22 courses with the subject ANIM, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
ANIM 2000Introduction to Animation3
This course introduces students to a variety of animation production techniques to create believable motion and acting. Students develop skills needed to create appealing character animation (i.e., Disney fundamentals) through a series of exercises in Toon Boom Harmony including ball bounce, walk cycle, and sound sync. Other software used includes Photoshop, Premiere, and After Effects. Individual exploration is emphasized in assignments and critique, culminating in the creation of a short, animated project.
Expanding upon Foundation Drawing 1, students will construct poses for both 2D and 3D character animation. Students will draw from the nude model to explore techniques and concepts including gesture drawing, basic shapes, line of action, silhouette, perspective, balance, force, and rhythm. In addition to in-class drawing, students will participate in weekly lectures and demonstrations. A completed sketchbook at the end of the semester is required.
This class provides students with an introduction to stop-motion animation, covering traditional and non-traditional animation techniques. Students will explore the medium through various exercises, including armature and character building, set-building, animating found objects, replacement animation, and pixelation. Students will produce a short stop-motion animated film for their final project, complete with a title sequence. The class will include recommended readings, lectures, demonstrations as well as stop-motion screenings.
Believable characters remain the foundation and most difficult skill of successful animation. This course concentrates on creating credible characters that can walk, talk, and think, depicted through the techniques of timing, staging, and acting. Students begin with a basic drawing method for describing gesture and form, and then go on to produce pencil tests, animatics, and finished movement animations. Beginning with structured projects aimed at specific animation principles, students eventually develop their own scenarios and final project. Lectures, in-class drawing time, and weekly assignments are augmented by occasional demonstrations and visual
Students study various models of character creation, including realistic, heroic, exaggerated, and invented form, in addition to a variety of body expressions, facial expressions, and locomotion. Discussions and assignments in character creation for the narrative are explored. Lectures and discussions cover historical and contemporary animation. Weekly journals and exercises are assigned so that students may develop observational and invented figure drawing skills. An emphasis is placed on reducing detail to make a character suitable for animation and developing character sheets to help visual rotations in perspective space. Animation Studio Requirements: Novice (select one)
In this class Toon Boom Harmony is taught as a way of creating 2D animation, using a 2D digital puppet (also known as a Character Rig). Exercises are conducted in motion graphics, kinetic typography, cut-out puppet animation, and 2D visual effects. Students research contemporary studios doing innovative work in the field and complete a final project.
In this course, students continue working with the software toolset of Maya, focusing on the Animation menu set and character motion. Students apply their knowledge of the Disney Principles of Animation by posing and moving character rigs in 3D sets. Starting with simple exercises that gradually progress, students gain experience with the software while honing their skills in creating authentic motion and compelling storytelling.
In this course, students learn how to enhance films and stories with visual effects, using both commercial techniques and do-it-yourself principles. The course focuses on incorporating visual effects in live-action footage using Adobe Creative Cloud and Maxon One. The course is rooted in principles that allow digital illusions to cross the threshold into believability. Students learn previsualization, how to shoot footage for VFX shots, compositing, chroma keying, rotoscoping, masking, tracking, integrating stock elements, particle simulations, light effects, matte painting, and more. Students complete engaging and creative technical exercises and ass
Junior standing; Introduction to Animation or Introduction to Film; and Storyboard or Film Editing & Post-Production
ANIM 30403D Modeling3
3D modelers produce characters, props, and environments seemingly by magic. What are the secret methods that make their creations functional and compelling? In this course, students will explore essential modeling tools and techniques, craft organic and hard-surface meshes, and learn how to organize the underlying structures so these assets are ready for rigging, animation, surfaces, and lighting. Skills and concepts are applicable to film and television entertainment, video games, advertising, commerce, education, pop art, and more.
A newly completed 3D model is a dimensional canvas waiting to be fully realized, its uniform gray giving way to the artist's choice of wood, metal, paint, rust, freckles, or scars. Once these surface qualities are applied, evocative light and shadow can further pull the viewer into the scene, stirring emotions, and enhancing the narrative. Learn how to prepare and then transform models into CGI works of art by exploring concepts from character design, production design, photography, cinematography, painting, optics, and other disciplines.
This course is designed for animation, filmmaking, and comic art students. Working from preexisting and student-created scripts and narrative ideas, students analyze the various techniques involved in the visualization of stories and sequences for film and animation production. Coursework includes script and story adaptation, continuity, camera placement, image sequencing, shot composition, styling, and mood. Students apply the visual “language” of storyboarding and continuity sketching. Vigorous in-class critiques address storyboard effectiveness with strong emphasis on the process of revision and refinement. Assignments include the development of se
Introduction to Animation, Introduction to Filmmaking
ANIM 3055Background Layout for Animation3
This class explores the fundamentals of creating a believable and immersive environment that displays a strong understanding of visual storytelling for animated characters to inhabit. We will explore concept art, layout drawings, and finished backgrounds, considering the overall look and feel of the film and how environment design can support the mood and tone of the scene in relation to the characters and the action taking place. In addition to composition, we will explore camera angles, camera movement, color, and lighting to create depth and a sense of space. Animation Collaboration or Internship (select one)
Take 3D skill sets to the next level of complexity and artistry by taking a deep dive into the depths of technical art. Through the art of rigging, give hard-surface and organic models the underlying structures that animators use to create the illusion of life by implementing skeletons, deformers, and controllers. Through the art of MayaVFX, explore and apply powerful particle, hair, and fluid simulation capabilities to enhance animations and visualizations. Finally, plan and execute an independent project that promotes research and practice in an area of special CGI interest. This project can both expand a personal portfolio and serve as practice for
3D Surfacing and Lighting (can be taken concurrently)
ANIM 3075Character Animation2
This course builds upon the traditional character animation content (i.e., Disney Principles of Animation) taught in Character Animation 1. Students develop sophisticated secondary movement and overlapping action through several five- to ten-second animation assignments focusing on acting and physicality. Projects are based on everyday scenarios and require the student to produce industry-level animation evoking believable character movement, thought, and emotion. While this is a 2D animation class, students who have completed the 3D Animation course may choose to work with Maya software with faculty permission.
Advanced 2D Digital Animation is a class for students who are interested in taking their rigging knowledge to the next level for studio productions. Students will learn how to use Toon Boom Harmony to plan, construct, and analyze production-ready rigs, using cutting-edge techniques, including Nodes, Cutters, and Master Controllers. By the end of the class, students will have created their own 360-degree Character Rig and a short, animated piece using their finished Rig.
Experimental animation is a form of animation that is non-narrative and has a unique form of nonlinear structure. This course will explore the history and materials of the Experimental Animation tradition. Through short exercises, students will explore process-oriented animation and experiments with physical materials and camera techniques. Additional techniques will include pixilation, stop-motion, direct animation, drawing, sand, and paint as well as sound. After much exploration, students will plan and execute a self-directed complete animation.
This course provides animation students with the tools to enter professional practice immediately following graduation. Each student is required to produce a polished resume, artist statement, website, professional identity system, and portfolio. Topics include long-range goal creation and planning; financial, legal, and other business considerations; grant writing; and communication and marketing skills demonstrated via verbal, written, and visual presentations. Topics are investigated through a series of lectures, critiques, and presentations by experts in the field.
Internships provide an opportunity for students to gain practical experience in a particular career area and valuable on-the-job skills. Internships may be arranged by the Director of Career Development or initiated by students. All internships must be preapproved through the Career Development Office. For an internship to be approved, a mentor relationship and learning experience should exist beyond a simple employment opportunity. Three-credit internships require working 120 hours at the internship site and keeping a journal of hours and activities. To register an internship, begin by contacting Career Development at careers@mcad.edu . Animation Studio Requirements: BFA
In this course students work in conjunction with commercial clients both in groups and as a whole to realize an animated project. Student groups will be assigned roles based on individual strengths presented on the first day of class. Students will work on material provided by the client. Groups and individuals are responsible for weekly presentations and responses to the client producer by delivering finished assets as the schedule demands. Coursework and assignments simulate a studio production model and prepare students for the collaborative work environment of professional animation. Animation Collaboration can be counted as an internship.
Introduction to Animation; Storyboard; Junior standing
ANIM 5010Advanced Animation Seminar: Production3
Advanced Animation Seminar: Production is designed for students to develop individual or group projects in close conjunction with faculty guidance. Individual projects evolve through a detailed and continuous process of presentation, critique, and revision. In addition, a wide variety of animation is screened and discussed with regard to production issues, context, and story. All students are required to complete a project that is animation or animation adjacent in order to experiment with various forms of animation as well as hone their skills.
Character Animation 1 or 3D Animation; Successful Junior Review
ANIM 5101Senior Project 1: Animation3
Part one of a two-part course required of each senior animation major, this course begins the development of a substantial body of work in a specific field. Course content includes critical readings, position paper, individual and group discussion, visiting artists, and informational meetings.
Part two of a two-part course required of each senior animation major, this course is designed for students to complete a substantial body of work in a specific field. This course extends the forum for the critical evaluation and curatorial guidance laid out in Senior Project 1 in preparation for the Commencement Exhibition. Course content includes critical readings, position paper, individual and group discussion, school presentation, and informational meetings.
