Marla Schweppe, Program Chair
(585) 475-2754, mkspph@rit.edu
Program overview
Students in the 3D digital graphics program will learn to use 3D computer graphics in computer and video games, medical and scientific simulations, data visualization, models for architects and engineers, motion or broadcast graphics, instructional media accident reconstruction, and more. Traditional design skills using commercial 3D software are integrated with principles relating to time, motion, and lighting.
Curriculum
3D digital graphics, BFA degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 2014-221 | Introduction to 3D DG Modeling | 4 |
| 2014-222 | Introduction to 3D DG Materials | 4 |
| 2014-223 | Introduction to 3D DG Motion | 4 |
| 2014-231 | Technical Drawing | 2 |
| 2014-233 | Drawing Motion | 3 |
| 2039-225, 226, 227 | Survey of Western Art and Architecture I, II, III | 9 |
| 2083-206 | Imaging for New Media | 4 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Open Electives | 6-8 | |
| 1720-050, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| Second Year | ||
| 2014-363 | Digital Video for MM | 4 |
| 2012-201 | Basic Design I | 2 |
| 2014-343 | Flowcharts and Storyboards | 2 |
| 2019-304 | Anatomical Drawing I | 3 |
| 4003-241 | Problem-Based Introduction to CS | 4 |
| 4003-242 | Data Structure Problem Solving | 4 |
| Major Electives‡ | 12 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| 2014-411 | Project Planning | 2 |
| 2014-432 | Senior Thesis Assist | 4 |
| 2014-463 | Introduction to the Production Pipeline | 4 |
| Major Electives‡ | 22 | |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| Open Elective | 3-4 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 2014-511, 512 | Senior Thesis I, II | 12 |
| 2014-513 | Portfolio Development | 2 |
| Major Electives‡ | 12 | |
| 2014-xxx | History of Computer Graphics | 3 |
| Art History Electives§ | 6 | |
| Open Electives | 9-12 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 180 | |
* Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
† Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ Please refer to the list of major electives offered each quarter.
§ Please refer to the list of art history electives.
3D digital design, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| DDDD-101 | Introduction to Modeling and Motion | 3 |
| FDTN-131 | 3D Design I | 3 |
| FDTN-141 | 4D Design | 3 |
| ARTH-135 | LAS Perspective 1: Survey of Western Art and Architecture I | 3 |
| LAS Foundation: First Year Seminar | 3 | |
| DDDD-102 | Introduction to Visual Design | 3 |
| FDTN-132 | 3D Design II | 3 |
| DDDD-103 | Imaging For 3D | 3 |
| ARTH-136 | LAS Perspective 2: Survey of Western Art and Architecture II | 3 |
| ENGL-150 | LAS Foundation: First Year Writing | 3 |
| Second Year | ||
| DDDD-201 | Modeling Strategies | 3 |
| DDDD-202 | Layers and Effects | 3 |
| FDTN-121 | 2D Design 1 | 3 |
| DDDD-203 | Scripting | 3 |
| LAS Perspective 3, 4 | 6 | |
| DDDD-206 | Service Project | 3 |
| DDDD-207 | Lighting, Materials, and Rendering | 3 |
| DDDD-208 | Anatomical Figure Drawing | 3 |
| Programming elective | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| DDDD-301 | Professional Practice (WI) | 3 |
| 3DDD Major Elective | 3 | |
| DDDD-302 | History of Digital Graphics | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1, 2 | 6 | |
| DDDD-306 | Project Planning and Production | 3 |
| 3DDD Major Elective | 3 | |
| Art/Design/Crafts/Photo/Film History Elective* | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| DDDD-401 | Senior Thesis Testing and Documentation | 3 |
| DDDD-402 | Senior Thesis I | 3 |
| 3DDD Major Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| DDDD-403 | Senior Thesis II | 3 |
| 3DDD Major Electives | 6 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 | |
* Art history electives are non-studio courses offered in CIAS or COLA that examine the historical aspects of art, design, crafts, photo or film.
Art history electives
Students are required to select three art history electives to broaden their understanding of the historical development of the arts. Art history electives include:
2039-300 History of Design
2039-306 Architecture Interior and Furniture Design I†
2039-307 Architecture Interior and Furniture Design II†
2039-308 Architecture Interior and Furniture Design III†
2039-310 History of Crafts
2039-315 Pre-Columbian Art
2039-316 Florence and Rome 1400-1470
2039-317 Florence and Rome 1470-1520
2039-318 Florence and Rome 1520-1590
2039-320 History of Art Criticism
2039-330 Philosophy in Art
2039-340 Symbols and Symbol Making
2039-355 Latin American Art
2039-360 18th and 19th Century Art
2039-368 Scandinavian Modernism
2039-375 20th Century Art Since 1950
2039-376 Renaissance Painting in Flanders
2039-385 Installation Art
2039-390 Native American Art and Culture
2039-395 Theory and Criticism of 20th Century Art
2039-410 The Art of Art History
2039-415 Thinking About Making
2039-425 Public Art/Public Spaces
2039-430 Dada and Surrealism
2039-433 What Is Post Modernism?
2039-435 Art of the Last Decade
2039-438 Body in Art
2039-440 Conceptual Art
2039-443 Art and Technology: From the Machine Aesthetic to the Cyborg Age
2039-452 Art and Activism
2039-459 Art Central Italy 1250-1400
2039-469 Baroque Rome
† Required for interior design and wood majors.