Motion Graphics

The 40 Week Motion Graphics Program is a four quarter cohort program.

Required Courses

ANIM—320 Drawing for Animation (5)
Drawing for Animation covers the basic principles of drawing and animation along with pre-production practices that can be applied to traditional or computer animation. Using hand drawn techniques, students explore animation concepts and the physics of real-world objects. They develop the ability to create the illusion of movement through effective use of timing and spacing.

CSFA—301: Language of Film (5)
Language of Film provides an overview of film analysis through a study of basic elements of film structure including cinematography, editing, composition set design, color, and sound and the ways in which each contributes to a film’s meaning.

CSFA—305: History of Animation & Motion Graphics (5)
History of Animation & Motion Graphics provides a broad survey of the subject from its beginnings to the present. The class begins with early experimental films and Winsor McCay’s popular animated sequences and progresses to the work of Disney and Saul Bass and to the birth of CGI and Pixar. The class finishes with the current work of 3D studios and new media.
Prerequisite CSFA—301 Language of Film.

MOGR—301 Fundamentals of Digital Imaging (5)
Fundamentals of Digital Imaging provides an introduction to the basics of creating and manipulating bitmap and vector images, students are familiarized with the user interfaces and basic tool sets of Photoshop and Illustrator. Masking, selections, and color correction are also covered. Students learn to apply these skills to the development of on-screen projects.

MOGR—310 Motion Graphics I – Essentials (5)
Motion Graphics I provides an overview of After Effects, starting with an introduction to the user interface and the basic tool set. It continues on to cover the fundamentals of animating within the software. Students learn to add effects to graphic elements and video, creating titles and sophisticated motion. Rotoscoping, keying, and motion tracking are also covered as we move into more advanced techniques.

MOGR-330: Fundamentals of Color & Design (5)
Fundamentals of Color & Design explores the principles and elements of color and design. Students expand their knowledge of visual expression and conceptualization while beginning to develop an understanding of design concepts in relationship to motion graphics. An in-depth design process and methodology is emphasized in problem solving. Prerequisites: MOGR—301 Fundamentals of Imaging,; MOGR—310 Motion Graphics I – Essentials (or taken concurrently).

MOGR—410 Motion Graphics II - Kinetic Typography (5)
Motion Graphics II addresses the history and theory of typography as applied to motion design. Typographic expression, legibility, and hierarchy are examined. The clarification of message and interpretation of content, through visual language is explored. The class also includes the study of letterforms, composition, proportion and grids. Prerequisites: MOGR—310 Motion Graphics I – Essentials; MOGR—330 Fundamentals of Color & Design.

MOGR—411 Motion Graphics III - Titles and Music Videos (5)
In Motion Graphics III, students continue to explore typographic and design concepts within motion design. It focuses on using a combination of photography, graphic images, type, sound and video to create innovative title sequences and music videos. Students build sequential design and motion within a time-based media environment as they explore storytelling and continuity. Prerequisites: MOGR 410 Motion Graphics II - Kinetic Typography; MOGR—430 Screen Design; SDRA—331 Sound Design I (or taken concurrently).

MOGR-420: Visualization & Storyboarding (5)
Visualization & Storyboarding provides an introduction into concept development and the visual expression of those ideas though storyboarding. Following industry standards, students are taught to produce motion graphic storyboards using the tools and techniques of digital software. Prerequisites: SCWR—305 Writing the Short Script; ANIM—320 Drawing for Animation.

MOGR—430: Screen Design (5)
This course explores the use of design principles and elements within motion design. Students problem solve matters of content, motion, and aesthetics by successfully applying design fundamentals and concepts. Film basics such as continuity, rhythm, and timing are emphasized. Design process, screen composition, graphic transitions and content are covered. Prerequisites: MOGR—330 Fundamentals of Color & Design; MOGR—310 Motion Graphics I – Essentials.

MOGR—440: 3D Motion Design (5)
3D Motion Design introduces students to the creation of 3D software art assets. Included is simple modeling, texturing, lighting, animating and rendering techniques. Also covered are 3D space and the integration and compositing of 3D objects into live action footage within compositing software. Prerequisites: Motion Graphics III - Titles (or taken concurrently).

PROD—321: Production 1 (5)
Production 1 provides an introduction to the basic elements of camera operation and lighting with specific attention to the fundamentals of exposure and control of the image and provides an overview of the entire production process. Students complete two short individual projects and one small group project on Super 8 film. Concurrent Enrollment: PROD—341.

PROD—341: Fundamentals of Editing (5)
Fundamentals of Editing provides an introduction to the art, theory, and craft of editing with detailed attention to the entire conceptual process from storyboarding to the final version. Students also gain practical experience and hands-on instruction in editing programs and edit all projects produced in Production I. Concurrent Enrollment: PROD—321.

PROD—463: Senior Project (5)
Senior Project provides the context for students to engage in a capstone project. Students develop either individual or collaborative work that demonstrates their cumulative skill-set and interests. Students also focus on developing a quality reel consisting of their best work and additional new work. Prerequisites: Completion of at least 75 upper division credits for the BA in Film.

PROD—489: Professional Practices (5)
Professional Practices bridges the gap between the film student and the working professional. Emphasis is on standard business practices as well as consolidating a body of work in a manner that best expresses the student’s abilities. Special attention is given to client interaction, appropriate portfolio preparation, and the development of contacts within the industry. Freelance guidelines, professional business practices, contract negotiation, and budgeting are also covered. Prerequisites: Completion of at least 45 upper division credits for the BA in Film.

PROD—495: Special Topics (5)
Special Topics focuses on detailed investigations of new or emerging aspects of new media, film/digital production, television, and/or distribution and exhibition with active participation of visiting faculty and specialists.

SCWR—305: Writing the Short Script (5)
Writing the Short Script covers idea development, writing techniques, and formats that are appropriate for short projects and specifically addresses differences between shorts and features. During the class, students write and rewrite their own scripts throughout the course and develop a personal portfolio of material for use in program productions.

SDRA—311: Studio Recording 1 (5)
In Studio Recording 1 students learn basic Recording set-ups and concepts with a single microphone, microphone selection and placement, file formats and file management. Recording simple Foley sound effects and narration / voice-over using Pro Tools Recording Software.

Elective

PROD—481: The Professional Internship Program (1-6) is open, as an elective, to all students who have completed at least 80 upper division credits for the BA in Film. Students are encouraged to use the program as a way of focusing and developing their career in the areas of producing that they are specifically interested in pursuing. The Professional Internship Program is managed through Career Services at Seattle Film Institute. Students, with program permission, may register for PROD—481.