Academic Catalog - Mt. Sierra College

Mt. Sierra College Course Descriptions
118
` DES-371 | Motion Graphics II and Lab
Prerequisite(s): DES-370; DES-390
This course will focus on the communication of type,
image and motion. The fundamental skills of using
motion-based software will brought to production level,
preparing students for working in the motion graphics
industry. Utilizing the design process, students will
develop mastery over the industry-standard motion
software to create portfolio pieces that will illustrate their
artistic and storytelling abilities. Hands-on exercises
are engineered to teach and support the design and
technical aspects of visual communication using
motion, sound and light, and time.
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 hours
Lab: 2 hours
` DES-390 | 3-D Principles I and Lab
Prerequisite(s): DES-231
This course covers basic illustration in the threedimensional
environment, including perspective,
primitive placement, modeling, lighting, and rendered
3-D imaging.
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 hours
Lab: 2 hours
` DES-391 | 3-D Principles II and Lab
Prerequisite(s): DES-390
This course builds upon the techniques of 3-D
modeling, covering aspects of lighting, camera
and animation. This course will also cover object
metamorphosis, hierarchical motion description, motion
paths, and rendering and exporting animations to other
environments.
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 hours
Lab: 2 hours
` DES-400 | Publication Design and Lab
Prerequisite(s): DES-302; HUM-240
This course is concerned with the design considerations
and problem-solving aspects of editorial layout and
the interplay of typographic and pictorial components
pertaining to magazines, brochures, corporate
literature, books manuals, catalogs and the like.
Students will generate original concepts for publication
prototypes including working with actual copy and
given professional marketing/demographic strategies to
better assimilate real-world working conditions.
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 hours
Lab: 2 hours
` DES-401 | Information Design and Lab
Course Retired
This course provides an overview of the principles
and considerations involved in information design and
theory—making functional yet creative visual models
for abstract or quantitative data, exploring how design
plays an important role to help clarify, illuminate, or
instruct. Students will create various projects in the
areas of charts, diagrams, maps, floor plans, and
assembly procedures, etc.
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 hours
Lab: 2 hours
` DES-403 | Packaging Design and Lab
Prerequisite(s): DES-302
Students participate in a workshop course concentrating
on the development of effective, sales-driven design
solutions followed through to mocked-up prototypes
for various areas of packaging and product displays.
Product marketing, merchandising, and branding will
also be covered.
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 hours
Lab: 2 hours
` DES-404 | Pre-Press Design and Lab
Prerequisite(s): DES-102; DES-121; DES-231
This course will cover the principles of color and
prepress file preparation. This includes the preparation
of image files known as preflight output, as well as
importing and exporting of files from imaging and layout
software, and other applications to image setters. The
problems with output files, as used in service bureaus to
produce complex and sophisticated digital images for
print, are also addressed.
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 hours
Lab: 2 hours
` DES-410 | Senior Thesis I
Prerequisite(s): PDT-315 and DES-453 or DES-482.
Tenth term status is required.
In this course students continue portfolio work and
demo reels begun in Portfolio Workshops, for use in
the pursuit of their professional careers. Students will
create and refine projects for the express purpose of
generating a professional portfolio.
Credit Hours: 2
Lecture: 2 hours
` DES-411 | Senior Thesis and Lab
Course Retired
This course gives seniors the opportunity to apply
the skills and knowledge that they have learned in
the development of actual professional projects.
Evaluation of student or team performance is shared
between faculty members and experienced industry
representatives.
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 hours
Lab: 2 hours
` DES-412 | Senior Thesis II
Prerequisite(s): DES-410
This course continues the development of student
created portfolios and demo reels. Emphasis will be
placed on adding sufficient demonstration material to
be prepared to enter the marketplace.
Credit Hours: 2
Lecture: 2 hours
` DES-420 | Special Effects I and Lab
Prerequisite(s): DES-482 or GAM-356
This course will survey the tools and techniques to
successfully create a spectrum of effects-based
animation in computer-generated imagery (CGI),
using 3D software. Students will create environmental
performances such as water, fire, explosions, and
destruction. The course will expose the advancing 3d
animation student with all aspects of digital effects
animation, including particles, dynamics, and fluids.
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 hours
Lab: 2 hours
` DES-421 | Special Effects II and Lab
Prerequisite(s): DES-420
Through lectures, discussions, screenings, and
hands-on projects students will master an in-depth
understanding of visual effects processes and visual
language for moving media. Topics include matte
painting, animatronics, make-up effects, traditional
and digital animation, physical effects, compositing,
opticals, script breakdown, and effects photography.
The course addresses both the processes and the
art of visual effects. Defining and integrating the entire
range of skills necessary to produce visual effects for
any moving media including games, television, film and
the Internet.
Credit Hours: 4
Lecture: 3 hours
Lab: 2 hours
Mt. Sierra College Course Descriptions
119