Digital Animation

Introduction to Animation is a class designed to introduce students to the concept of animation and mimicking life movement in art. The course is taught through the program Toon Boom Harmony, and the assignments will use The Principles of Animation, ideas, and concepts founded by 2 of the original Disney Animators. During the course, we will examine and explain each of the 12 principles and then put them into practice as the students create their animations. By the end of Animation 1, the students will have completed four full animation projects, from ball bounce to facial squash and stretching.

*Prerequisite: Digital Illustration I, Digital Illustration II, and Digital Illustration III

Spring Session 2

Summer Semester

Digital Animation I

Introduction to Animation

Animation I introduce students to the concept of animations and mimicking life movement in art. Students will learn and explore the 12 Principles of Animation founded by two original Disney animators. By the end of the term, students will have put those principles into practice by creating four complete animation projects, from ball bounce to facial squash and stretching.

Prerequisite: Digital Illustration I - III
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Toon Boom Harmony
Hardware: Wacom Intuos Drawing Tablet
Tuition includes a tech fee for using a computer, Adobe Photoshop & Toon Boom Animation program.

Digital Animation II

Animation II introduces the full story-driven animation layout. Students will create an animatic using the concepts learned from Animation I, including pacing, timing, and composition. By the end of the term, students will have finished a fully functional and solid storyboard animatic that is ready for clean-up in Animation III.

Prerequisite: Animation I
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Toon Boom Harmony
Hardware: Wacom Intuos Drawing Tablet

Digital Animation III

Animation III allows students to begin the process of inbetweening on their animatics from Animation II. Students will learn the importance of keeping on model, reading timing charts, and maintaining fluid motions, color, shading, lighting, and camera movements to create a fully finished animation. By the end of the term, students will have a fully finished black and white or colored animation.

Note: Animation is an intensive art and requires hundreds of drawings. If the student works at a slower pace, they will be asked not to use color to make sure the project will be finished.

Prerequisite: Animation II
Software: Adobe Photoshop, Toon Boom Harmony
Hardware: Wacom Intuos Drawing Tablet