Portfolio Item 1

Outline

• Due: 19 March 2025, 23:55
• Mark weighting: 25% total
• Submission: Text/PDF upload in Wattle with code in GitLab.
• Policies: see the policies page
• Learning Outcomes Assessed: Learning Outcomes 1 and 4. Learning Outcome 2 is expected to be applied in creating artistic output.

The first 3 assessment tasks this year are called “Portfolio Item 1”, “Portfolio Item 2” and “Portfolio Item 3”. The written works and artistic responses you create will form part of your portfolio of works for EXTN1019B, along with your Final Project. All of your works will be available to view at the end of year exhibition. For an example and for inspiration, you can view the 2024 cohorts works here.

TEMPLATE: Fork and clone the template for this portfolio item

Description

The first assignment requires you to research and explore an aspect of 3D graphics.

You will discover the history of that aspect, report on this, and create a work of art that embodies this aspect of 3D graphics.

You will write an artist statement explaining your artistic response.

You will write a README.md file which explains how to interact with your artwork.

Suggested topics include:

• Which geometry is orthodox? The mathematics of 3D graphics.
• 3D modelling techniques (how do we construct complex geometries)
• Transformations (such as Quaternions)
• Cameras and Lighting
• Shading, Textures, Materials
• Recent graphics developments (see SIGGRAPH)
• Principles of Traditional Animation Applied to 3D Computer Animation
• A 3D graphics/virtual worlds artist and their work

Development Process

Here’s the process for completing this assessment task:

You need to:

• Choose a topic and have this approved by your teacher
• Conduct your research into the topic
• Write a report which explains the topic in depth, but for a reader who knows little about 3D graphics.
• The report should be written using markdown, and be called research-report.md. PDF is an acceptable alternative, and the file in that case should be called research-report.pdf
• Include comprehensive referencing
• Develop a sketch as an artistic response which illustrates the topic you have researched
  • make it interactive
  • make it meaningful
  • create at least 2 variations (sketches) for your response
• Write an artist statement which explains your artwork
• The artist statement should be called artist-statement.md
• You should include a README.md file which explains how to interact with your artwork (a how to document)

You do not need to write a complete history of your chosen topic. Choose one element (for example, instead of “shading”, choose “Phong shading”), and explore that topic deeply.

For each portfolio item this year, we either want you to create your own sketch, or extend some starter code we provide in class. In either case, we want you to submit at least 2 non-trivial variations ¹ of your sketch. This is an opportunity for you to experiment and explore different ways of implementing or expressing the same idea.

Submission Process

1. Fork and clone the template repository.

2. Choose a topic and submit this to your teacher via Teams.
   Await approval before starting.

3. Include all files in your repository, and push and commit to gitlab.
   We are expecting a history of commits.

4. Zip your folder and submit to Wattle —
   this will timestamp your submission, and enable marking using the rubric.

Specification

research-report.md : 1500 words (excluding references) teaching the reader the details of your chosen topic. References should be included in this file.

artist-statement.md : 400 words explaining how your artwork embodies the chosen topic, and what other aspects of art, or meaning, you have chosen to investigate

README.md : up to 100 words explaining how to interact with your artwork

sketch.js (multiples) : your artistic responses. You only need one index.html. You may include other assets as required.

Marking criteria

As discussed at the top of this page, Portfolio Item 1 makes up 25% of your overall mark for this course.

The marking criteria are:

• clarity, depth and sophistication of communication

• quality, depth and breadth of research into your chosen topic

• critical analysis of provocation/topic

• creativity in coding, artistic output and/or research

• interactivity

• breadth of experimentation (submit 2-3 non-trivial variations)

• Referencing

Year 12 Portfolio Item 1 Assessment Rubric

FAQ

Can I work on it during the weekly labs/workshops?

Yes! So if you create something during the workshop which you want to include in your portfolio, then by all means include it. You’re also welcome to use time outside of class to work on the portfolio item.

How long should I spend on this every week?

Between 1 and 3 hours outside class time should be sufficient. The BSSS expects that you complete 1 hour outside class for each hour spent in class.

Can I use open-source code for my artistic response?

Yes, for sure – as long as you provide links to any code that you used and you make some interesting changes/additions of your own to the code. Ensure you reference the open-source code in your artist-statement.md

Can I use other artists’ work as inspiration for my sketches?

I don’t see why not :) You can absolutely still look for sources of inspiration and reference them in your artistic response (name of inspiration/artist, name of work, link to work). However it’s not part of the marking criteria and therefore isn’t mandatory.

When will I get my marks & feedback?

I will endeavour to complete marking within 2 weeks of submission.

Can I use generative AI to write my report, artist statement or code?

We will be exploring the development, creation and appropriate application of generative AI in generating text, image and audio this year. This is NOT an open-license to use generative AI to write code or your written responses.

So: how can you use it?

1. Be explicit about your use: explain how and why you want/need to use generative AI to generate code or text.
2. Write your own ideas: you must generate ideas from your own brain and not outsource the generation of ideas.
3. Read! You must read your sources and understand them yourself. It is no good asking ChatGPT to understand for you. Reach out if you need help.
4. Polish: Write your ideas down and once you have a draft you might use generative AI to help finesse your work.
5. Be explicit: This course is all about creativity. Tell us how you completed this process and how this made you feel. Have you learned more, or learned less? Does it help reduce pressure? Does it make you feel unethical?
6. Opt Out: Shout it from the rooftops: You do not have to use generative AI! To quote from The Incredibles: “No school like the old school”.