Fall 2026 ART 363: Advanced Digital Art (Units: 1.5)

Course Overview

In recent years digital arts have attracted unprecedented attention internationally. This course will survey this quickly expanding field including many of its established sub-categories of art including experimental 3D, creative coding, Generative Art, VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), digital sculpture, gaming architecture / real-time rendering, and net.art.

While this course will include extensive presentations introducing students to the key historical and contemporary artists who have established themselves within this field, the core of this course is focused on studio practice. Beyond class lectures, students will be encouraged to creatively explore any of these approaches to making within their own practices for class assignments. While presentations will cover considerable terrain, students will have the freedom to explore what interests them and makes sense for their developing practices. Students will not be expected to learn how to code, or work in VR, for example. If coding interests them, that is what they should explore creatively. If 3D interests them, that is what they should explore. At a 3rd year level, students should have the confidence to investigate the digital arts on their terms, about whatever subject resonates with them.

A small number of assignments will allow for the time necessary to learn these new approaches to making. While experience working with computers creatively would be a considerable asset (particularly for students who have completed video art, extended media or computer science courses), a desire to learn and engage meaningfully with the digital arts is the main requirement for this course along with an ability to undertake independent, self directed research and learning through online tutorials.

Through presentations and self directed study, students will gain a good understanding of the many conceptual and practical approaches to the digital arts. Beyond class lectures, students will be encouraged to carry out further research on the practices of artists which resonate with their own respective interests in order to inform their work.

Emphasis within the studio will be placed on personal exploration, creativity, conceptual development and the presentation of completed works rather than technical instruction. Free online tutorials covering vast terrain grow yearly and are readily available for artists. A list of free beginner tutorials covering topics including Blender, Photogrammetry, Unreal Engine, Augmented Reality, Creative Coding, TouchDesigner, etc will be provided to students via Brightspace. Given the impossibility of covering technical instruction for the whole of this course, it is up to each student to source suitable tutorials to learn the necessary skills required to produce the work they are interested in. The instructor is happy to help source as needed.

During critiques, students will gain experience presenting and articulating their motives behind each project while thinking critically about their work along with the work of their peers. Participation in discussions and in particular, critiques are an important part of this course.

Course Objectives and Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, you will have:

1. Gained a greater understanding of your motivations and technical approaches within your studio practice.
2. Gained experience analysing, evaluating and reflecting on the resolution of your work developed throughout the course as well as the work of your classmates. Studio crits help students to articulate ideas and plans and to form critical judgements of your work and that of your peers.
3. Gained a greater understanding of the practices of some of the most influential, established digital artists to date.
4. Gained an understanding of how to begin to establish yourself as a digital artist beyond school.
    

Assignments

Through the introduction of a wide range of working methods, the goal of the course focuses on student development of their own individual approach towards digital art. There are 2 assignment deadlines per term which will be presented for class discussion and critique. You must present works by the scheduled due dates stated in the syllabus unless discussed with me in advance. Works must be complete. Sketches or proposals for work will not be accepted as completed works.

Each project submission will require a written reflection and assessment to be submitted to Brightspace. The assessment will include a grade, summary of your core idea, reflection on your approach, successes and how you would improve on it if you were to make it again. The grade you assign is not necessarily the grade you will receive. The instructor will determine the actual grade received.

Critiques

Group critiques will be held for each project. During critique you are expected to be engaged, attentive, and prepared to discuss your work and provide constructive and critical feedback to your peers. This is an essential part of being able to situate your work in the context of the course and broader sculptural landscape. Participation marks are based on engagement during critiques and class discussions.

All students are required to attend and participate in critiques. Missing a critique is like missing an exam. Missed critiques will automatically incur a 5% deduction from your participation marks (per crit day).

For students who were unable to offer their thoughts during class or students who wish to provide additional feedback, discussion forums will be available to offer written feedback.

Participation

The course will be taught through lectures, group discussions, 1-to-1 tutorials, self-directed engagement of material such as tutorials and digital artworks, and group critiques.

Your participation mark is derived from your engagement with course material, group discussions, attentiveness during presentations, 1-to-1 tutorials and critical feedback provided to each student during project critiques. Personal phone use is prohibited during this time unless cleared by the Professor. Disengagement with any of the aforementioned, including sitting on your phone during presentations or crits, will be noted and will impact your participation mark.

If you are unable to contribute to the class discussions or critiques for any reason, please discuss this with me. A discussion forum will be available for students to submit written feedback in the event that they are unable to share verbally during group critiques.

All students are required to attend and participate in critiques. Missing a critique is like missing an exam. Missed critiques will automatically incur a 5% deduction from your participation marks (per crit day).

To be successful in this course you should be spending a minimum of 6 hours a week outside of class time conducting your own research and working on assignments.

Grading

Department of Visual Arts Attendance Standard.

Experiential learning and engagement are directly tied to class attendance. In the Department of Visual Arts students are expected to attend all classes. To succeed in the course, students should not have more than 2 absences in a 12-week semester, which equates to 6 hours of instruction.

Any student, regardless of illness or accommodation will not be able to succeed in the course with absences over 30%, which equates to 12 hours in a twelve-week semester. If a student finds that they are not able to meet this requirement, the instructor will work with the student to apply for academic concession or exceptional circumstances accommodation.

This standard is in place to ensure that students in the program acquire artistic experience in conjunction with the skill and safety requirements needed to complete the coursework and continue in the program. We find that active communication between students and instructors is the best method for ensuring attendance requirements are met. If the attendance standard has not been met and there is no communication with the instructor, an incomplete or failing grade will be assigned.

Attendance is assessed at 10% per term. 
Perfect attendance =10%, 1 absence =7%, 2 absences =4%, more than 2 absences =0% 
Two lates or leaving early without permission from the instructor =1 absence.
You are considered absent if you miss more than half a class on a given day. 
You will be considered absent if you come to class without work to do. Studio days require students to be working on projects. If you are not, you are not present doing the work required.

Academic Concession Link:
https://www.uvic.ca/students/academics/academic-concessions-accommodations/request-for-academic-concession/#ipn-request-a-withdrawal-or-aegrotat

Class Rules

Always bring your required work materials to class. Showing up for work periods without work to do will negatively affect your participation and project mark, and you will be marked as absent.

The University of Victoria is committed to promoting critical academic discourse while providing a respectful and supportive learning environment. All members of the university community have the right to this experience, and the responsibility to help create, such an environment. The University will not tolerate racism, sexualized violence, or any form of discrimination, bullying or harassment. These rules apply to both in person and online learning.

Please be advised that by logging into UVic’s learning systems and interacting with online resources you are engaging in a university activity.

All interactions within in person or online learning environments are subject to the university expectations and policies. Any concerns about student conduct, may be reviewed and responded to in accordance with the appropriate university policy. 

Plagiarism, Copyright and Academic Integrity
Your work must be your own and must be completed for this course. Work submitted for other classes can not be submitted to this course. Plagiarism can take the following forms: the submission of someone else’s work as your own. Copyright infringement can occur when aspects of the work you submit as part of your project where created by someone else who did not give you permission to use it.

Plagiarism and copyright infringement is a very serious offence that will result in disciplinary action, including a failing grade and possible suspension. If you have any doubts about what constitutes plagiarism or copyright infringement please consult with me before submitting the work, and refer to the UVic course calendar.

https://www.uvic.ca/til/onlinelearning/home/for_students/academic_integrity_/

Etiquette in Class
Comments and discussion, written or verbal, must adhere to the basis of respectful communication outlined in the above code of conduct. Abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and will result in removal from the course.

Materials

Personal computer
It is highly recommended that you have your own or access to a personal computer along with necessary software which you are able to use for your digital art projects. I will cover options to explore in each category with a focus on free software. A personal laptop will be an enormous asset as you would be able to bring it to class. If you have the above, an external hard drive for backing up working files and media is recommended.

Headphones
Headphones are required during class time for students watching tutorials, videos or working on audio so that you do not disturb the class.

Notebook and writing utensils
Something to take notes, write down ideas, etc. during class.

Equipment access
Students will have access to the SIM lab (beyond class hours the room will be booked for), small computer lab and the edit suites within the Visual Arts building. It should be noted though that not all software applications are installed on each machine. Your specific technical needs will depend entirely on what it is that you will be exploring for this class. For that reason, having your own computer which you are able to install software which is relevant to you would be enormously beneficial to your practice.

Cameras, projectors, media players can be booked via the Media Commons at:
https://booking.finearts.uvic.ca/

A reminder that to use the Adobe software in our labs students need to sign up for and Adobe ID in advance.  It can take up to 24 hrs for this to be create. They sign up at https://onlineservices.uvic.ca.

Support

CAL Accommodations

Instructor Responsibilities:

• Access, review and acknowledge receipt of the accommodation letter https://al.uvic.ca/ClockWork/user/instructor/default.aspx
• Take the time to privately discuss the accommodation with your student; if you would like to understand the requested accommodation better, reach out to the CAL Advisor mentioned in the accommodation letter or communicate with both the student and their CAL Advisor. The goal is to learn if the accommodation pertains to studio-based classes, and if so, discuss best practices for moving forward with the accommodation request and achieving the learning outcomes of the course.
• Work with your student to meet their requirements for your specific class.
• Inform the student of their role in the accommodation process.
• Be mindful of the need to ensure confidentiality and protect the student’s privacy at all times.

Student Responsibilities:

• Register with the Centre for Accessible Learning by the posted deadlines https://www.uvic.ca/accessible-learning/students/how-to-register/index.php
• Take the time to discuss your accommodation with your instructor. Consider how your accommodation relates to a studio-based learning environment, and which, if any, aspects will pertain.
• A CAL accommodation does NOT exempt students from completing assignments or attending class.
• If you require additional time on an assignment or deadline, this must be discussed with your instructor in advance.
• If you require alternate methods for engagement (class discussion, working in the studio classroom, working in the shops), discuss this with your instructor at the beginning of the course.
• If you require alternate methods for lectures, film or image presentations, discuss this with your instructor at the beginning of the course.
• Keep your instructor up to date on accommodation needs throughout the term, especially if there are improvements or setbacks.

Health and Safety Policies for the Department of Visual Arts

 In order to protect the integrity of the Visual Arts building and guarantee the safety of students, staff and faculty, the following guidelines must be followed:

• There will be no alteration of the physical building (temporary or otherwise), without the written approval of the chair. All proposals for special projects should be first submitted to The Visual Arts Facilities and Production Manager for consideration.

• All temporary installations of art that may occur outside the regularly sanctioned locations (i.e., the gallery and classrooms) must be authorized.

• At no time will the use of hazardous materials either inside or outside the vicinity of the Visual Arts Building, be permitted without the department’s prior approval.

• There shall be no disposal of toxic materials down sinks: all solvents, acids and other substances used in the routine course of art making must be handled in a safe and acceptable manner. 

• Artworks that include an element of self-harm must be authorized in writing by the Chair and will include strict pre-determined conditions depending on the proposal. In most cases the artist/ student will be responsible for ensuring all safety precautions are taken regarding their safety and the safety of others. This includes having first aid equipment at the performance or during the creation of the work where the action takes place, and consider any health risks your actions may pose to others. At the discretion of the Department Chair, a first responder may be required to be present

• Art that includes elements of violence, self-harm, and or other subject matter that may be traumatic or pose a trigger risk should be clearly identified to students, faculty and staff, allowing them to choose if they want to witness your work, these types of warnings are typical if one were to do such a performance in a gallery or other public space.

• Art that includes excessive volume is dangerous to the hearing of students, faculty and staff. These artworks can also be disruptive to other classes and activities within the Visual Arts Building. Artworks and or actions that contain sound at or above 98dB need to be pre-approved by the Department and clearly labeled. During critique situations hearing protection should be made available anyone required to experience the piece. Free decibel metering apps are available for most smart phones determine the level or risk.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE DEPARTMENT SAFETY GUIDELINES MAY RESULT IN ACADEMIC PENALTIES, FINANCIAL CHARGES, AND/ OR, THE LOSS OF SHOP, LAB, STUDIO, AND EQUIPMENT USE PRIVILEGES.