Teaching & Mentoring

Graduate-level Computer Animation (VIZA 615)

Taught in: Spring 2019, Spring 2017, Fall 2015, Spring 2012-2015, Fall 2010, Spring 2009, Spring 2008

Animation is the interpretation of action. This course focused on the analysis of actions of animals, the biomechanical systems supporting action, and their re-interpretation and presentation as performance through computer animation.

Computer animation is often viewed through the lens of traditional animation. However, viewers often overlook the degree to which performance animation relies on fundamental principles of biological motion. Computer animation was approached in this course by the study of movement, how the structure of a body inhibits or promotes particular actions, and how computer graphics techniques can be used to facilitate the perception and comprehension performance expectations of movement.

VIZA_615_Syllabus-Spring_2019Download
VIZA_615_Project_1-Biped_Animation-1Download
VIZA_615_Project_2-Procedural_Motion-1Download
VIZA_615_Project_3-Motion_Analysis-1Download
VIZA_615_Project_4-Rig_Build_and_Deformations-1Download
VIZA_615-Final_Project-1Download

First Year Seminar (VIST 131)

Taught in Fall 2019, Fall 2018 and Fall 2017

This seminar course provided an opportunity to explore the building blocks for success in the Bachelor of Science in Visualization program, at Texas A&M University, in the professions of Visualization, and in life.  The journey of university life is a time of personal growth. Change begins with the identification and clarification of values around how you present yourself to the world. It is critical to establish a sense of identity as an artist, designer, technologist, and scientific inquirer. Change also includes developing the foundation for life-long learning built upon methods of critical thinking.

First_Year_Seminar-VIST_131-Syllabus-Fall_2019Download
First_Year_Seminar-VIST_131-Reflective_Journaling-Fall_2019Download

Undergraduate Vertical Studio (VIST 206, VIST 305 and VIST 405)

Taught in: Fall 2016, Fall 2014, Spring 2014, Fall 2013, Spring 2013, and Fall 2012.

The purpose of the vertical studio was to facilitate and encourage the development of skills, knowledge, and interpersonal communication required for the use of computer graphics in the studio environment of animation and visual effects. This was a group project- problem-based learning experience.

Development of both hard and soft skills was the expected outcome.   This course co-located senior studio, VIST 405 – Visual Studies Studio III with junior studio, VIST 305 – Visual Studies Studio II, and sophomore studio, VIST 206 – Visual Studies Studio I.  Students from multiple class years were included to provide opportunities for less experienced students to learn from those who are more experienced and for the more experienced students to practice mentoring and leadership skills.  Specific performance requirements and expectations varied according to the level in which each student was enrolled.  Peer assessment played an important role in course performance evaluation.

Vert_Studio-VIST_405-Syllabus-Fall_2016Download
Vert_Studio-VIST_305-Syllabus-Fall_2016Download
Vert_Studio-VIST_206-Syllabus-Fall_2016Download
Vert_Studio-VIST_405-TeamProject-Fall_2016Download
Vert_Studio-VIST_305-TeamProject-Fall_2016Download
Vert_Studio-VIST_206-TeamProject-Fall_2016Download
Vert_Studio-VIST_405-3D_BootCamp-Fall_2016Download
Vert_Studio-VIST_305-3D_BootCamp-Fall_2016Download
Vert_Studio-VIST_206-Story_BootCamp-Fall_2016Download

Undergraduate Research (VIST 491)

Taught in Fall 2011

By the end of this course it is expected that students would understand the process of animation production as a linearly constrained process by virtue of both the historical roots of narrative storytelling production processes and the technical limitations of the software used to create 3D animation. These limitations were viewed through the lens of agile development, particularly scrum, which is relatively widely used in game development. By striving to work in an agile manner students were forced into a pattern of inquiry and investigation to solve problems, overcome limitations, and make elegant compromises. Students developed and practiced their collaborative engagement and communication skills. At the end of the course students had produced a visual example of their capacity to produce animation using an agile development process and produced a written document detailing the affordances and limitations of the capacity to use agile development practices for animation development.

UG_Research-VIST_491-Syllabus-Fall_2011Download

VIST 406: Visual Studies Studio IV

Taught in Spring 2012, Spring 2011 and Spring 2010.

VIST 406 is the final studio course of the Bachelor of Science in Visualization program curriculum. It is expected that students will draw upon all of their experience, skills, and knowledge from prior studios, math, programming, technical and art electives to succeed in this course.

To be successful on the main project students were expected to collaborate with team members from other campuses including Texas A&M students studying in Bonn, Germany, students in the ATEC program at the University of Texas at Dallas, and high school students at the Design and Technology Academy in San Antonio.  This portion of the course was part of a project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF project number: 0855908). The research aim of the project was to understand how information technology contributes to creative and technical problem solving among students taking part in geographically distributed teams.

Students were also expected to pursue an independent project that incorporated a wide swath of knowledge and skills garnered from their experience in the BS in Visualization program.   The nature of this personal project was determined in consultation with the instructor, and was expected to be of significant personal interest of the student.

This course focused on the production of a 3D animated short project.  Students were expected to utilize their analytical, technical, and aesthetic skills while contributing to the story development, modeling, layout, animation, rigging, effects animation, surfacing lighting, and compositing tasks required for a project of this type. Use of the python programming language in either Maya was required.

Vis_Studies_Studio_IV-VIST_406-Syllabus-Spring_2012-1Download
VIST_406-Collaborative_Project-Overview-Spring_2012-1Download
VIST_406-Communication_Tools_Overview-011812-2Download

Visual Studies Studio III (VIST 305)

Taught in: Fall 2009 and Fall 2008

VIST 305 builds upon previous studios oriented toward traditional media and introduces a variety of processes using digital media primarily in a 3-D environment.  Digital media or computer graphics, can be understood as the synthetic representation of form, motion, material, and light. Emphasis was placed on the development of creative solutions, narrative and design.  Research and the use of historical precedent will be an integral component of the studio.

Visual_Studies_Studio_III-VIST_305-Fall_2009Download

Graduate Student Mentoring as Committee Chair in MS thesis, MS non-thesis (capstone) and MFA in Visualization programs

Students are listed in alphabetical order.

  • Cereijo-Perez, Jorge.  Proposed thesis: “Web-based Method for Articulation and Motion Generation Across Variable Animal Morphologies”.  Currently Senior Rig / Sim Artist at Blizzard Entertainment, North Hollywood, CA.
  • Davalath, Megha. Thesis: “A Rigging Solution for Isosurface Based Characters”. Graduated May 2011. Currently Character Technology Lead at DreamWorks Animation, Glendale, CA.
  • Drell, David. Thesis: “A System for Designing Digital Creatures Based on Rules of Vertebrate (Tetrapodal) Anatomical Structure”.  Graduated Fall 2013. Currently Lead Character Technical Director at DreamWorks Animation, Glendale, CA.
  • Eggebrecht, Jack. Proposed thesis: “Managing Recognition of Character Traits in Video Games Through LOD”.  Currently with the United States Postal Service.
  • Grier, Kelsey. Thesis: “A Tool for Creating Expressive Control Over Fur and Feathers,” graduating May 2019. Currently Character TD Trainee at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Burbank, CA.
  • Griffin, Chris. Thesis: “Scripted Vehicle Rigging and Animation: A Maxscripting Approach”, graduated December 2010. Currently Senior Character Technical Artist at Bend Studio, Bend, OR.
  • Hagan, Landon. Thesis: “Spatial Groom,” Graduated May 2015. Currently Lead Developer at VISION Group, Houston, TX.
  • Henderson, Anthony. Proposed thesis title: “Articulated Character Using Rigid Parts that Change During Performance,” expected graduation: May 2020. Currently freelance 3D artist, Dallas area.
  • Howard, Heather. Thesis: “Group Based Rigging for Realistic Feathered Wings,” graduated December 2011. Currently Environment Technical Artist at Ready At Dawn Studios, Irvine, CA.
  • Ibrahim, Zaid. Thesis: “Stretch-Engine: A Method for Creating Exaggeration in Animation Through Squash and Stretch,” graduated August 2018. Currently Compositing Artist at Rooster Teeth, Austin, TX.
  • Kelly, Logan. Thesis: “Modular Rigging Utilizing XML and Node-Based Editing”, graduated May 2014.  Currently Technical Director at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Burbank, CA.
  • Keske, Stephanie. Thesis: “Communicating for Creative Success in Remote Collaborative Work”, graduated May 2014. Currently Software Engineer at Acorns, Portland, OR.
  • Kin, Kelly. Graduated with MFA in May 2017. Currently freelance digital artist in Austin, TX.
  • Li, Christine. Graduated with MFA in May 2014. Currently Modeler and Texture Artist at Industrial Light & Magic and ILMxLab, San Francisco, CA.
  • Low, Ser En “Sean”. Thesis: “Sketch-based Animation Tool for Character Animation Integrating into a Production Pipeline”. Graduated May 2014. Currently Senior Technical Artist and Tools Engineer with Riot Games, Seattle, WA.
  • Murphy, Krista. Thesis title: “A Web-based Animation Authoring Application for Quadrupedal Characters”, graduated December 2014. Currently Assistant Technical Director with Walt Disney Animation Studios.
  • Naugle, Nicholas. Thesis title: “Conceptualization of a Animation Production Management System Based upon Building Information Modeling (BIM)”.  Graduated December 2011. Currently Lighter with Sony Pictures Imageworks, Vancouver, BC.
  • Peña, B. Adán. Thesis title: “Automatic Quadrupedal Rig Generation from Single Camera Motion Data”.  Graduated May 2011. Currently Character Rigging Lead at DreamWorks Animation, Glendale, CA.
  • Playle, Amber.  Thesis: “Gait Synthesis of Abnormal Gaits in Canines”. Graduated December 2014. Currently Developer at Softlayer, Dallas, TX.
  • Ramesh, Rakesh. Proposed thesis: “Tactic to Create Custom Production Workflow,” Currently Pipeline Technical Director at Blur Studio, Los Angeles, CA.
  • Raparthi, Nagaraj. Proposed capstone topic area: asset management check-in across standard digital asset creation tools systems. Expected graduation: May 2020. Currently full-time student.
  • Rodriguez, Paloma. Currently investigating blend of stop-motion and 3D CG techniques in short-film animation. Expected graduation: May 2020. Currently full-time employee of Texas A&M University.
  • Schwartz, Seth. Thesis: “Creating Procedural Animation for the Terrestrial Locomotion of Tentacled Digital Creatures”. Graduated May 2015. Currently Lead Pipeline TD at Reel FX Creative Studios, Dallas, TX.
  • Speer, Jon. Proposed thesis: “Camera Dependent Squash and Stretch”. Currently Technical Supervisor at ATK PLN, Dallas, TX.
  • Wheeler, Christopher R. Thesis title: “An Automated System for the Creation of Articulated Mechanical Parts”. Graduated December 2009. Currently Head of Engineering at Fable Studio, San Francisco, CA.
  • Zhou, Junze. Thesis: “Perception Based Gait Generation for Quadrupedal Characters,” Graduated May 2013. Currently Senior Technical Artist at Blizzard Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA.