KNB217 Digital Creatures

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit focuses on the creation of culturally contextualised narrative 3D characters within cinematic styles and genres of your choice. Building upon modeling and texturing techniques introduced in KNB127 CGI Foundations and KNB137 Digital Worlds, this unit covers an integral part of the animation production workflow focused on character design contextualized by a specific narrative, modeling texturing, and rigging. On completion of the unit, you will have an understanding of the theoretical and practical foundations of design of a production-ready 3D digital creature as characters.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate fundamental skills and theoretical knowledge of 3D design, polygon modelling, UV texturing, animation, lighting and real time rendering.
2. Integrate content into a real-time 3D computer graphics engine.
3. Communicate the personality of a character through textual and visual design.
4. Apply knowledge and skills to constructive critiques of projects for the purposes of critical reflection and iterative design.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will incorporate problem-based learning, supported by a series of lectures and readings covering the theoretical, creative and technical aspects of 3D production. During the practiced-based sessions you will build upon the readings and lecture content through a series of practical exercises and production problems.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit throughout the semester. Additionally, feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

• criteria sheet grading of summative pieces
• comments on summative assessment outcomes in addition to criteria sheets via in class discussions and/or QUT Canvas
• general comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas and within classes.

Assessment

Overview

Based on a story outline, you will design, model, texture and rig a low to mid detail and complexity character ready for an animation production, across Assignments 1 and 2.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: 3D Character Development

Research, design, model and sculpt a character for an episode of an animated series based on an ancient mythological narrative of your choice in a specific cultural setting. Document, critically analyse and reflect on every stage and iteration of your development process.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: 3D Character Production

Continuing your research and character creation work, you will take your Assignment 1 sculpted model to texturing, rigging and real time rendering to a level of complexity suitable for character acting in an animated production. Document, critically analyse and reflect on every stage and iteration of your development process.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

All students and staff are required to complete the Tier 1 CIF General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.

There are no out of the ordinary risks for this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

IN05 Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments

1. Demonstrate broad knowledge of games and interactive environments principles and theory, with an in-depth knowledge of one games-related discipline.
   Relates to: ULO1, 3D Character Development , 3D Character Production
2. Apply creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to generate solutions to design challenges.
   Relates to: ULO3, 3D Character Development , 3D Character Production
3. Create engaging and meaningful games experiences for specific target audiences in partnership with diverse industry and community stakeholders using industry-relevant software and technologies..
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, 3D Character Development , 3D Character Production
4. Critically reflect on social, ethical, cultural, legal and accessibility issues in the context of games and interactive environments, including as they relate to First Nations Australians.
   Relates to: ULO4, 3D Character Development , 3D Character Production
5. Evidence the development of your learning, professional capabilities and skills through creating a curated portfolio of work.
   Relates to: ULO2, 3D Character Production

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
   Relates to: ULO3
2. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2
3. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO3
4. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2
5. Represent and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
   Relates to: ULO4
6. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
   Relates to: ULO4
7. Formulate and apply an independent perspective through reflection and by acting on the informed critique of others.
   Relates to: ULO4