Animation

WELCOME TO Introduction to Animation!

Course: Description: Introduction to Animation is a class that introduces students’ to the elements and principles of design, and the skills necessary to create character animation. Students learn animation theory, script development, story-boarding and basic animation tools. Computer graphics and illustration will also be introduced. The Principles of Animation are introduced through lecture and guided practice. Students explore how to create the illusion of weight, movement, perspective, and synching drawing to sound using digital animation software.

Students will also learn traditional drawing fundamentals of linear and atmospheric perspective. They will draw and paint environments using traditional and digital media. Basic anatomy drawing will be applied to character design where each student will create a cast of characters for an original script.

Course Objectives: The course enables students to develop intermediate skills in composition and execution of realistic and representative drawing. Throughout the year we assess the students’ work and score it on the following criteria. If the student does not score his or her work consistently in the high range, we assess what the strengths and weaknesses are and how to rework the piece and raise the grade. The following questions will be used to guide the student towards more successful work

  • Communicate ideas and stories with a variety of basic animations processes, techniques, and media.
  • Apply visual communications knowledge and skills to express ideas imaginatively.
  • Understand critical principles of animation like weight and overlapping action.
  • Use critical thinking, and problem solving to communicate ideas visually
  • Select appropriate animation media, techniques, and processes for specific purposes
  • Produce flipbooks, stop-motion and computer animations that demonstrate basic control of a variety of media, techniques, and processes in traditional and emerging technology.
  • Produce storyboards and animations that demonstrate basic knowledge of expository and narrative communication processes and animation theory.

Course Format: This course is organized as a studio art environment. Most days we will meet for a short time as a group to discuss the day’s objectives, review new assignments, or to participate in a presentation of work. The bulk of the classroom time will be dedicated to studio time. Learner preparation and active participation are key elements in this course and are expected every single class session. There will be lots of independent work in this class. The more you put into it, the more you will enjoy it.

You will find that your art room is unique to all other classrooms on campus, and we love that!! It is a safe place where creativity and ideas are expressed freely. Respect your classmates and their ideas, and you will find this classroom to be a supportive community!