Curriculum

Jump to Fall 2021

Spring 2022

Ben Arguelles

• CTK 380.05 -- Mixing and Mastering Multitrack Recordings -- TR 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. in CVA 50
• CTK 380.04 -- Audio Production 1 -- TR 3-4:15 p.m. in CVA 50
  This course introduces audio production techniques within a digital audio workstation (DAW) environment. Concepts explored include equalization, compression, reverb, time-based modulation, mixing, editing, and sonic narrative. A series of small projects will allow students to apply textbook knowledge to realize artistic objectives.
  This course will be CTK 208 in the Audio Production Sequence
  Prereq: CTK 240 or Consent of Instructor.
• CTK 260.01 --  Computer Performance -- TR 4:30-5:45 p.m. in CVA 50
  Creative and interdisciplinary experiences in solo and ensemble performance integrating computer technology into music, dance, performance art, or theatre production
• MUS 223.01 – Music Business 2 -- TR noon-1:15 p.m. in CE 224
  Real-life scenarios in the music and entertainment industry, new media entrepreneurship, social networking, recording studios, and current music distribution methods.

Steve Bryant

• CTK 380.03 -- Digital Painting -- TR 9-10:15 a.m. in CVA 140
  This course further develops aesthetics and computer skills for the digital media student through a series of projects and critiques while exploring Photoshop and its connection to artistic applications.  Focus on all materials in this course will be on helping the student develop the aesthetics of their work as it pertains to composition, resolution, craftsmanship.
• CTK 201.02 -- Basic Skills in the Digital Arts  -- TR 10:30-11:45 a.m. in CVA 140
  Introduction to the history, theories, current trends, practices, and core media in the digital arts

Kristin Carlson  

• CTK 380.01 -- Design + Culture in Creative Technologies  -- MW 10:30-11:45 a.m. in CVA 17
  Technology impacts every aspect of our lives including our culture and creative practices. Since the 1960’s, hardware and software have been developed for use as creative tools for the entertainment industry, performance, galleries, and hobbyists. In this course you will explore how events in culture and society shape the design of technologies, as well as how creative applications of technology in turn affected culture and society. You will create projects that envision future technologies and applications in response to past and present work in a variety of areas: installation, music, art, theatre, dance, and games.  The course structure will focus on the creation of projects supported by lectures, observation, research, and deconstruction to dig into the information through tangible and hands-on methods.
• CTK 351.01 -- Game Design 1 -- MW noon-1:15 p.m. in CVA 140
  This foundational game design class explores concepts and frameworks for understanding how games engage with and affect players. We will cover topics like game mechanics, dynamics, motivation, flow, balance, game loops, and player experiences within an iterative design process. Mobilizing this knowledge, the students will create and playtest analog game prototypes, playful artifacts, and experiment with low-fidelity digital game making tools. 

Jody DeCremer

• CTK 201.01 -- Basic Skills in the Digital Arts -- MW 9--10:15 p.m. in CVA 17
  Introduction to the history, theories, current trends, practices, and core media in the digital arts
  Freshman only 
• CTK 370.01 -- Portfolio Development -- F 9--10:50 a.m. in CVA 109A
• CTK 370.02 -- Portfolio Development -- F 1--2:50 p.m. in CVA 109A
  Preparation for entry into the job market and/or artistic practice with an emphasis on portfolio preparation and presentation, and career counseling.
  8 week course (1/14 – 2/11 in class, 2/18-3/4 out)
  CTK Graduating Seniors only!

 Brian Franklin

• ART 284.01 --  Expanded Media 1  -- TR 9-11:50 a.m. in CVA 32
  Students utilize digital tools and fabrication techniques in studio art production, exploring specialized topics such as programming, motion, and time.
• ART 351a17 --  Special Projects: Graphic Design  -- MW 1-3:50 p.m. in CVA 32
  Students complete advanced projects in studio art using digital fabrication tools to explore interactivity in art objects and immersive environments.
• ART 371.01 --  Digital 3-D --TR 1-3:50 p.m. in CVA 32
  Exploration of digital 3D tools and processes. Theory and projects merge the virtual and physical form
  Not for graduate credit

Gary Justis

• CTK 380.07 -- Kinetic Sculpture -- TR 4:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m. in CVA 124
  Students will observe demonstrations and experiments in mechanical movement. Through a number of carefully guided projects, students conceptualize and create sculptural works that have a kinetic time-based aspect. Assignments are designed for every skill level, and they encourage growth in the mastery of materials. Students develop a recognition of possibilities within the realm of Time-Based Sculpture.

 Roy Magnuson

• CTK 380.02 -- Unity Fundamentals and VR Development -- MW 1:30 p.m. 2:45 p.m. in CVA 50
  Course focused on introductory concepts in Unity, with a focus on the visual and auditory components of the Unity Engine. Several small, focused projects will be done throughout the semester, with a final project focused on mobile virtual reality for the Oculus Quest.
  No prior experience in Unity is preferred

Rose Marshack

• CTK 302.01 -- Computer Programming for Creatives -- TR 9-10:15 a.m. in CVA 17
  CTK 302.02 -- Computer Programming for Creatives -- TR 10:30-11:45 a.m. in CVA 17
  Text-based, object-oriented, computer programming concepts for areas including interactive design, user interfaces, data visualization, and gaming.

 Aaron Paolucci

• CTK 240.01 -- Sound Design 1: Beginning Digital Audio -- TR noon-1:15 a.m. in CVA 50
• CTK 340.01 -- Advanced Sound Design -- TR 10:30-11:45 a.m. in CVA 50
  Advanced digital audio and aesthetic principles of sound.
  Prerequisites: CTK 240

 Tony Reimer

• CTK 380.06 -- Sound Design for Video Games -- TR 3:00 p.m.-4:15 p.m. in CVA 140
  This course will focus on the use of sound and music in interactive entertainment, and specifically video games. Students in the course will learn: How to apply an analytical framework for evaluating both the aesthetics and the execution of a video game sound design. Develop a strategy/procedure for designing sound for an interactive experience. Develop audio production skills that are unique to designing sound for a a video game. Gain exposure to tools and techniques useful in the creation of aesthetically coherent content as well as tools for the execution of the sound design for a video game. Develop a recognizable personal style of sound design and content creation.
  Prerequisites: ATK240 or THE251

Sercan Şengün

• CTK 352.01 -- Game Design 2  -- MW 9:-10:15 a.m. in CVA 140
• CTK 352.02 -- Game Design 2  -- MW 10:30-11:45 a.m. in CVA 140
  This course focuses on designing the content flow of a game. The course covers topics like pacing, goals, direction, iteration, limitations, unexpected interactions, etc. Students design levels and environments with/for existing games and tools (e.g., Mario Maker, Far Cry Map Editor, Civ V Scenario Creator, Skyrim Workshop, etc.) and are expected to publish them to the community
  Prerequisite; CTK 351 - Game Design 1
• CTK 353.02 -- Introduction to Game Development  -- MW noon-1:15 p.m. in SFC 210 (The Vault)
  This foundational game development class focuses on production and industry processes specifically relating to digital games. We will cover topics like game teams, concept development, game pitch, design documentation, project planning, prototyping, and play testing. During the semester, the students will form groups to learn Unity 3D and work on introductory game projects.
• CTK 355.02 -- Game Studio Capstone -- T 4:30-7:30 p.m. in CVA 140
  Game Studio Capstone will give the senior students a chance to create a complete and polished digital game from ideation to production. The capstone studios should be taken as a 1-year, 2-semesters block. The student groups will go through an accelerated and intense production cycle and work with the instructor closely to manage their scope and timeline. Once the teams are formed, the students are expected to do their best for the team to outlast a year's production cycle.

  Prerequisite; CTK 351, CTK 352, CTK 353 and CTK 354, 

Matthew Smith

• CTK 320.01 -- Programming Dynamic Media -- TR 1:30-2:45 p.m. in CVA 140
  Programming concepts using a graphical, dataflow environment for media-based performance, interactive installation, and generative art/sound.
  Also fulfills Bachelor of Science Graduation Requirement
• CTK 380.08 -- Foundations: Music Concepts-- M 6-8:50 p.m. in CVA 50
  This class covers basic music theory, along with history, genres, and common structures. Theoretical concepts that will be covered includes: notes, intervals, major/minor keys, chords, harmonic progressions, melodic techniques, rhythm, and song structure/analysis. Theory will be demonstrated in a DAW piano roll rather than staff-based notation. This course also covers an overview of the history of music, with an emphasis on key developments over the last century. Western historical periods and contemporary genres will be covered in reference to basic theory, and non-Western practices will also be introduced.
  This course will be CTK 204 in the Audio Production Sequence
• CTK 380.09 -- Foundations: Audio Theory  -- TR noon-1:15 p.m. in CVA 140
  This course develops a foundational understanding of audio theory through lectures and assignments related to timbre, harmonics, speakers, microphones, and analog/digital recording terminologies.
  This course will be CTK 202 in the Audio Production Sequence

Annie Sungkajun

• CTK 377.01 -- Motion Graphics  -- MW 1:30-2:45 p.m. in CVA 140
  This course explores concepts of motion in visual graphics and video. Students will learn about animation basics, including the traditional 12 Principles of Animation, and learn to decipher, construct and apply them to projects. Students will enhance their abilities to create well-designed motion graphics while utilizing skills from other Creative Technologies areas. This course will require experimentation in narrative, emotion, human or animal movement and lots of imagination.
• CTK 354.01 -- User Interface and User Experience Design in Gaming  -- MW 3-4:15 p.m. in CVA 140
  

  This course will explore fundamentals and methods in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI), with a focus towards gaming. Students will be introduced to terminology and common trends of interface design for games. The class will explore how design influences a user’s perception, behavior and overall experience of a game. We will analyze and discuss best practices in existing games, explore what the future of interface design can look like and through iteration and prototyping create a design interface for a genre of their choice.

Rick Valentin

• CTK 301.01 -- Web Design -- MW 9-10:15 a.m. in CVA 50
• CTK 301.02 -- Web Design -- MW 10:30 -11:45 a.m. in CVA 50
  Theory, technical skills, and design concepts for the creation of standards-compliant web sites
• CTK 303.01 – Advanced Web Design and Development -- MW noon - 1:15 p.m. in CVA 17
  

  This course will focus on advanced web implementations and concepts.
  Some of the topics to be covered will be AJAX/Javascript, Content Management Systems, Accessibility, User Interface Design, Database Driven Web Sites, CSS3/HTML5, and Search Engine Optimization.
  Prereq: CTK 301 or Consent of Instructor.

  
  
  

 

Curriculum

Jump to Spring 2021.

 Fall 2021

Ben Arguelles

• CTK 240.01 -- Sound Design 1 -- TR 1:30 p.m.-2:45 p.m. in CVA 50
• CTK 240.02 -- Sound Design 1 -- TR 3-4:15 p.m. in CVA 50
• CTK 260.01 --  Computer Performance -- TR 4:30-5:45 p.m. in CVA 50
• MUS 175.01 – Music Business 1 -- TR noon-1:15 p.m. in CE 224

Steve Bryant

• CTK 380.01 -- Digital Painting -- TR 9-10:15 a.m. in CVA 50
  This course further develops aesthetics and computer skills for the digital media student through a series of projects and critiques while exploring Photoshop and its connection to artistic applications.  Focus on all materials in this course will be on helping the student develop the aesthetics of their work as it pertains to composition, resolution, craftsmanship.
• CTK 380.04 -- Composition and Design for Digital Media -- TR 4:30-5:45 p.m. in CVA 50
  This course covers the fundamentals of visual composition with an emphasis on typography, visual hierarchy, and color theory as applied to digital output for interactive media, installations, web development, and application design. In addition, this course will explore the Design Thinking process as it applies to digital media. Not for credit if had ART 226

Kristin Carlson  

• CTK 330.01 -- Web Video  -- MW 9-10:15 a.m. in CVA 140
• CTK 330.02 -- Web Video  -- MW 10:30-11:45 a.m. in CVA 140
• CTK 351.01 -- Game Design 1 -- MW noon-1:15 p.m. in CVA 140
  This foundational game design class explores concepts and frameworks for understanding how games engage with and affect players. We will cover topics like game mechanics, dynamics, motivation, flow, balance, game loops, and player experiences within an iterative design process. Mobilizing this knowledge, the students will create and playtest analog game prototypes, playful artifacts, and experiment with low-fidelity digital game making tools. 

Jody DeCremer

• CTK 201.01 -- Basic Skills in the Digital Arts -- MW noon-1:15 p.m. in CVA 50
  Freshman only 

 Brian Franklin

• ART 284.01 --  Expanded Media 1  -- TR 9-11:50 a.m. in CVA 32
• ART 284.02 --  Expanded Media 1  -- TR 1-3:50 p.m. in CVA 32
• ART 371.01 --  Digital 3-D --MW 1-3:50 p.m. in CVA 32
  Not for graduate credit

Gary Justis

• CTK 380.05 -- Kinetic Sculpture -- TR 4:30 p.m.-5:45 p.m. in CVA 124
  Students will observe demonstrations and experiments in mechanical movement. Through a number of carefully guided projects, students conceptualize and create sculptural works that have a kinetic time-based aspect. Assignments are designed for every skill level, and they encourage growth in the mastery of materials. Students develop a recognition of possibilities within the realm of Time-Based Sculpture.

Tyler Lotz

• ART 351A25-001 -- Digital Clay -- TR 9-11:50 a.m. in CVA 124
  

  This course addresses the design and production of utilitarian and sculptural ceramic objects employing both manual and digital technologies. Technical ceramic processes will focus on the plaster mold, slip casting and glazing. Digital instruction will concentrate on the CAD software Rhinoceros for 3D modeling and the production of patterns utilizing the CNC router, 3D Printers and the laser cutter. While this course is ceramic based, the techniques and processes explored have excellent cross-disciplinary potential. Ceramic or CAD experience is helpful but not required.

Rose Marshack

• CTK 302.01 -- Computer Programming for Creatives -- TR 9-10:15 a.m. in CVA 17
• CTK 302.02 -- Computer Programming for Creatives -- TR 10:30-11:45 a.m. in CVA 17
• CTK 401 -- Portfolio Development in Creative Technologies -- Friday, TBA, 2021 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in CVA 50
  Other meetings may be arranged at various times throughout the semester. This course is a group review where graduate students present work to the entire Creative Technologies faculty and each other.
  For graduate students only

 Aaron Paolucci

• CTK 201.02 -- Basic Skills in the Digital Arts -- TR 9:00-10:15 a.m. in CVA 50
• CTK 340.01 -- Advanced Sound Design -- TR noon-1:15 p.m. in CVA 50
  Prerequisites: CTK 240
• CTK 380.03 -- Speaker System Design -- TR 10:30-11:45 a.m.. in CVA 50
  The study of loudspeaker design through exploration of transducer technology, cross-over design, and cabinet loading configurations.  Additional exploration in external active crossover, multi-amplifier configurations, and related signal processing for complex speaker setup and calibration.  Students will design their own ultimate speaker system as well as build their own personal set of studio monitors from prefab speaker kits.  Kits will need to be purchased for the DIY speaker building portion of this class starting at $100.

 Tony Reimer

• CTK 380.02 -- LIVE Audio Engineering -- TR 3:00 p.m.-4:15 p.m. in CVA 17
  This course will take an in-depth look at the concepts, theory, and equipment involved in live sound reinforcement. In addition to hands-on exercises, topics will include: acoustics; circuit flow; sound system components; audio measurements; digital consoles and equipment; wireless technology; and, audio over ethernet.
  Prerequisites: ATK240 or THE251
• THE 251.01 -- Theatre Sound Design 1 -- TR 11 a.m.-12:50 p.m. in CVA 140
  Developing a basic understanding of the properties of sound and audio technologies in live theatrical performances.

Sercan Şengün

• CTK 353.01 -- Game Design 2  -- MW 1:30-2:45 p.m. in CVA 140
  This course focuses on designing the content flow of a game. The course covers topics like pacing, goals, direction, iteration, limitations, unexpected interactions, etc. Students design levels and environments with/for existing games and tools (e.g., Mario Maker, Far Cry Map Editor, Civ V Scenario Creator, Skyrim Workshop, etc.) and are expected to publish them to the community
  Prerequisite; CTK 352 - Game Design 1
• CTK 354.02 -- Introduction to Game Development  -- MW 3-4:15 p.m. in SFC 210 (The Vault)
  This foundational game development class focuses on production and industry processes specifically relating to digital games. We will cover topics like game teams, concept development, game pitch, design documentation, project planning, prototyping, and play testing. During the semester, the students will form groups to learn Unity 3D and work on introductory game projects.
• CTK 355.01 -- Game Studio Capstone -- MW 4:30-5:45 p.m. in CVA 140
  Game Studio Capstone will give the senior students a chance to create a complete and polished digital game from ideation to production. The capstone studios should be taken as a 1-year, 2-semesters block. The student groups will go through an accelerated and intense production cycle and work with the instructor closely to manage their scope and timeline. Once the teams are formed, the students are expected to do their best for the team to outlast a year's production cycle.

  Prerequisite; CTK 352, CTK 353 and CTK 354, 

Matthew Smith

• CTK 320.01 -- Programming Dynamic Media -- TR 1:30-2:45 p.m. in CVA 17
• CTK 345.01 -- Sequence & Digital Audio -- TR noon-1:15 p.m. in CVA 17
• CTK 460.01 -- Computer Arts Studio  -- T 5:30-8:20 p.m. in CVA 109A
  For graduate students only

Annie Sungkajun

• CTK 377.01 -- Motion Graphics   -- MW 1:30-2:45 p.m. in CVA 50
  This course explores concepts of motion in visual graphics and video. Students will learn about animation basics, including the traditional 12 Principles of Animation, and learn to decipher, construct and apply them to projects. Students will enhance their abilities to create well-designed motion graphics while utilizing skills from other Creative Technologies areas. This course will require experimentation in narrative, emotion, human or animal movement and lots of imagination.
• CTK 354.01 -- User Interface and User Experience Design in Gaming  -- MW 3-4:15 p.m. in CVA 140
  

  This course will explore fundamentals and methods in User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI), with a focus towards gaming. Students will be introduced to terminology and common trends of interface design for games. The class will explore how design influences a user’s perception, behavior and overall experience of a game. We will analyze and discuss best practices in existing games, explore what the future of interface design can look like and through iteration and prototyping create a design interface for a genre of their choice.

Rick Valentin

• CTK 301.01 -- Web Design -- MW 9-10:15 a.m. in CVA 50
• CTK 301.02 -- Web Design -- MW 10:30 -11:45 a.m. in CVA 50
• CTK 450.01 – Design Aesthetic Issues -- M 5:30 - 8:20 p.m. in CVA 109A
  

  For graduate students only