Course

10207110 Animation 1
Course Information
Description
An introduction to the fundamental principles and practices of 3D animation for games, film, and digital media. Students develop foundational animation skills through the study and application of timing, spacing, squash and stretch, anticipation, follow-through, arcs, overlapping action, weight, balance, and fluidity of motion. Through demonstrations, guided exercises, critiques, and project-based assignments, students apply animation principles using professional 3D software and production workflows. Emphasis is placed on pose-to-pose animation, keyframing, animation curves, timeline management, and iterative refinement. Students develop the technical and artistic skills necessary to create clear, appealing, and believable animation while establishing professional practices that prepare them for advanced study in character, gameplay, and cinematic animation. 
Total Credits
2
Course Competencies (Course Outcomes)
  1. Apply the principles of timing and spacing to create clear and believable motion in a 3D environment
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Projects
    Criteria
    Apply timing to communicate speed, weight, and intent of an animated action
    Spacing between poses is controlled to create clear and believable movement
    Acceleration and deceleration is effective and creates natural changes in speed
    Timing and spacing communicate differences in weight, force, and momentum
    Arcs and trajectories are maintained consistently throughout an animated action
    Refine timing and spacing through playback, analysis, and iteration to improve the clarity and believability of the animation

  2. Apply squash and stretch to communicate weight, flexibility, force, and material properties while maintaining volume
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Projects
    Criteria
    Squash and stretch reinforce the direction, force, and energy of an animated action
    Volume and mass are effectively maintained as forms deform throughout the animation
    Adjust the amount of deformation to communicate differences in weight, flexibility, and material properties
    Use squash and stretch to emphasize impact, acceleration, deceleration, and changes in direction
    Clear and believable form and structure is effective throughout deformation
    Squash and stretch are applied intentionally without over-exaggerating or distracting from the primary action

  3. Create effective anticipation, action, and follow-through to communicate clear and readable movement
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Projects
    Criteria
    Anticipation clearly prepares the viewer for the primary action
    Primary action is clear, readable, and effectively communicates movement and intent
    Follow-through effectively communicates momentum, weight, and the continuation of forces after the primary action
    Overlapping action creates natural variation in the timing of connected forms
    Apply effective timing and spacing between anticipation, action, and follow-through
    Create effective settling motion that brings the action to a believable conclusion

  4. Apply principles of arcs, overlap, and successive breaking of joints to create natural and fluid motion
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Projects
    Criteria
    Motion arcs are clear, consistent, and support natural and believable movement
    Overlapping action creates effective timing differences between connected body parts and objects
    Offset the movement of related forms to avoid rigid or mechanical motion
    Primary and secondary movement relationships are effective throughout an animated action
    Refine arcs, overlap, and joint sequencing to improve the overall fluidity, clarity, and believability of the animation

  5. Create animation using professional 3D workflows, including keyframing, animation curves, timeline management, and pose-to-pose techniques
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill Demonstration
    Projects
    Criteria
    Key poses and breakdowns are clear and define the structure and intent of an animated action
    Pose-to-pose workflows efficiently plan, block, and refine animation
    Keyframes are placed and managed effectively to establish appropriate timing and spacing
    Edit animation curves to control interpolation, acceleration, deceleration, and transitions between poses
    Timeline and animation data are organized and effectively managed to support an efficient production workflow
    Animation progresses through blocking, refinement, and final polish stages

  6. Demonstrate professional practices consistent with entry-level 3D animation production environments
    Assessment Strategies
    Drawing/Illustration
    Skill Demonstration
    Criteria
    Explain questions, concerns, and project-related information using professional verbal and written language
    Identify feedback in peer and/or instructor communication and/or critiques
    Apply feedback to your own work
    Use project management strategies to project schedules and deadlines
    Organize, name, and submit digital files according to established course and production conventions
    Completed artwork in submitted in the required format and resolution appropriate to the assignment

  7. Participate in a peer critique
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product and/or Oral Presentation (feedback on peer work)
    Criteria
    Evaluate peer artifact using provided criteria for basis of judgment
    Respond to/write feedback to peer in language that is inclusive and respectful
    Feedback identifies areas that meet criteria
    Feedback identifies areas that need improvement according to criteria
    Respond to the feedback and interpretations offered by peers and instructor