Sheridan Course Outlines

ANIM56976
Animation Design

I: Administrative Information II: Course Details III: Topical Outline(s) Printable Version

Section I: Administrative Information

Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Fall 2008
Prerequisites: N/A
Corequisites: ANIM50025
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: Undergraduate qualifications in Visual Arts or Fine Arts or 5 years work-related experience.

Program(s): Computer Animation
Program Coordinator(s): Mark Simon
Course Leader or Contact: James Sayers
Version: 3.0
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
In this course students focus on the principles of visual and cinematic language, design problem solving and practical approaches to design methodologies specific to computer animation applications. Through a project basis, the issues of composition, continuity, content, style and the role that technology plays in the design process will be explored. Students will employ the practical aspects of design, including art direction, storyboard and animatic presentation to animation projects.

Program Context

Computer Animation

Program Coordinator: Mark Simon

All computer-animated projects, academic or professional, must go through a pre-production design phase prior to production. It is the intention of this course to acquaint students with this important aspect of the computer animation process. Having successfully completed the first term design assignments will help prepare students for the design and presentation stage of their Directed Projects for the second term.

Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

 Critical Performance

By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the 
ability to design pre-production artwork utilizing the principles of 
storyboarding and art direction and apply cinematic language (e.g. 
composition, shot selection, camera movement, editing, continuity) to 
animated shorts.


Learning Outcomes

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated 
the ability to:

1. Apply the principles of cinematic language to animated projects
2. Design storyboards for animated projects
3. Create animatics as part of the pre-production process
4. Communicate ideas and concepts visually to an audience
5. Develop ideas for effective animated shorts
6. Demonstrate a knowledge of editing and a sense of filmic timing
7. Demonstrate professional attitudes and behaviour including:
   a. Openness to peer critiques
   b. Acceptance of differing view points
   c. Willingness to work collaboratively
   d. Commitment to meeting project due dates
   e. Willingness to be self directed

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

Sequence Deconstruction	          10%
Interstitial Storyboard	          15%
Interstitial Animatic	          10%
Completed Interstitial	          30%
Directed Project Storyboard	  15%
Directed Project Design Package	  10%
Directed Project Animatic	  10%
Total	                         100%

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements:

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

	Communication		Critical Thinking & Problem Solving	X	Interpersonal
	Numeracy		Information Management		Personal

Notes: N/A

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) : Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

Challenge Exam	Portfolio	Interview	Other	Not Eligible for PLAR
				X

Notes: N/A

Section III: Topical Outline

Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Effective term: Fall 2008
Professor: James Sayers
Textbook(s):

Several handouts will be provided throughout the semester, alongside 
the screening of several examples of animated and live action films. 
In addition, suggested supplemental texts include:

The Illusion of Life by Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson
Film Directing Shot by Shot by Steven D. Katz

Applicable student group(s): Students of Computer Animation
Course Details:

Week 1-3
Module 1: Cinematic Principles

Targeted learning outcomes: 1,7

Topics:	Introduction
	The Production Process
	Shot Choices/Camera Angles
	The Moving Camera
	The Screen
	Composition
	Stage Line/Continuity

Assignment: Sequence Deconstruction	

Week 4-9 
Module 2: Storyboard Design
Targeted learning outcomes: 1-7

Topics	Storyboard Principles
	Color - keys/mood
	Light - keys/mood
	Animatics
	Introduction of the Interstitial Project

Assignments: Interstitial Storyboard
	     Interstitial Animatic
	     Completed Animated Interstitial

Week 10-14
Module 3: Directed Project Pre-production 

Targeted learning outcomes: 1-7

Topics	Character Design
	Short Stories and Story Development
	Introduction of the Directed Project

Assignments: Directed Project Storyboard
	     Directed Project Design Package
	     Directed Project Animatic

Sheridan Policies

All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Academic Integrity: The principle of academic integrity requires that all work submitted for evaluation and course credit be the original, unassisted work of the student. Cheating or plagiarism including borrowing, copying, purchasing or collaborating on work, except for group projects arranged and approved by the professor, or otherwise submitting work that is not the student's own, violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic integrity are advised to review the Academic Integrity Policy and procedure and/or discuss them with the professor.

Copyright: A majority of the course lectures and materials provided in class and posted in SLATE are protected by copyright. Use of these materials must comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, Use of Copyright Protected Work Policy and Student Code of Conduct. Students may use, copy and share these materials for learning and/or research purposes provided that the use complies with fair dealing or an exception in the Copyright Act. Permission from the rights holder would be necessary otherwise. Please note that it is prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote. It is also prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own or your own work with the intent to assist others in cheating on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote.

Intellectual Property: Sheridan's Intellectual Property Policy generally applies such that students own their own work. Please be advised that students working with external research and/or industry collaborators may be asked to sign agreements that waive or modify their IP rights. Please refer to Sheridan's IP Policy and Procedure.

Respectful Behaviour: Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that supports academic achievement by respecting the dignity, self-esteem and fair treatment of every person engaged in the learning process. Behaviour which is inconsistent with this principle will not be tolerated. Details of Sheridan's policy on Harassment and Discrimination, Academic Integrity and other academic policies are available on the Sheridan policy website.

Accessible Learning: Accessible Learning coordinates academic accommodations for students with disabilities. For more information or to register, please see the Accessible Learning website (Statement added September 2016)

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Any changes to course curriculum and/or assessment shall adhere to approved Sheridan protocol. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.

[ Printable Version ]