89210 Animation Fundamentals
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particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
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Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Requisite elaboration/waiver:
Students from other courses may apply to the course director, via e-request, for enrolment in this subject.
Description
The objective of this subject is the development of core animation skills and the fundamental principles that underpin performance-based animation. The focus is on 2D character animation, human mechanics, movement physics and timing. Students acquire these animation skills through a number of exercises using hand and digital drawing techniques and Harmony 2D animation software. The subject aims to support sudents in creative exploration, analysis and reflection on the animation process.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Understanding of squash and stretch principles in relation to solid forms. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Ability to use timing as a means of creating expression and believability. |
| 3. | Understanding of weight and gravity, rhythm and pacing in animation sequences. |
| 4. | Development of performance skills- attitude, appeal and motivation. |
| 5. | An introduction to ‘Body Mechanics’: the articulation of joints and biped locomotion. |
| 6. | Acquisition of key animation principles: pose to pose animation, straight ahead animation. |
| 7. | Use of silhouette, posture and body language in character design. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Ability to produce inspirational responses in the integration of animation learning experiences (I.3)
- Ability to innovatively use and apply animation technologies and materials (I.4)
- Ability to demonstrate professional skills in Animation production (P.2)
- Ability to thoughtfully apply/deploy disciplinary learning in work, with a continuing commitment to personal professional animation development (P.4)
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is comprised of one weekly 3-hr computer lab practical workshop. Students will be participating in individual tutorials, group discussions and team-based activities throughout the semester. Activities will include demonstrations, presentations, seminars, visual tasks and exercises. The subject includes active learning experiences where ongoing feedback is provided weekly in on-campus engagements such as interactive lecture sessions, studios and computer labs. It is therefore imperative that students attend all on-campus engagements. Added to this there is an expectation of approx. 5 hours of self-directed practice outside class hours each week.
This subject uses the problem-based learning strategy that involves students in researching and developing their own solutions to complex design challenges. Students undertake a series of weekly exercises that build conceptual and technical skills, progressively leading to a larger final work.
In the studios students will work on their design projects with a professional designer as mentor. At the beginning of each studio the mentor will discuss with the entire group the challenges they are facing with their projects. The mentor will then prompt students faced by similar challenges to facilitate collaborative discussions. The mentor will be reviewing the work weekly and will provide feedback verbally. It is the students' responsibility to record any feedback provided in studio. During presentations students will be expected to actively participate in collaborative peer review feedback exercises.
Grades, marks and a summary of feedback on final design submissions will be provided through ReView.
Content (topics)
Activities will include animation exercises, presentations, and case studies. Hand drawn exercises will use paper, pencil and light box, digital drawing will utilise a pen and tablet with Harmony software. Projects are designed to align with the development of image making, design and conceptual skills in the studio projects.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: (a) Biped Walk Cycle (b) Key Pose, Weight and Timing
| Intent: | Refer to detailed brief | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 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, I.4, P.2 and P.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Weight and Force
| Intent: | Refer to detailed brief | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 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.4, P.2 and P.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Exercises | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
To pass this subject 80% attendance in all activities (lectures, tutorials) is expected. The listed assessment tasks should be submitted on the due date/time. The combined assessment grades should equal a pass grade or above. Assessment criteria relate to the learning objectives listed in this document. See briefs for specific details of assessment criteria for each project. To pass an assessment, work submitted should show satisfactory achievement in all learning objectives.
Required texts
The Animator's Survival Kit - Richard Williams
Recommended texts
Animated Performance - Nancy Beiman