Restriction(s): CAT majors only. This course will provide hands-on experience recording, editing and mixing digital audio. Pro Tools and Digital Performer will be the primary software programs used on the Macintosh computer platform. The student will work with files that contain spoken work, sound effects and music files. In addition the student will be given the opportunity to work with audio files and QuickTime movie files. Students should be prepared to spend lab time out of class.
This course covers the broader aspects of the games industry such as its history, its current state and potential future evolution, and the team-based development environment. It then focuses on core game design concepts and their application as students create documentation and work in collaborative groups to develop analog games.
This course teaches basic drawing skills. Students will develop keener powers of observation by drawing still lifes, live models and nature. By analyzing the contours, surfaces, bone structures by measuring the curves and angles of the objects and people they draw, students will gain an appreciation of the world around them.
This is a team-taught freshman foundation class, a platform for experimentation, collaboration and networking. After meeting as a large group, the class divides into rotating sections. Each professor creates a teaching environment to broaden students' background knowledge, connect them to a personal creative path and welcome them as members of the CAT community. Students must receive a grade of "C" or better to continue as a CAT major. This course may not be repeated without an approved petition from the Academic Standards Committee.
Study the history of photography and explore the aesthetic opportunities of digital cameras. Practice storytelling through the development of single and sequential images. Learn about the operational functions of a digital single lens reflex (SLR) camera, digital editing, digital retouching, color management and output, and lighting for studio shots.
This hands-on studio course will emphasize the importance of drawing skills specifically used in the animation and cartooning industry. Basic construction, line of action, exaggerated perspective, force, rhythm, gravity, design, volume, and physics will all be addressed along with the 12 principles of animation.
Group instruction offered in the electronic piano lab for students who have had no previous piano training. The emphasis will be on playing simple pieces, reading, basic keyboard harmony and elementary keyboard technique. This course does not carry General Education elective credit.
The fundamentals of music including: notation, intervals, scales and chords are explored. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating the results of study realized through the successful completion of projects designed to exhibit the students' understanding of the topics presented. The following software packages will be used: Pro Tools, Reason, Digital Performer and Finale.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 200. A continuation of Music Theory I.
Prerequisite(s): WRT 102 or WRT 105 or WRT 106. Great works of art give clues to the meanings and values of a culture. We will explore and compare the obvious and the hidden meanings of the art and architecture of the world's great cultures, from prehistoric time to the Gothic (12th century) period of European art. Special attention to the ancient cultures of Egypt, Greece, Rome, India, China, Africa, Mexico, and Peru.
Prerequisite(s): WRT 105 or WRT 106 may be taken as a corequisite. A survey course designed to stimulate the interest in and understanding of the music of representative world cultures including: Native American, Sub-Sahara Africa, India and China. The focus will be on the comparison and contrast of both classic fold forms and more the contemporary forms as they continue to evolve and function in their individual cultures. The student is responsible for outside listening, research projects and field trips.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 107. Explores the MIDI programming language as it applies to digital music production on the Macintosh system platform. Course content and projects are designed to aid students in establishing both a comprehensive and creative approach to computer music composition. Software applications include Reason, Live, Pro Tools and Logic. Formerly CAT 109.
Prerequisite(s): WRT 105 or WRT 106. WRITING INTENSIVE. The focus is on writing a feature-length film and the basic elements of plot, protagonist, turning point, and resolution. You will be expected to complete a step outline of your story and the first act of your screenplay. (Also ENG-206)
Prerequisite(s): CAT 108. Techniques derived both from traditional illustration, comic books, and the latest computer graphics software to create visual representations of characters, environments, props, and textures.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 107 or CAT 205. Working in a critical and collaborative environment, students learn and put to use the fundamentals of sound recording. Acoustics, microphone usage, studio techniques, and advanced sequencing are stressed. Students achieve proficiency in equalization, compression and reverb. CAT 210 is a hands-on audio recording course which emphasizes listening, creativity, and critical discourse around the past, present and future of recorded sound. Formerly CAT 119.
Focus on the musical ensemble skills associated with improvisation. Course will be participatory, and bulk of the time in class will be spent playing music. Diverse cultural approaches to improvisation--African/American, South Indian, and European--will be explored. This course may be repeated for credit for a total of 3 semesters.
Drawing is often considered a preliminary step towards achievement of an artist's final work in sculpture or painting. However, drawing is also an independent art form and is valued as the most direct, personal expression of the artist. Both aspects of drawing are studied in works by the world's old and modern masters. Students will gain greater understanding of drawing materials and formal problems by experimentation with chalk, charcoal, pen and ink, pencil, and pastels. This is a more advanced course than CAT 120-Drawing I.
Studio work in composition and color in acrylic or oils.
Prerequisite(s): WRT 102, WRT 105, or WRT 106. Musical traditions brought to our country from abroad. The development of American musical culture from colonial times to the present, including a survey of African/ American music from its tribal and colonial origins to the present. The sociological impact of jazz upon Western music and culture. (Also AFS-224)
This course will explore the basics of motion animation using clay, puppets and many other 3D objects. Students will learn how to pitch an idea, develop a concept and work up a production schedule for exercises using cutouts, collage and clay, in 3D stop-motion techniques with digital cameras.
Prerequisite(s): WRT 107, WRT 108, WRT 109. Writing Intensive Aesthetic Appreciation. This class will explore the history and development of animation throughout the 20th century. Major social and technological movements and the effects they had on animators working at the time will be analyzed and discussed. This work will be examined to see how animation has developed as an art form. The class will read related texts and view historic and contemporary animation work. Formerly CAT 114.
Prerequisite(s): WRT 107, WRT 108, or WRT 109. Be it anime, judo, sushi, the films of Kurosawa, the cars of Toyota, or the latest game from Nintendo, Japanese culture is very much a part of the American way of life. This course offers a fascinating look at both traditional and contemporary Japanese art forms within the context of Japanese politics, history, and lifestyle. Test, film, multimedia, guests, and class trips will inspire and prepare you for a visit to Japan, and each class session will include lessons in speaking basic conversational Japanese.
Prerequisite(s): WRT 107, WRT 108, or WRT 109. European art and architecture from the Renaissance to the late nineteenth century, taught from the perspective of international travel, trade, and cultural interactions. We will study works of art first-hand in New York and local museums and see the influence of key artists on each other, the evolution of their styles, technical practices, and content.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 108. Techniques derived both from traditional illustrations, comic books, and the latest computer graphics software to create visual representations of characters, environments, props, and textures.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 238 or CAT 253. This course focuses on the core processes for making a game as a collaborative group. Learn valuable preproduction and documentation skills that go beyond the initial Game Design Document. Manage the project with schedules, milestones, and an iterative development process that includes intensive testing, version control, and effective communication strategies.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 253 or CMP 126. Learn about the methodologies and tools that are used to program games. Topics include: Repositories/Revision Control, Paired/Extreme Programming, SCRUM/Agile Development, Rapid Prototyping, Multiple Processors/ Threads, Client/Server Basics, Debugging, and Remote Programming. You will also learn how to evaluate and choose the proper game engine for a project.
The basic concepts and techniques of storyboard and layout including visualization and scriptwriting are important to the pre-production process of animation and are emphasized in this course. The student will learn continuity and basic story structure in a storyboard form from rough sketches to a finished presentation.
Students will collaborate across disciplines to identify a project, topic, or design idea of social significance they explore, question, research, and analyze leading to resolution. They will extend their learning experience through trips and virtual worlds to help them design and communicate their work with a public they identify. Discussing, collaboration, innovative research and varied technologies that accompany design practice will be tools for learning and expression in this course.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 108. Game design is an interdisciplinary process. Learn the processes of rapid prototyping and interactive design, and develop a practice for conductive playtests, critiquing design, and presenting work to others.
Communication Skills Writing in 21st century workplace s does not only involve typing emails and documents. In this class you will learn to compose in a variety of digital platforms by drawing upon both technical and rhetorical skills that you will develop over the course of the semester. You will deploy design processes with purpose, audience input, and revision in mind, building on your previous writing courses while com-posing for real audiences. (Also WRT 256)
An introduction to video as a creative visual, auditory, and spatial medium. Students learn the fundamentals of video production with the goal of making original work in a the genres of single-channel, performance, and installation. Works by filmmakers and video artists are viewed and discussed. It is highly recommended that students take CAT 126 Digital Photography prior to enrolling in this class.
Prerequisite(s): WRT 107, WRT 108, OR WRT 109. Writing Intensive Aesthetic Appreciation. This course examines the evolution of mechanically reproduced media and its inevitable application by the aesthetic community, beginning with the invention of the film camera (1800s) to digital technology (1940s) to the contemporary field of interactivity, sound and image. This course discusses the convergence of the scientific, military, and political environments that spawned the employment of technology.
The foundation course for the study of graphic design. Students conceptualize solutions to communications problems by conducting research and creating preliminary sketches. Students participate in peer/instructor project review sessions. A portfolio of printed projects is produced at semester end.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 121. Students will use the latest version of Adobe PhotoShop, an essential tool for any visual artist working with computers-animators, graphic designers, web makers, special effects artists, multimedia and design professionals. This course teaches the advance principles of digital imaging and manipulation, including digitizing, editing, color correction, special effects and transformation techniques used by PhotoShop Pros.It will emphasize the methods used to scan and collage images from photographs, to retouch and alter these images and to create complex design solutions and illustrations. Students are required to register for laboratory time.
The foundation course for the study of graphic design for the World Wide Web. This course teaches the student the language of the WWW (XHTML), its visual presentation (CSS), and how to communicate with one's audience. Focus is placed on including multimedia information in an interactive environment.
In this advanced studio course, students improve their creative and technical skills while exploring questions related to the status of the photographic medium and the art of photography through reading, discussion and assignments. Presentations on historical and contemporary artwork introduce various photographic genres and emerging technologies. Using Adobe Lightroom, students develop effective workflows for sorting and editing images, refine image adjustment skills, and perfect printing ability. As they work toward developing a personal visual language, participants experiment with new approaches to visual storytelling, sometimes pushing their projects beyond the still image.
Prerequisite(s): WRT 107, WRT 108, or WRT 109. This course provides students with the opportunity to learn the basics of layout design, typesetting, printing and binding a booklet, and how to create a webpage from an InDesign file with ease. Students choose their own research theme for the booklet.
Through project-based work, students will learn the process of creating audio for multimedia productions including film television, games, and the web. Topics include recording, mixing, editing, foley, worldizing, and dialogue replacement. The class will also examine the interplay between sound design and music and how to successfully create scores and ambiences. Aesthetics as well as technology will be discussed throughout the semester, and at the end, students will compile a reel of their work.
Students will explore compositional techniques through a survey of strategies of various musical parameters, through analysis and original composition and production projects. Students will create original compositions and these will be critiqued in class and revised. Orchestration and arranging techniques will also be addressed.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 300 or consent of the Instructor. Students will explore compositional techniques through a survey of strategies of various musical parameters, through analysis and original composition and production projects. Students will create original compositions and these will be critiqued in class and revised. Orchestration and arranging techniques will also be addressed.
This course continues the focus on core methodologies for collaborative game development. The interactive development process will be enhanced through online communication strategies, version control and a rigorous review process. In addition, students will gain a better understanding of the art pipeline for both 2D and 3D game engine environments.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 210. Working in a critical and collaborative environment students develop advanced recording projects and learn the art of mixing. Through focused listening, reading, discussion, group critique and disciplined studio practice, students begin to achieve professional quality in their work. Students learn advanced mixing techniques including customized effect,3D listening, and precision editing. CAT 310 is a hands-on studio production course which emphasizes development of the ear, attention to detail, creativity, and critical discourse in sonic manipulation. Formerly CAT 229.
This course was designed to provide you with the information and tools needed to begin a freelance or full-time career. Some of these include a comprehensive overview of business practices, systems and interpersonal skills. Among the subjects to be covered are the studio set-up, portfolio, résumé, how to research and identify markets, promotion, taxes, copyright, negotiation and contracts.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 238. What are the strengths and limitations of game engines? Further examine the tools used for game development to go beyond the fundamentals of programming.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 134. Character Design is a "drawing-heavy" course that covers character development and design techniques, models sheets and current software to achieve character creation for a variety of platforms. These genres include comics, the graphic novel, illustration, game, children's books, as well as 2D, 3D and Stop-Motion animation. Students will create characters that are unique, relatable, and experimental. The history of character design and character animation will be discussed as it applies to the course each week.
Through a series of critical concerns in the analysis of an action and motion drawing, the student will be able to understand the difference between drawing for animation and drawing for illustration. The art of conveying gestures while learning the construction and mechanics of the human figure will be examined.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 134. Restriction(s): CAT majors only. Designing Environments for Story will focus on developing core skills used for layout and background design for animation production, drawing from life, perspective, composition, staging, understanding scripts, translating storyboards to layout, color theory, mood, camera movements, lenses, traditional and digital painting.
Students will learn to construct CG 3D models by breaking down complex shapes into simpler components that can be modified, transformed, and animated using the industry standards software in 3D computer generated model building and animation.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 268. Study the historical development of type, typeface design, and the use of type as an expressive image. This course will teach you the typographical skills to succeed as a graphic designer.
Students explore the fundamentals of time-based motion for animation, video and game using a combination of motion design, image compositing and Adobe After Effects. Emphasis will be on design, composition, conceptualization and ability to communicate ideas. Students also apply basic principles of storytelling to create short sequences and narrative works.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 108 or CAT 108H. This course introduces game theory concepts and critical analysis with a focus on European game mechanics.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 270A or CAT 270B. This course provides the web site Creative Director with a working knowledge of the latest Internet technologies necessary for sophisticated interactivity and business-related functions. Topics include managing a web server, DHTML, XML, Java Script, CGI, FTP, Telnet, and databases. This course will keep pace with the most recent developments in the field.
Restriction(s): Instructor permission required. This semester-long internship is required of CAT majors in their junior year. Placement will be in professional settings appropriate to the student's area a of specialization and where the student will have ample opportunity to actually use their new skills: theaters, art galleries, music production companies, television, video & radio studios, design firms, service bureaus, publishing houses, community service organizations, small businesses, and corporations. Field placement is required.
Writing Intensive. This is an advanced imaging/print production class, designed to prepare students to conceptualize a Capstone project. Students tackle advanced creative challenges, acquire advanced production skills, and write and gain approval of a Capstone proposal.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 300 or CAT 410 may be taken as a corequisite. This is a project based class, and can serve as a preparation for the capstone preparation. Students focus on creativity and logistics of an audio production, through the process of class critiques. Formerly CAT 351.
This is an advanced animation pre-production class, designed to prepare students to conceptualize and write the proposal for their senior Capstone project. Before students can advance to CAT-420 Capstone, an approved proposal, including the treatment, a script/screenplay, storyboard and production schedule must be completed.
The function of getting your work ready to be seen at festivals by enthusiasts and/or industry professionals, with the intention of getting your "foot in the door", is the basis of this course. We will address the most important factors for introducing yourself to the industry by preparing a diverse, high quality demo reel, featuring quality animation that shows you have a strong and clear understanding of animation principles. Whether your path is 2D, 3D or a more experimental Stop Motion, in a large commercial studio, an independent animator, or within the festival circuit, this course will investigate the current resources, and prepare you to take the best steps for that direction.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 308A. Restriction(s): Senior standing. This is the culmination course for collaborative game development methodologies. It is also the first half of the Capstone experience and incorporates several new pre-production tasks. Students will enter into a develop- er/publisher relationship with their faculty advisor and go through the necessary steps to get their projects green lighted. Then they will utilize all of their skills to create a working game prototype that is ready for detail and polish.
This is an advanced expanded media pre-production class, designed to prepare students to conceptualize and write the proposal for their senior capstone project. Before students can advance to CAT 420 Capstone, an approved proposal, including the treatment, script, storyboard, installation plan and production schedule must be completed. Students must achieve advanced, production skills in CAT 366 or CAT 368 before advancing to CAT 409.
Prerequisite(s): CAT 310. Working in a critical and collaborative environment students develop and complete a semester-long recording project of professional caliber. As a culmination of the DAE series, CAT 410 emphasizes project management, problem solving, originality and technical precision. Students direct the flow of the course which is tailored to meet the specific needs of their projects. Group critique, student-to-student feedback and collaboration are essential elements of the course. CAT 410 is a hands-on studio production course which serves as a bridge to a creative and professional working dynamic.
Restriction(s): CAT majors only, with permission of the instructor. A final, major independent project undertaken by senior CAT majors under the supervision of departmental faculty. The intention is to create a work that will in some shape become part of the student's portfolio, to be used to market themselves after graduation from the program. Projects take many forms, depending on the student's talents and area of specialization: e.g., production of a videotape or audio tape; design and construction of a book; gallery exhibition of a significant number of works; performance of a solo show. The student must not only complete the project, but also publicize and market it in true entrepreneurial fashion. This course is required of departmental majors and all projects must be approved by a meeting of the departmental faculty. May be repeated for credit for a total of 2 semesters.
Prerequisite(s): Consent of the Instructor required. This course has the same goals and requirements as Internship I, but the intention is to place the student in a situation at a higher technical level and with even more professional responsibility.