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  • Berkeley Global

3D Animation and VFX

DESIGN X450.2

73041382

Get an introduction to the world of 3D motion graphics and the endless possibilities of what you can create through animation, visual effects and simulations by altering realities and engaging audiences in unique ways.

You use the tools and techniques of animation, visual effects (VFX), digital painting and CGI to produce content for a variety of formats including film, traditional and 3D animation, motion graphics and GUI, real time rendering and video games. Through hands-on creative assignments, you learn these techniques and define your identity as a digital media producer. 

You gain introductory knowledge of the forms of 3D animation and its history, as well as producing your own animated pieces. You create and animate graphics within three dimensional space as well as flat animation for motion graphics as you learn the foundations of Cinema 4D, Blender and Adobe After Effects to navigate interfaces using transformation properties, keyframes, graph editor, camera systems, splines, primitives and motion-graphic tools. You practice designing graphics, typography, title animation and visual effects through the entire process of 3D workflow. The projects lead you to up-skill your motion-design practice as you navigate the third dimension with exploration of modelling techniques, texturing, shading, lighting, sculpting and rendering. Adding 3D into your toolkit will enhance your design practice and improve your portfolios with immersive and multimedia animated content. You can check out instructor Shoaib Ali Qureshi's site to see his professional work.

Prerequisites:

Highly Recommended: Essentials of Motion Graphics DESIGN X449.2 Adobe Digital Tools DESIGN X462.2

Course Outline

Expand or collapse section

Course Objectives

  • Master visual effects and 3D animation by using Cinema 4D.
  • Animate effects and design products in a variety of styles including clean motion graphics, abstract art and title animation.
  • Apply motion in three-dimensional space and creatively animate video content through visual effects, editing, effective scene staging, camera movement and motion tracking.
  • Learn 3D product development and basic 3D principles: How to access the proper work spaces, importing and exporting, getting camera settings correct, and preparing render settings to perform optimally on each device.
  • Acquire skills and knowledge in visual effects and cinematic techniques that can be applied to videos, graphics and typography.
  • Study perspective as related to depth and how your vision interprets reality within three-dimensional space.
  • Comprehend staging, composition and timing as extensions of cinematic principles to improve your audiences' experiences.
  • Learn modeling, lightning, texturing, animation and rendering for fast-paced 3D motion design production.
  • Understand how keyframe, graph editor and camera systems operate in Cinema 4D.

What You Learn

  • Overview of Cinema 4D and Blender
  • After Effects refresh integrating Adobe Illustrator
  • Storytelling and storyboarding
  • Basic 3D principles and interfaces
  • Creating a looping animation walkthrough
  • Character study, poses and draft animation
  • Modeling in C4D/Blender—Mixamo integration
  • Character animation and details animation
  • Compositing in Adobe After Effects
  • Breakdown storyboard
  • Rigging a dynamic rag doll
  • Rigging a car to break
  • Set design in C4D/Blender
  • Physics in 3D animation
  • Adobe After Effects UI and Element 3D practice
  • Creative VFX elements
  • Animating shapes and objects
  • Scene setup in Adobe After Effects
  • Tracking in Adobe After Effects or Blender
  • VFX integration (texture, color, lighting)
  • Compositing scenes together
  • Advanced 3D integration
  • Advanced lighting, camera and texturing practice
  • Camera tracking in 3D space
  • How to source sound for your animation
  • Different tools to create sound elements
  • Importing sound into your project
  • How to edit sound in Voiceover
  • Particle simulations in Adobe After Effects
  • Grid systems and UI simulation practice in Cinema 4D/Blender
  • Importance of brand identity
  • Creating a portfolio
  • Telling a story

How You Learn

  • Lectures
  • Discussions
  • Assigned readings
  • Project work
  • Oral presentations

Is This Course Right for You?

The course is intended for designers seeking to up-skill by adding motion to their graphics in transition to a new job or promotion, as well as small business owners or freelancers aiming to market their services with engaging video content.

Related Courses

Explainer Videos and Sound Effects

2D Animation and Video Editing

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Instructional Types

Live Online
Live Online courses provide an interactive learning experience with scheduled synchronous online sessions held via Zoom video conferencing (Pacific Time). Learn more about the Live Online format.
Online, Start Anytime
Continuous enrollment course begins when you enroll. You have a minimum of 90 days and a maximum of 180 days to complete the course.
Online, Fixed Date
Enroll in this course by its start date and complete it by its specified end date. There are no live sessions, but plenty of opportunities to collaborate with your classmates and instructor.
Classroom
Take classes in-person at one of our buildings or partner locations.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

All of our courses are taught in English. If English is not your first language, please use the following test scores as guides in order to be successful:

  • TOEFL: 90
  • IELTS Academic Format: 7
  • DAAD: C1
  • TEM-4 or TEM-8: Level 70

Note: You do not need to submit test scores.

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