Art 263 Animation I Syllabus SP16 Prof. Lee Crowe Email

Art 263 Animation I Syllabus SP16 Prof. Lee Crowe Email:

Class meets Mondays and Wednesdays 7:00 PM – 9:45 PM

Ms. Crowe’s Office Hours: Room AC402, by appointment, Mondays 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Course Description:

Introduction to the fundamental principles of animation that are the basis for traditional and computer animation. Hand-drawn exercises are utilized to learn timing, motion and weights. Covers introduction to the early history of animation.

Art Dept. Student Learning Objectives Addressed in this class:

1. Basic Skills: Acquire a basic knowledge, theories, and concepts about art; develop a foundation of art skills and a high level of craftsmanship; communicate ideas and concepts through writing, speaking and art making; acquire a competency with the tools and technologies associated with the visual arts.

2. Art/Animation Knowledge: Broaden knowledge of early through contemporary animation art; develop an understanding of the theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts of the art form.

3. Critical Thinking Problem Solving: Apply processes of generating and solving problems in art; analyze, interpret and question traditional methodologies and preconceived notions of art and art making.

4. Interdisciplinary Connections: Explore and engage in interdisciplinary forms of animation production.

5. Global Perspectives: Develop an appreciation of diverse artistic expressions from around the world.

6. Professional Preparation: Aid in developing a career path for an art profession or an art-related field; develop an understanding of the demands and expectations of that area of art profession or art field. Team effort projects will be assigned.

Student Evaluation & Grade Criteria: Assignments are specific and evaluated for both process and product.

Course Student Learning Objectives

1. Learn and practice the Principles of Animation: timing, motion, weight, thus gaining the basic skill set needed for those proceeding into 2-D and 3-D Computer Animation. Produce a Reel of original exercises that demonstrates this knowledge.

2. Learn to critically analyze one’s own animation work and do active problem solving to improve work.

3. Learn course specific technology: Down shooting Pencil Test technology, 2D and 3D animation software such as ToonBoom Pencil, Adobe Flash, etc.

5. This is an Animation survey class. Students will develop critical thinking skills of analyzing and comparing animation context, styles, content, social political, economic and global factors that influenced animation over the years.

• Student will become aware of Animation historical and cultural context through screenings, lectures, and individual research.

• Identify milestones, studios, and key players in US Animation and why they were significant to the industry.

• Become aware of cross discipline nature of animation and cultural influences.

6. Learn animation career paths. Learn and practice professional teamwork, professional behavior, and protocols.

The final grade will be based on the following:

%

Homework 1: Stop Motion piece

5 Homework 2: circles, flag, bean man, and flour sack sketches

5 Homework 3: Resume, cover letter, website

5 Assignment 1. Flipbooks

5 Assignment 2. Bouncing ball

10 Assignment 3. Flag

Assignment 4. Bi-ped

Assignment 5. Flour sack

Assignment 6. Group Project

Midterm Quiz

Final Quiz

Class Participation

Total

100

Letter Grade / Numerical Grade
A+ / 97 - 100
A / 93 - 96
A- / 90 - 92
B+ / 87 - 89
B / 83 - 86
B- / 80 - 82
C+ / 77 - 79
C / 73 - 76
C- / 70 - 72
D+ / 67 – 69
D / 63 - 66
D- / 60 - 62
F / 59 or lower

Assignment Delivery:

This is not an on-line course. All assignments must begin in-class and submitted digitally (via Box.com or some other designated means). Students will be notified directly if there is a Moodle or other online component requirement for class. It is not appropriate for students to email instructor assignments. Late and incomplete assignments will be penalized. Too many late or failed assignments will keep the student from passing the course.

· Assignments are due at the start of class. We will view and critique most assignments together as a group.

· For each class a project is late, it will lose a letter grade.

· Assignments that are more than four classes late will not be accepted

Collecting work:

It is vital that you save your own work for the duration of the semester via an online cloud or a portable hard drive. Flash drives are acceptable but not ideal. The instructor may collect all work at the end of the term for school collections.

Attendance Policy & Student Behavior/Professional Deportment:

Attendance is important for effective instruction and class participation. Written documentation is needed for all absences.

• 4 absences will lower the student’s grade.

• 6 or more unexcused absences will keep a student from passing this course.

This Studio course requires class attendance, actual work in class, homework/lab work outside of class-time. Students are expected to practice professional behavior, treat people with respect and cooperate with faculty lab techs.

Arriving late to class, leaving early, and missing multiple classes is unprofessional and will affect your reputation with professionals that you come in contact with while at school. It is strongly advised that you show up to all classes on time and stay for the duration of the class. Missing class time and not discussing it with the instructor could negatively affect your grade. Please discuss any variations on this with the instructor.

Recommended Books:

Animator's Survival Kit, Richard Williams, Faber Faber, ISBN 0-571-20228-4, 2001 Edition.

Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life, Disney, Thomas/Johnson, Hyperion, ISBN 0-7868-6070-7, 1981 Edition.

Character Animation Crash Course, Eric Goldberg, Silman-James Press, ISBN: 978-1-879505-97-1, 2008 Edition.

Cartoon Animation, Preston Blair, Publisher: Walter Foster ISBN: 1-56010-084-2, 1994 Edition.

Required supplies

· Sketchbook

· Pencils

· Flash drive or Portable Hard drive (recommended)

· Other materials to be discussed

Professor may request copies of assignments at the end of term. Please save all of your assignments!

Syllabus and weekly assignments subject to change at Professor’s discretion but for the benefit of the student.