Computer Arts

The purpose of the course is to give the student a holistic experience with a larger practical project work involving their field of study.

The student will plan and carry out a comprehensive project case in a group, and will both receive training in interdisciplinary teamwork and in using modern techniques, methods and tools for production and organization of a larger project. The student must be able to understand different phases of the production as well as different team roles and how each group member contributes.

The subject is about how to create good and aesthetic design and interactions in prototypes made with real-time 3D graphics. The students become familiar with the possibilities of the development environment and effective use of this. Students learn to use advanced materials and lighting in interactive scenes.

In this course students will learn how to visualize architecture or constructions in the different phases of a project. They are introduced to tools that are used for architectural visualization, and techniques applied for this.

The course explores how acting techniques can be used in animation. To create characters with emotions and empathy, students are introduced to various aspects of acting techniques, including facial expressions for scenes with dialogue and improvisation. Through practical exercises, students will develop a deeper understanding of how to create scenes with characters that think, breathe, feel, and act.

Students will also learn how to film themselves for reference and how to effectively use this material by analyzing and applying these insights to their animations.

Animation 3 builds on the principles from Animation 1 and Animation 2. This course takes you deeper into the fascinating world of storytelling, acting techniques, and dramaturgy to create engaging scenes.

During Animation 3, you will not only learn advanced animation techniques, such as facial animation, but also how to bring characters to life and imbue them with empathy throughout their journey. From miming to lively scenes with dialogue, we explore how to convey conflict, emotions, and personality through animation.

We focus on detailing and polishing in the final phase of the animation process. Here, you will fine-tune asymmetry in posing, both in the body and face, as well as variations in curves, spacing, and all the small details that bring the character to life.

Students will gain extensive experience in giving and receiving constructive feedback on their work.

In this course, the student will get a basic introduction to narrative structures linked to level design and visual storytelling techniques in games. The student will explore how video games tell stories, and how well-known principles from game and level design can enhance the narrative through mechanics, theme and mood. Through the course, the student will be introduced to narrative and level design, and gain practical experience with the design, development and iteration of virtual areas.

The work in this course will familiarize the student with various processes related to prototyping and testing, as well as different methods for conducting these activities. The student will be able to plan, develop, and test game prototypes based on established design concepts, evaluate the design based on testing outcomes, and reflect on the results.

The course gives students an introduction to photographic technique with a focus on composition and exposure/lighting. Students will learn to see subjects through the camera lens. Students also learn film as visual storytelling and how to use image composition, lighting and camera movement to tell a story. By filming their own VFX sequences, the students will increase their understanding of film and VFX techniques.

In this course the students will get an introduction to 3D graphics used as a tool towards work with visual effects (VFX). The students will gain basic skills in lighting and rendering of digital 3D objects with a view to integration in a VFX work process.

Media Art Innovation Lab (MAIL) er et tverrfaglig fellesemne ved Westerdals Institutt for Film og Medier (WIFM).

Dette emnet fungerer som et laboratorium for innovasjon, fremmer nye tenkemåter og samarbeidsmetoder, og gir studentene muligheten til å utforske nyskapende, kreative og eksperimentelle tilnærminger innenfor medie- og kunstfeltet.

En sentral del av emnet er tverrfaglig samarbeid. Studenter fra flere studieprogram jobber sammen i grupper for å planlegge, utvikle og gjennomføre prosjektarbeid. Dette bidrar til å utvikle studentenes samarbeidskompetanse, og gir dem muligheten til å respondere på og kommentere samfunnsspørsmål og den tiden vi lever i.

Studentene vil også bli introdusert for verdiperspektiver som bærekraftige vurderinger og prinsipper for grønn produksjon, samt prinsipper for mangfold og integrering.

I dette emnet er det studentene som driver innovasjon og kreative prosesser, og utvikler kunnskap og ny innsikt i en undervisningskontekst der de er aktive deltakere i læringsprosessen.

This course will provide students with relevant experience in executing a major practical project within their field of study, with high standards for quality and execution. The production could be a large-scale game, film/animation, VFX, or visualization project.

The student will gain professional experience by completing a project in a company, establishing their own business, or participating in a self-defined comprehensive research project. In a practical research project, the student will demonstrate broad knowledge of central topics and research methodology, and show skills in teamwork, project management methods, and relevant tools. The project should have a professional character and be of high quality.

The course also includes a practical introduction to prepare the student for the industry. The student will gain knowledge about industry-specific law, the industry’s institutions and working methods, as well as tools such as application writing and self-presentation.

The course is an advanced animation course focusing on dramaturgy and behaviour for humans, animals, and creatures. The student will have the opportunity to develop their own expression and style. High standards are set for quality and execution in the last animation polishing phase.

This course aims to provide students with a deeper understanding of system design through the lens of game balancing. Students will be introduced to advanced system design, which will be explored in detail. The course will cover various game mechanics, focusing on how these can be utilized, combined, and balanced to create a meaningful experience for the player.

Compositing 3 builds on the Compositing 2 course. The focus is on more advanced projects and typical advanced compositing tasks the students will encounter in the industry as well as completion of shots. Students will get to know some of the latest techniques and be able to make the final touches needed to deliver professional shots.