Course code
Qualifications are made up of courses. Some universities call these papers. Each course is numbered using six digits.
Level
The fourth number of the course code shows the level of the course. For example, in course 219206, the fourth number is a 2, so it is a 200-level course (usually studied in the second year of full-time study).
Credits
Each course is worth a number of credits. You combine courses (credits) to meet the total number of credits needed for your qualification.
Subject
Course planning information
Course notes
Animation project is all about the art of animation; bringing images to life through gesture, pose and movement. Creating a performance that gives the viewer insight into a character's inner reality, their thoughts and emotions.
For many junior animators the art of animation can feel like a mystery, you just keep on trying out different things until it looks good, it almost feels accidental. This course will start to demystify the process for you so that you understand exactly what you are doing or need to do, in order to create good animation.
It is a process, there are steps, principles you can use. There are several animation workflows, which were covered in Animation Production, but in this course we focus on pose to pose, learning how to create key storytelling poses and then how to break down the action between those poses. We use this method as it is easy to understand, not because it is better than other methods like animation layering.
The themes and skills covered will be just as relevant to 2D animation as 3D animation. The principles and art around creating the 'Illusion of Life' are the same for both. We include but also go beyond the standard 12 principles and delve into gesture, acting, dialogue and phrasing to develop engaging performance.
There is no need to reinvent the wheel when the great animators of the past have given up all of their secrets. We can stand on the shoulders of giants and push further.
The software we use will be Maya and Harmony, both industry standard and extremely capable.
Your lecturer, Andrew Kunzel, has nearly 30 years of experience in the animation industry, covering a wide range of roles including animation director, lead animator, producer, modeller, texture artist, rigger and generalist.
Practice is the key to learning animation, in this course you will be creating your very own animated piece.
Prerequisite courses
You need to complete the above course or courses before moving onto this one.
General progression requirements
You must complete at least 45 credits from 100-level before enrolling in 200-level courses.Learning outcomes
What you will learn. Knowledge, skills and attitudes you’ll be able to show as a result of successfully finishing this course.
- 1 Demonstrate a confident applied understanding of animation production tools and techniques. (Graduate profile: Understanding - Matauranga A2; Virtuosity - Mohio D1)
- 2 Demonstrate confidence in the application of aesthetics and form related to producing animation. (Graduate profile: Creativity - Toi B1, C1; Virtuosity - Mohio D3)
- 3 Work productively to contribute and assist effectively in production processes. (Graduate profile: Virtuosity - Mohio D1; Connectedness - Whanaungatanga E2)
- 4 Demonstrate the ability to respond at a forward-thinking level to briefs and deadlines independently. (Graduate profile: Connectedness - Whanaungatanga A3; Virtuosity - Mohio D1, D3; Autonomy - Mana E3)
- 5 Critically evaluate own work and provide reflection on processes and decision-making in workgroups, production meetings, critiques and presentations. (Graduate profile: Understanding - Matauranga C2; Connectedness - Whanaungatanga E1)
Learning outcomes can change before the start of the semester you are studying the course in.
Assessments
| Assessment | Learning outcomes assessed | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Creative compositions | 1 2 3 4 5 | 100% |
Assessment weightings can change up to the start of the semester the course is delivered in.
You may need to take more assessments depending on where, how, and when you choose to take this course.
Explanation of assessment types
- Computer programmes
- Computer animation and screening, design, programming, models and other computer work.
- Creative compositions
- Animations, films, models, textiles, websites, and other compositions.
- Exam College or GRS-based (not centrally scheduled)
- An exam scheduled by a college or the Graduate Research School (GRS). The exam could be online, oral, field, practical skills, written exams or another format.
- Exam (centrally scheduled)
- An exam scheduled by Assessment Services (centrally) – you’ll usually be told when and where the exam is through the student portal.
- Oral or performance or presentation
- Debates, demonstrations, exhibitions, interviews, oral proposals, role play, speech and other performances or presentations.
- Participation
- You may be assessed on your participation in activities such as online fora, laboratories, debates, tutorials, exercises, seminars, and so on.
- Portfolio
- Creative, learning, online, narrative, photographic, written, and other portfolios.
- Practical or placement
- Field trips, field work, placements, seminars, workshops, voluntary work, and other activities.
- Simulation
- Technology-based or experience-based simulations.
- Test
- Laboratory, online, multi-choice, short answer, spoken, and other tests – arranged by the school.
- Written assignment
- Essays, group or individual projects, proposals, reports, reviews, writing exercises, and other written assignments.
Textbooks needed
There are no set texts for this course.