Spring 2022 Courses
Spring 2022 DMD Student Advising Guidelines
DMD students - Below is the list of variable topics and new courses to be offered in Spring 2022. Some courses are being offered as Distance Learning or Online, and are open to students across both campuses. Just be aware of the policies regarding home campus and student fees (the majority of your credits must be taken on your home campus).
NEW TO FALL 2021 REGISTRATION: Now that prerequisites have been properly set, most of our courses do NOT require permission numbers. Please look at the list below, which indicates those classes that do so.
The descriptions of all standard DMD courses can be found in the UConn Course Catalog.
COURSES THAT REQUIRE PERMISSION NUMBER REQUEST:
To request permission numbers, please use these forms. It is best to complete this WITH YOUR ADVISOR during your advising session:
- ALL students use THIS form to request permission numbers.
DMD 2020 - Design Thinking
DMD 2300 - 3D Animation I
DMD 4040 - Agency (for Seniors only)
DMD 3998 - Variable Topics - All Sections (see descriptions below).
Variable Topics / New courses (REQUIRE PERMISSION NUMBER REQUEST):
For all concentrations:
DMD 3998.016 / 5998.016 Diverse Perspectives in Digital Media and Design
Mon 4-6:30pm, STORRS - In Person, taught by Clarissa Ceglio
*** PERMISSION NUMBER REQUIRED; Counts for Art History/Theory requirement.
Prerequisites: Juniors and Seniors who have completed their foundation and 2000-level intro courses are encouraged to enroll.
To paraphrase James Baldwin, nothing can be changed until it is faced. This is certainly true of the inequities that have historically shaped digital media technologies, content, fields, and careers. This class interrogates how racism, sexism, classism, ageism, and other forms of oppression are perpetuated through digital media works, practices, and industries. We will, as the chief learning activity of this class, meet and talk with contemporary practitioners who are challenging and changing the status quo. For six of our class sessions, we will meet virtually and sometimes in-person with industry professionals, artists, and media scholars from film, game, design, cultural and other sectors so that we can learn how issues of equity manifest in their work, creative processes, and professions. Because these practitioners are also part of DMD’s Diverse Perspectives in Digital Media & Design: 2022 Speaker Series, students will also have the opportunity to participate as hosts in the series, learn how to professionalize their on-camera presence, and gain skill in preparing and moderating live Q&A sessions. Interactions with our guests will be supplemented by readings, in-class film screenings, and engagements with other media works. Over the course of the semester, we will reflect on how our own areas of practice can support greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in digital media and design.
[To see what we do, you can access the Spring 2021 installment of the Diverse Perspectives in Digital Media & Design series here: https://dmd.uconn.edu/major/diverse-perspectives/ ]
DMD 3998.Z81 / 5998.012 Media & Content Creation For Education 2
T/TH 9:30am - 12:00pm, DISTANCE LEARNING, taught by Professor Olschan (BOTH CAMPUSES)
*** PERMISSION NUMBER REQUIRED
Prerequisites: This course is open to School of Fine Arts Students across all campuses and others by instructor consent. Juniors & Seniors who have completed their foundation and 2000 level intro courses are encouraged to enroll. Useful skill sets include: Design, Art, Web/Interactive, Film/Video, Performance or Presentation Skills, Writing, Music, Teaching/Education studies, Interest in Advocacy and/or Human/Civil Rights. Students who have taken the course in Fall 2021, are welcome to enroll for a second semester.
In this project-based course, students will research, develop, and produce content for an online workshops for K-12 schools using art & digital media as a therapeutic mechanism for expression, conversation, and change. The workshops will teach children to embrace the beauty in their differences through observation, imagination, color mixing, and composition while learning about artists and designers from diverse and/or underrepresented communities. The outcome of the course will be developed and released for Connecticut public schools and beyond.
In the course we will be producing:
- Design Research
- Inclusive Arts Curriculum
- Logos & Illustrations
- Motion Graphics & Animations
- Videos & Micro-Documentaries
- Audio Edits & Music
- Interactive Content
- Other Content for Social Media (YouTube, Instagram, etc..)
Art/Design History/Theory course options:
DMD 3998.007 / 5998.007 Historical Fiction in Games & Film
M/W 3:35 - 6:05pm, Distance Learning, taught by Professor James Coltrain (BOTH CAMPUSES)
*** PERMISSION NUMBER REQUIRED; Counts for Art History/Theory requirement.
Prerequisites: None
This course examines the meanings and messages of games and films depicting key historical events, figures, and eras. Students will concentrate on the question of the slippery issue of accuracy, reading primary historical documents from the periods in question to evaluate game and film depictions by accuracy in detail, spirit, and subject matter. The course will also consider how these media reflect popular myths and public memory, examining not only scholarly and critical reactions, but also how games and film influence one another, and how the techniques of passive and active entertainments can affect how audiences understand the past.
DMD 3570 History and Theory of Digital Art
Tu 3:30 - 6:00pm, STORRS In Person, taught by Kelly Dennis
Prerequisites: ENGL 1007 or 1010 or 1011 or 2011. Open to Sophomores or Higher
At what point does information begin to mean? In 2011, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) began “collecting” video games and emojis. More recently, it acquired the “@” sign. What is digital art? Who decides? This class investigates forms of digital and Internet art and the forgotten histories of the women and POC behind their technology histories. Forms of digital and Internet art to be explored include games/gaming, surveillance art, cyberfeminism, data visualization, and crowd sourced internet art, among others. How does art that utilizes or produces forms that are alterable, copied, or obsoletized by hard- and soft-ware upgrades affect long standing ideals about authenticity, uniqueness, and materiality in art? How do we understand the public sphere for digital and Internet art’s reception? CA 1. CA 4.
Animation courses:
DMD 3998.008 / 5998.008 Motion Design for UConn Athletics
M/W 9:05-11:35am, DISTANCE LEARNING, taught by Steve Harper (BOTH CAMPUSES)
Prerequisites: Preference given to advanced (Junior, Senior, Grad) students; others with instructor consent
*** PERMISSION NUMBER REQUIRED
Students enrolled in this experiential learning course will create motion design content to be used for live events, social media, and/or promotional projects in collaboration with UConn Athletics. Students will use design, video, and animation software from the Adobe suite and Cinema 4D.
This course is most suitable for students with MDA experience, but also could be good for:
- Transfer, Grad, or Art students with previous Graphic Design coursework or experience
- Students with previous Agency, Brand Studio, Sports Entertainment Studio, or other related coursework
- Students with a passion for UConn Athletics and design
DMD 3998 / 5998 Multi-channel Video Installation
T/Th 5-7:30pm, STORRS - In Person, taught by Ryan Glista
Prerequisites: DMD 2200, 2210, OR 3300; Preference given to advanced (Junior, Senior, Grad) students
*** PERMISSION NUMBER REQUIRED
Looking for TALENTED, MOTIVATED students!!! UConn DMD is continuing its partnership with the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford. In this course, students will bring their expertise in film (live-action) and animation (3D or Motion Design) to create custom multi-channel work for the screens installed both in the new School of Fine Arts Production Facility and the Bushnell. Content for the screens will focus on “celebrating the arts” – both at UConn and in Hartford. Students may collaborate with students and professionals in theater, music, and other fine arts to create the works. This course offers an exciting opportunity to participate in a major public project and build your portfolio as well as learn more about multi-channel video installation for performance and museum venues.
Film courses:
DMD 3998.001 / 5998.001 Color Grading for Film
T/Th 9:30am-12:00pm, STORRS - In Person, taught by Professor Heather Cassano
*** PERMISSION NUMBER REQUIRED
Prerequisites: DMD 2210 and 2810. Open to Digital Media and Design majors, others with instructor consent.
An advanced post-production course on the technical craft and aesthetics of color grading for digital film and video. Through analysis of films, technical instruction, and hands-on color grading exercises, students will learn how to utilize color in their film and video projects. This course will teach color correction in DaVinci Resolve, how to develop cinematic looks, and introductory color theory. This is a project-based course that requires students to complete a series of technical exercises culminating in the color grading of a 5-10 minute short film or video project.
Please note: Each student should have access to an edited 5-10 minute film or video project to color grade from scratch as the final project in this course.
DMD 3998.003 / 5998.003 // HRTS 3540/5351 Human Rights Archives II: Visual Storytelling Practices
Fri 12:20 - 3:20pm, STORRS - In Person, taught by Professor Catherine Masud
*** PERMISSION NUMBER REQUIRED
Prerequisites: DMD 2200 or 2210. Open to Digital Media and Design majors and Human Rights majors/minors, with instructor consent.
Students will study different approaches and techniques of documentary storytelling using oral history interviews and primary archival materials, focusing on a community that bears the multi-generational scars of genocide and displacement. Students will work collaboratively on a documentary project and also develop their own individual creative projects on a human rights-related theme, using primary archival sources (personal and/or institutional) to enable them to reflect on the importance of history, witnessing, and memory in human rights film practice. mQUESTIONS? CONTACT: catherine.masud@uconn.edu
DMD 3998 / 5998 Multi-channel Video Installation
T/Th 5-7:30pm, STORRS - In Person, taught by Ryan Glista
Prerequisites: DMD 2200, 2210, OR 3300; Preference given to advanced (Junior, Senior, Grad) students
See description above in Animation courses.
Game Design courses:
DMD 3998.004 / 5998.004 VR/AR Game & App Development
Fri 11:15am-1:45pm, STORRS - In Person, taught by Professor Ken Thompson
*** PERMISSION NUMBER REQUIRED
Prerequisites: Preference given to advanced DMD (junior/senior/grad) and others by instructor consent
Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality (XR) is a broad subject that covers a variety of technologies, methods, and genres. In this course students will learn to distinguish between XR experiences, evaluate project needs to determine the appropriate technology, and develop an XR project that demonstrates the foundations of XR interaction methods in a functional prototype. This course assumes no previous knowledge of game development or programming, however students will utilize XR creation toolkits such as Adobe Aero, GoogleVR, Unity, Unreal, or another tool that is suitable to their desired project outcome. This course provides access to a VR lab and a limited number of HTC Vive headset, but students wishing to pursue other headsets are welcome.
DMD 3998.006 / 5998.006 2D Art for Games
M/W 9:05 - 11:35am, STORRS - In Person, taught by Professor James Coltrain
*** PERMISSION NUMBER REQUIRED
Prerequisites: Open to Digital Media and Design majors only, others by instructor consent. Preference given to Game Design majors.
This course will cover a variety of techniques to create 2D art assets for video games. Students will first learn workflows for rapid iterations of concept art for environments and characters, including research for aesthetic and cultural references. The course will then cover practical techniques for 2D asset creation in the Unity pipeline, including preparing sprites sheets and rigging 2D characters for animation, texturing techniques from hand painting to substance-based PBR materials, and finally work in graphic design and photo collage to create 2D assets for 3D games, such as documents and signage. Throughout the course students will also examine basic principles of 2D art including light, color, and perspective.
List of courses offered distance learning / cross campus (available both campuses):
For all concentrations:
DMD 3998.Z81/ 5998.012 Media & Content Creation For Education 2
T/TH 9:30am - 12:00pm, DISTANCE LEARNING (both campuses), taught by Professor Olschan
*** PERMISSION NUMBER REQUIRED
See Description Above.
Web / Interactive Media Design courses:
DMD 1060.Z81 Fundamentals of Programming
T/Th 2:00 - 3:15 pm, DISTANCE LEARNING, taught by Sue Huang (BOTH CAMPUSES)
Prerequisites: DMD 1001; open only to Digital Media and Design majors, others by instructor consent.
Introduction to programming for artists and designers through a combination of lecture and hands-on studio exercises. Students learn the basic principles of computer programming which set the foundation for future courses in game, web, and interactive media design.
DMD 3035.001 Interaction Design
T/Th 9:30am-12:00pm, DISTANCE LEARNING, taught by Ting Zhou (BOTH CAMPUSES)
Prerequisites: DMD 1002 and 1102; open to Digital Media and Design majors only, others by instructor consent.
Provides a critical overview of interaction design (including usability, evaluation, and cultural aspects) and a practical program of website and computer software interface creation.
DMD 3470.001/5470.001 Advanced Web Design & Development (Web Design 2)
T/Th 2:00 - 3:15pm, DISTANCE LEARNING, taught by Brian Daley (BOTH CAMPUSES)
Prerequisites: DMD 1070; open only to Digital Media and Design majors, others by instructor consent.
Explores intermediate and advanced web design and development techniques, covering Cascading Style Sheets, XML, dynamic HTML with Javascript, common frameworks, and the principles of site management. The course will also cover more advanced design concepts in website creation, such as efficient navigation design, designing for portability and accessibility, separating content from presentation for easy site updating and maintenance, planning interactivity, and search engine optimization.
Digital Film/Video Production courses:
DMD 3840.001 Creative Producing for Independent Film
T/Th 9:30am - 12:00pm, Distance Learning, (BOTH CAMPUSES)
Prerequisites: DMD 2700 or 3230; open to Digital Media and Design majors only, others with instructor consent.
Examination of each phase of the filmmaking process, from conception to marketing and distribution, through the role of a creative producer. Students develop pitching materials and entrepreneurial business plans for their original narrative, documentary or new media film projects.
Digital Media Business Strategies courses:
DMD 2710 Social Media Business Applications
M/W 11:15 - 12:30pm, Bishop 136 / Stamford 3.12, taught by John Murphy (BOTH CAMPUSES)
Prerequisites: DMD 2700, which may be taken concurrently; open to Digital Media and Design majors only, others by instructor consent. Recommended preparation: DMD 1002 and 1102, STAT 1000Q or higher
Explores and analyzes the changes in consumer decision-making and behavior in today's digital world.
DMD 3730.Z81 Consumer Behavior
M/W 11:00 - 12:15pm, DISTANCE LEARNING, taught by Phil Dwire (BOTH CAMPUSES)
Prerequisites: DMD 2700, which may be taken concurrently; open to Digital Media and Design majors only, others by instructor consent. Recommended preparation: DMD 1002 and 1102, STAT 1000Q or higher
Explores and analyzes the changes in consumer decision-making and behavior in today's digital world.
Animation / Motion courses:
DMD 2230.Z81 3D Motion I
M/W 5:45 - 8:15pm, DISTANCE LEARNING, taught by Sung In Sohn (BOTH CAMPUSES)
Prerequisites: DMD 2200, open to Digital Media and Design majors only, others by instructor consent.
Introduction to techniques of 3D motion such as modeling, lighting and texturing 3D forms; keyframes and keyframe interpolations; and motion graphics effectors and simulations.
DMD 3998.008 / 5998.008 Motion Design for UConn Athletics
M/W 9:05-11:35am, DISTANCE LEARNING, taught by Steve Harper (BOTH CAMPUSES)
See Description Above.
DMD 4310.001 / 5315.001 Rigging
ONLINE (Asynchronous) taught by Dan Pejril (BOTH CAMPUSES)
Prerequisites: DMD 3350; open to B.F.A. Digital Media and Design 3D Animation concentration students, others with instructor consent. Recommended preparation: DMD 3300.
Concepts of rigging, with emphasis on animated props and characters. Techniques for using and creating bones, constraints, skeletons, skinning and weight painting.