Course Descriptions

BCST 115 Survey of Motion Graphics
The evolution motion graphics began with non-narrative experimental films of the 1930s and continued though to the innovative movie titles of Saul Bass in the '50s, the birth of MTV in the '80s, and the influence of new technologies and media artists in the 90s and 2000s. This course take students on a journey through time and surveys the hsistory of motion graphics and the individuals, the companies, and current trends that define the field today.

BCST 120 Concepts and Storyboards
Creating concepts and explaining ideas, style and technique though storyboards is an essential skill for the broadcast and motion graphics designer. In this course, students learn how to conceptualize and visualize motion graphic storyboards with digital techniques as required in the professional world. Prerequisite: CMPA 110, DRAW 100.

BCST 130 Motion Techniques I
This course trains students in the basic and essential vocabularies, techniques and methodologies of broadcast design. In this course students receive training in video, sound and motion equipment and software necessary for the creation of professional broadcast and motion graphic projects. Students receive a foundation in these techniques and software that are built upon in Motion Techniques II. Prerequisite: CMPA 110.

BCST 206 Motion Techniques II
This course builds on the knowledge of motion techniques and software learned in Motion Techniques I. It teaches advanced motion techniques in industry- standard motion graphic software to give students the ability to realize their concepts and ideas in upper level courses. Prerequisite: BCST 130 or GRDS 348.

BCST 235 Editing Theories and Techniques
This course covers the basic grammar of editing through hands-on exercises and real-life examples. From the Kuleshov effect to the contemporary aesthetics of noncontinuity and elliptical editing, students are introduced to the major theories behind the development of various editing techniques. The class focuses on conceptualizing projects for the edit in various design contexts. Prerequisite: BCST 206.

BCST 246 Title Design
This course addresses the basic historical and contemporary typographic design concepts utilized in creating simple film titles with graphic shapes, photographs, and sound. Students construct graphic elements and typography for use in projects while addressing issues of motion and dynamic relationships. Prerequisite: BCST 130.

BCST 290 DVD Production
This course teaches students how to design their own DVD interface and how to apply authoring techniques to produce DVDs with advanced features. Students are guided through the steps of organizing content, producing and finishing of the DVD. Prerequisite: CMPA 100 or CMPA 110.

BCST 305 Time-based Media for the Art Gallery
Utilizing a range of tools, this course explores and produces time-based artworks for the gallery context. These works can include DVD, video and sound installations; performance work; and interactive environments. Students are expected to consider the technical, aesthetic and conceptual concerns of these art forms and produce practical assignments that are grounded in historical and theoretical research. Prerequisite: ITGM 353.

BCST 309 Motion Graphics
This course introduces fundamental concepts for motion graphics, including graphics and promos for television networks and film titles and logos for advertising. The focus is on design presentation and development, screen composition, graphic transitions and content. Prerequisites: BCST 206, GRDS 205.

BCST 356 Compositing for Broadcast Design
Through the process of ideation with presentations and demonstrations, students develop complex motion graphic composites using professional production methods and industry standard software. The aesthetics of compositing also are explored to allow students to create portfolio quality works. Prerequisite: BCST 235.

BCST 360 Cinematography for Broadcast Design
This course addresses camera operation, lenses, film stocks, filters, lighting and light measuring, as well as the art and aesthetics of cinematography. Through hands-on practice and exercises, students are introduced to the science behind lighting ratios and exposures, film stocks and emulsion tests, and telecine transfers. Prerequisite: BCST 235.

BCST 369 Time-based Typography I
This course addresses historical and contemporary typographic design concepts using film and television. Students construct graphic elements and typography for use in projects while addressing issues of motion and dynamic relationships. Prerequisite: GRDS 205.

BCST 400 Senior Motion Graphics Project I
Students develop ideas and storyboards for their senior project. They execute the preproduction phase of the project and start production that is finished in Senior Project II. Prerequisite: BCST 309.

BCST 401 3-D Motion Graphics
This course explores the foundations of 3-D environments. Modeling, textures, lighting and animating are explored through simple animations, logo and shape motion, and environmental visual effects. Prerequisite: BCST 206.

BCST 406 Social Issues Presented in Broadcast Media
In this course, students develop an understanding of the documentary format as it relates to contemporary broadcast contexts. Through a process of critical viewing and analysis of the documentary form, along with practical assignments, students are expected to explore and develop documentary models that work in the broadcast world. In addition, students are expected to develop a thorough understanding of the history, techniques and issues related to the documentary form. Prerequisite: BCST 235.

BCST 408 Packaging for Broadcast Design
This course discusses historical and contemporary broadcast packages as they relate to design, marketing strategies and branding. These concepts are useful in the creation of show openings, tags, bumpers and other elements that develop network identities and broadcast entities. Prerequisite: BCST 309.

BCST 448 Senior Motion Graphics Project II
Students execute the postproduction phase of a project including analysis and critique, organization and scheduling. The goal is to create a final project that will showcase the student's artistic vision through his or her acquired skills. Prerequisites: BCST 309, BCST 369.

BCST 449 Time-based Typography II
This course continues the exploration of typography used in moving media. Advanced topics are discussed along with projects based in film, broadcast and new media. Prerequisite: BCST 369.

BCST 490 Broadcast Design Portfolio
This course prepares students for employment in the broadcast design field. Students are expected to investigate career opportunities and the requirements of positions of interest. Development of a portfolio and demo reel is enhanced through the continued study of motion graphics, compositing and sound. Prerequisite: BCST 448.

BCST 495 Special Topics in Broadcast Design
The topic of this course varies from quarter to quarter. Each seminar focuses on various problems in the broadcast design field and allows the advanced student an opportunity to pursue individual or collaborative projects related to the topic of the course. Prerequisites: Vary according to topic.

BCST 705 Visualization and Concept Storyboarding
In this course, students are expected to develop the ability to visualize various creative solutions to problems in broadcast design. Students learn concept development, engage in the application of appropriate narrative and visual storytelling to those concepts, and produce storyboards that portray concepts accurately and vividly. In the creative phase of production, students are subject to traditional industry constraints, including typical production guides and guidelines.

BCST 709 Cinematography and Editing
This course introduces the foundations of filmmaking through the critical examination of historical materials. The theoretical and practical applications of the course culminate in the compilation of imagery that encompasses a variety of ideas and concepts and utilizes film and video cameras and editing techniques.

BCST 711 Advanced Motion Techniques
Advanced Motion Techniques gives students the skills and techniques necessary to execute their concepts into motion. Students learn how to interpret and read a storyboard for production and apply industry standard software in their future motion graphic projects. Students receive training in all phases of motion graphic techniques and production.

BCST 735 Broadcast Design Studio I
In this seminar studio course, students begin the research and exploration necessary to ensure successful completion of a thesis. Students define a personal direction, engage in theoretical exploration, and they begin to formulate plans for their thesis project in a self-directed and flexible format. Prerequisite: SFDM 719.

BCST 746 Main Title Design
Main Title Design is the one of the most important and prestigious aspects of Motion Graphics. In the tradition of the masters of title design, students learn to conceptualize and express the content they are titling though innovative titling. Students create a body of work of feature film and television main titles. Prerequisites: BCST 705, GRDS 709.

BCST 747 Design and Branding for Broadcast Networks
This course is a comprehensive approach to design and branding for broadcast networks. Students create and pitch concepts, make storyboard presentations, and as the final project, totally re-brand and re-design a network, including creation of a presentation book of their storyboard concepts and an animated montage of their redesign for network. Prerequisite: SFDM 719.

BCST 749 Broadcast Design and Motion Graphics Portfolio
Students focus on the integration of imagery, Web sites, video and various other elements into a broadcast design portfolio. Students create effective tools for self-promotion, including a reel, CD compilation, Web site, cover letter and r??sum??. Proper and effective marketing techniques, interviewing skills, job search strategies and business practices are covered to provide an understanding of operations in the broadcast industry. M.A. students enroll in this course during their final quarter of the broadcast design and motion graphics program. Prerequisite: GRDS 709.

BCST 756 Works of Art in a Digital Culture
This course presents an in-depth study of contemporary digital culture through readings, writings and presentations. Students analyze and critique the role, definition and application of art in contemporary culture. Students also work together to produce a group exhibition addressing issues related to their research and present it in a local gallery or other public context.

BCST 758 3-D Motion Graphics
This course focuses on the creation of 3-D elements for compositing with live action and 2-D art. Students model and animate 3-D elements, focusing on lighting and camera placement as they apply to motion graphics environments.

BCST 759 Dynamic Typography
This course reviews the theories and principles of typography and composition, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of motion, legibility, content and message. Prerequisite: GRDS 709.

BCST 760 Alternative Methods in Broadcast Design
This course explores a variety of nontraditional practices for time-based work. Students explore ideas of narrative form, image genres and visual language issues related to context and audience. Prerequisite: SFDM 719.

BCST 761 Timeline Compositing
In this course students address specialized problems and patterns encountered in combining a variety of visual effects source material using a timeline based composting system. Prerequisite: BCST 709 or VSFX 715.

BCST 762 Advanced Typography
This course discusses aspects of typography in motion in a wide array of screen applications. The course reinforces students' ability to recognize the concepts of typography and the aesthetic use of logos and text. Strong emphasis is placed on the technical, analytical and aesthetic use of typography and the practical application of these concepts. Prerequisite: BCST 759.

BCST 764 Design in Professional Contexts
Students plan and execute a public service announcement; selected pieces may be broadcast locally. This project utilizes advanced motion graphics concepts, typography and client interaction, and the course focuses on developing and professionally executing a personal artistic vision. The completion of the project contributes significantly to a body of work that may be applied to a final demo reel. Prerequisite: GRDS 709.

BCST 766 Business Issues in Broadcast Design
This course covers the workings, promotion and operation of design businesses, preparing students for roles as freelancers or business owners in today's economy. Topics include developing a sound business plan, freelancing, agency work, client relations and problem resolution, compensation and benefits, profitability, and organizational structure and functionality.

BCST 768 Social Narrative for Broadcast Design
In this course, students scrutinize and evaluate the role of the director in producing broadcast pieces of short duration, such as PSAs, by participating in hands-on production and critiquing and analyzing historical and contemporary practices in the field. Emphasis is placed on research and the integration of history and practice as students work with and coordinate a variety of individuals with diverse production process experience to complete an aesthetic, concept-driven piece. Prerequisite: BCST 709.

BCST 775 Broadcast Design Studio II
This seminar studio continues the research and exploration of thesis ideas developed in Broadcast Design Studio I. In addition to continuing theoretical exploration, students engage in project organization and preproduction to prepare for the final thesis course. Prerequisite: BCST 735.

BCST 780 Special Topics in Broadcast Design
This course provides students with an opportunity to focus on particular issues in the field of broadcast design or to study advanced techniques and processes. Faculty, course content and prerequisites vary each time the course is offered. The course may include lectures, discussions, individual projects and critiques, depending on the nature of the topic.

BCST 790 Broadcast Design M.F.A. Thesis
Broadcast design M.F.A. students develop an innovative and theoretically informed body of work that is exhibited in a manner and context that supports its creative content. Students also produce a written component that addresses the theoretical premise of the work. Prerequisite: BCST 735.