1000. Digital Foundation
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introductory studio experience in designing for the digital arts; concepts, media and strategies for making creative digital work.
View Classes »1001. Foundations in Digital Media and Design I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Creative problem solving; empathy, ideation, prototyping, and testing as means to innovate discovery in diverse fields.
View Classes »1002. Foundations in Digital Media and Design II
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to the fundamentals of storytelling through the use of a variety of practical digital media applications.
View Classes »1060. Fundamentals of Programming for Game, Web, and Interactive Media Design
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to programming for artists and designers through a combination of lecture and hands-on studio exercises. Students learn the basic principles of computer programming which set the foundation for future courses in game, web, and interactive media design.
View Classes »1070. Web Design I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to concepts, technologies and strategies for building contemporary websites.
View Classes »1101. Design Lab I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Exploration of the creation, manipulation, and reception of digital images through project-based work using image-editing software. Through lecture, discussion, projects and critique, students will develop, refine, and evaluate digital images and understand their artistic, social, and ethical ramifications.
View Classes »1102. Design Lab II
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Theory, principles, and practices of digital screenbased visual communication. Through a multidisciplinary perspective involving art, design, art history, and media studies, students will address how culture visualizes screenbased communication through both image and type.
View Classes »2010. History of Digital Culture
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Key episodes in the history of digital technology and digital media; values and norms that adhere to digital culture. CA 1. CA 3.
View Classes »2020. Design Thinking
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Core values that shape creative production. Mindset that promotes diversity, inquiry, and a human-centered approach to designing and implementing real-world technological solutions. CA 1.
View Classes »2095. Special Topics in Digital Media
1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 18 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Seminar focusing on a special, limited topic in the digital media space.
View Classes »2200. Motion Design and Animation I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to concepts and strategies for creating motion designs, animations, and visual effects.
View Classes »2210. Film and Video Editing I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to digital editing, project management, working with sound and time-based storytelling.
View Classes »2230. 3D Motion I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to techniques of 3D motion such as modeling, lighting and texturing 3D forms; keyframes and keyframe interpolations; and motion graphics effectors and simulations.
View Classes »2300. 3D Animation I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to 3D Animation techniques including key framing, curve editing, timing, squash and stretch, walk cycles, and the 12 principles of animation.
View Classes »2310. 3D Modeling I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to creating polygonal 3D models using industry standard modeling tools, focusing geometry construction based on reference images, edge flow, clean topology, and polygon density.
View Classes »2320. 3D Lighting and Rendering I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to dramatic lighting, 3-point lighting, shadows, materials, procedural textures, bump maps, displacement maps, ambient occlusion, ray tracing, and global illumination.
View Classes »2470. User Interface Design
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Interface design fundamentals of websites, mobile applications, and interactive media installations. Students learn aesthetically engaging and usable human-computer interfaces through hands-on course projects, critiques, and discussions.
View Classes »2500. Introduction to Digital Game Design
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to the principles of game design and development. History of the industry, story and game mechanics.
View Classes »2542. Introduction to Game Scripting
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Fundamentals of gameplay scripting utilizing an off-the-shelf video game engine. Scripting concepts and constructs like vector math, classes, raycasting, deltaTime, and other available engine commands.
View Classes »2550. Game Production
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Practical investigation into the successful management of video game projects. Budgets, asset management plans, and risk evaluation of game development options. Relationship and team management, business aspects of the video game industry, and development of a video game project.
View Classes »2580. 2D Game Art
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to figure and perspective drawing, character and environmental concept art, pixel art, sprite animation, vector art, game UI design, texture painting, and 2D art for 3D games.
View Classes »2610. Introduction to Digital Humanities
The application of digital technology and media to such subjects as art history, classics, cultural and area studies, history, languages, literature, music, and philosophy. This course will provide a broad survey of the landscape of international and interdisciplinary digital humanities through the lens of ongoing work of faculty and staff researchers at the University of Connecticut.
View Classes »2620. Human Development, Digital Media, and Technology
Social, economic, and cultural influences on youths' interactions with, and use of, technology for formal and informal learning. Examples include media literacy, digital divide, technology in education, cyberbullying, and other issues that have emerged since the rise of the World Wide Web and growth of social media. CA 2. CA 4.
View Classes »2700. Digital Media Strategies for Business
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to digital media concepts and platforms used in companies' marketing strategies and plans.
View Classes »2710. Social Media Business Applications
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to social media marketing and advertising, focusing on the platforms and strategies being deployed by brands.
View Classes »2810. Digital Cinematography I
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to the fundamentals of cinematography in the digital realm, including both technical knowledge and aesthetics. Emphasis on camera angles, movements, composition, and lighting to enhance storytelling.
View Classes »3010W. Critical Perspectives on Digital Media
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Critical thinking and writing about digital media objects, contexts, and "texts," and how these participate in the social construction of human identities and belonging.
View Classes »3020. Design Lab
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
The theory, principles and practices of digital screen-based visual communication. Through a multi-disciplinary perspective involving art, design, art history, and media studies, students will address how culture visualizes screen-based communication through both image and type.
View Classes »3030. Narrative Workshop
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
An open forum where students will "workshop" their own narratives and works-in-progress, using each other as collaborators, editors, and ideators to investigate emerging forms of storytelling.
View Classes »3035. Interaction Design
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Provides a critical overview of interaction design (including usability, evaluation, and cultural aspects) and a practical program of website and computer software interface creation.
View Classes »3095. Special Topics in Digital Media
1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 18 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Seminar focusing in digital media. Content will vary each semester based upon instructor expertise.
View Classes »3099. Independent Study
1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 15 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Independent study in a Digital Media area of concentration.
View Classes »3102. Brand Lab
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
An interdisciplinary lab that explores and deploys the principles of strategic branding and identity design across traditional and digital environments.
View Classes »3200. Motion Design and Animation II
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
An intermediate to advanced exploration of motion design, animation, and visual effects.
View Classes »3205. History of Animation
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
A history of animation from the late 19th-century through contemporary and emerging digital technologies.
View Classes »3210. Experimental and Alternative Techniques
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
An exploration of non-traditional techniques and mediums for creating motion graphics and animation.
View Classes »3215. Character Animation
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
An in-depth exploration of character animation using a combination of digital and traditional techniques and principles.
View Classes »3220. Broadcast Graphics and Title Sequence
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
A survey of broadcast design and title sequences made for film, games and television.
View Classes »3230. Cinematic Storytelling
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
A survey of film and media, in particular, the close analysis of graphic storytelling techniques in television, animation, shorts, and movies.
View Classes »3235. Scientific Visualization
Exploration of techniques for the development of still and animated graphics for use in science education and scientific publications and presentations. Project-based coursework with involvement from scientific experts and close collaboration between student illustrators and animators.
View Classes »3240. Animating Science
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
A project-based exploration of animated scientific visualizations and digital artworks inspired by science.
View Classes »3250. Visual Effects
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Exploration of compositing and visual effects through production, manipulation, and combination of live action footage with 2D and 3D animated effects.
View Classes »3300. 3D Animation II
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Continuation of the core animation principles to explore advanced animation techniques including character animation, deformations, and non-linear animation.
View Classes »3305. History of Computer Graphics
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
The history of computer-generated imagery (CG) from its beginnings to the present.
View Classes »3310. 3D Modeling, Lighting and Rendering II
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Instruction and guidance in the techniques and critical understanding of modeling, including texturing the model, lighting, and rendering in animation specific to a 3D environment.
View Classes »3320. Storyboarding and Visual Development
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Previsualization processes and techniques for time-based projects.
View Classes »3350. 3D Simulations
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Offers students an intermediate understanding of the art and science of creating physical simulations, using particle systems and collision detection. Creation of complicated rendering and compositing setups that make animations both easier to render and more flexible within the bounds of any animation or VFX sequence.
View Classes »3420. Wearable Electronics and Interactive Objects
Provides a basic understanding of electronics, key components, function, construction, and project design for wearable electronics and interactive objects. Concepts learned will form the core for students to continue to proactively explore and experiment with wearable electronics and interactive objects beyond the classroom.
View Classes »3440. Introduction to Mobile Application Development
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Through lecture and hands on exercises, students will be introduced to the processes, technologies, and environment of mobile applications.
View Classes »3470. Advanced Web Design and Development
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Explores intermediate and advanced web design and development techniques, covering Cascading Style Sheets, XML, dynamic HTML with Javascript, common frameworks, and the principles of site management. The course will also cover more advanced design concepts in website creation, such as efficient navigation design, designing for portability and accessibility, separating content from presentation for easy site updating and maintenance, planning interactivity, and search engine optimization.
View Classes »3475. Coding for Web and Interactive Media Design
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Explores intermediate programming techniques for web and interactive media projects.
View Classes »3500. Interactive Storytelling
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
A project-based exploration of the relationship of story, character, and player in games. Students will develop narrative digital projects, examine a selection of popular storytelling games, and explore ways that games have historically visualized and communicated their stories.
View Classes »3520. 3D Virtual World and Simulations
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Investigation of different virtual environments, simulations, and serious games and examine how game engines can be used to generate a three-dimensional computer-based environment. Students will create a 3D environment based on their own imagination and research.
View Classes »3530. Game Systems Design
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Students in this course learn and apply advanced game design techniques and game theory. Students focus on the concepts of balance, design, and player psychology, synthesizing these elements into cohesive and interesting gameplay.
View Classes »3540. Multiplayer Game Development
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Students create a multiplayer game experience based in a relevant game engine that adheres to or modifies the core mechanics to create a new multiplayer game experience.
View Classes »3570. History and Theory of Digital Art
Investigates forms of digital and Internet art and the mostly forgotten histories of the technologies behind them. Forms and themes to be explored include games/gaming, surveillance art, cyberfeminism, data visualization, and crowdsourced art. CA 1. CA 4.
View Classes »3581. 3D Game Art I - Modeling and Texturing
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Basic introduction to all parts of the 3D asset creation pipeline for games including subdivision, surface, and spline modeling for game assets, UV unwrapping, PBR material painting, asset creation for game props, characters, and environments.
View Classes »3582. 3D Game Art II - Motion and Technical Art
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Introduction to elements of motion and detailing with an emphasis on in-engine techniques including digital sculpting and retopology, rigging and animation for games, physics simulations, particle effects, custom shader design, camera animation and post-processing effects.
View Classes »3589. Historical Fiction in Games and Film
Critique of historically themed films and video games; comparison to surviving primary documents and artifacts; assessment of historical accuracy and cultural impact.
View Classes »3610. Collaborating with Cultural Organizations I: Methods
Introduction to mission-driven cultural organizations and methods for meaningful, effective collaboration with them and their communities in the digital age.
View Classes »3620. Collaborating with Cultural Organizations II: Practice
Project-based application of digital public history tools and methods undertaken in partnership with a cultural organization. Provides immersion in issues of contemporary practice while building collaborative competency. Includes an integrated service learning component.
View Classes »3640. Human Rights Archives I: Documenting and Curating Community Memory
The use of human rights archival materials in documentary storytelling. Students will learn methods and best practices of collecting and managing digital visual and audio-visual archival assets. This is the first part of a two-semester unit addressing a common theme. Part I is not a prerequisite for Part II.
View Classes »3641. Human Rights Archives II: Visual Storytelling Practices
The use of human rights archival materials in documentary storytelling. Students will be trained in different documentary techniques and storytelling approaches working with oral history narratives and archival materials. This is the second part of a two-semester unit addressing a common theme. Part I is not a prerequisite for Part II.
View Classes »3710. Creative Content Strategy
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Explores key concepts and methods of content marketing, including digital content planning, creation, and distribution, by integrating multiple forms of media into a content strategy to maximize the impacts.
View Classes »3720. Digital Media Analytics
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Provides a working knowledge of the array of metrics and analytics needed to understand the digital consumer and measure the effectiveness of digital media marketing.
View Classes »3730. Digital Consumer Behavior
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Explores and analyzes the changes in consumer decision-making and behavior in today's digital world.
View Classes »3740. Digital Sports and Entertainment Studio
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
The digital marketing landscape in sports and entertainment, including changes in the production, marketing, distribution, and consumption of sports and entertainment media properties.
View Classes »3750. Digital Media and Technology Ethics
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Explores the intersection of ethics, technology, and humanity in order to equip students with the critical thinking skills necessary to navigate the digital landscape.
View Classes »3820. Documentary Film Production
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
This course introduces students to camera and sound recording for small-crew documentary filmmaking. Students learn interviewing, ethics in documentary, and basic story structure. Through analysis of short and feature length documentary films, as well as hands-on directing, filming, and editing, students will learn the art and technique of documentary filmmaking.
View Classes »3828. Social Documentary in Theory and Practice
The study of the evolution of the documentary genre and its potential use as a vehicle for social discourse and change. Through sustained engagement with the documentary genre, students will gain direct experience in shooting and editing short form documentary films.
View Classes »3830. Film Writing
Theoretical and practical work in the content and form of the fiction scenario.
View Classes »3840. Creative Producing for Independent Film
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Examination of each phase of the filmmaking process, from conception to marketing and distribution, through the role of a creative producer. Students develop pitching materials and entrepreneurial business plans for their original narrative, documentary or new media film projects.
View Classes »3850. Digital Sound Design
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
A practical introduction to sound recording, editing, and mixing, designed to give students both the technical and artistic skills necessary to provide sound design for a variety of different media, including stand-alone audio, live-action film, animation, games, and more.
View Classes »3993. Foreign Study
1.00 - 12.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 12 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Special topics taken in a foreign study program (Fall, Spring, or Summer). Departmental consent required, normally before the student's departure to study abroad.
View Classes »3998. Variable Topics
1.00 - 6.00 credits | May be repeated for credit.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Prerequisites and recommended preparation vary.
View Classes »4015. Degree Exhibition
1.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 2 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Preparation of a project or portfolio for presentation in the Digital Media and Design Department's Degree Exhibition. May be taken in conjunction with the B.F.A. internship or senior project or B.A. senior thesis. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).
View Classes »4025. Portfolio and Professional Development: Putting it All Together
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Prepares Digital Media and Design BFA students for transition to careers through the development of a professional portfolio, resume, website, social media presence, other collateral, and associated skills, as well as BFA Degree Exhibition participation.
View Classes »4040. Agency
3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
An immersive study of the role, structure, procedures, techniques and processes employed by a Brand Agency within the digital and social media spaces.
View Classes »4045. Digital Content Design, Creation and Distribution Studio
3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Develop marketing communications strategies, design, produce and distribute digital content for the Digital Media and Design Department and outside projects with corporate partners.
View Classes »4075. Senior Project
3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Development of a project in the student's area of concentration that demonstrates vigorous and consistent thematic engagement and articulates both technical and conceptual sophistication. To be taken twice in two consecutive semesters in the student's senior year. To fulfill the graduation requirement for B.F.A., students must pass with a grade of C or better.
View Classes »4081. Digital Media Internship/Co-op
1.00 - 12.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 15 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Supervised professional experience in the student's field of study. A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required. Students taking this course will be assigned a final grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory).
View Classes »4086. Senior Thesis
3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Preparation and presentation of a thesis that demonstrates vigorous and consistent intellectual engagement and articulates technical, conceptual, and scholarly sophistication. To be taken twice in two consecutive semesters in the student's senior year.
View Classes »4200. Advanced Motion Media
3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Advanced exploration of motion media topics, including large-scale, collaborative, and interdisciplinary projects, and investigations in emerging motion media technologies.
View Classes »4310. 3D Rigging
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Concepts of rigging, with emphasis on animated props and characters. Techniques for using and creating bones, constraints, skeletons, skinning and weight painting.
View Classes »4340. Advanced Compositing for Visual Effects
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Takes the students further into the art of visual effects, combining computer generated animation together and with live action footage.
View Classes »4350. Advanced 3D Research and Production
3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 9 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Explores, develops and evaluates the research and skills in 3D animation production, focusing on each student's own path of study.
View Classes »4470. Web 3: Expert Topics in Web Development
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Expert topics in web design and development, including intensive instruction and hands-on development with databases and server-side programming to build web applications.
View Classes »4475. Web and Interactive Media Design Practicum
3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Digital technology is ever-changing and so too are techniques and workflows required in the production of web and interactive media projects. Through the completion of real-world projects, this course examines emerging technologies and techniques in the world of web and interactive media design.
View Classes »4500. Advanced Digital Game Design and Development
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Advanced study and application of digital game design and development, programming, 3D game environments, game testing, human computer interaction, quality assurance, and publishing.
View Classes »4536. Disruptive Technologies
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Exploration of emerging interactive technologies through the creation of rapid-fire prototypes utilizing experimental hardware and software. These skills enable students to develop interactive installations and unique gameplay scenarios.
View Classes »4545. Advanced Game Scripting
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Master gameplay scripting within a commercial game engine. Emphasis is on foundational knowledge required for developing artificial intelligence models, rendering, and networking for games.
View Classes »4640. Digital Public History Project
Students work collaboratively, with instructor guidance and feedback, to design and complete a digital public history project or prototype.
View Classes »4725. Advanced Digital Analytics
3.00 credits | May be repeated for a total of 6 credits.
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
A project-based study of advanced digital analytics and social media listening tools and techniques. Students will utilize social listening and media intelligence platforms to conduct market research, analyze campaigns and digital initiatives, develop marketing strategy, and execute ongoing brand listening, crisis management, competitive intelligence, content analysis and reputation management initiatives.
View Classes »4810. Advanced Digital Cinematography
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Advanced course focused on the technical craft and aesthetics of cinematography / videography in the digital realm. Emphasis on advanced camera techniques (angles, movements, composition and blacking) and complex lighting and shot designs to enhance storytelling. Students will be required to buy/own a DSLR or mirrorless camera, a lens, data storage tools and basic cinematographer grip kit needed for class.
View Classes »4835. Narrative Short Film Production
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
Production of narrative short films, delineating the role of the director, from script breakdown through post-production, with emphasis on directing actors and other methodologies necessary to realize the dramatic possibilities of a cinematic story. Students create several shorts and analyze the works of master directors.
View Classes »4860. Color Grading for Film and Video
3.00 credits
Prerequisites:
Grading Basis: Graded
An advanced post-production course on the technical craft and aesthetics of color grading for digital film and video.
View Classes »