2D Animation
A comprehensive introduction to the foundational principles and practical techniques of 2D animation. This course covers the 12 Principles of Animation, character design, storyboarding, and digital production pipelines. Students will utilize industry-standard software (e.g., Toon Boom Harmony, Adobe Animate) to create original animated projects, moving from initial concept to a finished, portfolio-ready piece.
- Identify and analyze the 12 Principles of Animation in professional works.
- Apply these principles (e.g., timing, squash & stretch, anticipation) to create believable motion and performance.
- Demonstrate proficiency in a digital 2D animation software environment.
- Design and prepare a 2D character for animation.
- Develop a narrative through storyboarding and animatics.
- Execute the complete 2D animation pipeline, from pre-production to final export.
The whole semester.
- 01History & Evolution of 2D Animation
- 02The 12 Principles of Animation: An Overview
- 03Principles 1-3: Timing, Spacing, and Easing (The Bouncing Ball)
- 04Principles 4-6: Squash & Stretch, Anticipation, Follow-Through
- 05Introduction to the Digital Interface (Tools, Timeline, Layers)
- 06Keyframing vs. Frame-by-Frame Animation
- 07The Pendulum & Wave Principle
- 08 · MidtermCharacter Design for Animation (Shape Language & Silhouette)
- 09Character Posing & Staging
- 10The Walk Cycle: Mechanics & Physics
- 11The Personality Walk: Conveying Character
- 12Storyboarding & Narrative Structure
- 13Creating Animatics with Sound
- 14Acting for Animators & Facial Expressions
- 15Lip Sync Basics (Phonemes & Mouth Shapes)
- 16Digital Compositing, Effects, & Final Rendering
Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.
30-60 Second Animated Short Film
Students will conceive, design, and produce a complete animated short. This project synthesizes all course topics.
Requirements
Concept pitch, script, final character designs.
A fully animated sequence demonstrating a walk cycle with a character-acting shot. Edited with integration of a final sound design (music/dialogue/sound effects).
The final film will be critiqued on technical execution, narrative clarity, and the effective application of the 12 Principles.
| 3D Animation Director | This capstone leadership course prepares students to steer a 3D production from concept to completion. Bridging the gap between creative vision and technical reality, students will learn to direct animators, manage the "Pipeline," and make critical artistic decisions. |
| 3D Environment Artist | An environment artist does more than place trees; they are the architects of virtual worlds. This course teaches the "Modular Workflow," where students create versatile kits of walls, floors, and props that can be assembled into vast, seamless levels. |
| 3D Modeling & Animation Techniques | This course provides a comprehensive introduction to 3D modeling for digital artists, focusing on professional object creation, surface modeling, lighting, and rendering workflows. |
| 3D Modeling for Interior Architects | This specialized course equips interior designers with the digital skills to translate 2D floor plans into immersive 3D environments. |
| 3D Pen Modeling & Sculpture | "Drawing in thin air." This hands-on studio course explores the bridge between 2D illustration and 3D prototyping using 3D printing pens. |
| 3D Printing | This course empowers students to turn digital bits into physical atoms. Focusing on "Additive Manufacturing," students will learn the science and art of 3D printing. |