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Degree at a Glance

Degree Type

Associate of Applied Science

Location

Greeley Campus
Loveland Campus

Credits

60

Tuition*

In-District
$5,773
In-State
$8,800
WUE
$12,850
Out-of-State
$29,938

*Check Cashier's Office for current tuition rates

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Animation

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Animation

AnimationRequirements

Explore the classes that will give you the artistic and technical skills and experience to launch your career in animation.

The core animation degree courses start with 2D animation and progress to 3D animation techniques. Learn the fundamentals of animation, from keyframing to creating characters and character poses and then tweening (creating images “in between” frames) those poses together.

Practice what you’ve learned by working in teams in an animation production class. Learn about business for creatives, begin building a portfolio and learn how to market yourself to potential employers.

Along with general education courses, choose from electives including art appreciation, drawing and psychology of workplace relationships.

General Education Requirements

  • Choose one of the following:

  • Introduces the cultural significance of the visual arts, including media, processes, techniques, traditions, and terminology. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Provides the knowledge base to understand the visual arts, especially as related to Western culture. This course surveys the visual arts from the Ancient through the Medieval periods. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-AH1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Choose one of the following:

  • Emphasizes the planning, writing, and revising of compositions, including the development of critical and logical thinking skills. This course includes a wide variety of compositions that stress analytical, evaluative, and persuasive/argumentative writing. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Develops skills one can apply to a variety of technical documents. Focuses on principles for organizing, writing, and revising clear, readable documents for industry, business, and government. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-CO1 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Choose one of the following:

  • Examines the communication involved in interpersonal relationships occurring in family, social, and career situations. Relevant concepts include self-concept, perception, listening, nonverbal communication, and conflict. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-SS3 category. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on interactions among people including their conflicts, cooperative efforts, and group relationships. This course examines why beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors cause relationship problems in our personal lives and in work-related situations. Additionally, this course emphasizes the analysis of human behavior, the application of prevention strategies, and resolution of the behavior. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3

  • Choose one of the following:

  • Examines the basic elements of design, visual perception, and artistic form and composition as they relate to two-dimensional media. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces the fundamentals of three-dimensional design, form, and space. The course applies the elements and principles of design to three-dimensional problems. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Investigates the various approaches and media that students need to develop drawing skills and visual perception. Course is not repeatable for credit
    3
  • Explores expressive drawing techniques with an emphasis on formal composition, black and white, and color media and content or thematic development. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    ART 1201 with a grade of "C" or better.
    3
  • Introduces the basic techniques of drawing the human figure. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3 (Recommended)
  • Provides continuing study of the various methods of drawing the human figure, with emphasis on the description of form and individual style.
    Course Prerequisites
    ART 1203 with a grade of "C" or better
    3

  • Choose one of the following:

  • Covers material designed for career and technical students who need to study particular mathematical topics. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, statistics, and graphs. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Covers mathematical material designed for career and technical students. Topics include measurement, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and vectors. These are presented at an introductory level and the emphasis is on applications. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Highlights connections between mathematics and the society in which we live and is intended for liberal arts majors. Topics include set theory and logic, mathematical modeling, probability and statistical methods, and consumer mathematics. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
  • Introduces descriptive and inferential statistics, with an emphasis on critical thinking and statistical literacy. Topics include methods of data collection, presentation and summarization, introduction to probability concepts and distributions, and statistical inference of one and two populations. This course uses real world data to illustrate applications of a practical nature. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Focuses on a variety of functions and the exploration of their graphs. Topics include: equations and inequalities, operations on functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, linear and non-linear systems, and an introduction to conic sections. This course provides essential skills for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) pathways. This is a statewide Guaranteed Transfer course in the GT-MA1 category. Course readiness is determined by review of high school transcripts, assessment, and/or meeting with an Aims Academic Advisor. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    4
Total General Education Credits 15-16

Program Requirements

  • Explores the complete set of web authoring skills using HTML and/or other languages. The course covers links, backgrounds, controlling text and graphic placement, tables, image maps and forms. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces Digital Effects software and methods for creating digital effects in the post-production environment. Students will achieve mastery in simple animation and understand the principles of animation as defined historically. Students will analyze style and emotional aesthetic and learn to support story by synthesizing video elements with effects. The coursework covers compositing, alpha channels, 2D and 3D effects. Differential tuition rates apply . Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 1065 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Photoshop as an illustration, design and photo retouching tool. Students explore a wide range of selection and manipulation techniques that can be applied to photos, graphics and videos. Course competencies and outline follow those set out by the Adobe Certified Associate exam in Visual Communication Using Adobe Photoshop. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Concentrates on the high-end capabilities of Adobe Illustrator as an illustration, design and vector drawing tool. Students learn how to use the tools to create digital artwork that can be used in web design, print media, and digital screen design. Course competencies and outline follow those set by the Adobe certified Associate exam in Visual Communication using Adobe Illustrator. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces students to Maya, a high-end character animation tool. Emphasis is on building models of various types. Students learn setting up and animating scenes for render in movie format. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces students to conceptualization of surface coloration, painting and manipulation of 3D objects and environments. Students will construct sculptures using organic, inorganic, abstract, and realistic subject matter. Operating a 3D scanner, students will digitize a sculpture and bring the electronic file into a computer animation application for manipulation. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Introduces the steps followed by professional animators and game designers for producing media in a digital environment. Students learn the foundational skills of planning, organizing, storyboards, and pre-visualization techniques necessary to create animated stories. Students will also study the history of animation and game design. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Explores the creation of animation and dynamic media for web and multimedia applications, conforming to professional standards. Emphasizes the manipulation of time-based media using key-frames, tweens and other technologies related to the specific software being utilized. Also examines the use of scripts to trigger timeline events and create basic interactive behavior. Course is repeatable for credit under different titles.
    3
  • Presents the fundamental principles and applications of traditional 2D character animation. Students develop an awareness and appreciation of the depth of skill and abilities required to create 2D animation. Students compare/contrast 2D skills application toward the creation of 3D animation and develop the fundamental skills of character animation such as pencil testing and evaluation, ink and paint production and compositing. Students produce a finished piece of original animation, highlighting the skills acquired in class.  Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 1042 with a grade of "C" or better, may be taken concurrently
    3
  • Explores the use of sound in multimedia production and audio storytelling. Students examine the principles of recording. Classes focus on how sound can enhance interactive productions and improve computer presentations. Students learn how to use the computer as a full audio editing studio. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Provides the fundamental techniques for creating digital motion graphics such as 2D animations, animated logos, video graphics, etc. Classes cover relevant tools and techniques as well as industry standards, delivery methods and output. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Explores in-depth Maya.s animation techniques. Also, the student will be exposed to rigging characters for animation. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 1019 with a grade of "C" or better
    3
  • Stresses the complex creation of 2D animated motion graphics concentrating on the prior skills learned and the use of scripting and behaviors. Students will create motion graphics using these skills and apply them to web sites. Web site justification of motion graphics will be stressed, appraised and weighed. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    Course Prerequisites
    MGD 1043 with a grade of "C" or better, may be taken concurrently
    3
  • Examines development of 3D animation from a production standpoint. The process of transforming conceptual designs into actual projects is explored. Students study the management function of those tasks associated with the business end of development. The student will produce a 3D animation project. Department approval is required. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
  • Presents a guide to freelance work and a study of business practices and procedures and models unique to creative occupations (graphic design, web design, animation, fine arts). Discussion includes determining charges, business forms, business planning, tax structure, licenses and registration, self-promotion (resume, website, portfolio, business identity package). Course may include visits by professionals in the field and discussion of career opportunities in a quickly changing career field. Department approval is required. Course is not repeatable for credit.
    3
Total Program Credits 45
Total Credits for A.A.S. Degree 60-61