Motion Design 3 | Spring 2020 & 2021
Motion Design 3 is a course designed for UC Denver’s Digital Design department within the College of Arts and Media. The course was built to enhance previous knowledge of common Motion Design tools and programs (such as After Effects) while learning to communicate and execute ideas in an environment similar to that of a professional studio.
Throughout the semester, students expanded prior experience of design and communication strategies to build greater knowledge of advanced motion principles and and business practices within the industry. Through in-class exercises and specific course assignments, students were successful in applying key motion design techniques to work and motion design workflows. The ultimate goal of Motion Design 3 is to mentor students to be skilled artisans with a business sense within the motion design industry - not simply button-pushers.
This course has been taught both in person and remotely via Zoom. It was also offered in the Spring for 2022 and 2023. However, the minimum number of enrolled students was not reached.
Advanced Digital Effects | Spring 2019
Advanced Digital Effects is a course designed for UC Denver’s Theater, Film & Television department within the College of Arts and Media. The course was built to enhance students’ previous knowledge of digital editing tools while introducing new software applications such as Cinema 4D. This course expands the art of digital effects and compositing - particularly within a view of marketable motion graphics. Course applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Premiere, and Cinema 4D were used to explore and expand the fundamentals of non-linear digital editing, motion graphics, graphic design and digital effects.
Amongst various exercises, quizzes, and assignments, the course consisted of four major projects and one final project. Each project was constructed to build on top of another, and revolved around how motion design and graphics can be incorporated into narrative and story. All projects were viewed and critiqued at every production stage..
Each project included a Preproduction and Production phase. Students were expected to develop mood boards to hone in on a style, create style frames, explain the desired animation process, and then finish animating. Throughout the process, students were expected to incorporate feedback from prior critiques into the next phase of their projects.