82121 Context: 2D Animation Introduction
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
The objective of this area of study is the development of core animation skills, learning the 12 principles of animation. The focus of the class is on applying these principles to human mechanics, movement physics and timing. Students acquire these animation skills through a number of exercises creating 2D animation in the Harmony software package.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Understand and use squash and stretch principles in relation to solid forms. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Use timing as a means of creating expression and believability. |
| 3. | Understand and apply weight and gravity, rhythm and pacing in animation sequences. |
| 4. | Develop performance skills- attitude, appeal and motivation. |
| 5. | Understand ‘Body Mechanics’: the articulation of joints and biped locomotion. |
| 6. | Understand key animation principles: pose to pose animation, straight ahead animation. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to contribute positively to critique and feedback process (C.3)
- Ability to recognise the creative possibilities for animation technologies and materials, to experiment, to take risks, and contribute alternative directions (I.3)
- Ability to understand and apply fundamental animation principles (P.1)
- Ability to demonstrate a high level of craft and production values across all methods of animation process (P.2)
- Ability to undertake primary and secondary research, exploring a wide range of visual and textual materials, and connect research process to final outcomes (R.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject includes active learning experiences where ongoing feedback is provided weekly in all on-campus engagements such as lecture sessions, and studios held in the animation computer laboratories. It is therefore imperative that students attend all on-campus engagements.
The subject uses design professionals as mentors to ensure that all content and tasks are relevant to current professional practice in a global context.
In the computer labs, students will work on their animation fundamentals with a mentor. At the beginning of each studio, the mentor will discuss with the entire group the challenges they are facing with the set tasks.
The mentor will review the work weekly and provide feedback verbally. It will be the students' responsibility to record any feedback provided in the studio and during presentations.
Weekly sessions constitute 3hrs of computer lab workshops. Students are expected to spend a minimum of 3hrs/wk of unsupervised, self-directed animation fundamentals practice. Students are expected to prepare for each week's class by reviewing the week-by-week program which is available on UTSOnline.
Please note the following:
All weekly tasks must be completed as homework before the following class. Failure to do so will incur a penalty which will be applied to the final mark. If a student is absent from a presentation a 10% penalty will occur unless a doctors certificate is provided or alternative arrangements have been organised with the tutor.
Grades, marks and feedback on final animation design submissions will be provided through ReView.
Content (topics)
Activities will include animation exercises, presentations, the making of personal video reference and case studies. Students may use paper and pencil during iteration process. Pen and tablet is used with Toonboom software. Projects are designed to support the development of studio projects.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: A : Timing and Arcs B: Anticipation and Follow through C: Keys D: Generic Biped walk
| Intent: | To gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of Animation through a process of exercises and the study and completion of a biped walk. | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 3, 5 and 6 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.3, P.1 and P.2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 40% | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Weight and Performance exercise
| Intent: | To complete an short animated sequence focusing on weight and solid physics. The final animation must demonstrate a good understanding of both animation principles and character performance and analysis. | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 4 and 6 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): I.3, P.1 and R.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Project | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 60% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
The DAB attendance policy requires students to attend no less than 80% of formal teaching sessions (lectures and tutorials) for each class they are enrolled in to remain eligible for assessment.
Required texts
Williams, R.2009, The Animator's Survival Kit,
Faber and Faber, New York.
Available in UTS Library.
Recommended texts
Thomas, F & Johnson, O.1995. The Illusion of life : Disney Animation.
Hyperion, New York.
(The above book is available in the UTS Library.)
Goldberg, E. 2008. Character Animation Crash Course.
Silman - James Press, Beverly Hills, California. Forward by B. Bird.
Hahn, D. (ed) 2009. Drawn to Life : 20 Golden Years of Disney Master Classes : Volume 1&2. The Walt Stanchfield Lectures.
Focal Press.
Alvin, L. (ed) 2002, The Art of Spirited Away. Hayao Miyazaki.
Viz Communications, San Fransisco, California.
(The above book is available in the UTS Library.)