1 - Stage One

You will present, for initial feedback, your research and concept for a mascot, including a 2D image of the mascot and a mockup of your client's home page featuring the mascot. You will also present a storyboard and concept for your commercial.

2 - Stage Two

After you have your character concept and rough commercial storyboard, you will start building and compiling a package of assets for your commercial. At least one asset—but not the character itself—will be a 3D element built in Maya. You will present this package of assets along with a rough draft of the character animation in the commercial for the second round of feedback.

3 - Stage Three

In the final stage, you will complete all shooting, animation, and compositing and present a final draft of your full commercial. You will use Adobe After Effects for your final editing. You are expected to present your final work professionally and write a presentation that details your thought process and design techniques.

Students in this course can expect to learn to:

• Research design concepts for an animated mascot for a digital technology client. Your research should show evidence of the kind of competitive research required to build professional marketing assets.
• Present URLs from relevant inspirational or competitive Web sites as references along with a written analysis and explanation of how they will contribute to your concept.
• Develop and present initial sketches and 2D images of your mascot, as well as a home page wireframe for a digital technology client.
• Develop and present a written concept and storyboard for a 30 second commercial featuring the mascot and promoting your client.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with instructor feedback to refine your initial design concept.
• Prepare thumbnails for your mascot animation based on the principles of animation. Your work should exhibit a sophisticated use of key poses and the ability to research details that are appropriate for the client and project.
• Prepare animation environments and associated assets for use in a 30 second commercial that exhibit a sophisticated use of masks and overlays.
• Prepare a simple animated 3D asset for integration in a 30 second commercial that demonstrates proficiency in texturing, lighting, and animating 3D models.
• Shoot and edit live footage for use in a 30 second commercial that demonstrates proficiency in scene framing, shot types, camera movements, pacing, transitions, and rhythm.
• Demonstrate the ability to composite all animation, footage, and assets in an After Effects workspace.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with instructor feedback to refine animation, imaging, and asset work.
• Prepare and optimize a complete final 30 second commercial representing a good understanding of the design goals in creating a promotional short.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with instructor feedback to refine your digital media work.
• Conduct a written presentation of an entire project that demonstrates critical thinking ability, professional project presentation skills, and the ability to develop/explain your creative process.
• Create a complete project that exhibits a competence in using a professional design process for digital media including competitive research, thumbnails and storyboards, 3D assets, animation, shot and edited live action footage, and composited final footage.

Interested in this course? This course is available to students enrolled in the Associate of Occupational Studies program.

Software and Supplies

To take this course you'll need:

• Computer with Internet connection (broadband recommended).
• Depending on your choice of project, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Flash/Animate and Autodesk Maya.
• Experience in the above software or equivalent programs.
• An account with an ad-free Web hosting service.