Introduction to Animation and Animation Principles

Introduction to Animation and Animation Principles

Overview

In Unit 1 we will talk about the history of animation, the rules for creating a great story, and the initial stages of the animation production process. We will also discuss the principles that apply to all kinds of animation, from hand drawn to computer generated. These principles are the base to understand what animation is made of, and how it can bring even simple shapes like a rectangle or a circle to life. This unit will also give you an understanding of the differences between good and bad animation, so you can apply good practices to create more engaging and thoughtful animations of your own.

Throughout the unit you will work on hands-on animation exercises, which will be the foundation of every animated work you create from then on, and you will take the first steps towards your final animation project. At the end of this unit you will have learned and exercised the basic principles of animation and the art of storytelling.

Screening

Steamboat Willie, Walt Disney Animation Studios (1928)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBgghnQF6E4

“The Hero's Journey”, by Iskander Krayenbosch (2015)

https://vimeo.com/140767141

The illusion of life, by Cento Lodigiani (2014)

https://vimeo.com/93206523

Introduction to Animation

In this lesson we will discuss the history of animation from the beginning of the 19th century until the present day. You will see how the field has evolved from the creation of simple mechanical devices to a complex media through significant technological advances, remaining always connected to its main guiding principles. You will also learn the basic rules behind successful storytelling and the first steps of pre-production used to bring a story to live. At the end of this lesson you will exercise your storytelling abilities by creating an outline for your final animation project for this course.