ALL students are enrolled in the on-campus program are enrolled in the following four courses in art and design fundamentals. Monday mornings each week will present a unique one-day workshop, followed Tuesday through Friday by core classes, 8:30-11:30 AM over the course of the week for 12 hours.

2D Design

12 contact‐hour course

This class introduces and use the Adobe Photoshop program. We will develop an understanding of the program and create images that explore the various capabilities of Photoshop. We will look at basic design ideas, image manipulation, text usage and the combination of all these elements. The emphasis of this course is “understanding” and “using design.”

With design we create visual patterns that become a visual experience. The choices we make when we design are most often motivated by our intention to communicate. The communication can be literal and recognizable or abstract and more interpretive. We design in order to communicate and make clear an idea visually.

The main elements often distinguished in art and design are form and content. Form refers to the visual elements used in a design. Content refers to the idea, story or message behind the visual elements.

Course Goals:

• Gaining a greater understanding of the creative process
• Time management
• Adapting design principals and elements to a design project
• Gaining a greater ability to communicate ideas visually and verbally
• The process of editing ideas, images and content for a project
• Critiquing skills
• Public speaking
• An awareness of font varieties and appropriate applications

3D Design

12 contact‐hour course

Students in this course explore the elements and principles of design as they apply to three dimensions. Working with metal wire, cardboard, and a variety of nontraditional materials on personal and collaborative projects, students focus on the relationship between form and space, mass and scale, and proportion and equilibrium through both the additive and subtractive manipulation of materials used to realize these ideas. Students learn terminology of 3/D space, line, plane, edge, mass, space and movement.

Course Goals:

• To have an awareness of the basic principles and elements of 3D design
• To understand simplicity and abstraction as it applies to 3D art and design
• To understand the relationship between 2D and 3D line
• To have an introduction to hand‐craft and construct
• Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Employ simplification in drawing through the use of contour and cross contour line
• Understand the identifiable essence of an object Develop iconic imagery
• Visually describe an object and its details in both 2D and 3D line
• To transform a contour, wire form into a planar, dimensional form
• Identify and safely use basic hand tools appropriate for 3D design

Drawing

12 contact‐hour course

Knowledge of form is essential to artists. Students in this course explore proportion and measurement, volume and space, basic format and composition. Using knowledge of balance and movement and an understanding of the relationship of the form to its environment, students combine gesture and thumbnails, expressive mark-making, atmospheric perspective, dramatic value and line while drawing in both classic and contemporary media

Course Goals:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Demonstrate their ability to sight, measure, and record believable form in believable space onto two‐ dimensional surfaces with conceptual and practical applications. They will be able to demonstrate their compositional skills with an appreciation for diverse drawing media, supports and techniques. They will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of form in drawing with an understanding of perspective, proportion and composition.

Demonstrate responsibility for independent learning and perseverance towards goal attainment. Show an ability to discern artistic merit of diverse forms of art/design in their contexts. Be able to defend critical interpretations concerning the significance of artistic expression.

4D: Art in Motion

12 contact‐hour course

This course will introduce students to the basics of working with time based media and designing in “4D space”. Students will explore timing, spacing, rhythm, and sequential design using both traditional and digital media.

Course Goals:

• Learn the basics of using time based media
• Learn some of the principles of “4D design”
• Begin to explore how to communicate in “4D space”
• Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Use traditional and digital media to create simple animations and video pieces.
• Apply some basic design principles to time based work.
• Use a new vocabulary to discuss time based media.
• List Student Learning Outcomes:
• Awareness of basic animation and 4D design principles
• Awareness of time based technologies including the Mac OS, Adobe’s Photoshop &Premiere software, Photography and Videography.
• Awareness of project planning & management issues particular to time based media work.

Business of Art and Design: Brand Strategy and Marketing

In this immersion, students will learn the principles of marketing and fundamental techniques for creating an effective brand strategy. Students will take on the role of a brand strategist to create a campaign for a struggling business.  Students will work together in teams to redefine and relaunch the business from the ground up. The final project will be a visual proposal of a new brand strategy and marketing campaign.

Course Goals:

• Gain an awareness of marketing channels, media, and advertising
• Learn how to assess a situation and discover root problems and opportunities
• Learn how to conduct research and identify target markets
• Employ an introductory understanding of business strategy
• Learn the basics of campaign development

Computer Animation

Discover the complexities of computer animation. This immersion covers subjects that are universal to most 3D software packages and to animation. Through a series of assignments you will be introduced to basic modeling, animation, texturing and lighting techniques using the 3D software Maya.

Course Goals:

• An exploration of basic tools and functions of Maya
• Learn to use Maya to create simple models, animate, texture, light, and render
• Learn the basic principles of animation

Computer Illustration

Explore the fundamentals of digital illustrating using “draw” and “paint” applications. Classes will explore basic design principles (line, mass, volume, space, positive and negative space, value, repetition of form, harmony, and balance, etc.) as applied using Adobe application user interfaces, tool functions and digital image making techniques.

Course Goals: 

• Learn the basics of the Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop interfaces.
• Vector image making in Adobe Illustrator
• Basic digital painting and image manipulation skills in Adobe Photoshop

Creative Writing: Comics & Games

This immersion offers an introduction to the basic elements needed to create your own effective, engaging comics, video games, and tabletop games. We’ll work together to create a welcoming writing workshop environment that includes classroom discussion of both published comics and games and student work. Please note: This is a writing class, which means regular writing AND reading expectations exist for every student. Please bring a laptop or tablet with keyboard to every class meeting.

Course Goals:

• Demonstrate an understanding of what makes a good story (in games and comics)
• Learn the principles of writing compelling choices in interactive media
• Learn to integrate word and image in storytelling
• Improve your ability to create moving characters that engage readers and players
• Gain confidence in your own creative process
• Introduce the professional habits and skills needed to be a successful writer

Creative Writing: Fiction and Films

This immersion offers an introduction to the basic elements needed to create your own effective, engaging fiction and film scripts. We’ll work together to create a welcoming writing workshop environment that includes classroom discussion of both published writing and student work. Please note: This is a writing class, which means regular writing AND reading expectations exist for every student. Please bring a laptop or tablet with keyboard to every class meeting.

Course Goals:

• Demonstrate an understanding of what makes a good narrative (in fiction and film)
• Become acclimated to receiving feedback on your writing
• Learn to incorporate quality feedback into your revision process
• Improve your ability to offer thoughtful responses on the writing of others
• Gain confidence in your own creative process
• Introduce the professional habits and skills needed to be a successful writer

Digital Sculpting

Digital sculpture is easier than you think. Students learn digital sculpting techniques using form development methods combined with 3D modeling to create intensely detailed digital models and sculptures. Plan, create and develop models for the movies, games, comic books, and toys.

Course Goals:

• Students will be provided with an introduction of the digital sculpting application ZBrush
• Students will become familiar with ZBrush’s user interface and the application features including ZSpheres and ZSketching
• Students will learn to create base models and then refine their models with Projection Master
• Create base geometry for sculpting utilizing ShadowBox

Visual Development for Animation

This immersion explores techniques and processes involved in creating artwork for animation with a focus on character development. You are introduced to the animator’s process of gesture drawing and quick sketch, as well as creating volume and depth to capture action and attitude within a single pose. The workshop stresses the importance of drawing for weight, force, thought, emotion and movement as they pertain to industry standards.

Course Goals: 


Explore elements and processes involved in drawing for animation and story. Students will be encouraged to collaborate in solving some of the difficult technical problems that are part of this major. Students should leave the workshop with strong portfolio pieces and an excellent understanding of emotion in poses. The knowledge and work developed in this workshop is invaluable and can be used in a portfolio to be submitted for any creative major.

Visual Development / Concept Art

This course introduces students to a variety of techniques and methods that are used to create effective characters and background designs for video games and movies.  Students will be placed in a small team setting and will learn to practice the research, brainstorming, critical analysis, and improvisational techniques that are necessary to create and implement conceptual work in the professional field. This is a studio workshop.

Course Goals:

• Learn to work in a team setting
• Learn research and brainstorming techniques
• Learn a variety of methods to construct a character or environment
• Learn to articulate ideas and concepts

Visual Development for Game Art

Introduction to visual development artwork for Game Art. Focus on visual exploration of ideas and generation of character, prop, and set designs with the potential for interactivity and visual sophistication. Introduction to basic elements of art direction. Emphasis on sound draftsmanship and creating original designs as they are used in an entertainment industry pipeline.

Course Goals:

• Students will explore visual development concepts as they relate to Game Art
• Learn some of the vocabulary associated development of characters, props, and setting
• Explore methods for solving problems specific to artwork for Game Art
• Learn the basics of the Game Art industry pipeline as it relates to Visual Development

Entertainment Design: Themed Environments

Entertainment Design is the art of creating compelling and engaging experiences for entertainment. From theme park attractions to museum exhibits, from live concerts to resort destinations, themed environments take guests on magical journeys that immerse them in a story. This course will introduce students to the design processes that bring immersive entertainment experiences to life. Students will conceive and visualize a themed environment that could serve as a real world experience.

Course Goals:
Students in this course will be provided the opportunity to:

• To develop an awareness of entertainment design industry
• Develop an awareness of built environments for entertainment
• Understand communicating story through themed environments
• Develop skills in sketching 3D spaces
• Understand the immersive nature of successful guest experience

Film Production

Film Production will take students from script to screen, and include producing, directing, cinematography, sound, and editing, of a short film. Each student will write, direct, and edit his or her own film, as well as work with fellow class members as cast and crew. The course will highlight how film stories work, how to plan a film, effective collaboration with others, use of editing to control the pacing, and how music can heighten the emotional impact of a film. The experience will give students a good foundation in the basics of the entire filmmaking process.

Course Goals:
The course is designed to give students a basic understanding of the filmmaking process. The competencies that are emphasized will be storytelling, composition, picture and sound editing, directing, and producing. The basics of each of the areas will be explored from a technical, aesthetic, and psychological standpoint in order to provide students with a basic understanding of the art and craft of filmmaking.

Film Directing

Through this course, students will gain a basic knowledge of directing through exercises that will increase their understanding of performance, how to place the camera to best capture the performance, and how editing can be used to refine the performance. Acting performance, choice of camera angles, and editing, are essential tools of a film director. Class assignments center on short ‘moments’ meant to move an audience emotionally. Students will act for each other as well as direct each other as a way to develop the communication skills necessary to guide a performance. This is a great companion course to Film Production.

Course Goals:
The course is designed to give students a foundation in the concepts and practices of film directing. Competencies include the basics of performance, dialog subtext, directing fundamentals, camera angles, scene coverage, editing for performance, character intentions and motivations, and collaboration. The course emphasizes the emotional side of filmmaking, giving students the opportunity to gain understanding about character intentions and motivations, and how to best capture performances on camera.

Fine Arts

Learn to follow your intuition and develop the researching skills needed to create a cohesive body of work. Fine Arts offers students a self-directed path towards the realization of unique works of contemporary art. Students are encouraged to both experiment and develop traditional skills.

Students will complete projects in Mind mapping, Drawing, Painting, and Collage

Course Goals:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Develop a cohesive body of work
• Demonstrate the ability to create a body of work across a variety of mediums
• Demonstrate the ability to complete research relevant to a body of work

Game Art

Students will get an introduction to the Game Art major and become familiar with cutting edge development software solutions used throughout the Game industry. Emphasis is on the principles of designing and producing 3D computer-generated art assets. In this class, students will learn to model game ready 3D models with visually appealing surface definitions including a cardback, loot crate, and animated robot.

Course Goals:

• Students will gain familiarity with design principles and cutting edge development tools used in the game industry to create assets
• Learn general workflows, techniques and production processes of creating 3D content for Games
• Development of new vocabulary related to the creation of 3D art
• Development of production skills for both collaborative and independent work
• Establishment of methods for analyzing and solving problems specific to 3D art
• Development of design and aesthetic sensibilities in visual communication

Game Design

Students will learn the fundamentals of Game Design including: player start, decisions, interaction, rules, opposition and goals through level design utilizing the cutting edge 3D computer-generated art assets using advanced software tools. Students will review and analyze the different types of core mechanics and the classification of games by target audience. Finally, students will create their own playable platform they can publish and share with friends and family.

Course Goals:

• Students will gain familiarity with design principles of the game industry to create a game
• Learn best practices of creating an overall theme and content for a game idea
• Learn computer-generated visual scripting, and general workflow of level design, including play testing and problem solving both technically and creatively
• Development of new vocabulary related to the creation of games
• Development of production skills for both collaborative and independent work
• Establishment of methods for analyzing and solving problems specific to game creation
• Development of design and aesthetic sensibilities in visual communication

Graphic Design

Graphic design touches you every day through packaging, logos, websites, apps, T-shirts and posters for bands, sports, movies and more.  In this immersion you will apply the foundation principals of graphic design to create meaning through image, text, and composition. Learn techniques for rapidly generating many variations of your initial idea to refine and expand your skill. Each project is designed to build your skills and to be a potential portfolio piece.

Course Goals:

• Learn the scope of graphic design as a profession and the diverse career paths it provides
• Learn basic to intermediate skills with professional design software programs (Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop)
• Create custom layouts for poster and package design
• Print, prototype and build finished designs as both physical objects and digital mockups for portfolio presentation

Illustration

Learn how to tell stories and communicate concepts through the visual language of picture-making. In this immersion, you will practice composing images, create interesting characters and stage them in a scene, use color theory to express emotion, and explore a variety of media. The result will be artwork that stimulates the viewer to reflect and react.

Course Goals:

• Introduce the picture making process, including research, thumbnails, value, and color studies
• Survey past and present illustrators and the kinds of jobs available in the illustration field
• Improve drawing, painting, and compositional skills

Make! Digital Fabrication

Learn to take your ideas from hand drawn sketches to three-dimensional sculptures and products. Make! Digital Fabrication class offers artists and designers the opportunity to use cutting edge technology to design, develop, and manufacture exciting new forms for the 21st century.

Students will complete projects in Vinyl & Laser Cutting, CNC routing, and 3D Modeling & Printing.

Course Goals:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to employ design strategies for the production of digitally fabricated sculpture/products
• Demonstrate the ability to create file types for digital fabrication
• Demonstrate the ability to construct and install digitally fabricated sculpture/products

Motion Design

This immersion will explore the fundamental principles of Motion Design through exercises exploring Pre-Production idea generation, collaboration, design and composition in Adobe Illustrator, and 2D key frame animation/compositing in Adobe After Effects. Emphasis is on movement, metamorphosis, transition, sequence, time and rhythm, pace, and editing word to picture stories.

Course Goals:

• Learn what “motion design” is and its place in the media landscape
• Learn some of the basic design and animation principles fundamental to motion design
• Learn the basics of Adobe After Effects, one of the foundational software packages for motion design

Painting

In this class, students will complete multiple oil-on-canvas- paintings exploring techniques and methods for representational painting. Emphasis will be on observation to develop a more sensitive perception of color, value and shapes. Various techniques for ideation will be explored to aid in the development of self-directed works.

Course Goals:

• Technical understanding of materials and methods for painting in oil
• Creating the illusion of space and form
• Develop a sound studio practice
• Increase awareness of past and current art movements and their role in contemporary painting

Photography & Imaging

From sharing images on social networking sites, to utilizing stills, video and sound in multimedia productions, photography is at the forefront of our visual culture. This course will provide a general introduction to photography and digital imaging. The course will focus on technical and aesthetic elements of photography. Students must have a digital (SLR) camera that has the capability to shoot in RAW format.

Course Goals:
A brief history of photography, qualities of composition and aesthetics; the photograph as a method of storytelling and communication; technical camera skills, processing RAW images and generating successful workflow using Photoshop Bridge; general Photoshop skills and image preparation; and image printing.

Storyboarding for Animation

Storyboards are the first visual pass at a movie script and they become the blueprint for the film. This immersive develops an understanding of the basics of storyboarding conventions and techniques, film language, continuity editing and descriptive drawing for visual storytelling. Students will work from a script and preproduction packet to develop a scene for an animated short.

Course Goals:

• Understand how visuals support story for an animated film
• Thumbnail a script
• Understand and apply basic continuity editing
• Understand how to draw for storyboards
• Storyboard a sequence for an animated film

Virtual Reality Development

Explore Ringling College’s newest major! Virtual Reality Development students will pioneer and push forward advancements in a new—and explosive—medium for art and artists. This introduction to the tools and methods used in Virtual Reality Development explores principles of the creation of virtual spaces. Students will be introduced to the basic processes for creating synthetic objects using 3D software and placing them into a virtual space using game engine technology.

Course Goals:
Learn to analyze, design, and create immersive interactive experiences utilizing industry standard development software and hardware.

Applying to PreCollege is an easy two-step process. 
 

Step 1: Click on the Registration System Link

Please register for the PreCollege ON-CAMPUS Application Fee – or –  the PreCollege ONLINE Application Fee below to remit the $50 payment. Upon registration you will be prompted to build your Learner profile in the Registration System. Only you (the student) will be able to receive emails from the registration system. To assure you receive all communications, please SAVE scs@ringling.edu and precollege@ringling.edu in your email contact list. 

PRECOLLEGE 2021 ON-CAMPUS APPLICATION FEE REGISTRATION

PRECOLLEGE 2021 ONLINE APPLICATION FEE REGISTRATION

Once you have completed Step 1 of the registration and submit, a confirmation email will provide the link to STEP 2 or, you may go to the appropriate PreCollege 2021 Application below.

Note: You must have completed Step 1 in order for your immersions application to be reviewed for enrollment. Please complete Step 1 prior to Step 2.

Step 2: Review the PreCollege Immersions for 2021

You are asked to rank your preferences for your TWO immersions on the PreCollege Application. REMEMBER: many immersions will apply to more than one major and could spark your curiosity and develop a new skill.  This is a time to explore and take a few risks. Some immersions are primarily digital and are taught in a computer lab, while others are strictly studio based.

Immersion Descriptions and Course Goals

Complete the Online Application Form

PC21 On-Campus Application

PC21 Online Application 

Only complete applications will be reviewed for admission. A portfolio is not required to apply for PreCollege 2021.

Optional: Get a Recommendation

Have your teacher (art teacher preferred) or guidance counselor submit a recommendation using the online form linked below.

Please note: if you will be applying for need-based financial assistance through our grants, this recommendation is required along with two additional recommendations from other teachers and/or members of the community.

Teacher Recommendation Form

What Happens Next

Students will receive notification of acceptance by email.

Your acceptance will include the two immersion seats being held for you, based on your interests, and ranking of preferences. 

Should a highly ranked immersion be full, you will be placed on the waiting list for that immersion and placed in the next ranked immersion. Should a seat become available in the higher ranked immersion, you will be contacted to confirm your interest in switching immersions.

We will hold your seats in the immersions while your acceptance notification is emailed. Upon receipt of acceptance, the $500 tuition deposit is due, per the due date in your confirmation email, to secure your immersion placements. 

Upon payment of your tuition deposit, your immersion enrollments are secured and you will receive a receipt and updated invoice. 

The remaining balance of tuition and fees are due by May 14, 2021.

You will receive an email notification in March that the Welcome Packet of registration forms is available online. These required registration forms must be signed where noted and returned to the PreCollege office by May 14, 2021. No student may check-in or  begin classes until all forms are received and all tuition and fees are paid in full.

Need-based Scholarships

Ringling College of Art and Design provides limited funding to financially assist students that would otherwise be unable to attend PreCollege. For scholarship consideration, please complete the Scholarship Application and submit by February 26, 2021.

Please read the instructions carefully. Applicants must have already applied and been accepted to PreCollege 2021. It is not necessary to resubmit your PreCollege program application again with the Scholarship Application. Only COMPLETE applications will be reviewed. Due to limited funding, awards range from $500 up to $3500 toward program fees. Distribution notifications will be emailed April 1st.

PreCollege 2021 On-Campus Student Handbook

PreCollege 2021 Online Student Handbook

• PRECOLLEGE ONLINE INFORMATION SESSIONS (session schedule coming soon)
• BOOK AN IN-PERSON OR ONLINE MEETING
• REQUEST A CATALOG and UPDATES