Course Syllabus

Independent Study in Idaho

VTD 1510 Virtual World Building 1 

Sponsoring Institution: University of Idaho

2 Credits

Instructor Information

Course Instructor: Kayla Stenzel

Kayla StenzelHello! My name is Kayla Stenzel. I will be your instructor for this course.

I am a recent University of Idaho graduate, graduating with my Masters in Integrated Architecture and Design. I also earned my Bachelors in Virtual Technology and Design (VTD) in 2022. I grew up in Moscow, ID, and I'm a digital designer and storyteller with a passion for bringing ideas to life through visual media. My work spans a variety of creative disciplines including storytelling, animation, and videography with skills in storyboarding, video editing, game design, character design, and world-building. Through my graduate studies, I have refined my craft with a growing focus on education, exploring innovative techniques and how to teach them in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

This will be my 3rd year teaching with the University of Idaho. I was previously an Adjunct Professor for the VTD major in August 2022 teaching alongside a fellow VTD graduate. This will be my first year teaching fully online with the ISI program. I look forward to working with you all and seeing what you end up creating. 

If you are interested in seeing some of my work, I have linked my personal portfolio for you to view: Kayla's Portfolio

Course Description

Welcome! This course introduces you to digital design and storytelling through 2D visuals and audio. You will learn to write and visualize a story, use cinematography to enhance narrative impact, and apply animation principles to create a fully developed animation. Along the way, you'll explore character design, narrative building, and world-building to bring your ideas to life.

This self paced online course is designed to help students master the fundamentals of digital design by integrating various storytelling and visual techniques. Throughout the course, students will:

  • Explore Storytelling & Narrative Development – Learn how to craft compelling stories and structure narratives effectively.
  • Develop Character Design Skills – Create unique characters with depth and personality.
  • Build Immersive Worlds – Design environments that enhance storytelling and bring narratives to life.
  • Utilize Cinematography Techniques – Apply framing, composition, and camera movement to visually communicate ideas.
  • Learn Animation Principles – Use key animation techniques to produce dynamic and expressive visuals.
  • Engage with Digital Design Tools – Gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software for virtual design.

By the end of the course, students will have a strong foundation in digital design, equipping them with the skills needed for creative storytelling and digital media production.

Course Learning Outcomes

  • Master Fundamental Design Principles – Develop a strong understanding of visual and audio design techniques to enhance storytelling.
  • Explore Personal Identity Through Design – Create a character sheet that represents personal artistic style and narrative voice, serving as a foundation for future design projects.
  • Develop Storytelling & Cinematic Techniques – Learn video editing, sequential storytelling, story arcs, plot development, and camera work to create engaging narratives.
  • Plan & Visualize Narratives – Use storyboarding and animatics to structure visual sequences, experiment with pacing and timing, and refine composition.
  • Apply Animation Principles & Techniques – Implement 2D character rigging, research and demonstrate the 21 principles of animation, and troubleshoot animation challenges.
  • Create a Fully Developed Animation – Utilize keyframing, motion refinement, and various animation styles to produce a polished final project.

Required Materials

Software Requirements

We will be using digital design software that must be downloaded to complete the projects in this course. The primary software used for instruction and demonstrations will be from Adobe Creative Cloud. However, you are welcome to use alternative programs with similar functionality. Below is a list of compatible software options:

Computer Requirements

Because this is a digital design focused course it is highly recommended (not required) that students have computers/laptops that meet the minimum requirements for the software that will be used in this course. Keep in mind that this course is only working with Adobe products and anything similar. Please make sure your computer/laptop can run these programs and has enough storage.

Drawing Tablet Recommendation

Drawing tablets are highly recommended for this course (not required), as they allow you to create digital illustrations directly in programs like Photoshop or similar software. Using a tablet can significantly enhance the quality and precision of your artwork, resulting in a more professional and polished final product compared to scanned or photographed hand-drawn images.

Here are a few options for drawing tablets that can be purchased:

Equipment Rental

Course Rules and Requirements

Assignment Breakdown 

This course will be divided into 6 total units, with each unit focusing on a different aspect of design. The final unit will bring together all the concepts and techniques covered throughout the course, culminating in a comprehensive final project that integrates everything you've learned. Each unit will have their own section and each section will have the necessary materials and project details needed.

**Each unit will need to be completed before you can work on the next one.**

Unit 1: Introduction to Digital Character Design

This introductory unit serves as an opportunity to get to know your current design skills. The focus will be on character creation, where you will explore basic design principles and develop a character that reflects your personal identity as designers. Through this project, you will introduce yourself to the class, share your creative interests, and establish your skills. The goal of this unit is to assess your foundational design abilities and gain insight into your individual design interests.

Unit 2: Telling a Narrative Through Video

This unit combines video editing techniques with narrative storytelling. You will learn how to compile multiple scenes into a cohesive narrative, selecting your preferred medium whether live-action footage, 2D visuals, etc. to express your story. Emphasis will be placed on narrative, mirroring entertainment studio workflows.

Unit 3: Visualizing a Story

This unit centers on visual storytelling through the development of storyboards. You will gain an understanding of story arcs, plot points, and character development, exploring the use of cinematography techniques to bring your stories to life visually.

Unit 4: Applying Motion

Building on Unit 3, this unit focuses on creating an animatic - a rough animated version of the storyboard. You will experiment with pacing, timing, camera movement, and basic visual effects. The resulting animatic will serve as a reference for the refined animation in Unit 5.

Unit 5: 2D Rigging/Animation Principles

For this unit, you will create an IK rig for a 2D character in Adobe After Effects, preparing it for smooth and dynamic animation. You will also research and apply the 12 principles of animation, producing test animations that demonstrate these principles in action.

Unit 6: Refining Movement – Animation

This unit synthesizes the work from Units 3 and 4, leading to the production of a polished animated video. You will explore advanced animation techniques, keyframing, and animating across different mediums. The focus will be on refining movements, enhancing transitions, and achieving professional-quality animation.

Gallery Posting

Throughout the course, a gallery will be created showcasing current and previous student work to provide inspiration and celebrate creativity. This gallery will allow students to view each other’s projects and gain insight into different artistic approaches and techniques.

**If you prefer that your work not be included in the public gallery, please reach out in advance.**

All submitted work must be appropriate for all ages, adhering to professional and respectful standards. Any content deemed inappropriate may be subject to revision or exclusion from the gallery.

General Questions

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for individuals passionate about storytelling, story development, and world-building. It is ideal for those who enjoy bringing ideas to life visually and thrive in a hands-on, project-based learning environment. Whether you're an aspiring digital designer, animator, filmmaker, or storyteller, this course will provide you with the tools and techniques to craft compelling narratives through digital media.

Students who benefit most from this course:

  • Creative Thinkers – Those who enjoy conceptualizing unique stories and characters.
  • Visual Storytellers – Individuals interested in using imagery, composition, and cinematography to convey narratives.
  • Aspiring Animators & Designers – Those eager to learn digital design techniques, character creation, and animation principles.
  • Hands-On Learners – Students who prefer learning through projects and experimentation rather than passive instruction.

Since this is a hands-on course, students will actively engage in creating original work using digital design software, applying their knowledge through practical assignments that build toward a final project.

What kind of support will I be getting from this class?

This online course will have a hands-on approach when it comes to project creation, discussions, and feedback reviews. I will host scheduled online one-on-one sessions with any student who needs help with their projects or understanding the material. More information on how to contact me and set up one on-one-sessions is located in the Contact Instructor page of the Introductions section.

How is this class structured online compared to in-person?

This course is aligned with the in-person Virtual Technology and Design 1510 course offered in the fall. Project guidelines will be introduced sequentially through recorded lectures and detailed outlines, all accessible on Canvas. As a project-based course, all work will be created by you using digital design software, ensuring originality in every assignment.

How will we be creating content?

We will be using the production process of design as steps to create your digital work. We will be breaking down each project into 3 different stages: 

  • Pre-Production (concept ideation, initial sketches, brainstorming, etc.)
  • Production (producing, revisions, animating, audio mixing, building, etc.) 
  • Post-Production (Presentation, refinement, color matching, audio level adjustments, etc.). We will be tracking this type of progress and using it to refine ideas and enhance your designs.

Since this is a project-based class, how will we present our work?

Projects will be turned in on Canvas. Depending on the project, a recorded video may be necessary when discussing your final turn-in. If not, the project you turn in should speak for itself and should not need any further context when viewing it. I will be providing feedback on your work through Canvas, and you should use this feedback for refining future projects.

More Questions?

If you have any questions about the course, please check out the FAQs page and reach out to your instructor via email. I will respond as soon as I can.

Grade Information 

This course is broken down into 6 total units. Each unit has 2 grading criteria per unit: Discussion Board Updates and Final Turn In. Discussion Board updates are worth 30% of your grade and the Final Turn in is worth 70%. The following goes into more detail about each criteria.

Discussion Board Updates

For each unit, there will be a discussion board for you to interact with to update the class and the instructor on your progress and ask questions. This will count towards your participation in the class. It is important to keep up to date on your work towards the project and show the type of progress being made. You may post as many times as you would like with a minimum of 3 posts in total for the entire unit. A minimum of 3 posts will equal a total of 5 points.

Final Turn in

The final project must be submitted through Canvas before the final due date to be graded and receive feedback. This submission marks the last step for every project. If required, you will need to present your work through a recorded video showcasing your project and explaining your design choices. The final turn in is worth 11-12 points.

Breakdown for grading:

Points Possible

Units

Discussion Board

Final Turn in

Total

1

5

11

16

2

5

11

16

3

5

12

17

4

5

12

17

5

5

12

17

6

5

12

17

Total

30

70

100

Each assignment guideline will be viewed in .PPTX format along with reference materials which will be posted on Canvas.

Course Policies

Refer to the ISI Policies for the most current policies and procedures, including information on setting up accounts, student confidentiality, exams, transcripts, course exchanges, refunds, academic integrity, library resources, disability support and other services.