Curriculum & Classes

Class descriptions

Sophomore Studio: Essentials of Animation

Animation presents an unlimited pallet of aesthetic controls for artists to create the illusion of time and motion. This course provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the principles of animation. Instruction emphasizes the creative exploration and practice of traditional hand-drawn techniques and means of production. 
In addition, the history of animation will be covered throughout the semester. Through weekly assignments, lectures, screenings and the completion of a final sequence of animation, students will cultivate the understanding necessary to master all aspects of the medium.

Sophomore Studio: Experimental Animation

Building on the formal theories, concepts and basic skills learned in the “Essentials of Animation” course, students will advance into solving more complex visual communication problems and begin to cultivate their own unique style/techniques of animation. Conceptual investigation will be applied to various techniques. Through the process of abstraction, students will begin to explore the less rigid fundamentals of two-
dimensional language, explore animation's relationship to music and learn to design and think in layers.

Life Drawing for Animation

This course will introduce sophomore animation students to the rigor of drawing practices related to perspective, representational and figure drawing systems. We will explore the human figure –– its static proportions, its movement and its relation to the environment. We will explore perspective and environmental issues as they pertain to the process of animation. This drawing from life will encompass both the studio setting and various off-campus locations. The primary 
goal of the class is to gain experience and practical exercise in order to learn how to observe, how to evaluate and how to record visual information.

Expressive 
Drawing

This course will introduce the value of exploration, invention and discovery through expressive drawing and mark making related to the narrative. Personal expression, communicative marks, spontaneity and intuitive image making through drawing will be investigated by the use of various media in conjunction with unique, purposeful surfaces. Our goal is to establish an understanding of the narrative value of self-expression through drawing and its specific relation to the development of hybrid animation.

Digital Methods

This course will introduce students to basic image manipulation and motion graphics software. Conceptual and technical exercises will provide students with the opportunity to achieve basic mastery of Adobe Photoshop and After Effects as they relate to the production of animation. The primary goal of the class is to set the foundation for establishing organized work habits, visual communication skills and digital proficiency.

Junior Studio: Digital Frontiers

This course focuses on providing students with a deeper working knowledge of two- and three-dimensional computer animation so students can independently explore, express ideas and solve problems within the digital domain. This class is demo and project based. Sample topics include: digital hybrids, character design and theme. Students will learn advanced approaches and then be expected to self-direct projects and exercises designed to articulate a unique approach to their vision. The classroom will function as a creative laboratory for students to experiment with various ideas, techniques and technology.


Junior Studio: Introduction to Maya

This course is an introduction to 3-D computer animation using Maya software. Emphasis is on basic mastery of the Maya interface, tool sets and basic animation capabilities. In addition, students will learn how to incorporate various elements, using multiple software applications to create digitally based hybrid forms of
animation. Students will creatively explore all aspects of the technology through weekly assignments and will complete a sequence of animation.

Pre-production Workshop

This course will teach students through practice, presentation and discussion how to cultivate and develop their ideas into a series of images that combine to create a visual narrative or aesthetic structure. Students will gain an understanding of a wide range of storyboarding approaches and techniques. Topics include how the function of visual narrative; animation layout; developing character, plot and timing; maintenance of continuity; and the application of basic filmmaking terminology to the design of time, space and movement. In addition, students will complete the storyboard for their junior project.




Sound for Animation

The interconnections between movement in aural and visual experiences will be explored through hands-on technical demonstrations, production crew work, historical presentations and the development of audio for animation. The relevance of audio works by artists and multi-channel sound design also will be discussed. This class serves as an introduction to sound as it relates to time-based media, specifically animation and video. Students will learn to experiment with sync sound, sfx editing and the creation of a soundtrack for an animation project. 
Through the creative exploration of sound recording and industry standard digital editing software, students will develop the necessary skills to create vibrant soundscapes that serve to enhance the communicative impact of their time-based work.

Senior Studio: Thesis

Students will create a thesis presentation and develop a deeper understanding of how their work functions in the contexts of contemporary art, culture and the human condition. The course will examine fundamental issues regarding the creation of art-works including ethics, semiology, commercialism and originality. These issues will be critiqued against contemporary expressions of science and the humanities.





Senior Studio: 
Portfolio

This course will include presentations, demonstrations and discussions of contemporary animation professional practice. Students will be involved with projects, presentations and visiting artists and professionals. Each student will create a portfolio of work, identify possible career paths and create a demo reel, resume and artist statement. This course is designed to prepare animation graduates to navigate the diverse field of animation.






Senior Workshops I and 
II

Students will begin concept development, layout and production on their senior project: a two-minute animated film with sound to be completed by the end of the spring semester. Class structure is based around lab time designed to provide workspace and access to necessary equipment and instruction.


 

Class schedules and other downloads

Major course requirements worksheet
Fall 2009 studio schedule
Spring 2010 studio schedule
Fall 2009 studio electives
Spring 2010 studio electives
See all class schedules