Credit Points: 6
Trimester 3

This unit exposes the student to a history of animation and games embedded into a broader notion of the visual narrative or experience. Studies will lead from early examples of sequential art through to current examples of new technology platforms, with attention paid to historical and social context, geographical and technical factors, and the interplay of commercial production with the artist and auteur. Students will actively investigate topics themselves, and conduct presentations and seminars under the guidance of the lecturer. Classes will be divided between tutorial sessions and sessions devoted to screenings, demonstrations, and presentations, plus self-directed off-site visits to relevant events and exhibitions.

Prerequisite: AGA202 (Games & Animation in Context)

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 4

This unit builds on the knowledge of game design and interactive storytelling that has been developed in the course to date. The subject introduces students to some of the fundamental theory of designing game spaces that are engaging to play in, developing a conceptual and theoretical foundation for the student to define and achieve game design goals. 

Content will include concepts universal to level design, including interactivity, map design, world building, immersion, sensory perception, and pace.

Prerequisite: AGA303 (Game Design I)

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 3

This unit will provide practical knowledge of digital and non-digital game design. It will explore the requirements for a successful game, and the types of interactions used to create meaningful play. Theoretical analysis of existing game mechanics will be covered alongside contemporary design issues forming a conceptual framework to engage design-based practice with. Through paper prototyping, playtesting, iteration and analysis, students develop a range of design skills that are then demonstrated via a series of design challenges. Skills gained in this unit are implemented in future units as part of the game creation process.

Prerequisite: AGA203 (Production Studio I)

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 4

In Production Studio II students develop and execute a small group project utilizing the key skills they are focusing on in their streams, or alternatively, act as a crew-member on a project being undertaken by more senior students in Studio I and II. Individuals and teams are required to log required hours in the lab environment, and to meet weekly with an assigned project supervisor who will act as a mentor and support person. A range of creative briefs will be provided for those originating their own project, covering potential projects in areas such as art and design, modelling, animation, game development, or hybrids of these. In addition to the creative work, students will be guided through planning, documenting, reporting, and reflecting on their work. Additional workshops may be provided where required to extend technical knowledge. Finished projects will form the basis of a portfolio to be built upon in successive trimesters.

Prerequisite: AGA203 (Production Studio I)

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 3

Game Dev II: Programming - AGA307

3D Animation I guides students through the analysis and application of key principles of animation in a 3D context at a basic level. Technical workflow and animation mechanics are illustrated through lectures, and ongoing practical exercises build foundational knowledge and skills. This is a practice led class with weekly exercises.

Prerequisite: AGA206 (Game Dev I: Game Development)

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 4

Game Dev III: Rapid Prototyping - AGA312

This unit provides a broad introduction to working within game editor systems, integrating art elements into projects. The use of 2D & 3D graphics programs will be developed in conjunction with 2D & 3D features in the engine.  Students will be provided with a template for gameplay and will apply principles of design and technical art skills to develop a playable project. This will provide an overview of a range of core engine features and practical experience integrating content.

Prerequisite: AGA307 (Game Dev II: Programming)

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 3

Depending on your chosen stream:

Production Art II: Prop & Environment Design - AGA308

This unit focuses on design and drawing skills for the creation of three-dimensional props, vehicles, buildings and environments. There is a strong emphasis on perspective and volumetric drawing, accurate portrayal of physical detail and form, and the composition and layout of spaces. Drafting and rendering techniques and conventions are covered, as well as style and finish for concept art and production design.

Prerequisite: AGA207 (Production Art I: Characters)

CG Art II: Digital Sculpture - AGA317

Introduction to using digital sculpture package for modelling and detailing. Through the unit students must maintain a focussed and sustained sculpture practice, posting sculpts, duration of sculpt and reference to the course forum. Initially, this is to establish familiarity with software, analysing planes and volume, and learning landmarks for the human figure. This includes gathering reference and analysing sculptures on an exhibition tour. The course then requires work for two subjects, stylised props and stylised character, including the preparation of models and textures, applicable to production project.

Prerequisite: AGA208 (CG Art I: Modelling)

2D Animation II - AGA305

2D Animation II gives students a deeper understanding of digital animation packages, by looking at more advanced functionality, rigging, and background animation techniques. Students will also explore 2D animation for games and develop and import those animations into a game engine. 

Prerequisite: AGA204 (2D Animation I)

3D Animation II: Rigging - AGA306

3D Animation I guides students through the analysis and application of key principles of animation in a 3D context at a basic level. Technical workflow and animation mechanics are illustrated through lectures, and ongoing practical exercises build foundational knowledge and skills. This is a practice-led class with weekly exercises. 

Prerequisite: AGA205 (3D Animation I)

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 4

Depending on your chosen stream:

Production Art III: Production Design - AGA313

This third unit in the Production Art sequence consolidates the skills learnt in PAI and PAII and embeds them into the context of the full design of a production in animation, games, or a related field. Students will be introduced to the process and art of world creation, employing colour, form, composition, character, architecture, landscape, technology and culture to conceive, define, and illustrate narrative and experiential works. Illustration techniques and detailed documentation will also be key elements of the unit.

Prerequisite: AGA308 (Production Art II: Characters)

CG Art III: Look Development - AGA318

This unit focuses on look development via surfacing, lighting, and rendering, and introduces software for use in creating textures. Students are introduced to creative and technical lighting approaches and systems in greater depth. Common materials and channels contextualising their use are explored. Texturing approaches inside specialist software are introduced with a focus on developing layered, matte based approaches for further customisation in a destination application. Procedural and semi-automated systems for look development will also be explored. Rendering strategies will be explored and the calculation of render times for quality output is examined. 

Prerequisite: AG317 (CG Art II: Digital Sculpture)

2D Animation III - AGA310

2D Animation III builds on the previous units, taking the student’s 2D skills to a sophisticated level of expressive and acting animation. Contemporary digital implementations of classical frame by frame animation styles are employed, with a strong emphasis on movement, timing, acting, and dialogue. Art clean-up methods and approaches are explored, giving the student experience in producing polished, finished 2D animation in a range of styles. 

Prerequisite: AGA306 (2D Animation II)

3D Animation III - AGA311

This unit continues to develop core principles of animation while also introducing more sophisticated acting elements and dialogue via theory, and practice. The assessment tasks encourage students to animate their own ideas, characters and stories, adding individual personality and style in the process. 

Prerequisite: AGA205 (3D Animation I)

Trimester 5

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 6

Industry Development provides students with guidance in the preparation of their professional profile, seeking employment, additional study, or the development of personal career goals. Students will build an awareness of career pathways, salary structures, local and international industries, and advancement. They will be supported technically and creatively in the creation of promotional materials such as Resumes, CVs, show reels, portfolios, and the like, and the investigation of their industry and available career paths. Professional and workplace skills are addressed with a strong emphasis on good communication practice, and the maintenance of good mental health and wellbeing. The unit may involve guest lectures from practitioners or studio visits, as well as attendance at industry events and presentations.

Prerequisite: AGA304 (Production Studio II)

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 5

In this unit students will be exposed to a range of theoretical frameworks derived from literary, film, animation and game studies. Students will explore a number of these through academic research, and share their discoveries with their peers in a tutorial presentation context. A flexible approach to the presentation of ideas through various media options will allow students to develop their thinking in visual and auditory ways as well as more traditional writing forms, and the group will be encouraged to engage in debate and discussion around the themes.

Prerequisite: AGA301 (History of Animation & Games)

Credit Points: 18
Trimester 6

Production Studio IV is a continuation of Production Studio III. In this unit, students will finalise their project to a professional/publishable standard. Students will work with their peers and mentors to develop and apply advanced technical skills to expedite the creative realisation of their project. To more accurately simulate professional practice, students will be required to engage with peers in other disciplines or external practitioners for sound production, acting/voiceovers and so on, as required. AGA404 students, in consultation with the unit coordinator, may also involve students in AGA304 to assist in the development of this project. At the end of this unit, students will exhibit their completed project. 

Prerequisite: AGA402 (Production Studio III)

Credit Points: 12
Trimester 5

In Production Studio III and Studio IV students will design and develop a short production completed to a professional/publishable standard. The design and prototyping stage of the project is undertaken in Production Studio II, along with the early stages of production. Students will be expected to develop and document a concept for a project and a project plan for the development and production of the full project (including Production Studio IV), or to contribute as a specialist to one or more of these projects, culminating in an exhibition of the completed works. They will work with their peers and mentors to develop required advanced technical skills and to regularly critique and refine their creative and technical goals. AGA402 students, in consultation with the unit coordinator, may also involve students in AGA304 to assist in the development of this project. At the end of this unit, students will need to have developed detailed creative and technical documentation and prototype elements and begun full production which will then be carried over into Production Studio IV. 

Prerequisite: AGA304 (Production Studio II)

Digital compositing is the process of combining visual elements into cohesive still and moving images and is integral for any post-production facility. Students are introduced to key areas in compositing, moving from separating and combining still images, to working with complex transparency, camera movement and computer-generated images.  These scaffolded weekly projects prepare students for a proposal and project completed in a para-professional studio environment.

Extended reality systems are a significant element of new trends in digital human interfaces and creative expression. This unit provides a foundational introduction to the history of XR technologies, their convergence in present systems, and key psychological elements informing a user experience.

The first project implementing a basic augmentation application for mobile device introduces students to working with development plugins and principles of tracking key to all XR technologies. The second project extends students implementing development within a dedicated virtual reality system as a small team.

Prerequisite: AGA203 (Production Studio I)

Motion capture systems are an increasingly important tool in the creation of film and game animation, but to produce high-quality work requires knowledge and skill. This unit will introduce students to the technology and techniques for designing, setting-up, capturing and working with motion capture data.

Students will examine examples of motion capture work good and bad, and analyse where and how it is most effective. You will work with actors or other performers in the studio, to direct performance and motion for capture. You will learn how to set up and use the equipment and how to acquire and manage the data produced.

Most importantly students will spend a substantial part of the unit developing an understanding of how the data is utilised, and the place of the animator’s skillset in refining, cleaning up and completing the action captured. You will begin to acquire these skills through the practical work undertaken in the unit.

Prerequisite: AGA203 (Production Studio I)

(by application only)

COL401 Internship aims to provide students with an internship opportunity that has sound educational value and provides students the chance to initiate and/or develop relationships with professionals in their discipline. COL401 allows students to prepare or consolidate their know-how to work as a professional and increase their technical and creative skills base. It also allows students to explore potential areas of employment. 

In this unit the National Society for Experiential Education’s definition of “internship” is used. This is internship is a carefully monitored volunteering or working experience where an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what they are learning throughout the experience. For this reason, beside the time students spend during their internship, they will also spend self-study time. They will reflect upon their awareness of applying theory to practice during their internship, practicing their ability to evaluate situations, critical thinking, and effective communication of their decision-making. 

Students will also elaborate a professional plan where they explain their aspiring professional development goals and the activities that would assist them to achieve these under the guidance of their Internship Coordinator/Supervisor.  

(by application only)

This subject is a special project based on research, experiences and learning undertaken in conjunction with the overseas academic partners and JMC Academy.  Students will be immersed in two weeks of educational experiences prior to JMC Academy trimester start, hosted by the overseas academic partners. They will cover a range of topics, skills and knowledge taught by industry experts and educators in the students’ area of study (Entertainment Business Management, Music, Design, Film and Television, Audio Engineering, Animation and Game Design). 

On completion of the two weeks of study, students will continue with a 12 week special project on campus at JMC Academy in Australia. 

Individual projects are based on a specific project topic of the student’s choice made in consultation with their term supervisor. That is then developed over the length of the subject. Students will be supervised and will work in conjunction with their supervisor to complete their project (Academic or Practical).

Context

At JMC Academy, students undertake a rigorous academic program of practice-based learning, into which is embedded a range of work-integrated learning activities. To complement their on-campus learning, students are also encouraged to generate their own creative work. This unit of study has been designed to formally recognise that work. Students will have access to an e-portfolio as a presentation mode for the assessable items. The unit is placed during the final study periods of the bachelor’s degree, enabling students to collect and display their best and most recent examples of their engagement with their discipline outside of their formal study.

How it works 

Students are introduced to this unit during Trimester 1 and then again in successive study periods. Students must be invited by their Head of Department to enrol in this unit; a student will only be enrolled in this unit if the Head of Department is confident that the student can meet all learning outcomes. The e-portfolio JMC students will be given access to an e-portfolio platform at no cost as part of the Microsoft365 subscription. The platform provides students with a place to curate and display their extra-curricular activities for assessment in this unit. It is not the professional portfolio students could use COL401 Internship aims to provide students with an internship opportunity that has sound educational value and provides students the chance to initiate and/or develop relationships with professionals in their discipline. COL401 allows students to prepare or consolidate their know-how to work as a professional and increase their technical and creative skills base. It also allows students to explore potential areas of employment.