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Welcome to GDES 140, Introduction to Animation
Showcase of work for GDES 140, Introduction to Animation. Visit the 140 Vimeo Channel here: https://vimeo.com/channels/gdes140
This class is a safe space, a community of learners, this class belongs to you.
In this virtual classroom, a non-judgmental environment, your Professor strives to maximize student engagement and opportunity.
This course is designed to allow every student a voice, to feel heard and respected, to recognize their value as a scholar regardless of background or experience. Your words, your ideas are important.
Differences are Celebrated Here
Montgomery College is a welcoming institution that is proud to represent more than 135 countries, students of all ages and backgrounds. As a community, we are committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity in education. At Montgomery College, we aspire to be JEDIs in our treatment of students, committed to:
- Justice
- Equity
- Diversity
- Inclusion
SUMMER 2022 COURSE INFORMATION
Once Registered for the class: 1. Login to MyMC. 2. Select BlackBoard. 3. Select GDES140 BlackBoard Section. 4. Select Course Content
This class runs from 06/06/22 through 08/14/22
STUDENT WORK GALLERY SUMMER 2022
CLASS RECORDINGS SUMMER 2022 (Login Required)
COURSE OBJECTIVE
An introduction to 2-D animation. Topics include a brief history of animation, principles of 2-D animation, use of storyboards, 2-D animation techniques, and the employment market and business practices. PREREQUISITE(S): None. Digital Animation majors should take GDES 134 concurrently, or prior to taking this course. Two hours lecture, four hours laboratory each week. Formerly GD 140.
COURSE MATERIALS
Blackboard Course Website
- Login to MyMC
- Select Blackboard
- Select Our Class Section
COURSE OUTCOMES
- Discuss and employ basic principles of animation.
- Discuss business practices and process in the animation industry.
- Employ sequential images to design a storyboard.
- Identify basic animation techniques.
- Identify key movements and innovations in the history of animation.
- Demonstrate basic animation techniques.
- Design characters in preparation for animation.
STUDENT EVALUATION
Login to Blackboard Course Site for additional assignment details.
Character Face Designs
25 points | Due 06/13/22
Ball Animation Exercise
25 points | Due 06/22/22
Stop-Motion Animation
100 points | Due 06/24/22
Storyboard Practice
50 points | Due 06/27/22
Story & Story Board
100 points | Due 07/06/22
Blinks & Dialogue
50 points | Due 07/11/22
Character Walk Cycle
100 points | Due 07/18/22
Final Animation
100 points | Due 08/08/22
Participation*
50 points
*Participation points are earned through contribution to online class discussions and/or individual meetings with Professor Hubley. Students required to meet with Professor Hubley at least one time during the semester, this can be at any one of the following:
- Attend Zoom Office Hours (Zoom details available via Blackboard)
- Attend Scheduled Zoom Q&A Session (listed below, Zoom details available via Blackboard)
- Schedule and Attend Individual Zoom Appointment
Live Q&A Sessions (Optional) held on a variety of dates and times via Zoom for collaboration. Zoom Session Details provided via Blackboard.
- Wednesday 6/22 12-1pm via Zoom
- Additional Sesssions TBD
- Have Questions and none of these times work for you? Email katherine.hubley@montgomerycollege.edu to schedule an individual appointment at a time that works for your schedule.
IMPORTANT DATES AT A GLANCE:
Grading Scale:
To calculate your grade, divide your points earned by points possible. Points earned are entered on Blackboard Grade center.
A 90 B 80 C 70 D 60 F 0-59
CLASS OUTLINE
May change due to overall class progress or advances in technology/emerging standards.
Unit 1: Tricking the eye: the illusion of movement in animation.
Animation Basics: Squash and Stretch, Arcs of Motion and Key Framing; Examples of course assignments
Unit 2: Understanding Spacing and Timing
Examine extremes (key frames), and in-betweens for animation
Unit 3: The In-between in Relation to Movement & Timing
Slow-in; slow-out; The Settle; Examination of Both Commercial and Independent Animated Works; Suspension of Disbelief
Unit 4: Animating weight, emotion, and environment
Animating/Implying Weight, Story (story arcs), Character Design and Development, Creating Personality/Showing Emotion Through Action; Introduction to key character expressions and movements such as dialogue and walk cycle
Unit 5: Framing: Shot composition
The Camera in animation; Framing/Composition for Shots; Pre-Visualization Techniques for Animation
Unit 6: Shot breakdown (types of shots), storyboarding fundamentals
Observe Common/Shared Elements Between Film and Animation, Types of Shots, Fundamentals of Editing in Animation (organizing shots and cuts for effective storytelling), Storyboarding
Unit 7: Combining Techniques
Digital Animation Techniques, Mixing Mediums/techniques, Working with Timelines
Unit 8: Creating/Preparing Artwork for Animation
Digital and Traditional Techniques for Creating Source Artwork, Organizing and Preparing Artwork for Animation, Discuss Drawing and Preparing Characters/Environments in Both a Tactile and Digital Space
Unit 9: Character Development & Research; Walk Cycle Finalization
Research for Developing Story/Ideas; creating character walk cycles
Unit 10: Storyboard to Motion: Setting up scenes for final project
Set up and planning scenes for your final animations
Unit 11: Rigging Characters
Creating a layered, comprehensive and effective character rigs as an approach to preparing our characters for animation
Unit 12: Backgrounds & Typography
Managing assets; Working with moving type & creating titles for animation
Unit 13: Adding music / sound effects
Adding sound to the timeline and matching that sound to visual events
Unit 14: Editing
Lengthening, shortening, adding, removing scenes and frames, so that it best supports the story’s narrative.
Unit 15: Final Projects
Presentations of final animation projects and class discussion.
STUDENT INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Read Additional Syllabus Information:
LinkedIn Learning:
https://www.linkedin.com/learning (login with your MC Email address for access)
Resilient MC:
https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/resilient-mc/index.html
Additional Student Resources:
https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/coronavirus/students/index.html
IN NEED OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE?
Request Assistance Through Grant Funding:
https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/coronavirus/federal-cares-emergency-assistance-request.html