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

VR/AR Animation

Animation for Spatial Computing requires a different mindset than animation for screens. This course focuses on creating interactive, real-time animation assets for Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Students will learn to create optimized loops, blending states (Mecanim), and responsive characters that react to a user’s gaze or physical proximity within a game engine.

§ 01 By the end you can
  1. Create optimized animation assets (low poly/low bone count) for mobile VR/AR
  2. Master "State Machines" (Unity Mecanim/Unreal) for blending animations
  3. Design non-linear animations that react to user interaction (Gaze/Touch)
  4. Understand 360-degree staging and directing viewer attention
  5. Implement IK (Inverse Kinematics) for responsive character foot placement
§ 02 Sixteen sessions

The whole semester.

  1. 01Intro to Spatial Animation: The 360 Stage
  2. 02Optimization: Bone Counts & Skinning for VR
  3. 03The Idle Cycle: Keeping Characters Alive
  4. 04Importing to Game Engine (Unity/Unreal)
  5. 05State Machines: Walk, Run, Idle Blending
  6. 06Retargeting Motion Capture for Game Engines
  7. 07Look-At Constraints: Eye Contact with User
  8. 08 · MidtermMidterm Examination
  9. 09Interactive Triggers: Gaze & Proximity
  10. 10Facial Animation in Real-Time
  11. 11IK (Inverse Kinematics) for Uneven Terrain
  12. 12AR Animation: Anchoring to the Real World
  13. 13UI/UX Animation for VR Hand Tracking
  14. 14Performance Profiling: Frame Rates
  15. 15Exporting glTF/USDZ for WebAR
  16. 16Final Project: Interactive VR Experience

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

§ 03 Final project

Final Project: Interactive VR Experience

How it’s judged

Recommended reading
  1. Unity Animation Essentials by Alan Thorn
  2. The VR Book: Human-Centered Design for Virtual Reality by Jason Jerald
  3. Augmented Reality: Principles and Practice by Dieter Schmalstieg
  4. Game Anim: Video Game Animation Explained by Jonathan Cooper
  5. Unreal Engine 5 Character Creation, Animation, and Cinematics by Henk Venter
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.