Today, visual effects play a central role in film, television programming, video games and a host of other entertainment mediums. This has led to a growing demand for those who have artistic talent and technical ability to create engaging video content, visual effects, and motion graphics.
The Wilmington University Bachelors of Science in Video and Motion Graphics provides students with a strong foundation in the core skills for all stages of production, geared towards film-making, news, corporate, educational, or entertainment. Students will explore real-world production concepts under the direction of expert faculty with extensive field experience and gain additional skills in graphic design, animation, compositing, and sound.
The Video and Motion Graphics Bachelor of Science is for students wishing to pursue careers in television, film, motion graphics, visual effects, and related fields. Students will have a strong core skill set applicable to any video work ranging from news, film, television, commercials, drama, action, corporate, or documentary applications, then allowing the students to focus on their area of interest through the concentrations.
Curriculum
General Education Requirements (39 credits)
| ART 210 | Basic Design | 3 |
| COM 300 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| CTA 210 | Computer Science | 3 |
| ECO 105 | Fundamentals of Economics | 3 |
| ENG 121 | English Composition I | 3 |
| ENG 122 | English Composition II | 3 |
| HIS 230/ART 230 | History of Art and Design | 3 |
| | |
| HUM 360 | Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD | 3 |
| OR | |
| HUM 361 | Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present | 3 |
| | |
| MAT 205 | Introductory Survey of Mathematics | 3 |
| PHI 100 | Introduction to Critical Thinking | 3 |
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
SCI
| Natural Science Elective | 3 or 4 credits |
| VMG 313 | Aesthetics of Film | 3 |
Natural Science Elective: SCI 308 excluded
Video and Motion Graphics Core (45 credits)
| COM 310 | Legal Aspects of Communication | 3 |
| DSN 210 | Digital Image Manipulation | 3 |
| DSN 220 | Concept Development | 3 |
| VMG 100 | Camera and Cinematography | 3 |
| VMG 101 | Introduction to Audio | 3 |
| VMG 102 | The Production Process | 3 |
| VMG 200 | Advanced Camera and Cinematography | 3 |
| VMG 201 | Fundamentals of Motion Graphics | 3 |
| VMG 202 | Advanced Audio Recording Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 222 | Story Design Methods | 3 |
| VMG 301 | Lighting for Production I | 3 |
| VMG 302 | Lighting for Production II | 3 |
| VMG 400 | On Location Production Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 402 | Studio Production Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 422 | Non-Linear Editing – Apple MAC Computer | 3 |
3D and Motion Graphics Concentration (36 credits)
| DSN 235 | Vector Drawing | 3 |
| VFX 200 | Introduction to Compositing for Visual Effects | 3 |
| VFX 300 | Advanced Compositing Workshop | 3 |
| VMG 310 | Advanced Motion Graphics | 3 |
| VMG 321 | Introduction to 3D | 3 |
| VMG 322 | 3D Modeling Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 323 | 3D Texture, Rendering and Lighting Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 324 | Character Creation and Texturing | 3 |
| VMG 325 | Character Rigging | 3 |
| VMG 487 | Video Motion Graphics Senior Project | 3 |
| VMG 490 | Video Motion Graphics Internship | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
CAP/Co-op Program Option
The co-op option is an alternative to the VMG 487 - Video Motion Graphics Senior Project and VMG 490 - Video Motion Graphics Internship. Each co-op assignment is one semester long and normally the two co-op assignments span two consecutive semesters with the same employer. In order to be eligible, students must first have at least 60 credits, plus a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students must inform the Director of the CAP/Co-op program and the VMG Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment.
For additional information on the CAP/Co-op program option, please see the website: www.wilmu.edu/coop/
Suggested Program Sequence for 3D and Motion Graphics Concentration
Freshman
Semester 1
Semester 2
Sophomore
Semester 1
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| VMG 100 | Camera and Cinematography | 3 |
| VMG 201 | Fundamentals of Motion Graphics | 3 |
| VMG 202 | Advanced Audio Recording Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 301 | Lighting for Production I | 3 |
Semester 2
Junior
Semester 1
Semester 2
| VMG 302 | Lighting for Production II | 3 |
| VMG 310 | Advanced Motion Graphics | 3 |
| VMG 313 | Aesthetics of Film | 3 |
| VMG 323 | 3D Texture, Rendering and Lighting Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 402 | Studio Production Techniques | 3 |
Senior
Semester 1
| COM 310 | Legal Aspects of Communication | 3 |
| VFX 200 | Introduction to Compositing for Visual Effects | 3 |
| VMG 324 | Character Creation and Texturing | 3 |
| VMG 490 | Video Motion Graphics Internship | 3 |
SCI
| SCI Elective | |
Semester 2
| HUM 360 | Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD | 3 |
| OR | |
| HUM 361 | Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present | 3 |
| | |
| VFX 300 | Advanced Compositing Workshop | 3 |
| VMG 325 | Character Rigging | 3 |
| VMG 487 | Video Motion Graphics Senior Project | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
Digital Film-Making Concentration (36 Credits)
| DFM 200 | Introduction to Digital Film-Making | 3 |
| DFM 300 | Directing Digital Films | 3 |
| DFM 350 | Digital Film-Making II | 3 |
| DFM 400 | Directing Digital Films II | 3 |
| VMG 350 | Journalism in Practice | 3 |
| VMG 401 | Producing the Documentary | 3 |
| VMG 423 | Advanced Non-Linear Editing | 3 |
| VMG 487 | Video Motion Graphics Senior Project | 3 |
| VMG 490 | Video Motion Graphics Internship | 3 |
Free Electives (9 credits)
CAP/Co-op Program Option
The co-op option is an alternative to the VMG 487 - Video Motion Graphics Senior Project and VMG 490 - Video Motion Graphics Internship. Each co-op assignment is one semester long and normally the two co-op assignments span two consecutive semesters with the same employer. In order to be eligible, students must first have at least 60 credits, plus a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students must inform the Director of the CAP/Co-op program and the VMG Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment.
For additional information on the CAP/Co-op program option, please see the website: www.wilmu.edu/coop/
Suggested Program Sequence for Digital Film- Making Concentration
Freshman
Semester 1
Semester 2
Sophomore
Semester 1
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| VMG 100 | Camera and Cinematography | 3 |
| VMG 201 | Fundamentals of Motion Graphics | 3 |
| VMG 202 | Advanced Audio Recording Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 301 | Lighting for Production I | 3 |
Semester 2
Junior
Semester 1
| COM 300 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| DFM 200 | Introduction to Digital Film-Making | 3 |
| DFM 300 | Directing Digital Films | 3 |
| VMG 400 | On Location Production Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 422 | Non-Linear Editing – Apple MAC Computer | 3 |
Semester 2
Senior
Semester 1
| COM 310 | Legal Aspects of Communication | 3 |
| VMG 401 | Producing the Documentary | 3 |
| VMG 490 | Video Motion Graphics Internship | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
SCI
| SCI Elective | |
Semester 2
| DFM 400 | Directing Digital Films II | 3 |
| | |
| HUM 360 | Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD | 3 |
| OR | |
| HUM 361 | Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present | 3 |
| | |
| VMG 487 | Video Motion Graphics Senior Project | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
Visual Effects Concentration (36 credits)
| VFX 110 | Digital Filmmaking for Visual Effects | 3 |
| VFX 200 | Introduction to Compositing for Visual Effects | 3 |
| VFX 300 | Advanced Compositing Workshop | 3 |
| VFX 310 | Digital Matte Painting and Set Extensions | 3 |
| VFX 400 | Match-moving and Roto-scoping | 3 |
| VFX 420 | Visual Effects Workshop / Final Projects | 3 |
| VMG 321 | Introduction to 3D | 3 |
| VMG 322 | 3D Modeling Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 323 | 3D Texture, Rendering and Lighting Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 490 | Video Motion Graphics Internship | 3 |
Free Electives (6 credits)
CAP/Co-op Program Option
The co-op option is an alternative to the VFX 420 - Visual Effects Workshop and VMG 490 - Video Motion Graphics Internship. Each co-op assignment is one semester long and normally the two co-op assignments span two consecutive semesters with the same employer. In order to be eligible, students must first have at least 60 credits, plus a GPA of 2.5 or higher. Students must inform the Director of the CAP/Co-op program and the VMG Program Chair one semester before they would like to begin a co-op assignment.
For additional information on the CAP/Co-op program option, please see the website: www.wilmu.edu/coop/
Suggested Program Sequence for Visual Effects Concentration
Freshman
Semester 1
Semester 2
Sophomore
Semester 1
| PSY 101 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| VMG 100 | Camera and Cinematography | 3 |
| VMG 201 | Fundamentals of Motion Graphics | 3 |
| VMG 202 | Advanced Audio Recording Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 301 | Lighting for Production I | 3 |
Semester 2
Junior
Semester 1
| VFX 110 | Digital Filmmaking for Visual Effects | 3 |
| VMG 322 | 3D Modeling Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 400 | On Location Production Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 422 | Non-Linear Editing – Apple MAC Computer | 3 |
SCI
| SCI Elective | |
Semester 2
| COM 300 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| COM 310 | Legal Aspects of Communication | 3 |
| VFX 200 | Introduction to Compositing for Visual Effects | 3 |
| VMG 302 | Lighting for Production II | 3 |
| VMG 402 | Studio Production Techniques | 3 |
Senior
Semester 1
| VFX 300 | Advanced Compositing Workshop | 3 |
| VFX 400 | Match-moving and Roto-scoping | 3 |
| VMG 313 | Aesthetics of Film | 3 |
| VMG 490 | Video Motion Graphics Internship | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
Semester 2
| HUM 360 | Human World Views: 3500 BCE–1650 AD | 3 |
| OR | |
| HUM 361 | Human World Views: 1650 AD–Present | 3 |
| | |
| VFX 310 | Digital Matte Painting and Set Extensions | 3 |
| VFX 420 | Visual Effects Workshop / Final Projects | 3 |
| VMG 323 | 3D Texture, Rendering and Lighting Techniques | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
Completion Degree Requirements
What is a Completion Degree
A completion degree is a personalized version of a bachelor's degree created exclusively for students who have completed an associate degree at an accredited institution. Completion degrees are available for most Wilmington University Bachelor of Science degrees. A student who expects to transfer a completed associate's degree should communicate with a Wilmington University academic advisor before registering for courses. A transcript with documentation of the conferred degree must be received by Wilmington University to confirm eligibility.
VMG - 3D and Motion Graphics Completion Degree
| COM 300 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| COM 310 | Legal Aspects of Communication | 3 |
| VFX 300 | Advanced Compositing Workshop | 3 |
| VMG 301 | Lighting for Production I | 3 |
| VMG 310 | Advanced Motion Graphics | 3 |
| VMG 313 | Aesthetics of Film | 3 |
| VMG 321 | Introduction to 3D | 3 |
| VMG 322 | 3D Modeling Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 323 | 3D Texture, Rendering and Lighting Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 324 | Character Creation and Texturing | 3 |
| VMG 325 | Character Rigging | 3 |
| VMG 400 | On Location Production Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 402 | Studio Production Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 487 | Video Motion Graphics Senior Project | 3 |
| VMG 490 | Video Motion Graphics Internship | 3 |
The following courses are prerequisites for a degree in Video Motion Graphics - 3D and Motion Graphics:
VMG100 Camera and Cinematography
VMG101 Introduction to Audio
VMG102 The Production Process
VMG201 Fundamentals of Motion Graphics
VFX200 Introduction to Compositing for Visual Effects
VMG - Digital Filmmaking Completion Degree
| COM 300 | Communication Theory | 3 |
| COM 310 | Legal Aspects of Communication | 3 |
| DFM 300 | Directing Digital Films | 3 |
| DFM 350 | Digital Film-Making II | 3 |
| DFM 400 | Directing Digital Films II | 3 |
| VMG 301 | Lighting for Production I | 3 |
| VMG 302 | Lighting for Production II | 3 |
| VMG 313 | Aesthetics of Film | 3 |
| VMG 350 | Journalism in Practice | 3 |
| VMG 400 | On Location Production Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 401 | Producing the Documentary | 3 |
| VMG 402 | Studio Production Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 422 | Non-Linear Editing – Apple MAC Computer | 3 |
| VMG 423 | Advanced Non-Linear Editing | 3 |
| VMG 487 | Video Motion Graphics Senior Project | 3 |
The following courses are prerequisites for a degree in Video Motion Graphics -Digital Filmmaking:
DFM200 Introduction to Digital Filmmaking
VMG100 Camera and Cinematography
VMG101 Introduction to Audio
VMG102 The Production Process
VMG200 Advanced Camera and Cinematography
VMG201 Fundamentals of Motion Graphics
VMG222 Story Design Methods
VMG - Visual Effects Completion Degree
| COM 310 | Legal Aspects of Communication | 3 |
| VFX 300 | Advanced Compositing Workshop | 3 |
| VFX 310 | Digital Matte Painting and Set Extensions | 3 |
| VFX 400 | Match-moving and Roto-scoping | 3 |
| VFX 420 | Visual Effects Workshop / Final Projects | 3 |
| VMG 301 | Lighting for Production I | 3 |
| VMG 310 | Advanced Motion Graphics | 3 |
| VMG 313 | Aesthetics of Film | 3 |
| VMG 321 | Introduction to 3D | 3 |
| VMG 322 | 3D Modeling Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 323 | 3D Texture, Rendering and Lighting Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 400 | On Location Production Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 402 | Studio Production Techniques | 3 |
| VMG 422 | Non-Linear Editing – Apple MAC Computer | 3 |
| VMG 490 | Video Motion Graphics Internship | 3 |
The following courses are prerequisites for a degree in Video Motion Graphics - Visual Effects:
VMG100 Camera and Cinematography
VMG102 The Production Process
VMG200 Advanced Camera and Cinematography
VMG201 Fundamentals of Motion Graphics
VMG222 Story Design Methods
VFX110 Digital Filmmaking for Visual Effects
VFX200 Introduction to Compositing for Visual Effects
Note:
Some courses have prerequisites and should be taken in the correct sequence. If your associate's degree is in an academic discipline different than the one you plan to study at Wilmington University, you may be required to take additional courses to ensure your success in your chosen program of study.