SUMMARY

Animation Fundamentals consists of four levels with the goal of giving the student the tools they need to enjoy the process of creating stories and animating them, thus producing their own short animated films utilizing Adobe Creative Suites programs Photoshop, Illustrator, Animate, Character Animator and Premiere Pro. Each lesson ends with a hands-on activity to solidify the lesson and an end of course final project.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Unleash your creativity and embark on an adventure that will turn your imaginative ideas into captivating animations. Whether you’re aiming to pursue animation professionally or simply looking to explore your artistic talents, by the end of this 16-week Animation Fundamentals course, you’ll have transformative experience that opens doors to a world of visual storytelling.

Animation Fundamentals: 2D & 3D Animation

• Weeks 1-4: Introduction to Animation BasicsWeeks 1-2:
  • Week 1: Introduction to Animation
    • What is animation?
    • Brief history of animation
    • Types of animation: 2D, 3D, stop-motion, etc.
  • Week 2: Principles of Animation
    • Understanding the 12 principles of animation
    • Applying principles to simple animations

  Weeks 3-4:

  • Week 3: Getting Familiar with Tools
    • Introduction to animation software (e.g., Pencil2D, Blender)
    • Navigating the interface, tools, and settings
  • Week 4: Creating Basic Animations
    • Creating a bouncing ball animation
    • Exploring timeline, frames, and keyframes

  Weeks 5-8: 2D Animation

  Weeks 5-6:

  • Week 5: Character Design and Storyboarding
    • Basics of character design
    • Creating character turnaround sheets
    • Introduction to storyboarding
  • Week 6: Lip Sync and Dialogue Animation
    • Understanding lip sync
    • Animating dialogue using phonemes
    • Practice with short dialogue animations

  Weeks 7-8:

  • Week 7: Walk Cycles and Expressions
    • Creating a walk cycle animation
    • Conveying emotions through facial expressions
  • Week 8: Motion and Timing
    • Easing in and out for smoother animations
    • Playing with timing to create impact

  Weeks 9-12: 3D Animation

  Weeks 9-10:

  • Week 9: Introduction to 3D Animation
    • Basics of 3D modeling and rendering
    • Navigating a 3D software (e.g., Blender)
  • Week 10: 3D Modeling and Rigging
    • Creating simple 3D models
    • Introduction to rigging and character setup

  Weeks 11-12:

  • Week 11: Animation Principles in 3D
    • Applying the 12 principles to 3D animations
    • Creating a bouncing ball animation in 3D
  • Week 12: Advanced Techniques
    • Exploring camera animation
    • Introduction to particle systems and dynamics

  Weeks 13-16: Advanced Animation

  Weeks 13-14:

  • Week 13: Special Effects and Visual Storytelling
    • Creating visual effects (e.g., fire, smoke)
    • Incorporating effects to enhance storytelling
  • Week 14: Character Performance
    • Animating complex character interactions
    • Conveying weight, anticipation, and reaction

  Weeks 15-16:

  • Week 15: Scene Composition and Lighting
    • Basics of scene composition and camera angles
    • Introduction to lighting techniques
  • Week 16: Final Project
    • Students plan, create, and animate a short animation
    • Incorporating all learned techniques and principles

Who Should Enroll: This course is designed for middle school and high school students who are intrigued by animation and wish to explore it further. Whether students are beginners or have some experience with animation, this course offers a solid foundation for understanding the technical and artistic aspects of the craft.

Prerequisites: For full program: GD101 (Intro to Graphic Design), SW101 (Comprehensive Screenwriting)

Course Duration: “Animation Fundamentals: 2D & 3D Animation” spans one academic semester, with approximately 16 weeks of instruction, hands-on projects, and discussions.

Course Materials: Students will need access to a computer with graphic design and animation editing software (access to Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, Animate, Character Animator and Premiere Pro is provided), and an internet connection. Additional resources, including animation books, online tutorials, and curated images, will be provided to enrich the learning experience.

Assessment: Assessment methods include participation, completion of hands-on animation projects, quizzes on animation concepts, and the quality of the final portfolio presentation.

To view work examples, check out the Portfolio page!

What are the courses like?

See Course Formats below for more information.

Other questions?

Take a look at our frequently asked questions or contact us directly.