3D Art Asset Creation 1

This specialisation module aims to equip the students with knowledge and skillsets to create more complex 3D models for animation and games. The students will learn to create intermediate level polygonal type of 3D models using hard-surface and organic modelling techniques, including how to establish lighting, and applying texture to 3D models. Students will also be taught fundamentals in 3D production pipeline that is suitable for pre-rendered and real-time 3D projects that encompass modelling, UV, texturing, and presentation methods for 3D works. The knowledge and skills from this will form the foundation that is essential to more advanced 3D production methods in later modules.

Animation 1

Aims to build upon the knowledge of Traditional Animation 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 emphasizes the principles of animation including line of action and solid drawing, and introduces students to modern digital animation approaches such as those for multi-plane cameras and limited animation. Students will then apply these concepts to produce 2d animation within the digital realm.

Artificial Intelligence and its Impact

Creative Entrepreneurship

This module will equip students in the creative profession with a mind-set and toolkit of skills and competencies to identify entrepreneurial opportunities that align with their creative skills and aspirations. With an emphasis on learning from practice, students will work in teams driven by creativity to package, pitch and deliver innovative solutions to the market. Prior experience in entrepreneurship – or even a desire to become an entrepreneur in the future – are not required or expected. Reflecting on their experiences will form the centrepiece for their learning in the module. Gathering from what they have learned in the programme, students will then chart their pathways in the Creative industry.

Data Fluency

Drawing

Students taking this module will work with drawing media such as graphite pencils to develop line, shape and tone to arrive at an integrated image. Through drawing exercises that cover areas like value, texture, volume, space relationships, proportion, color, perspective, and composition. Students will learn both analytical and inventive components of the drawing process.

Education and Career Guidance 1: Personal Development

This module aims to help you discover your strengths, values and interests. It also supports you in making informed educational and career choices to achieve your career aspirations.

Elective 1

Human Experience and Behaviour

Psychology is the foundation for understanding users. This is integral to the user experience (UX) process which underpins the MAD core modules. In this module, students will learn how humans process information, how our personalities and motivations shape us, and how media and the people around us influence our emotions and behaviours. They will also learn basic concepts in secondary research to enrich their understanding of users, audiences, or stakeholders to create more effective ideas that appeal best to their users, audiences or stakeholders.

MAD Taster

Choose 2 out of 5 taster modules.

PlayLab

Creativity, as well as the ability to explore problems through transdisciplinary lens, are key skills needed to solve complex real-world issues. PlayLab aims to cultivate these skillsets, by getting students to understand how we can disrupt the thinking process, to trigger creative ideas, in a playful, purposeful and meaningful way. PlayLab is an interdisciplinary, studio-based project module that aims to teach students how to approach complex problems in a systematic yet creative way, through playful and creative problem solving. To further expand their scope in generating novel and innovative solutions, they will also be introduced to prototyping with technology. These skills will provide them with opportunities to arrive at solutions, from a holistic standpoint, beyond the parameters of their respective disciplines.

Principles of Design

Design plays a vital role in shaping and improving the user experience across all disciplines in the creative industry. It is a basic skillset that is core to the creation of effective animations, games, videos, marketing campaigns, etc that users interact with daily in the real-world. This module aims to cultivate these skillsets through the introduction of the basic principles of design. Students will engage in hands-on photography, digital imagining and illustration exercises to expose them to the importance of visual hierarchy and flow, colour theory, typography and other core design elements. They will undergo training to understand the importance of the design process from developing creative concepts, to sketching for communication and finally art directing effective designs for their users across various platforms.

Principles Of Interaction Design

This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of user interaction design as basic principles are fundamental to the design and implementation of effective interfaces, whether for traditional GUI environments, the web, mobile devices, wearables, or Internet-connected smart devices.

Sports For Life

Sports for Life (SFL) is a physical education programme that has become part of the Graduation Criteria for ALL Year 1 students matriculated since AY2018/19. During this e-learning Semester, Year 1 students can choose their preferred module from a selection of 9 sports. SFL aims to encourage students to lead an active lifestyle by following a holistic e-learning package with videos and supplementary materials that focuses on acquiring knowledge, rules of the game, basic sports techniques and maintaining fitness. Besides physical activity, the e-learning curriculum also comprises of syllabus on Mental Wellness and Personal Leadership using 7 Habits of Highly Effective College Students.

Story Craft

Stories are the most powerful way to communicate. A good story captures our attention, makes us feel, shapes the way we think and even influences our actions. Telling a good story is essential in the media and creative industry whether you choose to be a writer or a journalist, a games developer or a designer, a brand specialist or an animated content creator. Through the study of storytelling, students will recognise the power of story in connecting people and shaping the way we see the world. They will learn key concepts from ideation to character development, story world building and narrative structure. They will examine themes and create original stories that will resonate with a target audience. They will learn tools in video storytelling. Ultimately, students will present their story in the form of a media product using audio visual technology.

Thinking Critically about the UN SDG

Visual Narrative

This module introduces students to the creative visual story creation process. Students will be taken through a journey of discovery and tap into various sources of creativity, including their life experiences, to uncover their potential as visual storytellers. Students will experience the process of visual story creation that include story creation and storyboard creation. They will be introduced to the knowledge of film languages that includes basic concept of camera works, visual composition, progression of shots and film editing. Students will also experience the process of storyboarding that includes applying the film language to create the storyboards. In story creation, they will be introduced to the different techniques of brainstorming ideas, story creation workflow and different modes of filmic narration. They will learn how to present a visual story effectively as well as give critique constructively. They will be encouraged to discover their ‘creator’s voice’ and apply the concepts they have learnt to create visual stories that reflect their unique voice and connect emotionally with the audience.

3D Art Track: 3D Art Asset Creation 3

Aims to build upon the fundamental concepts and techniques of organic modelling covered in Character Modelling and Setup. Students will learn to use advanced digital modelling 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.

3D Art Track: Animation 3

This module will focus on humanoid facial muscles, rigging and blend shapes. Students will study performance acting and translate into CG characters for 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.

3D Art Track: Concept Art & Design

This module aims to build upon the concepts taught in drawing fundamentals with further emphasis on figure stylization for character design while building on student’s perspective drawing skills to further develop environment and prop design. Students will be exploring different techniques and workflow in coming up with unique character designs and exploring interior and exterior set designs and props.

Immersive Media Track: 3D Game Development

Immersive Media Track: Immersive Media Fundamentals

This module aims to foster an awareness and appreciation for immersive technologies and how it plays a much larger role across different sectors. Students will be introduced to Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mix Reality (MR) platforms and case studies of their successful applications. During the module, students would be taught to develop simple AR/VR prototypes through hands-on tutorial sessions.

Immersive Media Track: Interactive Digital Design

3D Art Asset Creation 2

This specialisation module aims to equip the students with deeper knowledge and skillsets to create more complex 3D models for animation and games with medium level of difficulty. The students will learn to create intermediate level polygonal type of 3D models using hard-surface and organic modelling techniques, including how to establish lighting, and applying texture to 3D models. Students will also be taught intermediate level of 3D production pipeline that is suitable for pre-rendered and real-time 3D projects that encompass modelling, UV, texturing, and presentation methods for 3D works. Student will study how to create intermediate level of shader creation and texturing method for their 3D models and their application.

Animation 2

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 and rigs. At the end of the module, students are expected to demonstrate an understanding of body mechanics, setting up rigging structures such as bipedal character and props, and produce entertaining pieces of 3D animation involving anthropomorphic and basic humanoid characters.

Animation & Games Studio 1

Aims to build upon the fundamental concepts and techniques of organic modelling covered in Character Modelling and Setup. Students will learn to use advanced digital modelling 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.

Elective 2

Figure Drawing & Anatomy

This module aims to build upon the concept taught in Drawing with further emphasis on figure drawing. Students will study human anatomy and be taught the techniques for drawing the figures and capturing poses using methods such as contour and gesture drawings. Drawing for weight, force, emotion, thought and movement are stressed. Basic forms of animal anatomy would be introduced.

MAD Studio Project

The MAD Studio Project aims to build on the interdisciplinary practices taught in PlayLab in order to further develop students’ ability to generate new ideas and contribute to innovations. Students will work in mixed groups and take on complex, real-world industry projects. They will draw on the domain knowledge and skills from their own tracks, as well as those of their peers from other tracks, in order to gain a deeper understanding of an issue, and transform them into new knowledge which confronts the challenges of the present world. This module is a facilitated time and space for students to explore across the disciplines of creative perspectives, which necessarily includes research and design, problem-solving and communication of ideas. The teaching facilitation will also embrace the design inquiry cycle that enables learners to mind shift and lead into a convergence of viewpoints.

Mobile Game Development

This module aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to produce a digital 2D mobile game prototype using commercially adopted game engine. Students will be introduced to game development terminology and basic programming fundamentals to aid them in creating a prototype or proof of concept, which is an important phase within a typical game production life cycle. Students will also be taught how to infuse design considerations into the development process as part of the training to be a proficient game designer cum programmer.

Persuasive Communication with Data Storytelling

Sustainable Innovation Project

Work in multi-disciplinary groups to apply the design thinking method and tools backed by research and qualitative data, to tackle local issues mapped to the UN SDGs. You will also tap on what you have learnt in the CCC modules that come before this module to create sustainable and innovative prototype solutions for real-life issues faced by a local community in need. In the process, you will develop empathy for the community you have identified for your project and a better understanding of yourselves.

User Interface And Experience Design

This module will introduce students to the fundamentals of user interaction design and user experience development, starting with the principles of interaction design towards everyday products and unto digital games. Students will then learn the different categories of user experience for digital games and designing games that will provide the optimal user experience for their target audience personas. Principles of interaction design for 2D and 3D games are covered as well.

Animation & Games Studio 2

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

Effective Writing for the Workplace

Elective 3

Immersive Application Development

This module aims to equip students with the skillsets of various content creation techniques and processes to incorporate assets into different Extended Reality (XR) platforms. Students will learn about the tools, technologies and workflows that enable immersive media to be integrated into applications.

Internship

This module aims to provide students with work exposure to an industrial environment, with opportunity to relate what is taught in the classroom to actual work situation. This module creates a valuable learning opportunity for students to sharpen their skills and knowledge, as well as contributing to the development tasks of participating organizations.

Personal Branding and Career Agility

Transdisciplinary Project

The TD Project/ Final-Year Project is an opportunity for students to integrate, apply and deepen the knowledge, skillsets and competencies (both technical and general) they have gained over the course of their study. Building on the skills taught in PlayLab and the MAD Studio Project, students will work in mixed groups to tackle complex real-world issues through industry projects. They will learn how to research and generate new, innovative solutions that go beyond a single domain, while considering other factors such as meeting a business-end, dealing with resource constraints, as well as taking advantage of social, cultural and economic trends. They will also learn how to communicate with their stakeholders and manage a project. By the end of this module, students will deepen their skills in acquiring and synthesising knowledge from across disciplines and develop resilience and an entrepreneurial spirit in tackling complex problems.

Visual Effects

In this module students use digital art software with their traditional art knowledge to create any phenomena; that are not characters or props. The overall quality of effects are given off by the characters and objects in the film or game, These VFX elements play a part in the creation of a greater project, thus creating a more detailed and believable virtual environment.