attendance in class (death in the family, illness, court, etc.) then that particular date can be evaluated. Otherwise, appeals will not be accepted.
-       If you are not present after the first minute of class, you will be marked with a demerit. 
-       In the event that a faculty member is absent, students should wait 15 minutes.  Students should then circulate an attendance sheet and designate one of their members to deliver the sheet to the Academic Affairs office for placement in the faculty member’s mailbox.



Make up Work:  Students who miss a class must meet with the instructor to find out how to make up missed work.

Class Participation and In Class Performance:  All students are expected to participate in class discussions, critiques and project assignments.  Failure to do so may result in a lower grade (both on a daily basis and for the final average).  There will be class critiques every other week and we will cover on average one chapter of the text each week.  Students will be expected to use key design terms during their discussion during critiques. Quizzes will be given…

Electronic Devices:  Phones and pagers must be turned off or to vibrate during class.  Any emergency calls that come in during class should be taken outside the classroom.  Headphones may not be used in class.

Sketchbook:  Students will be required to keep a sketchbook for this class. The sketchbooks will be reviewed once during mid-term and once during finals. The sketchbook will play integral part of your final grade. Please bring sketchbooks to class each session.

Homework:  Student should be prepared to work on assignments, readings, preparing for quizzes and sketching during non-class room time. Your hard work and dedication both in class and outside of class are most important in succeeding.  Students should expect to spend 4 - 8+ hours per week on homework assignments.

Professionalism:  All artwork submitted to class must be neat and clean and professionally presented. This means that all required work must be mounted.  All work must be delivered in accordance to classroom policies stated by the professor, and must be delivered on time, and in full.
Student Evaluation/Methods of Assessment:


This is a Senior level class, and your portfolio must reflect this. Your work must be adequate towards not only your chosen field, but also at the level where it can compete not only with your peers, but also with professionals within the field. Failure to do so will result in a letter grade of F, and a 0%.

Portfolio Requirements: Business Deliverables

We will be covering the following subjects throughout the class, and you will be expected to deliver assignments connected to these concepts throughout the quarter. The assignments will be designated at the discretion of the professor.

o   Logo
o   Business Card
o   Demo Reel Wraparound Cover and Disc Label
o   Letterhead
o   Resume
o   Invoice
o   Website Comp
o   Booth Design
o   Beginning Career Research

-       Field Trip: Senior Show
o   Assist graduates, get feel for show at DAR Building
-       Final Review Pre-Evaluation
·      On week eight, you will be asked to bring in samples of your work that you will be using towards your focus towards final review. You will have these pieces reviewed and evaluated by Faculty members as to how appropriate/ready they are towards final review, and how to best improve your work to aim it towards Final Review. Failure to comply/participate will cost you up to 40% of your grade.

-        NOTE:

-        For your Class Deliverables, I will need your choice of advisor, your chosen project, and your project schedule (including what I can expect by Mid-Term week and our Final) by our first meeting day of week 2. This should include your contract, signed by your advisor (I need a physical/printed copy), as well as your project proposal and schedule (these can be digital or printed, and can be placed on your MAA folder within my Faculty folder for this class.) You will be meeting with your advisor for the next ten weeks, getting one signature per day of meeting, and must have ten signatures by the end of the quarter (Signatures do not guarantee a passing grade in class or compliance of Advisor, only that you have met with said advisor for the required amount of times.) Failure to produce ten signatures along with your Business Deliverables and Senior Deliverables at the end of the quarter will result in an automatic failing grade in this class (F). You will be handing these projects/deliverables in disk format, along with your signature sheet) on week 11. You will also be required to attend the following:
-         
SENIOR SHOW
You are expected to go and participate in the Senior Show on the WEDNESDAY of Week 10 (MARCH 26th, 2014.) You must be present at the DAR at 8am to assist graduates with their booth set up as well as any uses career services or the MAA department might deem necessary for you; you are also expected to view and evaluate booth construction, and take note of any issues/concerns you might have with your own booth construction. Failure to arrive on time, or to comply with expected requirements, will result in a letter grade of F, and a 0% grade.


MAA480/VGP480/VFX/GA480 PORTFOLIO 1
MEETING RECORD


MAA470 Portfolio Foundations
FACULTY ADVISOR AGREEMENT



I, _________________________________ (faculty advisor), agree to work with and advise:



_____________________________________________ (student)

during the ________ quarter.



It is understood that this appointment translates to up to an hour of consultation a week.  It is the student’s responsibility to make and keep all appointments.  If you have any questions about what might be expected of you in this role, please contact me at eahernandez@aii.edu. 





FACULTY SIGNATURE:

STUDENT SIGNATURE:

INSTRUCTOR SIGNATURE:

DATE:




Storyboard Artist
Per Class:            1 set of storyboards that equal a minimum of one minute of animation
                        1 animatic of the storyboards that were drawn
                        Storyboards need to be fully rendered. Either full greys or colors
Student needs to pick one of these five genres for their storyboards:  action, cinematic for T.V. animation, comedy, commercial and slice of life. (The student will need to pick a different one for every class)
There must be at least one scene transition
                        Student must include slug information

Character Designer
Per Class:            Two characters are needed
                        One model sheet for each character with a color key
                        One five point turn around in color for each character
                        Six action poses for each character
                        Eight facial expressions for each character
One story point illustration with both characters interacting with each other in the environment
Student needs to pick one of these five genres for their character designs:  action/adventure, historical, comedy, horror or cartoon. (The student will need to pick a different one for every class)


Environment Modeler
Per Class:            One fully realized, recognizable, believable environment
                        Must be populated with pertinent elements
                        One fly through of the environment
Minimum of 15 different assets (drinking glass and broken drinking glass only count as one as well as having 15 windows that only counts as one)

Level Designer
Per Class:            One fully realized, recognizable, believable, playable environment
                        Must be populated with pertinent elements
                        One walk through showing playability of level

3d Modeler
Per Class:            Three recognizable models that must match reference per class
                        Models must be high poly (next gen console ready)
                        One bi-ped model
                        One Multi-ped model
                        One hard surface model
                        All models must be textured
                        Characters need to show a variety of body type, gender, age and genre

Character Animator
Per Class:            2d traditional
                        30 second pencil drawn animation
The 30 seconds can be on animation for 30 seconds or multiple animations that add up to 30 seconds. Each animation hast to be a minimum of 10 seconds long.
                        Must display correct use of the 12 principles of animation
                        Must have a cohesive storyline (beginning, middle and end)
                        Must contain audio
Student needs to pick one of these five for their animation:  action, pantomime , comedy, dialog and slice of life. (The student will need to pick a different one for every class)

                        2d computer aided animation (Flash/Toonboom/ Harmony)
                        40 second animation
The 30 seconds can be on animation for 40 seconds or multiple animations that add up to 30 seconds. Each animation hast to be a minimum of 10 seconds long.
                        Must display correct use of the 12 principles of animation
                        Must have a cohesive storyline (beginning, middle and end)
                        Must contain audio
Student needs to pick one of these five for their animation:  action, pantomime , comedy, dialog and slice of life. (The student will need to pick a different one for every class)

3d animation
                        60 second pencil drawn animation
The 30 seconds can be on animation for 60 seconds or multiple animations that add up to 30 seconds. Each animation hast to be a minimum of 10 seconds long.
                        Must display correct use of the 12 principles of animation
                        Must have a cohesive storyline (beginning, middle and end)
                        Must contain audio
Student needs to pick one of these five for their animation:  action, pantomime , comedy, dialog and slice of life. (The student will need to pick a different one for every class)





Storyboard Artist
            Three out of the five productions that were done in the Portfolio and Studio classes
            Three animatics from the same three productions that were chosen to present
            Storyboards must be at a professional entry level
Concept Designer
Three out of the five productions that were done in the Portfolio and Studio classes
            Concept designs and Illustrations must be at a professional entry level

Environment Modeler
Three out of the five environments that were done in the Portfolio and Studio classes
            Environments must be at a professional entry level

Level Designer
Three out of the five level designs that were done in the Portfolio and Studio classes
            Level Designs must be at a professional entry level

3d Modeler
            Ten models
                        Two must be humanoid (Male)
                        Two must be humanoid (Female)
                        Two must be a creature
                        Four are you choice
            3d models must be at a professional entry level

Character Animator
                        2d traditional
            Three out of the five animations that were done in the Portfolio and Studio classes
            Storyboards must be at a professional entry level


                        2d computer aided animation (Flash/Toonboom/ Harmony)
            Three out of the five animations that were done in the Portfolio and Studio classes
            Storyboards must be at a professional entry level


3d animation
            Three out of the five animations that were done in the Portfolio and Studio classes
            Storyboards must be at a professional entry level


(What needs to be accomplished on a week by week basis)

Week 1                         Premise and character designs
Week 2                        Storyboards
Week 3                        Layout (environments)
Week 4                        Animation
Week 5                        Animation
Week 6                        Animation
Week 7                        Animation
Week 8                        Animation
Week 9                        Animation
Week 10                        Post production
Week 11                        Post Production
  


2D-3D Clubs: The 2D and 3D clubs gets students involved in exciting projects that will build up both experience reserves as well as your resume, while also helping up and coming animators with demos and exercises meant to enrich their learning experience at AI. Both clubs meet on Fridays, from 12-4pm (in 1021; both clubs meet together).  Email me for more info.

24hour challenge:
The 24hr Challenge will be returning this quarter (date and time still to be determined.) Students who attend will have opportunities to win prizes, as well as enjoy multiple (bad) movies and share in random shenanigans (no drinking! Argh!) For further details, keep your eyes open for emails and announcements in the near future.

When is the First-Progress Portfolio Review?
 First-Progress Portfolio Review takes place during quarter four or quarter five. The first review is to be turned in to your instructor for MAA102: Drawing for Animation class during week 9 or 10. Your portfolio will be reviewed by your MAA102 professor. A letter including your portfolio results will be given to you within a couple of weeks after it’s submitted.
When is the Mid-Progress Portfolio Review?
 The Mid-Progress Portfolio Review takes place during quarter seven or quarter eight. The mid-review is to be turned in to your instructor for MAA235: Character Modeling/Rigging class during week 9 or 10. Your portfolio will be reviewed by a group of  professors.
When is the Final Portfolio Review?
 Final Portfolio Review takes place during the 10th week in class MAA480, Portfolio 1. You must pass the Final Portfolio Review to get into Portfolio 2, MAA490. Your portfolio will be reviewed by a group of professors. A letter including your portfolio results will be given to you within a couple of weeks after it’s submitted.
If you have questions about any of these events, or about any concerns within the MAA/GA department, please contact:
Bryan Tillman
703-247-6846
Room 820



I, ____________________________, affirm that I have received the syllabus for MAA470 for Winter Quarter 2014.  Furthermore, I have read the content of this document and understand that I will be held accountable for the assignments and other required work for this class.

I understand that the times, dates and details of some assignments are subject to change at the instructor’s discretion and that it remains my responsibility to deliver my work on time and under the requirements assigned.

With this sheet I commit to meeting with an advisor no less than ten times during the quarter for critique and assessments, to fulfill the requirements of my chosen portfolio plan, and to complete all projects concerning my professional identity/presentation, thus beginning the process of my eventual graduation.

I confirm that I have received the following documents:
·      MAA470 syllabus
·      Class attendance policy
·      Overview of assignments and class schedule
·      Grading criteria
·      Purchase requirements




                                   
Signature_____________________________            Date__________________________







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