Degree Specialization

Animation

The Animation track prepares students for careers in 3D computer animation, video game development, and emerging industries employing 3D computer graphics. Topics include the full CG pipeline, film analysis and storytelling, digital painting, and demo reel development.

Semester Grouping

Animation 

An overiew of what you will be learning throught the semester of courses.

First Year

Second Year

Semester

1

Semester

2

Semester

3

Semester

4

ART 126

3D Computer
Graphics I

ART 157

Film Analysis & Storytelling

ART 246

3D Computer Graphics III

ART 284

Animation
Studio

ART 156

Digital
Painting

ART 212

Digital
Animation

ART 256

Digital
Compositing

ART 284

Animation
Studio

ART 202

Digital
Imaging

ART 226

3D Computer Graphics II

ART 257

Motion Graphic
Design

ART 294

NMA
Practicum

ART 214

Intro to
Life Drawing

ART 247

Lighting &
Rendering

ART 294

NMA
Practicum

ART 296

Demo Reel
Development

Job titles

Related Careers

  • 3D Modeler
  • Animator
  • Character Rigger
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Concept Artist
  • Texture Artist
  • Compositing Artist
  • Digital Painter
  • VFX Artist

Learn

Technologies

  • Maya
  • Mudbox
  • Mental Ray
  • Nuke
  • Houdini
  • Creative Cloud
  • Photoshop
  • Illustrator
  • Premiere
  • After Effects

Learning Tools

Concepts

Principles of Animation

understanding the visual components of size, lines, texture, colors, patterns, shapes, contrast, balance, unity, variety, and many more.

Courses: ART xxx

Animators brainstorming on ideas for practicum.

Storyboard

series of sketches that  visually tell the story

Courses: ART xxx

Practicum storyboarding for the Demo Reel and Portfolio Show

Modeling

setting up your object

Courses: ART xxx

Student project creating a character for story.

Surfacing

Texture of your object.

Courses: ART xxx

The mesh of creating texture for character.

Rigging

how your character/object moves

Courses: ART xxx

Testing the moves of how the character moves.

Lighting

3-point lighting, setting up the mood of the scene.

Courses: ART xxx

Lighting of the room

Rendering

what your video will look like

Courses: ART xxx

The final look of the owl in Chasing Paradise.

Compositing

the setup of your scene of what it may look like.

Courses: ART xxx

creating the scene in “Chasing Paradise”.

Editing

Triming your files

Courses: ART xxx

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Sound

audio to the tracks

Courses: ART xxx

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Princples of Motion Design

understanding the basic principles of animation.

Courses: ART xxx

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From the KapCC Catalog

Animation Courses

ART 126 3D Computer Graphics I
Introductory studio experience in 3D computer graphic concepts with Alias Wavefront MAYA. Emphasis will also be placed on developing an aesthetic criteria for evaluation.

ART 156 Digital Painting
ART 156 explores the fundamental principles and techniques of digital painting. Students learn digital painting techniques as used for personal expression, production design, concept ART, matte painting, and texture mapping.

ART 157 Film Analysis & Storytelling
ART 157 explores the fundamental principles and techniques of storytelling through storyboards, 2D animatics, 3D animatics, and character model sheets. Topics include: character design, storyboarding, camera angles and cuts, editing a story reel with audio, and pitching storyboards.

ART 202 Digital Imaging
ART 202 is a studio course in digital imaging concepts and techniques including image capture, manipulation, and output. Emphasis will also be placed on developing an aesthetic criteria for evaluation.

ART 212 Digital Animation
ART 212 explores the fundamental principles and techniques of 3D computer animation. Students learn to create convincing motion by creating several short animations which explore animation principles and character development. Autodesk Maya software is used for instruction and assignments.

ART 214 Introduction to Life Drawing
ART 214 is an investigation of the figure concerning anatomical construction, light, space, diagrammatic analysis, and thematic content through the process of drawing.

ART 226 3D Computer Graphics II
Intermediate studio experience in 3D computer graphics concepts with Alias Wavefront MAYA. Emphasis will also be placed on developing an aesthetic criteria for evaluation.

ART 246 3D Computer Graphics III
ART 246 explores advanced conceptual and technical topics in 3D computer graphics. Students will utilize Autodesk Maya and related applications to design, model, surface, rig, animate, and render complex computer generated characters.

ART 247 Lighting and Rendering
ART 247 Lighting and Rendering explores concepts, tools, and techniques to create cinematic lighting, texturing, and rendering in computer generated imagery.

ART 256 Digital Compositing
ART 256 Digital Compositing covers the theory and art of digitally combining 2D and 3D source images to produce an integrated result. Emphasis will also be placed on developing aesthetic criteria for evaluation purposes.

ART 257 Motion Graphic Design
ART 257 introduces the basic principles of animation using the elements of graphic design. Geared mainly toward applications for the web, students in this course work on projects that combine elements of shape, image, typography, and sound in time-
based media.

ART 284 Animation Studio
ART 284 explores contemporary topics in animation and new media art in an advanced studio environment. Through the creation of large-scale projects, students will explore targeted areas of the CG pipeline, developing work that synthesizes animation principles, topics, skills, and techniques.

ART 293 New Media Arts Internship
ART 293 provides supervised work experience in multimedia production with mentorship by a professional in the field. This variable credit course enables students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to the work environment.

ART 294 New Media Arts Practicum
ART 294 New Media arts Practicum provides an on-campus environment where advanced students in the NMA program can engage in real production.

ART 296 Demo Reel Development
ART 296 focuses on the principles of designing a coherent demo reel and the tools for students to put the work on various formats including: VHS tape, DVD, and the Web. Attention will be paid to achieving a particular level of quality, aesthetics as well as marketing strategies and presentation. Students are required to have either in process or completed art work in digital format.

Have Questions?

For general information and inquiries about New Media Arts program at Kapi‘olani Community College, the Associates degree, and the admissions process to become a student, please feel free to get in touch:

Contact NMA Counselor Steve Harris

Ready to Apply?

We are looking for applicants that demonstrate creative potential, exceptional craftsmanship skills, core technical abilities, and an understanding of the fundamental principles of design and animation.

Learn How to Apply Now