Video & Animation In
Animation Basics

The Animation Basics course is designed to introduce learners to the fundamental principles and techniques of animation. This course covers the essential aspects of creating both traditional and digital animations, including understanding movement, timing, storytelling, and character design. Participants will learn how to bring their ideas to life through animated sequences, using various tools and software.

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Overview

Animation Basics

Course Learning Objectives

This animation basics course is an introduction to the fundamental principles and techniques of animation.
Students will learn the basics of animation theory, including the 12 basic principles of animation, storyboarding, character design, and timing. They will also gain hands-on experience with industry-standard software to create their own animated sequences.

Course Learning Objectives (CLOs):
By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  • Define and explain the 12 basic principles of animation.
  • Create a storyboard for a short animated sequence.
  • Design and develop a character for an animated scene.
  • Use industry-standard software to create and animate characters and scenes.
  • Apply timing and pacing techniques to enhance the emotional impact of an animation.
  • Analyze and critique the work of other animators to understand different styles and techniques.

    Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):
    Upon completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental principles of animation and their application in different contexts.
  • Create a cohesive and engaging animated sequence using storyboard and animatic techniques.
  • Design and develop a character that is well-suited to its intended role in an animation.
  • Use software tools to create and manipulate 2D animations, including character movement, timing, and spacing.
  • Apply timing and pacing techniques to create emotional resonance in an animation.
  • Analyze and critique the work of other animators to identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.

    Course Outline:
  • Week 1: Introduction to Animation Basics
  • Principles of animation
  • Storyboarding basics
  • Week 2-3: Character Design
  • Introduction to character design
  • Developing character personalities
  • Creating character designs
  • Week 4-5: Animation Fundamentals

    Introduction to animation software
  • Basic animation techniques (placement, squash and stretch, anticipation, staging)
  • Timing and pacing
  • Week 6-7: Storytelling through Animation

    Storyboarding for animation
  • Creating animatics
  • Pacing and timing in storytelling
  • Week 8-9: Advanced Techniques
  • Advanced character design
  • Special effects
  • Sound design
  • Week 10: Final Project

    Students will create a final animation project incorporating skills learned throughout the course.
    Note: This is just a sample outline and may vary depending on the specific course or instructor.

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    Study contents

    Contents

    Introduction to Animations

  • What are animations?
  • Why use animations?
  • Types of animations
  • The Fundamentals of Animation

    The 12 basic principles of animation
  • Squash and stretch
  • Anticipation
  • Staging
  • Straight ahead action and pose to pose
  • Follow through and overlapping action
  • Slow in and slow out
  • Timing
  • Exaggeration
  • Solid drawing
  • Appeal
  • Secondary action
  • Timing and spacing
  • Animation Software

    Overview of popular animation software:
  • Adobe Animate (formerly Flash)
  • Blender
  • Toon Boom Harmony
  • Autodesk Maya
  • OpenToonz
  • Keyframe Animation

    What is keyframe animation?
  • How to set keyframes in animation software
  • Tips for creating smooth motion with keyframes
  • Tweening and In-Betweening

    What is tweening?
  • How to use tweening in animation software
  • What is in-betweening?
  • How to create smooth motion with in-betweening
  • Physics and Simulation
  • Introduction to physics and simulation in animation
  • Types of physics simulations:
  • Rigid body simulation
  • Soft body simulation
  • Fluid simulation
  • How to use physics simulations in animation software
  • Motion Graphics and 3D Animation

  • Introduction to motion graphics and 3D animation
  • Techniques for creating motion graphics:
  • Text animations
  • Logo animations
  • Lower-thirds and upper-thirds
  • Techniques for creating 3D animations:
  • Modeling and texturing
  • Lighting and shading
  • Animation techniques for 3D characters and objects
  • Storytelling and Scriptwriting

  • The importance of storytelling in animation
  • How to write a script for an animated project:
  • Developing a concept and characters
  • Writing dialogue and narrative structure
  • Storyboarding and pacing
  • Project Planning and Timeline Management

    How to plan an animation project:
  • Developing a project schedule and budget
  • Creating a shot list and storyboard
  • How to manage a timeline in animation software:
  • Setting deadlines and milestones
  • Creating a project calendar
  • Testing and Feedback

    The importance of testing and feedback in animation production:
  • Why testing is important for quality control
  • How to gather feedback from colleagues and clients How to use feedback to improve your animation:
  • Conclusion
    n/ Recap of key concepts covered in the course:
  • Fundamentals of animation, software, keyframe animation, tweening, physics, motion graphics, storytelling, project planning, testing, and feedback.

    Next steps for continued learning:
  • Practice, practice, practice!
  • Experiment with different software and techniques.
  • Keep up with industry trends and developments.

    • Admission

    Admission Criteria

    What is Animation?

    Animation is the process of creating the illusion of movement by displaying a series of static images or frames in rapid succession. This can be done using various techniques, including hand-drawn animation, computer-generated imagery (CGI), stop-motion, and more.

    Key Concepts in Animation
    Frame: A single image or drawing that makes up a sequence of images. Frame Rate: The number of frames per second (FPS) at which the animation plays. Typical frame rates are 12, 24, or 30 FPS. Cel: A transparent sheet of celluloid used to create overlayed drawings in traditional hand-drawn animation. Keyframe: A critical frame that defines the starting and ending points of an action or movement. Tweening: The process of creating intermediate frames between keyframes to create smooth motion.

    Types of Animation
    2D Animation: Traditional hand-drawn animation, where drawings are created on paper or digital media. 3D Animation: Computer-generated imagery (CGI) used to create three-dimensional characters and environments. Stop-Motion: Creating the illusion of movement by physically manipulating objects or characters frame-by-frame.

    Software for Animation
    Toon Boom Harmony: Industry-standard software for traditional 2D animation. Adobe Animate: A popular software for creating vector-based animations. Blender: A free, open-source 3D creation software. Toon Boom Storyboard Pro: A storyboarding software for creating animatics and visual storyboards.

    Tips for Beginners
    Start small: Begin with simple exercises, such as animating a bouncing ball or a walking character. Practice regularly: Consistency is key to improving your animation skills. Study the basics: Understand the fundamentals of animation, including timing, spacing, and movement. Join online communities: Connect with other animators, share your work, and learn from others in online forums and communities.

    Resources for Learning Animation
    Online courses: Websites like Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare offer courses on animation basics and advanced techniques. YouTube tutorials: Channels like Animator Island, Cartoon Brew, and Blender Guru offer valuable tutorials and tips. Books and eBooks: "The Illusion of Life" by Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas is a classic book on traditional animation principles. Animation festivals and events: Attend local or online events to network with other animators and learn from industry professionals.

    Now that you've got a solid foundation in animation basics, it's time to start creating!

    Careers

    Start you Career Now

    A great starting point! Animation is a fascinating field with many creative and technical career paths.
    Here are some career options for those with a foundation in animation basics:

  • 2D Animator: Create traditional hand-drawn animations or digital animations using software like Adobe Animate.
  • 3D Animator: Work with 3D modeling, texturing, and lighting to create stunning computer-generated imagery (CGI) for films, TV shows, or video games.
  • Visual Effects (VFX) Artist: Apply your animation skills to create special effects for movies, TV shows, or commercials, such as explosions, water simulations, or character animation.
  • Game Developer: Design and animate characters, environments, and special effects for video games using game engines like Unity or Unreal Engine.
    Motion Graphics Designer: Create motion graphics, titles, and graphics for TV shows, commercials, or corporate videos using software like Adobe After Effects.

    • Student reviews

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    Tuition fees

    Animation Basics (Duration 4 Weeks)

    Learn the art of animation in only 4 weeks.

    350 $

    200 $ / Total Cost
    Inquiry Add to Cart

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