Premier Graphics
& Animation
Work with us
Menu
Studio
OverviewServicesCapabilitiesThe Collection
Institute
OverviewProgrammesCourse libraryHow we teachCareersGuidesFor universities
Journal About Contact Work with us
Animation & VFX · Year 4 · 3 credit hours · 16 sessions

Advanced Animation Techniques

This course provides an in-depth study of the 12 Principles of Animation using Autodesk Maya. Students develop strong timing, motion control, and visual storytelling skills through progressive ball animation exercises with a strong focus on motion polish, camera work, lighting, and rendering for professional-quality animated sequences.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Apply the 12 Principles of Animation to create believable and expressive motion.
  2. Control timing, spacing, and weight to enhance realism in 3D animation.
  3. Design visually engaging animations using camera movement and staging.
  4. Refine motion using advanced graph editor and polish techniques.
  5. Produce a complex animated sequence demonstrating multiple animation principles.
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Review of Animation Fundamentals & Maya Timeline Tools
  2. 02Squash and Stretch (Ball Deformation for Weight)
  3. 03Anticipation (Preparing Motion for Readability)
  4. 04Staging (Clear Presentation of Action)
  5. 05Straight Ahead vs Pose-to-Pose Animation
  6. 06Follow Through and Overlapping Action
  7. 07Slow In and Slow Out (Easing for Natural Motion)
  8. 08 · MidtermArcs in Motion Paths
  9. 09Secondary Action (Adding Supporting Motion)
  10. 10Timing and Spacing for Realism
  11. 11Exaggeration for Visual Impact
  12. 12Solid Drawing Applied to 3D Form and Balance
  13. 13Appeal in Motion Design
  14. 14Combining Multiple Principles in a Single Shot
  15. 15Camera Angles, Scene Composition, Lighting & Shading for Animation
  16. 16Final Polish, Playblasts, and Exporting for Presentation

Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.

§ 03 Final project

Students will create a complex obstacle-course style ball animation sequence demonstrating the majority of the 12 Principles of Animation.

The project must include a continuous animated sequence with multiple obstacles and interactions, clear application of timing, weight, arcs, overlap, and exaggeration, creative camera angles and staging, and proper lighting, shading, and final rendering.

The final project will be evaluated on motion quality, clarity of animation principles, creativity, technical control, and overall polish of the final sequence.

How it’s judged

§ 04 Watch first
More in Animation & VFX
2D AnimationA 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.
3D Animation DirectorThis 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 ArtistAn 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 TechniquesThis 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 ArchitectsThis 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.