A proposal for the UNESCO digiarts Master Class

Modules on Computer Graphics and Animation

Ahmad Nasri, Dept. of Computer Science

Dima Charif Schneider, Dept. of Architecture and Graphics Design

August 14, 2005

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

:Pedagogic Objectives and methods

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

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development, or in the artistic treasures of unrivaled beauty of Islamic Star Patterns, etc. It aims
at:
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.
Exposing students to the use of sound, digital video and imaging.
Introducing students to moving Arabic typography.
Providing students with a variety of hands-on 3D design applications pertaining to
cultural heritage in the Arab World.
The structure of the module should be flexible enough to meet the needs of students from
different backgrounds. It can be assumed that the majority of students A will not come from a
creative background due to the fact that even undergraduate majors in graphics and animation
dont exist in the Middle East. Therefore, the theory courses should be structured in a way to give
an overview of the role of computer graphics and animation in visual culture and support a
critical thinking environment on how to use visual technology for the betterment of human kind.
Once an appreciation of technology is achieved and the overwhelming breathtaking experience is
faded away, students will then benefit more from the practical part of the MA program where they
can develop their own project.

Pre-Requisites
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.

Module 1 (July 2006)

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

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 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.
Module 2 (materials for final projects)
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.

Evaluation Mode:
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.

Lab Requirement:
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.

Module 1

History of Computer Graphics and Animation (1

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My colleague Dima Charif Schneider and I are searching for funds to complete an animation lab that can
be used for such modules

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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
Aesthetics in computer human interface technology (2
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.
3) Creative thinking/writing and Storyboarding
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.

Module 2
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.

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Module 3
Studio Project courses (can choose 1 or 2 courses)
Live contact teaching on digital graphics and animation concentrating on the final project
1) Experimental Graphics and Animation
Although all courses are open for experimentation, this course specifically concentrates
on the experimentation of animation techniques and computer graphics for the Arab
Region. It can combine 2D/ 3D animation and special effects.
2) Computer Animation (2D / 3D) customized to fit Arabic Culture
This course opens the possibility to concentrate on cultural Arabic issues and concerns and to
represent those visually using 2D and 3D computer graphics and animation.
3) Arabic / Latin and Calligraphy Type Animation
This studio course would be specifically designed for students interested in Arabic typography
and calligraphy and they would concentrate on the study of its additional added layers of
information that can achieved through the use of movement in 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.
This course concentrates on the exploration of the computer graphics use in the various fields and
is very suitable for students coming from different backgrounds as they can continue in their
fields and combine it with the use of technology.
5) Islamic art and its use in, architecture, and other domains.
The geometry .