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2011-2012 CU Denver Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Fine Arts BFA — 3D Graphics and Animation, Digital Design, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Scientific Media Design, Sculpture, Transmedia
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All students pursuing the BFA in fine arts must complete 28 semester hours of visual arts courses and also select an emphasis area, consisting of 54 additional semester hours (62 for scientific media design). Students interested in pursuing a double emphasis (e.g., emphases in drawing and painting) are encouraged to consult a College of Arts & Media advisor to discuss required courses.
General Requirements
- All major courses in the major must be completed with a C (2.0) or better.
- All upper-division visual arts courses must be taken at CU Denver unless otherwise approved by visual arts faculty.
- 27 semester hours of visual arts credits (at any level) must be taken at CU Denver.
- 25 semester hours of total visual arts courses must be upper-division.
Students must also follow the College of Arts & Media’s general degree requirements.
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Required Visual Arts Courses
To be completed by all BFA-seeking students: 3-D Graphics and Animation Emphasis Courses
The digital animation center (DAC) program at the University of Colorado Denver is a competitive and rigorous four-year curriculum focused on preparing students to work in a wide variety of fields that use animated digital computer graphics (CG), including entertainment, film and television, gaming, medicine, and science. Tuition rates in the 13 DAC classes are set higher than most undergraduate CU Denver courses due to the advanced technology used in the program, computing and software requirements of the program and the smaller class sizes (14-16:1). At the time of this publication, tuition for and is $1533 per course. Tuition for the other eleven courses is $4050 per course. Students should refer to the course information listed on the University of Colorado Denver website for any changes in the current tuition rate for all DAC courses.
In order to maintain the highest standards of excellence for the CU Denver DAC, acceptance into the DAC cohort comes at the end of the first year and is competitive by portfolio review. To be considered, students are required to take the first two courses in the DAC curriculum, and . These two courses are open to all College of Arts & Media and CU Denver students with permission of the DAC. Students wishing to enroll in the DAC’s entry level courses must contact DAC faculty member Howard Cook at howard.cook@ucdenver.edu or the College of Arts & Media Advising office at CAMadvising@ucdenver.edu before registering.
Selection for entrance into the BFA with an emphasis in digital animation occurs at the end of the first year of the program and is a competitive process (by faculty review) that includes:
- Submission by the candidate of a “Portfolio Demo Reel”. The reel must include original works from either or (preferably both), as well as representative works created in other Visual Arts courses completed during the first year of the program. The Portfolio Demo Reel must be turned in as a .mov (Quicktime, H.264, 720x404 minimum frame size, 16:9 aspect ratio). Still work should be a component of the reel and should be on screen for at least 3 seconds but no more than 10 seconds. Name and contact information should appear at the beginning and end of the reel. The reel should not be greater in length than 3.5 minutes. Sound, if it is included, should use a 28k, 16bit compression.
- A “breakdown sheet”: the run time at which the work occurs and which describes what work is included on the submission reel, and, if collaborative in nature, what aspect of the work shown was created by the applicant.
- A one page double-spaced written statement regarding the applicant’s aspirations as a member of the DAC cohort and the CG community as a whole.
- A 2.8 GPA in courses taken in the DAC.
The student’s submission package must be turned into DAC Area Head Howard Cook or placed on the DACps2> Cook Drop Box> 2010PortfolioSubmissions no later than the first Friday after the spring semester has ended. Notification is by e-mail and letter and occurs on or before the first Monday of June of the application year. Upon acceptance, students will be able to enroll in advanced DAC classes.
Students should show only their best work and show the very best work first. Students should be selective since reels may only be 3.5 minutes long. Music is not recommended for professional reels, but if music is used, students should choose wisely.
Please see http://www.cu3d.org or http://cam.ucdenver.edu/va/3danimation.htm for the program and portfolio information, or contact the Digital Animation Center area head Howard Cook at howard.cook@ucdenver.edu.
The following courses are required for 3-D animation majors, but are offered at the standard CU Denver tuition rates:
Digital Design Emphasis Courses
The digital design emphasis integrates aesthetic, creative and critical thought with expertise in advanced electronic media. Configured as an interdisciplinary arts and design laboratory, digital design offers a hands-on education combining new art technologies and design concepts in a concentrated theoretical framework that promotes an understanding of the cultural impact and uses of digital technologies. Through this interdisciplinary approach combining arts and communication, digital design strives to produce artists and designers who will use technology in innovative ways in both commercial and artistic spheres.
Students who are applying for entrance into the digital design emphasis are required to submit a written statement, a designed portfolio and unofficial transcript(s) from CU Denver and all previous post-secondary educational institutions. The digital design course sequence starts in fall semester. Students who meet the following requirements can apply. Upon acceptance students will be able to register for upper-division digital design courses.
ELIGIBILITY
University of Colorado Denver Students
- The student has completed or is in the process of completing the following Foundation Studio classes: , , , and (FINE 2405 and FINE 2415 offered only in fall semester).
- A cumulative fine arts/art history GPA of 2.70.
Transfer Students
- The student has completed and is transferring a minimum of 24 credit hours from a previous institution.
- Student has completed or is in the process of completing the equivalents of the following foundation studio classes: , , and .
- A cumulative fine arts/art history GPA of 2.70.
APPLICATION PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS
Properly prepared application packets must be uploaded to http://designucd.com by 5 p.m. on November 1 or on the following business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday. Students should register and create a page one week prior to uploading so that they understand how to format and prepare work.
Applications are only accepted online and must be formatted to the specifications listed on http://designucd.com/portfolio. The portfolio samples should consist of images (jpgs) and embedded video. Written work may be in .PDF format or integrated into the submission. It is VERY important for students to visit the submission page early and begin uploads one week before the due date. Late submissions due to technical difficulties on the part of the applicant will NOT be accepted.
The Evaluation Process
- A committee of digital design faculty members reviews the application packet. The decision for admission into the digital design program is based on the portfolio, written statement and grades/GPA. For acceptance, the committee looks for a high level of skill and sophistication in studio, written and presentation skills.
- If not admitted into the digital design program, a student has the choice of attempting the review process again the following year or selecting another program. Students not admitted into the digital design program are encouraged to schedule a meeting with a digital design faculty member to learn of ways to improve portfolios for future admissions.
Portfolios are evaluated based on organization, craft, quality, creativity of ideas, compositional skills, concepts and consistency. Additional evaluation is based on the applicant’s statement and overall fine arts performance to date.
The application is evaluated on the following criteria:
- Presentation - Is the portfolio well crafted and well organized in content and presentation? Are all of the required components included?
- Visual Literacy - Does the portfolio reflect sensitivity to design concepts and visual logic, and does it demonstrate fundamental compositional understanding? Does the work communicate effectively?
- Technical Skill - Does the portfolio reflect a strong knowledge of tools and materials and a strong aptitude for digital design skills?
- Conceptual Skills - Do the portfolio and written statement demonstrate analytical thinking as it applies to visual art and design? Is there a developing conceptual exploration of the digital medium?
- Written Statement - Does the statement reflect an understanding of digital design and explain your goals as a student in the digital design program? Are potential strengths and weaknesses addressed clearly?
- Academic Performance - Do your grades reflect a commitment to learning and growth?
Portfolio
- The portfolio must include 10-12 electronic examples of your creative work. At least four portfolio works must be taken from Intro to Digital Design or Typography. Additional works may comprise design, drawing, sculpture, photography, installation, painting, video, etc.
- All artwork must include a corresponding brief explanation of the concept and creative process behind each piece.
Written
The written statement should address all of the following in a clear, detailed and accurate essay no more than two pages in length. The content of the answers has significant impact on the committee’s decision whether to offer admission to the digital design program.
- The applicant describes why he or she would like to be a designer in the digital design program and what goals and expectations the applicant has regarding design as a career. Include any special considerations that would be useful for the committee in making a decision, such as a high GPA, art-related extracurricular activities or relevent professional experience.
- The applicant reflects on the artists and designers who have influenced his or her artistic interests. Use at least two examples of their work, discussing both form and content.
- The applicant identifies their creative strengths and areas that need further development. How will the applicant best utilize strengths? How does the applicant plan to resolve any deficiencies in work and performance?
Course Transcripts
These may be official or unofficial transcripts from CU Denver and previous post-secondary institutions.
Questions
Please contact CAMadvising@ucdenver.edu for program and portfolio information, or contact the digital design area head, Brian DeLevie, at brian.delevie@ucdenver.edu.
Digital Design Electives
Painting Emphasis Courses
Photography Emphasis Courses
Students must complete the first six courses listed in the “Required Visual Arts Courses” section and
and before registering for upper-division photography courses.
, and may be completed in any order after having completed .
must be completed before .
must be completed before .
and all 3000-level studio courses must be completed prior to beginning the advanced photography sequence ( and ). Scientific Media Design Emphasis Courses
Admission into the BFA scientific media design program is by portfolio review. This review process occurs November 1 (or on the following business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or a holiday) during a student’s sophomore year after the student has met the following eligibility criteria.
University of Colorado Denver Students
The student has completed, or is in the process of completing the following foundation studio classes:
Cumulative fine arts/art history GPA of 2.7
Grade of C (2.0) or better required
Transfer Students
The student has completed and is transferring a minimum of 24 semester hours from a previous institution. The student has also completed or is in the process of completing the equivalents of the following foundation studio classes:
Cumulative fine arts/art history GPA of 2.7
Grade of C (2.0) or better required
Students who are applying for entrance into the scientific media design program are required to submit a portfolio that consists of (1) a written statement, (2) a digital portfolio and (3) unofficial transcript(s) from all previous post-secondary education institutions. Scientific media design courses start in the fall semester. Upon acceptance into the scientific media design program, students may register for upper-division classes in the scientific media design curriculum.
APPLICATION PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS
Properly prepared application packets must be uploaded to http://designucd.com by 5 p.m. on November 1 or on the following business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday. Students should register and create a page one week prior to uploading so that they understand how to format and prepare work.
Applications are only accepted online and must be formatted to the specifications listed on http://designucd.com/portfolio. The portfolio samples should consist of images (jpgs) and embedded video. Written work may be in .PDF format or integrated into the submission. It is VERY important for students to visit the submission page early and begin uploads one week before the due date. Late submissions due to technical difficulties on the part of the applicant will NOT be accepted.
The Evaluation Process
- A committee of digital design and scientific media design faculty members reviews the application packet. The decision for admission into the scientific media design program is based on the portfolio, written statement and grades/GPA. For acceptance, the committee looks for a high level of skill and sophistication in studio, written and presentation skills.
- If not admitted into the scientific media design program, a student has the choice of attempting the review process again the following year or selecting another program. Students not admitted into the scientific media design program are encouraged to schedule a meeting with a scientific media design faculty member to learn of ways to improve portfolios for future admissions.
Portfolios are evaluated based on organization, craft, quality, creativity of ideas, compositional skills, concepts and consistency. Additional evaluation is based on the applicant’s statement and overall fine arts performance to date.
The application is evaluated on the following criteria:
- Presentation - Is the portfolio well crafted and well organized in content and presentation? Are all of the required components included?
- Visual Literacy - Does the portfolio reflect sensitivity to design concepts and visual logic, and does it demonstrate fundamental compositional understanding? Does the work communicate effectively?
- Technical Skill - Does the portfolio reflect a strong knowledge of tools and materials and a strong aptitude for digital design skills?
- Conceptual Skills - Do the portfolio and written statement demonstrate analytical thinking as it applies to visual art and design? Is there a developing conceptual exploration of the digital medium?
- Written Statement - Does the statement reflect an understanding of scientific media design and explain your goals as a student in the scientific media design program? Are potential strengths and weaknesses addressed clearly?
- Academic Performance - Do your grades reflect a commitment to learning and growth?
Portfolio
- The portfolio must include 10-12 electronic examples of your creative work. At least four portfolio works must be taken from Scientific Media Design I or Typography. Additional works may comprise design, drawing, sculpture, photography, installation, painting, video, etc.
- All artwork must include a corresponding brief explanation of the concept and creative process behind each piece.
Written
The written statement should address all of the following in a clear, detailed and accurate essay no more than two pages in length. The content of the answers has significant impact on the committee’s decision whether to offer admission to the scientific media design program.
- The applicant describes why he or she would like to be a designer in the scientific design program and what goals and expectations the applicant has regarding design as a career. Include any special considerations that would be useful for the committee in making a decision, such as a high GPA, art-related extracurricular activities or relevent professional experience.
- The applicant reflects on the artists and designers who have influenced his or her artistic interests. Use at least two examples of their work, discussing both form and content.
- The applicant identifies their creative strengths and areas that need further development. How will the applicant best utilize strengths? How does the applicant plan to resolve any deficiencies in work and performance?
Course Transcripts
These may be official or unofficial transcripts from CU Denver and previous post-secondary institutions.
Questions
Please contact CAMadvising@ucdenver.edu for program and portfolio information, or contact the scientific media design area head, Travis Vermilye, at travis.vermilye@ucdenver.edu.
- Emphasis Course Requirements in Sciences:
- (also applies toward Core Biological/Physical Sciences requirement)
- (also applies toward Core Biological/Physical Sciences requirement)
- (also applies toward Core Biological/Physical Sciences requirement)
- (also applies toward Core Biological/Physical Sciences requirement)
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- Emphasis Course Requirements in Fine Arts:
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- ________ - Studio Arts/Visual Arts Electives (6 semester hours) consult advisor about course selection
Total: 62 Hours
Sculpture Emphasis Courses
Transmedia Emphasis Courses
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