2D ANIMATION I  DM 294  SYLLABUS           


 COURSE STRUCTURE                                       

 COURSE DESCRIPTION                                    

     In a cross-disciplinary environment, students will mix traditional and digital imagery to create two dimensional animated art related to their major area of study, The animation will be published for delivery via CD, DVD, web, video, film or broadcast media


 COURSE OUTCOMES                                          

     Recognize current animation genres, understand the related copyright issues, and discuss possible distribution channels for animated works.

     Communicate an animation project concept in concise verbal, visual and written formats. 

     Apply concept, design and production processes that are congruent with current industry standards for an animation Create finished art and incorporate it into a finished animation made with Flash software that is published for delivery via CD, DVD, web, video, film, or broadcast media. 

     Apply basic pacing and staging strategies to a linear or non-linear narrative animation. 

     Discuss, debate and ideate animation concept proposals, works in progress and finished works as a member of a review group.



 ATTENDANCE                                                        

     More than 3 unexcused absences will negatively effect your grade. Each absence beyond 3 will continue to negatively effect your grade. Arriving to class late will also lower your grade. 



 GRADING CRITERIA                                          

     You will be graded at 2 intervals, mid-term and final. The midterm is a progress assessment. The final grade is the only one that goes on your transcripts

     You will be expected to have the listed deliverables completed on the 5 review dates that are posted on the calendar. Missed dates will result in the lowering of your final grade by 1 full letter (such as.. a B becomes a C).

     Quality of project presentations and class review participation. 

     Quality of project execution relative to project objectives as outlined in the course deliverables. 

     Professionalism: Pushing your work. Taking responsibility for your work. Commitment to and patience in communication with other students and me. Giving and Taking Critique. Being respectful.

     Attendance: For every 3 absences your final course grade will be lowered by 1/2 (such as..  a 'B' becomes a 'B-'). Excused absences include illness, family issues that are beyond your control, natural disasters and alien invasions.

     Unless noted otherwise, all projects are due at the beginning of class on the dates listed in the calendar.



 MATERIALS                                                            

     Laptop computer and external hard drive for back ups. Losing data is not an excuse for missing deadlines. Files that are backed up are files that are never lost.

     Software Required: Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash, Quicktime Pro, Garageband, E-mail, Web Browser



 School Policies, Resources & Dates 

     This syllabus may be revised, at any time, at the discretion of the instructor. 

     School-wide policies, resources and dates are available on this site's home page:

  PROJECTS  OVERVIEW                                     

     We will create a single Linear animation: 5 seconds to 1 .5 minutes - character or motion graphics animation. Focus on symbol and camera movement and avoid excessive frame by frame strategies. Create art and graphics using any method(s) and animate with Flash.

[ All projects are due at the beginning of class on the dates listed ]
                               

 PROCESS                                                                      

 Create & Present A Pitch   - class review     
See pitch guide below.          

 Design  - class review                                            
For character animation that means finished art for all characters shown in one or two backgrounds. For motion graphics that means finished art for each type of graphic element.

 Art & Sound Production -  instruct. rev.     
All finished art and design plus sounds requiring synchronization (ie: voice) 

 Animation, Layout - class review          
All keyframe scenes with no sound - finished art

 Animation, Completed - instructor rev.     
Complete Flash animation with voice and synched sound effects imported.

 Sound Design - instructor review                  
Finished Animation with musical score in Flash or Garageband.

 Publishing - workshop                                         
Publishing workshop (variable compression) - source, hard drive, CDrom, web, Flv.

 Final Animation  - class review                       
Final class review. 



 PITCH GUIDE                                                          

 Introduction                                                            

      State purpose, audience, method of delivery and emotional connection.
Example: This animation will be targeted toward young Metal music fans and be integrated into an on-line, viral e-card designed to announce the bands latest release and redirect users to their official website. Audience should be eager to click the link to the main website to hear and find out more.

 Show Benchmarks                                                 

      Minimum 3 professional examples from your genre. Amateur work and fan art are not acceptable. 

 Present Production Plan                                     

      Show examples of your past illustraton, art or design work. Describe the drawing, coloring, imaging and typesetting methods you will be using in this project. 

 Storyboards                                                                

      Present a series of large, quick drawings (sketch story boards) for every scene

     Reference the Camera Shots Guide listed in the Downloads Menu on the left side of this page.

     Use Animation Templates listed in the Downloads Menu on the left side of this page.

     Each storyboard = one full letter size page or one full projected screen.

     Include complete notes on the boards (timing, sound, dialogue)

     Notate camera pans, zooms etc.