Program Overview

University Programs

The university offers a range of programs for students, including undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Undergraduate Programs

• Art History (BA)
• Graphic Design (BFA)
• Interior Design (BFA)
• Painting + Printmaking (BFA)
• Kinetic Imaging (BFA)

Graduate Program

MFA in Design

• MFA in Design: Overview
• MFA in Design: Curriculum
• MFA in Design: MFA ON-THE-GO

Other Academic Programs

• Art Foundation
• First Year Introduction (FYI)
• Liberal Arts & Sciences
• Honors Program
• Minors
  • Film and Design
  • Islamic Art History

Annual Showcases

• Art & Design Now (Year-End Show 2025)
• BFA+MFA Thesis 2024
• BFA+MFA Thesis 2023

Research

• Overview
• Research News
• Projects
• Opportunities
  • VCUarts Qatar Funding
  • VCU Funding
  • Qatar Research, Development and Innovation (QRDI)
  • External Funding
• Sponsored Proposals + Awards
• Resources
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• Integrity and Compliance
• Policy Database
• Institute for Creative Research

Academic and Creative Spaces

• Art & Design Library
• Innovative Media Studios
• Materials Library
• Writing Center
• Digital Design + Fabrication

Community and Continuing Education

• Community Education Program
  • Portfolio Development Program
• Continuing Education
• Become an Instructor
• Terms & Conditions

Blender Animation Crash-Course

About this Class

This series of workshops will help participants with no prior experience in 3D modeling and animation learn to create their own unique, simple animations within the free 3D software, Blender.

Learning Outcomes

• Participants will be able to create, import and modify meshes in Blender
• Participants will learn how to import materials into Blender from free online sources
• Participants will be able to set up basic lighting for 3D scenes
• Participants will be able to create animations using transform, rotate and scale commands

Class Outline

Session 1 Setting Up

• Introduction to Blender and installation
• Setting up user preferences to support an efficient workflow
• Adding basic objects to the scene and understanding their functions

Session 2 Mesh Modelling Pt. 1

• Introduction to meshes and their role in 3D modeling
• Editing mesh geometry to create custom shapes
• Understanding modifiers, how to add them, and how to stack them effectively

Session 3 Materials

• Introduction to materials and how they define the look of objects
• Creating new materials and understanding key material parameters
• Importing free materials from online sources
• Applying materials to meshes within a scene

Session 4 Working Session

• Creating a simple household or desk object in Blender and applying materials
• Group discussion and feedback on models
• Exploring how different project goals (animation, 3D printing, game design, etc.) influence the modeling process

Session 5 Composition

• Adding and positioning a camera within the scene
• Understanding how a 3D camera simulates real-world camera behavior and how it differs
• Adding lights to the scene and evaluating different light types and their behaviors
• Learning how lighting interacts with materials and basic principles of effective lighting

Session 6 Animation Principles

• Exploring how motion can give character or intention to inanimate objects
• Introduction to foundational animation principles
• Adding keyframe animation to objects in Blender
• Understanding animation curves and how they influence motion

Session 7 Rendering and Compositing

• Rendering animations out of Blender using appropriate settings
• Applying basic post-processing effects in the compositor
• Adjusting render settings to improve efficiency and reduce render times
• Final class screening and constructive peer feedback on completed animations

Materials Needed

Participants will need access to a personal computer or laptop for this course. No prior experience in 3D modeling or animation is required, though basic computer proficiency is expected.

Schedule

• Start: Mon 27 Apr, 2026
• End: Mon, 18 May, 2026
• Lessons: 7
• Days: Mondays
• Time: 5:00-7:00pm
• Location: VCUarts Qatar Campus
• Cost: QR 950

Instructor

• Syed Erzum Syed Erzum Naqvi is an interdisciplinary designer and digital content producer with experience across the Middle East, China, Singapore, the UK, and the USA. He has worked at global agencies including Ogilvy, Saatchi & Saatchi and INVNT, delivering projects from documentaries and social campaigns to video games. An MFA graduate of VCUarts Qatar and Northwestern University in Qatar alumnus, his work examines the intersections of communities, environments, and cultures, creating connections between people and the stories they share.