What You'll Study

3D Animation Fundamentals

Aims to cover the traditional animation principles in-depth and adapt them for 3D. Through hands-on practical lessons, students will use professional 3D animation software to adopt a proper organized approach to computer animation and learn techniques for creating convincing movement. At the end of the module, students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of body mechanics and produce entertaining pieces of 3D animation involving anthropomorphic and basic humanoid characters.

Animation Studio 1

Aims to provide students with primary production knowledge in integrating their previously learned skill sets ranging from modeling to rendering to comprehensively develop and manage a short animated film production. Students are to create standard production timelines based on their presented ideas and encouraged to utilize simple assets created in the Introduction to 3D Computer Graphic module where possible to produce and deliver an entertaining and informative 3D animated video clip.

Basic 3D Modelling & Texturing

Aims to equip students with essential knowledge of 3D modeling and texturing. Students will learn how to model, texture, shade and render using the latest 3D technology. Through hands-on sessions, students can develop their skills and creativity to create digital artwork that can be used for product visualization, creative concept and production assets. The module will let students explore the asset creation discipline within the 3D production pipeline.

Basic Lighting & Rendering

Aims to equip students with essential basic lighting and rendering skills required to furnish a 3D scene. Various lighting and rendering methods will be covered throughout this module to provide students with a better understanding of their applications. Through hands-on sessions, students can develop their aesthetic skills creatively enhance the look and feel of a 3D asset for product visualization, creative concept and production assets. The module will let students explore the basic post-production discipline within the 3D production pipeline.

Communicating for Personal & Team Effectiveness

We have introduced the Employability Skills (ES) WSQ Framework which aims to equip the workforce with generic and portable skills to adapt and be resilient to challenges posed by a globalised and dynamic working environment, into our curriculum. WSQ is a national credential system and more importantly, training programmes developed under the WSQ system are based on skills and competencies validated by employers, unions and professional bodies. Two ES WSQ modules which are aligned to and introduced in CPT include “Develop Personal Effectiveness at Operations Level” and “Apply Emotional Competence to Manage Self at the Workplace”. In the first ES WSQ module, the learner will acquire the knowledge and skills to solve problems and make decisions by setting personal goals which are in line with team goals. This includes managing time and resources effectively so as to reduce stress to achieve work-life balance. In the second ES WSQ module, the learner will understand and be able to apply self-awareness techniques including applying emotional intelligence principles to manage oneself at the workplace.

Critical and Analytical Thinking

This module aims to equip students with skills in critical and analytical thinking, which includes the ability to evaluate different perspectives, articulate a point of view and support it with relevant and credible evidence. The module also provides students with opportunities to practise information literacy, and critical and analytical thinking skills through the exploration of contemporary local and global issues.

Drawing

This module aims to equip students to develop fundamental drawing skills such lines, shapes, forms and tones to arrive at an integrated image. Through drawing exercises that cover areas like texture and volume, space relationships, proportion, perspective, and composition, students will learn both analytical and inventive components of the drawing process. These skillsets will form the basis for students to embark further along the line of visual art and design.

Figure Proportion and Anatomy

Aims to build upon the concepts taught in Drawing with further emphasis on figure drawing. Students will study basic human anatomy like muscles, skeleton, and basic human proportion. This module will help prepare the students for the Character Design module.

Graphic Design Principles

Aims to provide students with basic skills and knowledge of graphic design. Areas covered include principles and elements of design, typography and graphic software such as Photoshop and illustrator. This module would provide students with opportunities to expand the various aspects of design and integrating them into other modules.

History of Animation

Aims to explore origin and development of animation to be one of the effective medium for storytelling and entertainment in general. Students will be introduced to many important milestones in animation industry including old sequential art, classical hand drawn animation and 3D animation technology. This module will also help them to identify many facades of art style in animation which focused in many areas around the world with emphasis on Asian region.

Narrative Thinking

This module aims to equip students with the skills to critically evaluate the elements of narratives used in a variety of contexts, and to appreciate and harness the power of storytelling in our daily life. Students will analyse narratives to connect and contextualise self to society, and learn to craft impactful personal narratives to inspire or influence others.

Visual Storytelling 1

This module aims to introduce students to the creative visual story creation process. Students will be taken through a journey of discovery and tap into various sources of creativity to uncover their potential as visual storytellers. Students will experience the process of creating a story; from brainstorming to ideation to character development, personas, plot, story structure and branching narratives. Students will be exposed to creating stories for different audiences and genres and learn how to present a visual story effectively as well as give critique constructively.

Animation Studio 2

Aims to provide students with primary production knowledge in integrating their previously learned skill sets ranging from modeling to rendering to comprehensively develop and manage a client-based short animated production. Students will be exposed to multiple usage of animation in variety of external live projects (eg. medical visualization, food industries, TV commercial, etc) along with their entrepreneurship aspects.

Character Modeling and Setup

Aims to impart the knowledge in the fundamentals of organic character modeling, UV mapping, basic texturing and rigging. Students must have passed their 3DF prior to taking this module. Students will tap into their understanding in the aesthetics and anatomy gained from Figure Drawing and bridge their art and technical knowledge in the 3D character creation process.

Digital Compositing

This module aims to train students with compositing concepts such as multipass compositing, matte extraction, rotoscoping , color correction and related compositing techniques used in the production of movies and motion graphics. Various compositing effects will also be incorporated. This module provides students with an opportunity to apply their compositing skills to their footages to enhance their sequence.

Digital Creature Modeling and Sculpting

Aims to build upon the fundamental concepts and techniques of organic modeling covered in Character Modeling and Setup. Students will learn to use advanced digital modeling tools to generate industry level texture maps and sculpt high-fidelity creature model based on original or provided design. This module will also incorporate intermediate level of shader engineering and lighting setup which further amplify the models aesthetic.

Digital Lighting and Rendering

Aims to equip students with essential lighting and rendering skills required to furnish a 3D scene. Various lighting and rendering methods will be covered throughout this module to provide students with a better understanding of their applications.

Elective 1

Please refer to Elective Module link below.

Elective 2

Figure Drawing for Animation

Aims to build upon the concepts taught in Drawing with further emphasis on figure drawing. Students will study basic human anatomy and be taught the techniques for drawing human figures and capturing poses using methods such as contour and gesture drawings. Drawing for weight, force, emotion, thought and movement are stressed. Character design and development will be realised through descriptive drawing for 3D animation production.

Rigging Fundamentals

The aim of this module is to familiarise students with the basic technical knowledge and skills in handling the rigging fundamentals across the animation pipeline. At the end of the module, students will be able to practice these applications in setting up assets, performing technical animation, and practices post-production tools.

Social Innovation Project

This module aims to equip students with a Design Thinking mindset in a social innovation context. Students collaborate in multi-disciplinary groups to apply Design Thinking tools and methods to create innovative prototype solutions for local social issues. In the process, they will develop a better understanding of themselves, and empathy for a local community in need.

Visual Storytelling 2

This module aims to equip students with storyboarding and storytelling skills to present ideas, stories and narratives. Students will acquire knowledge of visual grammar and narrative styles, visual and story design, and be able to conceptualise effective storyboards for a variety of emerging media formats. Students will get to demonstrate their creativity and imagination in presenting their visual product which can be further developed should they go into production

3D Body Mechanics

Aims to cover the traditional animation principles in-depth and adapt them for 3D. Through hands-on practical lessons, students will use professional 3D animation software to adopt an organized approach to computer animation and learn techniques for creating convincing movement. At the end of the module, students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of body mechanics and produce entertaining pieces of 3D animation involving anthropomorphic and basic humanoid characters.

3D Character Animation

Aims to build upon the animation concepts taught in the 3D Body Mechanic module. This module will focus on creating performing characters in a character driven scenario or story. It will expose students to specific approaches for character animation such as facial animation and lip sync. Students will be taught how to make their digital actors act and display convincing emotions.

Animation Studio 2

Aims to provide students with primary production knowledge in integrating their previously learned skill sets ranging from modeling to rendering to comprehensively develop and manage a client-based short animated production. Students will be exposed to multiple usage of animation in variety of external live projects (eg. medical visualization, food industries, TV commercial, etc) along with their entrepreneurship aspects.

Digital 2D Animation

Aims to build upon the knowledge gained in the Traditional Animation module and expose students to the concepts and techniques involved in 2D animation using professional digital tools. It allows students to produce their work in a significant digital environment in addition to pencil and paper. This module further emphasises the principles of animation including line of action and solid drawing, and introduces students to modern digital animation approaches such as the use of multi-plane cameras and limited animation. Students will then apply these concepts to produce 2D animation within the digital realm.

Elective 1

Please refer to Elective Module link below.

Elective 2

Figure Drawing for Animation

Aims to build upon the concepts taught in Drawing with further emphasis on figure drawing. Students will study basic human anatomy and be taught the techniques for drawing human figures and capturing poses using methods such as contour and gesture drawings. Drawing for weight, force, emotion, thought and movement are stressed. Character design and development will be realised through descriptive drawing for 3D animation production.

Graphics Animation

This module aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of dynamic visual communication that combines the principles of graphic design and moving images. Students will develop an understanding of motion literacy, kinetic images, typography and choreography.

Social Innovation Project

This module aims to equip students with a Design Thinking mindset in a social innovation context. Students collaborate in multi-disciplinary groups to apply Design Thinking tools and methods to create innovative prototype solutions for local social issues. In the process, they will develop a better understanding of themselves, and empathy for a local community in need.

Rigging Fundamentals

The aim of this module is to familiarise students with the basic technical knowledge and skills in handling the rigging fundamentals across the animation pipeline. At the end of the module, students will be able to practice these applications in setting up assets, performing technical animation, and practices post-production tools.

Visual Storytelling 2

This module aims to equip students with storyboarding and storytelling skills to present ideas, stories and narratives. Students will acquire knowledge of visual grammar and narrative styles, visual and story design, and be able to conceptualise effective storyboards for a variety of emerging media formats. Students will get to demonstrate their creativity and imagination in presenting their visual product which can be further developed should they go into production

Animation Studio 3

Aims to provide students with the opportunity to apply concepts and techniques learned into managing and executing real-world animated film projects. Students may utilize assets created in the Conceptualization & Layout module or generate new story ideas and create an animated film through the full production pipeline to final delivery. In addition, the module will include workshops conducted by industry professionals to provide insights and assist students in organizing and producing work in line with professional practices.

Elective 3

Internship