DART 303: 3D Studio UP SP22

Section: UP Section 1

Course Credits: 4

Semester: Spring 2022

Times: 11:15pm - 2:15pm Tuesday and Thursday

Instructor: Michael Collins

Office Hours: By appointment via https://calendly.com/msc227

E­mail: [email protected]

Canvas: https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2163829

Course Website: https://michaelcollins.xyz/3d-digital-studio-master

Class Location: 401 Patterson Bldg and Zoom (link in Canvas)

Begin/End Dates: 01/10/22 - 4/29/22

Description

Undergraduate Bulletin

Equipment and materials

  1. Given many students are learning remotely, a reliable and relatively well-spec’d computer is ideal for this course.
  2. Optional but recommended: Standalone digital tablet similar to the Wacom Intuos Pro for drawing and painting.
  3. Sketchbook

Accounts and access

Your PSU account allows you to access: box.psu.edu, lynda.psu.edu, canvas.psu.edu, and Zoom. You will also need to visit Google owned websites such as youtube and Google Drive. If you are in a country that doesn’t have have access to the free and open Internet, you can try using the Penn State VPN client.

Software

Blender.org

Textbook

There is no required textbook for this course. Freely available online websites and videos will be used for technical reference and training. All supplemental texts will be provided.

Digital files

Your “work” in this course is largely expressed as digital data. You should take every effort to prevent data loss. Keep a copy of your work on a cloud service like such as box.psu.edu. Ensure that you have multiple copies of your data at all times AND are saving iteratively (multiple scene files) as you progress. Data corruption happens often. Again, loss of data is not a valid excuse for submitting a project late.

Course Objectives

Upon completing the course each student will have:

  • Learned the basics of 3D Animation, Modeling, and production and post-production.
  • Completed technical/conceptual projects (assignments) as set out by the instructor, accompanied by an artist statement.
  • Assessed projects in relation to the stated objectives of the assignment.
  • Developed a language suitable for descriptive and critical understandings of their assignments and broader themes related to new media art.
  • Participated actively in all group-discussions.

Avoiding Plagiarism

This course will require that you spend a lot of time searching for external learning resources including Youtube.com and Vimeo.com tutorials. Submitting work that you produce directly resulting from online tutorials for course projects is considered plagiarism. In addition, downloading and submitting free or paid 3D models and animations in place of satisfying exercise requirements is also considered plagiarism. For example, if an exercise asks you to create a 3D model of a character, but you instead download and submit it as your own work, you will fail the assignment, it will be noted in Penn State’s Starfish system, and additional disciplinary action may be taken.

Course Requirements

Attendance is mandatory; as this time will be used for critiques, reading discussions, presentations, video screenings, collaborative or group work, and the dissemination of general information. These sessions will at all times emphasize critical analysis and in­class discussion. In terms of studio production, whole class meetings may review work­in­progress; assess ongoing technical concerns; assist with immediate needs of a project concept and execution all the while continuing to develop a language appropriate for evaluation and critique. While there will be in­-class time to experiment and complete work, you will be required to spend many hours working outside of class­ time.

Course Prerequisites

DART 202, and enrollment in the Art BA, Art BFA, Art Education BS, Digital Arts and Media Design BDes or Photo BDes degree program.

Attendance Policy

Attendance is mandatory and professionalism both in and outside of class is a MUST. You are expected to participate in class discussions and critiques. Respect for others and class materials (cameras, decks etc) is expected. Students will be allowed three (3) absences without penalty. Any absences in excess of three (3) will result in a half letter grade reduction of the final grade for the course per absence. All absences will be counted. A student who will acquire absences due to a University sponsored activities must meet with me prior to the absences to make any special arrangements for missed work. A student who does not meet with me before the absences are incurred will be counted as absent. Any special medical or personal problems that occur, where absenteeism will exceed the allowed three may require course withdrawal or incomplete status on the final grade. Seven (7) absences mandates an automatic grade of F.

Grading

Unforeseen circumstances or changes in technology can influence how many exercises are assigned. Sometimes, changes mid-semester are made, but never at the detriment for a student’s ability to complete the assigned work.

Exercises

Approximately 6-7 exercises (~45% Total)

Projects

Approximately 2 projects (~45% Total)

Class Participation

Participation (~10% Total)

Grading Scale

Letter Grade Minimum Percent
A 94
A- 90
B+ 85
B 83
B- 80
C+ 73
C 70
D 60
F 0

A (Outstanding) Outstanding work that exceeds the basic project requirements and demonstrates profound insight, originality and understanding.

A-­ (Excellent) Excellent work that exceeds the basic project requirements and demonstrates insight and originality.

B+ (Superior) Superior work that demonstrates advanced understanding of the course material and exceeds the basic project requirements.

B (Very Good) Very good work that demonstrates a thorough understanding of the course material and far exceeds the basic project requirements.

B-­ (Good) Good work that demonstrates a thorough understanding of the course material and exceeds the basic project requirements.

C+ (Satisfactory) Satisfactory work that meets basic project requirements and demonstrates good understanding of the material.

C (Satisfactory) Satisfactory work that meets basic project requirements and somewhat demonstrates good understanding of the material.

D (Poor) Satisfactory work that meets basic project requirements and demonstrates some understanding of the material (not a thorough understanding).

F (Failure) Unsatisfactory work which shows insufficient effort or comprehension.

Calendar

Exam Policy

An integral aspect this class is viewing, discussing, and responding to your own work and the work of your peers. The group critique is at all times a comfortable and constructive environment designed for in-­depth analysis and evaluation. Through this process, each student will learn how to respond and challenge the formal (aesthetic), conceptual (idea) and interpretative (understanding) characteristics of any given artwork. Most importantly, the critique environment will push you to question and resolve your own artistic production. As with producing work, there are unlimited ways in which art can be approached and considered. If your assignment is not complete for the critique, your grade on that assignment will be lowered by one full letter for each class day it is late. You are required to attend critiques even if your work is not complete.

Student Resources

Many students at Penn State face personal challenges or have psychological needs that may interfere with their academic progress, social development, or emotional wellbeing. The university offers a variety of confidential services to help you through difficult times, including individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, consultations, online chats, and mental health screenings. These services are provided by staff who welcome all students and embrace a philosophy respectful of clients’ cultural and religious backgrounds, and sensitive to differences in race, ability, gender identity and sexual orientation.

Counseling and Psychological Services at University Park (CAPS) (http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/counseling/): 814-863-0395

Counseling and Psychological Services at Commonwealth Campuses (https://senate.psu.edu/faculty/counseling-services-at-commonwealth-campuses/)

Penn State Crisis Line (24 hours/7 days/week): 877-229-6400 Crisis Text Line (24 hours/7 days/week): Text LIONS to 741741

Educational Equity/Report Bias

Penn State University has adopted a “Protocol for Responding to Bias Motivated Incidents (http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/reports/protocol-for-responding-to-bias-motivated-incidents)” that is grounded in the policy that the “University is committed to creating an educational environment which is free from intolerance directed toward individuals or groups and strives to create and maintain an environment that fosters respect for others.” That policy is embedded within an institution traditionally committed to academic freedom (https://guru.psu.edu/policies/OHR/hr64.html) Bias motivated incidents include conduct that is defined in University Policy AD 91: Discrimination and Harassment, and Related Inappropriate Conduct (https://guru.psu.edu/policies/ad91.html). Students, faculty, or staff who experience or witness a possible bias motivated incident are urged to report the incident immediately by doing one of the following:

  • Submit a report via the Report Bias webpage (http://equity.psu.edu/reportbias/)
  • Contact one of the following offices:

University Police Services, University Park: 814-863-1111 Multicultural Resource Center, Diversity Advocate for Students: 814-865-1773 Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity: 814-865-5906 Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs: 814-865-0909 Affirmative Action Office: 814-863-0471

  • Dialing 911 in cases where physical injury has occurred or is imminent

Diversity

Students from diverse backgrounds and perspectives are welcomed. The diversity that students bring to class is viewed as an asset and resource. This course aims to cultivate and maintain an equitable and culturally inclusive environment where students feel a sense of belonging. All students will be well-served, and students’ learning needs will be addressed both within and outside the classroom. Lectures, presentations, materials, and art-making and design activities will be mindful and respectful of diversity in all forms, including but not limited to ethnicity, race, culture, nationality, age, language, sex, (dis)ability, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance, religion, socioeconomic status, or veteran status. Student suggestions on how this course might better serve them personally or better serve underrepresented minoritized students are encouraged and appreciated.

DART Studio Access and Lab Policy

Student access to the VAB 207 Digital Arts Studio will be available to digital arts studio classes and majors. Remote access to studio lab machines will also be available for students enrolled in DART studio courses.

To Access a Virtual DART Lab Station:

Note: Priority for the stations in VAB207C (Dart Studio Lab) will be given to classes and students participating in regularly scheduled class meetings between Monday – Friday 11:15am-5:30pm. [if VAB207C lab is not in use by a class, then you are free to login and use any stations as normal. A lab schedule including dart lab assistant’s scheduled hours (student monitors) will be posted at the beginning of each semester]

Covid related safety and compliance: When using VAB 207 Digital Arts Studio, students, faculty, and staff are expected to follow and comply with all SoVA, College of Arts and Architecture, Penn State University requirements including:

  • Wearing face masks or other approved personal protective equipment in classrooms, labs, offices, and all buildings. Students and employees also should practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and wear face masks while on campus, as well as within their local communities in line with local and state requirements.
  • Maintain social distance of at least six feet from other individuals, whenever possible.
  • Practice good personal hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, staying home if sick, and washing hands thoroughly with soap and water or using hand sanitizer before and after class.
  • Follow related guidance communicated by the University and via public postings/signage related to directional traffic flow, maximum occupancy of spaces, assigned seating, and closed-off desks/chairs/room sections.
  • With the exception of bottled water, all food and drink consumption is prohibited in classrooms. Those drinking water should be especially conscious of maintaining social distancing and minimizing the time their mask is moved aside; straws are recommended for this purpose.

Additional Information for Computer Labs and Resources

TLT Computing Labs, including Patterson 401 and 304 Mac Labs, are also available for students and can be used for working on course projects. TLT Teaching Labs are available on a first come, first served basis outside of regularly scheduled class times.

Safety Information

Students in the School of Visual Arts may find themselves working in the shop or in their studios or classrooms using a variety of power and hand held equipment, which may cause injury. Students should use the shop only after having received an orientation in the use of such equipment and when supervised by faculty or shop personnel. Should any injuries occur, in the shop, studios, or classrooms in the School of Visual Arts please report them to Matt Olson, Shop Supervisor, Room 108-A Visual Arts Building, Phone: 814-865-3962, email: [email protected]

A Note on Plagiarism

Plagiarism will not be tolerated. A student who commits plagiarism will be reported to the School of Visual Arts. The student’s behavior will be taken very seriously and dealt with according to the University policy on academic integrity. To avoid plagiarism, please cite your sources when appropriate. This is valid for text, images, audio / video and computer code.

Academic Integrity Statement

University Policies and Rules Guidelines states that academic integrity is the pursuit of scholarly activity in an open, honest and responsible manner. Academic integrity is a basic guiding principle for all academic activity at The Pennsylvania State University, and all members of the University community are expected to act in accordance with this principle. Consistent with this expectation, the University’s Code of Conduct states that all students should act with personal integrity, respect other students’ dignity, rights and property, and help create and maintain an environment in which all can succeed through the fruits of their efforts. Academic integrity includes a commitment not to engage in or tolerate acts of falsification, misrepresentation or deception. Such acts of dishonesty violate the fundamental ethical principles of the University community and compromise the worth of work completed by others.
Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to acts such as cheating on exams or assignments; plagiarizing the words or ideas of another; fabricating information or citations; facilitating acts of academic dishonesty by others; claiming authorship of work done by another person; submitting work completed in previous classes; and/or submitting the same work to multiple classes in which a student is enrolled simultaneously.

Accessibility Statement

Penn State welcomes students with disabilities into the University’s educational programs. Every Penn State campus has an office for students with disabilities. The Office for Disability Services (ODS) Web site provides contact information for every Penn State campus: http://equity.psu.edu/ods/dcl (Links to an external site.). For further information, please visit the Office for Disability Services Web site: http://equity.psu.edu/ods (Links to an external site.).
In order to receive consideration for reasonable accommodations, you must contact the appropriate disability services office at the campus where you are officially enrolled, participate in an intake interview, and provide documentation: http://equity.psu.edu/ods/guidelines (Links to an external site.). If the documentation supports your request for reasonable accommodations, your campus’s disability services office will provide you with an accommodation letter. Please share this letter with your instructors and discuss the accommodations with them as early in your courses as possible. You must follow this process for every semester that you request accommodations.