Digital Animation for Artists (10 credit points)

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

Many contemporary artists use the animated moving image as part of their means of expression. This course will introduce students to a range of techniques and approaches to digital animation as an artists’ tool to develop creative ideas through the moving image.

The focus will be on learning the basics of 2D digital animation through establishing a working knowledge of ‘Adobe Photoshop’ and ‘Adobe After Effects’ while studying and reflecting on a range of artists’ animated films video. Through a range of hands-on exercises, such as ‘stop frame’, cut paper animation and green-screen, students will gain a knowledge of using a storyboard and setting up an environment or composition, working with sound, to make short animated sequences.

Course Details

Special Information

Materials you will need to bring to the first class:

Notebook and pen for notes, storyboards, video logging, and developing project ideas,
USB pen drive, 4 GB or more.

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicative tools, materials and equipment:

Notebook and pen for notes, storyboards, video logging, and developing project ideas,
USB pen drive, 4 GB or more,
Digital Video Camera with appropriate cable,
Optional: lightweight tripod, video camera manual, external or portable drive (compatible with, or formatted for use with Apple Macs).

Content of Course

Over the class sessions the course will cover:

1. Introduction to planning and storyboarding for animation and getting to know the workspace in Adobe Photoshop.

2. Looking at making selections and working with layers on Photoshop and an introduction to developing an animation journal or logbook.

3. Preparing a composition or collage in Photoshop for animation.

4. Introduction to After Effects, looking at working with the timeline, importing a Photoshop composition and basic animation.

5. Continuing to look at After Effects, exploring video effects and working with the 3D camera.

6. Hands on exercise in class looking at stop frame, cut paper animation and basic green-screen.

7. Importing and working with footage from the previous week, as well as green-screen keying and basic compositing in After Effects.

8. Working with the type tool on After Effects to develop motion graphics.

9. Adding a soundtrack to the animation and exporting video.

10. Completing student project work with final 1-3 minute short film.

Teaching method(s)

The teaching will be based and delivered in specialist art and design studios or workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration. Over the course, students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor. Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

For work required to be undertaken after the class hours are complete, the course tutor will set students a ‘directed study plan’ which can be undertaken without the need for specialist workshops or access to models.

Directed study will include research into a range of suggested artists and their associated movements to engender a contextual awareness. Students are expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work through annotated sketchbooks, a visual digital journal and practical outcomes.

The Directed Study Plan will include preparing evidence of research and practical work to form an appropriate presentation for assessment.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

Demonstrate a contextual awareness and critical thinking to support the planning and the creative development of a project, though the production of a reflective animation and moving image journal.
Show a confidence in using and applying a range of Adobe Photoshop and After Effect Skills, using sound appropriately to complement the work.
Evidence appropriate judgement to document, select, edit and produce an animation for viewing, presenting a finished short 1-3 minute video.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

Adobe Creative Team, 2012 Adobe After Effects CS6 Classroom in a Book Adobe
Adobe Creative Team, 2012 Adobe Photoshop CS6 Classroom in a Book Adobe
WELLS, P., 1998, Understanding Animation, Routledge.

Assessment

Details of the Art and Design assessment requirements can be found on the short course website. Please click on the following link for more information: Submission and Assessment Information

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.