Art 381: Critical Play – Games and Art.
Computer Gaming Creation for Architecture/Future Cities
Instructor: Jeff Ray
Mondays & Wednesdays: 4:00 – 6:30 pm in CFA 207
Office: CFA 143
Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 1:00 – 2:00 pm or by appointment Instructor’s Email: jeffreyray@unr.edu
Instructor’s Website: http://www.jeffrayarts.com
Class Blog: http://digitalmediacriticalplay.blogspot.com
Lecture: 1.5 – 2.5 hours per week on Mondays
Lab / Studio: 2.5 – 4 hours per week on Wednesdays
Total class time: 5 hours a week
Credits: 3
Prerequisites: All prerequisites have been waived.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to explore and critique the concept of “play," video games, game art, and the architecture and environments inside of video games. We will discuss and practice how video games, game art, and game architecture modeling can be a part of creative, artistic expression. We will work toward a contemporary studio practice of creating game art, and in response and parallel to the game art, we will also create architectural models using sculpture, 3D design, and 3D printing. We will critically engage in discussion of how architecture and game art can react and respond to current culture, politics, and society, and how game art has had an impact on contemporary art and culture at large.
LECTURE COMPONENT
Discussion and critique of, and presentation on some or all of the following will be a part of the lecture time: new media artists, digital artists, artists from traditional practices, game artists, game arts, commercial video games, architects, buildings, cities, architectural theories, and various films and videos that relate to the class. Critiques on work and writings. Various game art related to critical play, such as locative art and internet art. Subjects such as experimental mapping, experimental architecture, Google Maps, utopia, dystopia, green architecture, future cities, and towns, the phenomenology of space and the home, interstitial spaces, and heterotopia. Critiquing the idea of play, winning, traditional games and goals of winning. Class discussion and critique will be critical during the lecture time. The lecture time may also include visiting artists and lecturers, field trips to downtown and various other architectural spots throughout Reno.
LAB / STUDIO COMPONENT
There will be a deep focus on learning Maya game and 3D design software, and Unity game engine software through tutorials and in-class instruction. Basic instruction in 3D printing and 3D design software such as Fusion 360 as well as design software, Photoshop and Illustrator will be covered. Basic photography will be covered in relation to documenting buildings, and parts of the city in reference to the projects.
A significant number of tutorials and accompanying exercises will be assigned. Most of these are free on Lynda.com. Along with the possibility having extra lab time during lectures, students are expected to do much of the tutorials and work outside of class.
Along with skill building, there will be studio time to design, develop, execute and exhibit student art projects. Two main art projects are to be done in tandem with each other. Game art, created by the student, and the accompanying architectural models, created using 3D design, 3D printing and various other sculptural means including the use of found and made objects. The projects are broken down into two phases of completed work. The first phase will be presented and critiqued during midterms. The students will then improve upon the artwork through extra detailing, ideas, and design, and present the final phase at the end of the semester. An exhibition is planned for the game art and models at Sierra Arts.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will develop a working knowledge of the necessary game and 3D design tools such as Maya and the game engine software, Unity. They will learn design skills, software navigation, file organizing, ways of mapping and organizing city design. They will gain a further understanding of the conceptual theory of both architecture and game art, as well as the various ways and definitions of “play.” It is the goal for the student to discover new ways to look at and critique our surroundings especially the architecture and environment. Students will explore and become aware of new technologies and how it may be integrated into their studio art practice. In this practice, they will develop how two art mediums can engender, respond, and be parallel to each other.
Students will also learn how play and game art fits into the contemporary art movement and experience exhibiting in a public space. Students will improve upon their writing skills as well as understand their work better by working on artist statements, game descriptions, and essays in response to the lectures and readings. Through a critique of theirs and other students’ work, they will improve upon how they talk about art. Also, the goal is to inspire the student in their work by being influenced by the discovery of architects; traditional, digital, and game artists; the lecture and the lab, and to gain further insight and encouragement to seek out other artists and writings. A loose understanding and execution of building architecture models through 3D design, printing, and sculpture.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
Lateness is not tolerated, and attendance is mandatory. Two lateness’s equal one absence. Only two absences will be allowed the entire semester and the students will be asked to make up these absences. After two absences your grade will drop per absence. Only a note from a doctor will excuse absences due to health issues. It is the University's policy to be sensitive to student's religion and religious holidays. The instructor needs to be made aware of these holidays at the beginning of the course so we may accommodate and arrange a time to make up the hours. According to policies of the university and of the class, participation in class including partaking in discussions and critiques are mandatory. University policies also protect against violent, hateful and aggressive behavior. Being disrespectful towards each other in this manner will not be tolerated in class. Collaborating, helping each other and brainstorming together is also required and will be noted and partly reflected in your grade. Work outside of class is also necessary and mandatory. To be able to learn the software and build the projects it is necessary to spend an average extra five hours per week.
TUTORS / INTERNS / WORK LAB HOURS
The extra lab day is on Fridays from 10 am – 4 pm. We will always try to have an intern or tutor on hand to help out with your projects both on Fridays as well as during class lab time. I am also often available on these Fridays. The sculpture lab is also open on Fridays. After safety and tool use training, students are allowed to use the sculpture lab. Please arrange a time for training with either myself or Jeff Erickson who is in charge of the sculpture lab.
ACCESS TO THE LABS / LAB RULES
Each student will get an access code or continue with past codes to access the computer lab except during times that are occupied by classes and after the time allowed in the Church of Fine Arts Building. Use of the work lab, where the 3D printers are, has become more strict and required training, permission, and accompaniment from either instructor or interns to use the equipment. There are basic lab and safety rules and instructions for using the equipment. The instructor or an intern will show where these rules and directions are. The student also requires training on all of the machines.
ADDITIONAL LAB FEES
An additional $25 over the initial $25 for a total of $50 will be required to cover extra lab fees. The $25 over must be paid to the art office by cash or check. checks must be made out to the Board of Regents. This money goes specifically towards the cost of one medium-sized resin print from the formlab2 3D printer and two resin prints from the PLA 3D printers. The funds will also go towards the materials it will need to build the platforms and base of the architectural models.
ESSAYS
The student will be required to write at least one essay related to the class. I prefer the student to follow the MLA style of essay writing and referencing. CMS style will also be accepted. Here is the official link to the MLA website that should have the information you need: https://style.mla.org
For your artist statements and description of work, you can use a basic paragraph and writing structure.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism in your writing and essays may result in disciplinary actions from the University as well as failure in the class. It is the student's responsibility to know the University's standards and rules. The University's general rules on conduct and academic standards including plagiarism are in the following link: http://www.unr.edu/administrative-manual/6000-6999-curricula-teaching-research/instruction-research-procedures/6502-academic-standards.
For questions on plagiarism: https://style.mla.org/plagiarism-and-academic-dishonesty/
STATEMENT ON CELL PHONE POLICY
Please turn your phone (or similar device) off during class. No text messaging or phone calls are allowed during class. The only acceptable uses are note taking and to look up or research information. However your instructor may confirm that devices are being used appropriately during class.
RESOURCES
Lynda.com tutorials and the examples are free for all students. You can access this first through the through a link in the website then through your NET ID log in. How to do this will be covered during the first week of class.
The writing lab located at Pennington Student Achievement Center is an excellent resource available to all students. The link for information and to make an appointment is: http://www.unr.edu/writing-center
The tutoring center is located at Pennington Student Achievement Center and is available to all students. The link for information and to make an appointment is: http://www.unr.edu/tutoring/
The @one media center, located in the basement of the Knowledge Center, has a decent amount of computers and share some of the software we will be using. You can also check out various electronics and tools. For more information, go to https://library.unr.edu/Atone/Index
The Innovation Center, located at 450 Sinclair St, Reno, NV 89501, has a selection of 3D printers. Using this facility may be encouraged if there is a backlog of 3D printing. The effort in using this facility will be positively factored into your grade. Please arrange this visit with the instructor. Their website is:
http://www.unr.edu/innevation
The DeLaMare Library is located on campus in the Quad and has CNC laser cutter, vinyl cutter, and 3D printing machines. They are an excellent resource and very helpful. Please arrange this visit with the instructor.
http://guides.library.unr.edu/laservinylcutters
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Please refer to academic calendar for holidays and certain due dates. Here is the link; http://catalog.unr.edu/content.phpcatoid=13&navoid=3715#Spring_2016 midterm to discuss your progress in the class with the main project and your current grade.
DISABILITIES
Any student with a disability needing academic adjustments or accommodations is requested to speak with the Disability Resource Center (Thompson Building, Suite 101) as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
STATEMENT FROM THE UNIVERSITY ON AUDIO & VIDEO RECORDING AND PHOTOGRAPHY:
"Surreptitious or covert videotaping of class or unauthorized audio recording of the class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This class may be videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the instructor. In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students may be given permission to record class lectures and discussions. Therefore, students should understand that their comments during class may be recorded." - Please ask a student and/or instructor for permission before photographing as well as posting on social media.
CROSS DISCIPLINARY PRACTICE
This class encourages cross disciplinary practice by collaborating with and/ or using the resources of fellow students and in some cases other faculty in other programs and departments throughout the University. Some of the following are just examples of ideas: If you need original music, perhaps work with someone in the music department. If you want to design an earthquake building perhaps work with the Engineering Department. If you want to model trees and landscape perhaps work with the horticulture program. The list and possibilities are endless. Please discuss any ideas that you have regarding cross disciplinary practice with the instructor.
SYLLABUS TIMELINE
The general timeline of the syllabus will be not be set but will be updated weekly. The subjects discussed along with tutorial assignments will be the main subjects updated. A rough outline of the first couple of weeks is stated and is not in complete form due to that nature of the lab class and needing to get through certain steps and ideas first before moving to the next round of tutorials, labs, lectures, and critiques. With that said, steady pace with completed work is needed to get to the final projects and presentation.
The two main projects have been scheduled and are the main deadlines in the class. The first phase of the game art/architecture models are due by Monday, February 27th. The last and final phase of the project is due, on Monday, May 8th. The public install will happen later that week.
FIRST WEEK
MONDAY, JANUARY 22ND
- Welcome to the class.
- Go over the syllabus
- Go over “mind mapping” outline of the class
- Fill out questionnaire / ask and answer question period
- Introductions and past work. Discuss some of your favorite artists, games, etc.
- Discuss the ideas and definition behind Critical Play and game art
- Discuss game artist Cao Fei
- Exploring cities through Google Maps
- Go over tips on taking tutorial notes
- Go over tutorial assignments
- Go over Google Map assignments
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, LAB
- Introduction to Tutorials
- Organizing your ideas through Illustrator and your notebooks
- Essential Maya Tutorial Sections 1 – 5
SECOND WEEK
MONDAY, JANUARY 29, LECTURE -
- Leftover discussion from last week
- Discuss alternative and digital mapping including Google Maps
- Discuss Rebecca Solnit’s, Infinite City a San Francisco Atlas
- Locative Art, (A Form of Game Art)
- Featured architect, Toyo Ito
- Featured visual artist, Do Ho Suh
- Featured video game, Minecraft
- Minecraft artist, Chris Moore
- Featured Game Art artist, Joseph Delappe
- Going over Google Map assignments
WEDNESDAY, FEB 2, LAB
- Google Map assignments
Going over all homework.
Going over the tutorials, 1 - 5. Focus on Boolean fusing.
Going over all homework.
Going over the tutorials, 1 - 5. Focus on Boolean fusing.
- Notebook drawings
- Designing from Illustrator and Maps
-Homework, start working on these ....Maya Tutorials,
- Essential Maya Tutorial Sections 4 - 7
NOTE! INFORMATION, SCHEDULING, AND ASSIGNMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE SYLLABUS IS DESIGNED TO BE A ROUGH GUIDE TO THE CLASS
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