Bachelor of 3D Design and Animation

The subject introduces business practices such as costing, time management, value engineering and general models of monetising and valuing output typical of a variety of design industries. Case study analyses’ of a typical design industry business practices, domestic and international, acquaint students with the differences and similarities that exist. Students learn about contractual agreements, and where appropriate become familiar with international shipping and distribution terms as well as an introduction to design copyright laws. Initial overview of time allocation practices and the creation and understanding costing terms such as: Bill Of Material (BOM) /Scope of Work / Deliverables used in typical projects is followed by application. Students plan a project from start to finish through to the development of an appropriate project management plan for their industry such as time management charts with typical dependencies highlighted and costed.

Assessment Tasks: Report, Presentation, Project Plan, Proposal

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online, Intensive

Problem-based learning (PBL) builds students’ capacity to become increasingly proficient at addressing complex design problems with creative confidence. Students enhance their design thinking skills and mindsets to deal with the natural uncertainty of complex problems in this subject. They acquire the confidence to iteratively reframe these problems and take risks to create novel evidence-based solutions while preserving ambiguity throughout the process. Students acquire the necessary skills by engaging actively, independently and in collaborative multidisciplinary teams with complex social and meaningful problems. Learning happens by living the process, witnessing their peers’ progress and reflecting on their own experience while supported with academic learning resources.

Assessment Tasks: Report, Individual Reflection, Self and Peer Evaluation

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online, Intensive

This subject introduces students to design thinking through the 'Double Diamond’ methodology, a collaborative process that facilitates the investigation of project challenges, synthesises appropriate concepts and delivers proposals that fulfil the needs of people, the possibilities of technology and the requirements for business success. It is a methodology that utilises both divergent and convergent thinking approaches to problem-solving. It is a method that focuses upon meanings instead of features and the quest for disruptive change, instead of incremental improvement. Students are emphatically encouraged to adopt a visionary approach. Divided into four distinct phases –Discover, Define, Develop and Deliver –the Double Diamond is a simple visual roadmap which helps students understand and frame their design-thinking to define problems, develop potential solutions and deliver meaningful outcomes.

Assessment Tasks: Proposal, Presentation, Blog, Report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online, Intensive

This subject continues to develop a variety of different modelling and 3D design skills suitable for the creation of professional photorealistic and/or stylised modelling outcomes. This subject introduces various hard surface modelling and shading techniques, design approaches and technical solutions common to the creation of complex 3D forms in a range of environments. These skills are applicable for a variety of applications such as film prop/set design, game level/world design, architectural visualisation and 3D printing.

Pre-requisite: ANP100 Animation Principles

Assessment Tasks: 3D Model, Render, Progress Report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject covers the theory and methodology of 3D procedural geometry and animation workflows which enable students to develop 3D models, assets and content non-destructively. The subject explores how retaining the ability to edit 3D assets and animation throughout the 3D production is beneficial for both artist and client. Students are encouraged to solve complex problems in 3D with rapid prototyping to produce reusable assets. This subject is designed to modernise student 3D workflows and problemsolving skills with forward looking methodologies.

Pre-requisite: ANP100 Animation Principles

Assessment Tasks: Video, 3D File, Process Report, Render

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject provides students with foundational and core skills in rigging and animating characters and 3D elements in industry pipelines. The principles in animation, kinematics, rigging mechanics, animation direction and performance are explored to inform the processes involved. Students will investigate industry techniques and practices and apply these in common scenarios in the field of game development and 3D animation.

Pre-requisite: ACR103 3D Asset Creation

Assessment Tasks: Render 3D animation, portfolio

Delivery Mode: On Campus

This subject builds and expands on foundational 3D asset creation techniques. Students will explore more advanced methodologies used in professional practice and integrate them into their existing workflows. This includes the areas of modeling, sculpting, texturing, shading and other 3D processes. With these principles and techniques, students will be able to achieve even greater artistic results with better efficiency.

Pre-requisite: ACR103 3D Asset Creation

Assessment Tasks: 3D design project

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Social Enterprise is an exciting theoretically-based subject that is driven by the desire to create positive change through entrepreneurial activities. These activities harness design thinking and problem-solving processes in the realisation of pragmatic, viable project proposals from initiation to client presentation. By providing students with a framework to understand business model generation and the skills to source, evaluate, and measure opportunities through systematic research and competitor analysis, Social Enterprise empowers students to conceptualise, develop and propose new ventures and products that focus primarily upon social change for good. In addition, this subject will help students understand and address the practical challenges of working within this environment; to analyse different entrepreneurial business strategies, to explore diverse funding strategies, as well as incorporate theoretical discussions on major trends and issues in the social economy. Social Enterprise enables students to appreciate the power of creativity in problem-solving and the importance of the designer’s role in making a difference and precipitating change.

Assessment Tasks: Report, Presentation

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online, Intensive

This subject is designed to provide students with professional experience in an area related to their field of study or the career they are working towards. The aim of providing industry-specific opportunities is to enable students to develop skills that will enhance their prospects of gaining meaningful employment and building their career for the future.
Much of the benefit of work integrated learning comes from observation, practicing under supervision and reflection. Work Integrated Learning is an excellent way to broaden the students learning environment while they are studying. It allows them to see first-hand how what they are learning in their degree translates into practice, as well as how ‘real world’ practice relates to what they are learning at University.
This subject will develop work ready skills and boost students’ employability while they are studying.

There are two work integrated learning options available to students:
Option 1: Internship
Students are offered the opportunity to work within a professional design environment for an extended period of time. It encourages students to build long-term relationships with the design industry and exposes them to the rigour of applied design practice while building their confidence in adapting to new environments. It also provides a context in which to enhance their communication skills and work collaboratively in a professional arena. Students will undertake a series of research tasks, conducting interviews and gathering data in order to understand the key concepts in managing a professional design practice with emphasis placed on the operation of the professional design environment.

Option 2: Industry Live Brief 
This subject requires students to respond to criteria set within the context of an Industry Live Project. An understanding of research methodologies appropriate to professional practice and the documentation of personal creative investigation will be explored. Students will also further investigate and examine entrepreneurial and commercial opportunities through collaborative work practice. The subject is delivered from a cross discipline perspective and draws on both discipline specific and common design practices.
Students are required to work both independently or as part of a collaborative team in order to conduct research, analyse and define project parameters and deliver innovative solutions that expand the notion of an industry live brief.

Assessment Tasks: Internship, e-Journal

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject focuses on different lighting and look development approaches of 3D assets and animations. Students explore different stylistic development techniques when using rendering engines. An emphasis is placed on a variety of material, textural, lighting, colour and shadow technical approaches that can change the look and feel of existing 3D assets. Students engage with production workflows to produce different stylistic visual outcomes. A variety of lighting techniques and light methodologies are employed to enhance the visual outcomes of 3D assets.

Pre-requisite: AAC202 Advanced 3D Asset Creation

Assessment Tasks: Render images and video, progress report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject covers the principles, and methods required for real-time 3D animation production. Students explore asset development using professional pipeline workflows between their 3D program and gaming engine. A focus is placed on optimisation of their 3D assets in order to ensure the best performance inside of the real-time engine. Scripting will be introduced to enable dynamic event driven animation sequences. The subject also covers animation production and production design concepts and techniques to equip students with strategies to produce a collaborative production.

Pre-requisite: AAC202 Advanced Asset Creation

Assessment Tasks: Render Video, Progress Report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject enables students to investigate and implement emerging processes, practices, and techniques within design and technology. Students identify an area for professional development and personal exploration, then conceptualise and articulate a self-initiated major project brief. Students design, deliver, and document a major design project that acts as a vessel for personal creative output. Students identify an emotional and authentic core to their body of work, reinforcing their unique position as emerging design professionals.

Assessment Tasks: Design Project, Report, Design Artefact

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject focuses on exploring a broader understanding of design portfolios and the presentation of creative works to form a cohesive and authentic personal narrative. Contextualised through the lens of current industry requirements, students define their own design philosophy, then use this to critique their work and compose a cohesive professional identity and portfolio. Supported by self-directed research, students evaluate contemporary styles, methods, and formats of presentation to deliver a portfolio and suite of materials that can be used to initiate dialogue between themselves and the design industry.

Assessment Tasks: Report, Design Artefact, Presentation, Design Portfolio, Resume

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Game Production Foundation combines art assets and basic scripting, enabling students to recognise how user experience is affected through art, design, and code. Utilising game development techniques and tools, students will create their own games, which requires a multifaceted approach including the following: project management, art and design theory, user interaction, menu systems, audio integration, scripting, game design and release. These trans-disciplinary artefacts scaffold the student’s knowledge for when they will interact with other disciplines in a professional development environment.

Pre-requisite: GDP102 Game Design Principles

Assessment Tasks: Game Development Report, Software Project, Website / Press Kit

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

In this subject students will study the history and evolution of art and design acknowledging the major influences and commentators of the industry.

The introduction of essential fundamental design principles and elements build to a comprehensive understanding, enabling students to start seeing and thinking like a designer.

Students will be challenged to develop visual solutions to design problems and acquire the knowledge, skills and perspective necessary to identify and articulate techniques and concepts exhibited in design work.

This is followed by an in-depth look at the design process from receiving the brief up to the client presentation and reflection on success of project.

Assessment Tasks: Online Test, Presentation, Journal, Design Artefact, Report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject explores the history, techniques, styles, elements and principles of different mediums within illustration. Students will apply visual problem solving, exploration and conceptual skills to develop their own sense of style while creating illustrations that can be used in a commercial context for print, web and animated content.

Assessment Tasks: Online Test, Design Project, Report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject focuses on the foundational skills required for video production in a commercial context. The workflow of developing video media for screen is introduced, along with each stage of the video production process. Students are tasked with developing a variety of creative responses to commercial briefs within different genres. The subject explores the necessary skills in camera-based production, the fundamentals of lighting, sound design and video editing. Students are also introduced to fundamental title sequences in the post-production phase.

Assessment Tasks: Video, Production Material

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject develops idea generation and concept development practices applied to motion graphic sequences. As a means of enriching the design process, the history of motion graphic traditions such as broadcast and film title design are also investigated. Students develop motion graphic animations using a variety of techniques that may include kinetic typography, 2D and 2.5D animation, video compositing, visual effects, and rotoscoping. By exploring new techniques students expand their video, animation and mixed media production abilities.

Assessment Tasks: Video Pitch Presentation, Process Diary, Render

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Emerging Design Technologies: Commercial examines the technologies affecting the experiential nature of design for commercial and public environments in both the physical and digital arena. Students will explore how technology is influencing the commercial experience. The subject also identifies the global context of changing perceptions of ‘commerce’ and how the commercial environment is being redefined by environmental and technological trends.

Assessment Tasks: Video, presentation, design report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject continues to explore the theory and practice of live action video production. The subject introduces production planning concepts and techniques that enhance production experiences. The subject expands student’s awareness of video production techniques with more detail on the creative and technical aspects of working with cameras, lighting and sound. The investigation of film theory and history is continued with an emphasis on enrichment of idea generation and concept development processes. The subject explores the use of video editing, sound design and post-production techniques to communicate mood, narrative and information.

Pre-requisite: DIG104 Motion Design

Assessment Tasks: Report, presentation, interview transcript, documentary video

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

Students develop game project documentation to be used in the development of a game, enhancing their skills in the areas of industry procedures and game design principles. Students draw on learning from previous materials to debate and justify the contents of their design. Teams need to communicate the project, ideas and scope through presentation, documentation, and playable prototypes. During this preproduction period, the environment is studio based, helping students prepare for industry realities.

Pre-requisite: GPR202 3D Graphics Programming, RGP204 Rapid Game Prototype, GDP204 Game Development PlayStation (only a pre-requisite for Bachelor of Game Design & Development and Bachelor of Software Engineering (Game Programming)

Assessment Tasks: Software Prototype, Report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online

This subject explores new media platforms and influence that video production has had with the rise of social media platforms and their associated micro-trends. This subject requires students to identify, research, develop and distribute branded outcomes within those micro-trends on a dedicated social media platform. Students are exposed to the psychological hooks that engage audiences and video production trends that have developed alongside the new platforms. Students are required to explore the nuances of audience and platform distribution strategies and analyse case studies surrounding successful and contextual outcomes. The subject dispels the idea that traditional distribution outlets for video production are the dominant forms of consumption.

Pre-requisite: LAP200 Live Action Production

Assessment Tasks: Video Production, Presentation, Report

Delivery Mode: On Campus, Online