Final Project
Project Goals:⌗
- Personal Creative Expression: Encourage students to explore and express their unique artistic identity through their projects.
- Technique Application: Ensure students apply a variety of techniques learned during the course to manifest their creative vision.
- Artistic Development: Foster the growth of each student’s distinctive voice and style as an emerging artist.
Project Overview:⌗
Compose a 3-5-minute audio piece that embodies your identity as an artist. Your creation should integrate at least two techniques discussed during the semester. These could include:
- Studio Recording: Incorporate recordings of instruments or voice.
- Utilize these recordings directly in your project.
- Alternatively, create samples from these recordings.
- Audio Effects: Employ various audio effects to enhance your composition.
- Percussion with Sitalia: Integrate MIDI drums or percussion.
- Vital Synth Usage: Incorporate sounds created with the Vital Synth.
Alternative Projects: If musical composition is not your preference, submit a proposal for an alternative project such as a podcast, sound design piece, or another audio format that showcases your learnings.
Technique Integration: While not all techniques must be central to your project, each should be incorporated in some capacity. For instance, studio recordings can be layered with MIDI drums and synthesized sounds to achieve a more authentic feel.
Rule on Loops: You may include one or two loops, provided they are significantly altered using effects or other methods to become your own. This same rule holds for other plugins where you use presets, such as Spitfire LABS.
Stylistic Freedom: Feel free to explore any genre, such as techno, vaporware/wave, drill-core, etc. Incorporating a video is also welcome.
Presentation: Projects will be presented during the final exam slot on December 13th, from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Attendance is mandatory; failure to attend will result in failing the exam.
Deliverables:⌗
- Consolidated Project File: Submit the complete project file used for your composition.
- Rendered Master Track: Provide a final rendered version of your audio piece.
- Reflective Essay: Submit a one-page reflection that includes:
- Influences: Discuss the artists or works that influenced your composition. How does your piece differ from these influences?
- Creative Process: Detail the steps you took, challenges faced, and solutions devised during the project’s creation.
- Future Endeavors: Share potential future projects or how you might further develop the skills acquired in this course.
Grading Criteria:⌗
- Technique Understanding: Demonstrate proficiency in the techniques taught throughout the semester.
- Artistic Voice Development: Exhibit the growth of your unique artistic voice.
- Creativity and Effort: Show the level of originality and dedication invested in your project.
Rubric⌗
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| Exceptional (A) | Exhibits an exceptional understanding and application of various techniques learned throughout the semester, with a high level of technical proficiency and creativity. The student’s unique artistic voice is prominently and compellingly showcased, reflecting personal style and influences. The project demonstrates advanced complexity and seamless integration of various elements such as studio recordings, MIDI, effects, and synthesis. The reflective essay provides insightful analysis of influences, the creative process, challenges, solutions, and future aspirations, showing critical thinking and self-awareness. The project is presented in a polished and professional manner, effectively communicating the creative vision and techniques used. |
| Proficient (B) | Shows a solid understanding and application of techniques with evidence of creative effort. The student’s artistic voice is evident and well-defined, showing originality and personal style. The project demonstrates a good level of complexity and integration of different elements. The reflective essay provides a clear analysis of influences, the creative process, challenges, and solutions, demonstrating self-awareness. The project is presented effectively, with clear communication of the creative vision and techniques used. |
| Competent (C) | Demonstrates an adequate understanding and application of techniques, meeting basic technical requirements but lacking in complexity. The student’s artistic voice is present but not strongly defined, with some originality and personal style. The project demonstrates basic complexity and integration of elements. The reflective essay discusses influences and the creative process, showing some self-awareness. The project is presented in a satisfactory manner, but may lack clarity or detail in communicating the creative vision and techniques. |
| Developing (D) | Shows a limited understanding and application of techniques, meeting minimal technical requirements with a lack of creativity. The student’s artistic voice is weak or unclear, with limited originality and personal style. The project demonstrates minimal complexity and integration of elements. The reflective essay provides a limited discussion of influences and the creative process, with little self-awareness. The project is presented in a basic manner, with the student struggling to communicate their creative vision and techniques effectively. |
| Unsatisfactory (F) | Fails to demonstrate an understanding or application of techniques, not meeting technical requirements and showing no creativity. The student’s artistic voice is absent, with the work lacking originality and personal style. The project lacks complexity and integration of different elements. The reflective essay provides no meaningful reflection, failing to discuss influences or the creative process. The project is poorly presented or not presented at all, with the student failing to communicate their creative vision and techniques. |