IMED 3500 - Special Topics in Interactive Media

FALL 2024 SPECIAL TOPICS:

SECTION 01 INTERACTIVE THEATER
This course culminates in the production and performance of a non-linear, participatory, and interactive theatre work. Unique to this course is its multi-disciplinary exploration, critical analysis, and application of innovative forms of theatre production which will marry traditional approaches such as scripted dialogue, physical set design, costume production, and audio mixing, with techniques commonly found in game and interactive media. Techniques unique to this project include the creation of an interaction guide, avatar design, 3D modeling and visualization, and interdisciplinary audio design. Production will be broken into four key sectors: 1. writing/scripting/interaction design 2. character/avatar building and costuming 3. set/visualization and prop design 4. audio design and execution. Each member of the course is expected to identify and join two of the four sectors. May be repeated for credit three times.

SECTION 02 2D CHARACTER DESIGN
This course will focus on the elements involved for successful 2-D character design ranging from concept to final project. These elements include, but are not limited to, research, conceptualization, synthesis and refinement. The student will develop a body of work consistent with her/his/their interests, while at the same time learning about industry methods, practices and standards. A portfolio review of student work will be required at mid-term and during the final week of regular classes.

SECTION 05 AI FOR GAMES
This course provides an overview of the field of artificial intelligence with special attention to uses in the electronic gaming field. Students will develop logic grids for intelligent agents, discuss how learning and communication are integral elements of artificial intelligence. Philosophical discussion of such concepts as intelligence, cognition, learning, and the Turing test will be addressed.

SECTION 06 ORGANIC MODELING
This course covers the techniques involved in building organic 3D models using industry standard modeling-specific applications. Emphasis is placed on human and non-human figure study, its importance the modeling process, and the utilization of application tools for an efficient production pipeline. Methodologies for building animation-ready assets from concept sculpts will also be explored.

SECTION 07 RIGGING FOR ANIMATION
This course covers the techniques involved in preparing 3D models for the animation process. Students will design efficient and intuitive rig systems using popular industry tools such as bones, joints, control objects, and constraints. Furthermore, the process of skinning and application interoperability will be explored.

SECTION 08 MUSIC COMPOSITION FOR GAMES
The course explores advanced game music production concepts and techniques. Topics cover scoring, arranging, and orchestration. Adaptive and non-linear audio concepts are introduced in the context of gameplay, as well as subjects such as looping, branching, and randomization, transition matrices, algorithmic operations, and creating multi-layered stems. Concepts are introduced and explored through applied creative projects. Historical context is given within the development of game music.

SECTION 09 LITERARY DEVELOPMENT OF VIRTUAL WORLDS
This course looks at traditional storytelling and literary development. Students will then apply classical techniques to the development of virtual worlds, both through non-linear narrative and 3D deployment of literary creations.

SPRING 2024 SPECIAL TOPICS:

SECTION 01 TABLETOP AND FANTASY CARD GAME ILLUSTRATION AND DESIGN
This course focuses on illustrating and designing artwork for collaborative Tabletop and Fantasy Card Games. Illustrate and design full color works of art based on common elements, tropes, and archetypes found in these heroic games of adventure. Coursework will place emphasis on creating representational art that combines figures, objects, and environments. Assignments will teach you the process of planning and building artwork that tells a story from the ground up using compositional elements, clearly defined preliminary drawings and color images that exhibit punch and impact.

SECTION 02 STORYTELLING THROUGH CHARACTERS
This course is an exploration of character development and storytelling in character design and animation. Students will learn to create 3D game characters deeply rooted in their unique stories, including character costume design using Marvelous Designer. They will also build rigging for both body and facial animations, navigate the complexities of Mecha vs. Human character dynamics, understand animation techniques, including both motion capture (mocap) and handkey methods, and seamlessly integrate art assets into gaming environments. Previous knowledge of 3D modeling, rigging and animation is recommended. Familiarity with Autodesk Maya or Blender is helpful.

SECTION 03 AUDIO PRODUCTION
This course explores the fundamentals of the medium of sound and processes of sound-design, with the goal of understanding, articulating, and creating audio assets for games. Through demos and creative projects, students will experiment with the essential building blocks of sound and explore audio principles such as acoustics and perception, the use of microphones and digital recording hardware, editing, signal-processing and mixing using ProTools, Foley recording and sound-effect production, sampling and MIDI, audio synchronization to video, and applications of audio assets in digital-media and game development. The course sets a solid foundation for the understanding of sound while developing a strong toolset for working within the medium.

SECTION 04 ENVIRONMENT ART
Environment Art is a specialization within game development which straddles the line between modeling and level design. In this course, students will learn to build art assets such as modular architectural components and reusable landscape models, then construct full real-time environments in a commercial game engine.  

SECTION 05 NARRATIVE DESIGN
This course will cover the techniques and strategies of narrative design. Students will learn the elements of storytelling and character as well as how they are used specifically throughout the course of a game. Students will learn about and assume the tasks and duties of a narrative designer. Once students gain an understanding of these topics, they will undertake the responsibility of designing and writing their own narrative-driven game. 
 

May be repeatable for credit.

Anticipated Terms Offered: varies