MM368 - 2D Digital Animation

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Contents 1 Catalog Description 2 Learning Outcomes 3 Course Requirements 4 Means of Assessment 5 Grading Policies 6 Text or Suggested Materials 7 Brief Outline of Course

Catalog Description

This course reviews the principles and practice of designing 2D animation for multimedia products..

Learning Outcomes

• Effectively create and develop animated content for multimedia projects.
• Apply the principles of 2-D animation and design to multimedia projects.
• Understand the similarities between various animation applications.
• Select appropriate methods of compression for various multimedia products.
• Adapt professional workflows into the design process.
• Develop interactive and animated navigational structures.

Course Requirements

MM368 2D Digital Animation introduces the theories, techniques, and practices of motion graphic design. Emphasis is on brainstorming, developing creative/original ideas for effective visual communication, and enhancing visual problem solving skills. THe course will investigate new and experimental approaches to designing motion graphics for interactive media, film, television, and fine art. Guided tutorial demonstrations, accompanied by historical review and the critique of innovative designers and artists, will illuminate contemporary processes and methodologies of motion graphic design. Thoughtful, creative, professional designs will be encouraged through research, practice, and reinforcement of the principles of motion design. By the end of the term students should have two motion graphic designs to include in their portfolio.

This is a studio course so you must come prepared to work on your projects in class. Be prepared for periodic critiques. I recommend at least 8-12 hours a week outside of class to get the most out of the course. The course is intensive in terms of overcoming a software learning curve and applying concepts and principles of animation. Time management is critical.

Students are expected to attend every class and meet every deadline. Late work will be graded down.

Means of Assessment

Assignments and projects to assess students’ understanding of concepts and technical abilities. Final projects will be assessed for creativity, the utilization of the principles of motion design, inclusion of concepts outlined in text and lectures, technical mastery of software, and ability to express the concerns, intentions, and outcomes (the concept) of the work. Grading rubrics will be provided for each assignment and project. Quizzes over assigned readings will assess students grasp of historical, theoretical and practical understanding of motion graphic design.

Grading Policies

• Quizzes cover assigned readings. There will be three.
• Studio projects and assignments will be assessed based on adherence to project guidelines, and theories and principles of motion design put forth in lecture.
• Late work will be graded down a letter grade per day.
• 3 absences will justify lowering of the final grade by one letter. Five absences will lower final grade two letter grades. Absence from the final critique will result in a failing grade for the final project. Late projects will be graded down one letter per day.

• Quizzes - 15%
• Assignments - 35%
• Two Projects - 25% each (or 50% of total grade)

Text or Suggested Materials

• Jon Krasner, Motion Graphic Design: Applied History and Aesthetics - required
• At least a 80 gig firewire or USB 2 drive; otherwise you will be tempted to save your work on the lab computers. THIS IS DANGEROUS so don't do it. - required
• Lynda.com - strongly recommended

• Apple Motion Support
• Apple Motion.Net
• Motion Tutorial, found in the Motion application.

Brief Outline of Course

• Week 1,2,3 - Review of basic design skills: principles, elements, color. Defining motion graphics. The principles of animation. Introduction to Apple Motion.
  • Read
    • Motion Graphic Design. Part One: Motion Graphics: A Perspective, Pgs. 1-127
  • Watch
    • Motion 4 Essential Training with Ian Robinson on Lynda.com
    • MM368 - 2D Digital Animation: Assignment One Video Playlist
    • Vimeo's Kinetic Typography Channel
      • Introduction
      • Getting Started
      • Adding Assets to Your Project
      • Using Masks and Shapes
  • Work
    • Assignment One - Birth, Life, and Death
    • Project One - Type in Motion

• Week 3,4,5 - Thematic and visual concepts. Synthesis. Historical review.
  • Read
    • Motion Graphic Design. Part Two: Pictorial and Sequential Design, Pgs. 130 - 244
  • Work
  • Assignment 2 - Conceptualize

• Week 6,7,8 - Critique, revision and iteration. Historical review.
  • Read
    • Motion Graphic Design. Part Three: Putting Motion Graphics into Practice, Pgs. 282 - 398
  • Work
    • Project Two - Stop Motion
    • Project Two - Design a DVD Menu

• Week 9,10 - Studio