A proposal for the unesco – digiarts Master Class Modules on Computer Graphics and Animation

With the advancements taking place in the computer graphics field, Arts majors and professionals have found new implementation and research facilities along with new job titles. The application of Computer Graphics to the arts created new techniques and opportunities in the areas of 2D/3D shape and object modeling, digital imaging, special effects and digital video, computer generated animation and digital typography, Sculpture Design, along with many others. New job titles such as multimedia developer, multimedia designer, web page designer, computer graphics designer, animator and modeler, 3D artists, have all been ignited by digital technology. Technology has become a fundamental part of our life. While the development of technology is very much supported in the Middle East, the digital development in the art and design sector is disregarded which will have a negative effect on cultural development. As Derrick de Kerckhove said: “the real issue is not technology, it is content.” As such, artists and designer are striving to dissect and reassemble culture in innovative and enlightening ways using digital technology. Whether in its traditional form such as painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, 3D animation, artists are driving the state of art and design beyond ordinary bandwidth. The use of computer graphics is essential to any program merging art, design, culture and technology as the new visual language is based on technological appreciation. An integrated philosophy between artists, designers and technologists needs to be developed to confirm the cultural existence in the future world of technology.

The proposed module for the Master Classes in Computer Graphics and Animation would reflect the use of digital artifacts as a creative and intellectual tool combining Art, Design and Technology. It can be seen as an opening for various other opportunities in the Middle East, such as in the development of an entertainment industry that is suitable to our healthy cultural development, or in the artistic treasures of unrivaled beauty of Islamic Star Patterns, etc. It aims at:

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  Giving students a very broad spectrum of 3D computer graphics and animation essentials.
  
• 
  Initiating discussions and critical thinking on computer graphics and animation focusing on aesthetic creativity and providing support and offering solutions for the technological challenges in the creative sector in the Middle East.
  
• 
  Introducing the essentials of 2D/3D animation techniques and 3D modeling,
  
• 
  Strengthening the students’ basic script programming skills.
  
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  Exposing students to the use of sound, digital video and imaging.
  
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  Introducing students to moving Arabic typography.
  
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  Providing students with a variety of hands-on 3D design applications pertaining to cultural heritage in the Arab World.
  

The class is open to students from design, publication, visual arts, media arts, multimedia, communication and journalism. More interestingly, the course should also be open to computer science students. The following can be considered as general pre-requisites: Good understanding of color theory, some computer knowledge, Art and Design History, etc.

Contact course covering Computer graphics and animation (application and programming). Topics include:

1. 
   Essentials of Computer Graphics.
   
2. 
   Script Writing & Storyboarding: Writing for Motion & Drawing in Motion
   
3. 
   Character Development: Character creation and Development, if needed
   
4. 
   Modeling Tasks: Modeling: Polygon Mesh Objects, Curves, NURBS, Subdivision Surfaces (Skeleton, Envelopes and Null Objects)
   
5. 
   Animation Tasks: Key framing, Path Animation, Kinematics, Dynamics, (Constraints, Expressions, Motion Capture and Control, Particles and Custom Effects)
   
6. 
   Matter Tasks: Material and 2D & 3D Textures (in respect to light and object)
   
7. 
   Camera Tasks: The use of Camera in Animation, Camera interest and depth of field
   
8. 
   Lighting Tasks: The use and influence of light in 3D spaces and scenes
   
9. 
   Rendering and Compositing: Intro to Different Rendering Methods and intro to compositing.
   

Studio Project courses (can choose 1 or 2 courses)

1. 
   Experimental Graphics and Animation
   
2. 
   Computer Animation (2D / 3D) customized to fit Arabic Culture.
   
3. 
   Arabic / Latin Type Animation
   
4. 
   3D Design applications that can be used in various fields, such as for cultural heritage, sculpture, jewelry, medicine, simulations, games and more.
   
5. 
   Islamic art and its use in Calligraphy, architecture, and other domains.
   
   
   

Students will be divided into groups of various disciplines. Each group will take a project which will be use as the basis for evaluation. The projects should be chosen to assure that students have acquired the theoretical as well as the practical materials.

The lab must be equipped with the necessary hardware and software in various fields of animation, modeling, rendering, etc. PCs, preferably with more than one CPU, enough disk space, and other accessories will be needed. Animation and modeling software such as Maya, 3D Max, etc. will also be needed¹.

This course will cover the history of computer graphics and its use in animation with an overview of the use of digital design in the Arab region.

This theory course deals with the ever-increasing demand of computer graphics and animation in several fields. The various areas where 3D Modelling and Animation are used will be discussed and students will be asked to explore new ways on how to benefit from 3D spaces and contribute new ideas to a better human interface technology.

The course aims in developing competency and confidence in an environment of rapidly evolving technology, the focus not only being on aesthetics creativity but on providing support and offering solutions.

We will be looking at Production Companies such as Pixar and Digital Domain and at Research Centers such as MIT Media Lab, HitLab, Georgia Tech and Computer Graphics Centers.

This course offers the students the possibility to develop a theme/subject that they find interesting and that they might adapt for their final project. Introducing that course in parallel or after the ‘Aesthetics in Computer human interface technology’ challenges the students to come up with solutions that are needed in computer graphics in the Arab Region.

Contact course covering Computer graphics and animation (application and programming). Topics include:

1. 
   Script Writing & Storyboarding: Writing for Motion & Drawing in Motion
   
2. 
   Character Development: Character creation and Development, if needed
   
3. 
   Modeling Tasks: Modeling: Polygon Mesh Objects, Curves, NURBS, Subdivision Surfaces (Skeleton, Envelopes and Null Objects)
   
4. 
   Animation Tasks: Key framing, Path Animation, Kinematics, Dynamics, (Constraints, Expressions, Motion Capture and Control, Particles and Custom Effects)
   
5. 
   Matter Tasks: Material and 2D & 3D Textures (in respect to light and object)
   
6. 
   Camera Tasks: The use of Camera in Animation, Camera interest and depth of field
   
7. 
   Lighting Tasks: The use and influence of light in 3D spaces and scenes
   
8. 
   Rendering and Compositing: Intro to Different Rendering Methods and intro to compositing.
   

Studio Project courses (can choose 1 or 2 courses)

1. 
   Experimental Graphics and Animation
   

2. 
   Computer Animation (2D / 3D) customized to fit Arabic Culture
   

3. 
   Arabic / Latin and Calligraphy Type Animation
   

4. 
   3D Design applications that can be used in various fields, such as for cultural heritage, sculpture, jewelry, medicine, simulations, games and more.
   

5. 
   Islamic art and its use in, architecture, and other domains.