| Course Objectives: |
The aim of this course is to teach students the matte painting techniques used in film, animation, and game industries, enabling them to create professional composite environments that combine photography, 3D renders, and digital painting. Students will develop skills in visual storytelling, environment creation, atmosphere building, perspective, lighting, and color harmony, while learning industry-standard workflows through hands-on practice. |
| Course Content: |
This course covers the history and application areas of matte painting, principles of perspective and composition, integration of photographic and 3D elements, digital painting techniques, atmosphere creation, color matching, lighting setup, depth building, and professional VFX pipelines. Throughout the semester, students will create multiple scenes, producing both realistic and stylized environment designs. |
Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs) are those describing the knowledge, skills and competencies that students are expected to achieve upon successful completion of the course. In this context, Course Learning Outcomes defined for this course unit are as follows:
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| Knowledge
(Described as Theoritical and/or Factual Knowledge.)
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1) The student evaluates the copyright validity of used materials and adheres to ethical usage standards in their projects.
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| Skills
(Describe as Cognitive and/or Practical Skills.)
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1) The student integrates photographic elements, 3D renders, and digital painting techniques to create a cohesive composite scene.
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2) The student accurately applies principles of perspective, lighting, color harmony, and atmosphere building.
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| Competences
(Described as "Ability of the learner to apply knowledge and skills autonomously with responsibility", "Learning to learn"," Communication and social" and "Field specific" competences.)
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1) The student explains the fundamental concepts, historical development, and application areas of matte painting.
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2) The student produces an industry-standard environment design project by following a professional matte painting workflow.
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| Week |
Subject |
Materials Sharing * |
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Related Preparation |
Further Study |
| 1) |
Course overview, history of matte painting, areas of use, and introduction to the VFX pipeline. Setting up Photoshop workspace. |
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| 2) |
One- and multi-point perspective, scene depth, atmospheric layers, and analyzing light direction. |
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| 2) |
Digital painting techniques for cracks, rust, moss, broken glass, and other surface enhancements. |
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| 2) |
Color grading, creating fog/volumetric atmosphere, depth effects, tone mapping of the scene. |
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| 3) |
Submission of final composite + process sheet + concept text. In-class critique. |
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| 3) |
Creating moodboards for the “After the Silent City” project, gathering references, selecting accurate photo angles. |
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| 4) |
Building the base composite, placing photographic elements, ensuring lighting and perspective consistency. |
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| 4) |
Introduction to the “Lost Horizon” project. Rules of composition for fantastic environments. Visual research. |
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| 5) |
Creating perspective-accurate 3D blockouts in Blender/Maya (optional). |
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| 6) |
Hybrid matte painting workflow combining 3D renders, photography, and painting. |
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| 7) |
Light direction, dramatic atmosphere, and building color palettes for fantasy scenes. |
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| 8) |
Overall scene balance, lighting consistency, detail refinement, final polish. |
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| 9) |
Students present their projects; instructor and peer feedback. |
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| 10) |
Submission of final artwork + process sheet + concept note. End-of-term summary. |
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Programme Learning Outcomes |
Contribution Level (from 1 to 5) |
| 1) |
Explain the fundamental concepts, historical development, and theoretical framework of graphic design. |
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| 2) |
Define typography, color theory, and composition principles in visual communication design. |
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| 3) |
Evaluate the social, cultural, and ethical aspects of graphic design to develop an interdisciplinary perspective. |
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| 4) |
Develop original and innovative design solutions using creative problem-solving methods. |
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| 5) |
Apply visual hierarchy, perception psychology, and user experience (UX) principles to design for international markets. |
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| 6) |
Effectively use digital tools and design software to produce professional graphic design work. |
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| 7) |
Take responsibility in international graphic design projects individually or within a team to develop creative solutions. |
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| 8) |
Manage graphic design projects and plan processes while applying a professional work discipline. |
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| 9) |
Continuously improve by following global innovations, technologies, and methodologies in graphic design. |
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| 10) |
Adopt intercultural design principles to create visual solutions for global audiences. |
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| 11) |
Develop design solutions that are culturally sensitive, ethically appropriate, and sustainable. |
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| 12) |
Work independently or participate in teamwork within graphic design processes. |
5 |
| WORKLOAD OF TEACHING & LEARNING ACTIVITIES |
| Teaching & Learning Activities |
# of Activities per semester |
Duration (hour) |
Total Workload |
| Course |
3 |
27 |
81 |
| Laboratory |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Application |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Special Course Internship (Work Placement) |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Field Work |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Study Hours Out of Class |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Presentations / Seminar |
3 |
9 |
27 |
| Project |
1 |
21 |
21 |
| Homework Assignments |
1 |
21 |
21 |
| Total Workload of Teaching & Learning Activities |
- |
- |
150 |
| WORKLOAD OF ASSESMENT & EVALUATION ACTIVITIES |
| Assesment & Evaluation Activities |
# of Activities per semester |
Duration (hour) |
Total Workload |
| Quizzes |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Midterms |
1 |
21 |
21 |
| Semester Final Exam |
1 |
21 |
21 |
| Total Workload of Assesment & Evaluation Activities |
- |
- |
42 |
| TOTAL WORKLOAD (Teaching & Learning + Assesment & Evaluation Activities) |
192 |
| ECTS CREDITS OF THE COURSE (Total Workload/25.5 h) |
6 |