Sheridan Course Outlines

ANIM56976
Animation Design

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

Section I: Administrative Information

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.

Course Name (short): Animation Design
School: All Sheridan Schools
Program(s): Computer Animation
Program Coordinator(s): Mark Simon
Course Leader or Contact: James Sayers
Originator: Paulette Geffros
Designate: Paulette Geffros
Version: 3.0
Status: Approved (APPR)

Calendar 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.

Typical Instructional Format

Studio Course	42.0
Total hours:	42.0

Courses may be offered in other formats.

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: Mark Simon
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous life and work experiences. 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

Academic Honesty
The principle of academic honesty 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 faculty member, or otherwise submitting work that is not the student's own violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Instances of academic dishonesty, including assisting another student to cheat, will be penalized as detailed in the Student Handbook.

Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic honesty are advised to discuss them with the faculty member prior to submitting the assignment in question.

Discrimination and Harassment
Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that respects 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 are available in the Student Handbook.

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