Animation Curriculum

Storytelling Fundamentals ANIM210 - 3 Credits

The basic principles of story structure are applicable to any medium: film, TV, novels, comic books, theatre, video games, even works of sculpture and dance. A foundational understanding of basic storytelling structure will deepen audience engagement and help to create emotional resonance. This course will utilize multimedia presentations, group work, reading and viewing assignments, response papers, and creative writing to foster a deeper understanding of the nature of story structure, its role in various mediums, and techniques to enhance its effectiveness.

Design And Drawing For Animation I ANIM220 - 3 Credits

In this course students will learn how to apply research, critical analysis, brainstorming, and improvisational techniques to enhance a students’ drawing capabilities with a focus on space and objects in space. Emphasis is on developing a basic understanding of, and familiarity with, perspective as a means of organizing space and defining a point of view.

This course combines the exploration of how our minds work with hands-on, immersive, fun exercises utilizing our perceptions, observations, and senses to discover how each of us best create new work.

Animation Basics ANIM230 - 3 Credits

In this course, students will learn industry standard principles and techniques for creating professional animation. Students will gain an introductory level understanding of the “12 animation principles” using Digital 2D and 3D animation tools and techniques. In each class, students will concentrate on a series of exercises related to the many topics of study in Traditional Animation techniques.

Art History of Animation AHCS228 - 3 Credits

The "Art History of Animation" course provides a comprehensive survey of the history of animation from its earliest beginnings to the present day. The course explores the development of animation techniques, styles, and themes, and their relationship to cultural and social contexts. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the artistry and creative processes that underlie animated productions and develop an appreciation for the role of animation in shaping popular culture. Required for all Animation Majors.

Creative Action Lecture CAIL200 - 3 Credits*

Creative Action Liberal Arts electives enable students to work in transdisciplinary teams with a community partner. Emphasizing collaborative methodology, synthesizing diverse perspectives, creativity, critical thinking, clear communication, and information literacy, students engage in issues that extend beyond the traditional classroom. See department for course offerings.

3D Fundamentals ANIM211 - 3 Credits

This course provides an overview of the tools and techniques used to produce digital art for animation. This includes 2D and 3D art assets, animation, sound and video. Upon completion of this module, students will gain a working knowledge of the common tools, techniques and terminologies used in the Digital Media industry.

Prerequisite: ANIM230 Animation Basics

Storyboarding and Pre-viz ANIM215 - 3 Credits

In this class students will learn how to illustrate a story through the use of storyboarding and Previsualization (Pre-viz). Students will learn how to break down a script and translate it onto a presentable, self-explanatory, traditional and digital format. Pre-viz will be used to expand on storyboards, testing different shot angles, timing and transitions with different camera placements and movements.

Prerequisite: ANIM220 Design and Drawing for Animation I

Animation Studio Project I ANIM250 - 3 Credits

Students will work in teams to create a digital animation project, synergizing skills learned in all Previous courses. Students will be exposed to the dynamics of teamwork and the importance of project management using shotgrid.

Theories and Trends in Contemporary Art, Media and Culture AHCS224 - 3 Credits*

This course stresses the relationships between contemporary culture and media and their connections to related creative and theoretical disciplines that have influenced art practice and human experience in the years roughly from 1955 to the present. “Theories and Trends in Contemporary Art, Media and Culture” critically examines the range of roles that popular culture, mass media and colonial institutions of privilege play in all creative practices. This class challenges facile and well-worn constructions of gender, difference, ableism, race, ethnicity, “high” and “low” art to work towards conceptions of the self, identity, and of culture that are fluid. Research and case studies focus on the inter-textual and the inter-disciplinary. Students learn and critically evaluate major theories of contemporary art and design through textual, visual, and hands-on inquiry, encouraging independent thinking via active in-class and student-directed projects.

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Contemporary Issues AHCS220 - 3 Credits

Addresses a variety of issues in art, design, film, and culture from 1960 to the present. Students may focus on fine art, mass media, or design, or popular culture. More than one course may be available, see the Course Catalog and consult the department and/or your advisor for more information.

LAS Sophomore Elective LIBS214 - 3 Credits

More than one course may be available, see the Course Catalog and consult the department and/or your advisor for more information.

Design and Drawing for Animation II ANIM320 - 3 Credits

This focuses on advance design concepts with an emphasis on creating memorable characters with interesting personalities & shapes to tell a story. The goal is to get students used to the idea of research and sketching from life or reference. Then apply the process of revisions to refine their designs in better serving the story. Students will practice draftsmanship to demonstrates the interplay of structure, anatomy, design, and expression in effective figures.

Prerequisite: ANIM 220 Design and Drawing for Animation I

Acting for Animation ANIM340 - 3 Credits

This class will introduce acting techniques of the to enhance animation principles. Students will work on selected monologue and scene work, to utilize the different concepts learned. Scenes are extensively rehearsed and performed and students will receive critiques and adjustments from the lecturers and fellow students.

Prerequisite: ANIM 220 Design and Drawing for Animation I

Studio Elective - 3 Credits*

A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

Social Science SSCI210 - 3 Credits*

More than one course may be available, see the Course Catalog and consult the department and/or your advisor for more information.

Math MATH136 - 3 Credits*

Explores the connections between math and art in two and three dimensions. The class includes an exploration of Escher’s work, tiling the plane, fractals, and the golden ratio. It also covers topics such as graphing equations and geometric constructions.

Advanced Animation ANIM332 - 3 Credits

In this course, students will expand their understanding of character animation and motion graphics using Maya 3d software as well as using traditional animation media. In addition to basic animation theory, the students will draw from and incorporate 2d elements into their projects using various techniques. Traditional design studies will be translated into 3d environments. Modeling, texturing and lighting techniques will also be explored.

Students will complete a complex and unique final project that will be built upon the skills learned in class each week for their portfolio.

Prerequisite: ANIM230 Animation Basics

Animation Studio Project II ANIM350 - 3 Credits

Students will work in teams to create a digital animation project, synergizing skills learned in all Previous courses. Students will be exposed to the dynamics of teamwork and the importance of project management. This is a advancement of Animation Studio project I. Student will be expected to use advance techniques.

Prerequisite: ANIM 250 Animation Studio Project I

Creative Action Studio CAIL301 - 3 Credits*

An upper-division interdisciplinary studio course offering unique core content that shifts from term to term. This studio affords students the opportunity to engage with professionals from various fields and expand their notion of problem solving beyond their major in public site real world challenges. A limited choice of CAIL301 courses will count for the Community Arts Engagement and Sustainability Minor. Please see the Interdisciplinary Studies Director.

Natural Science NSCI307 - 3 Credits*

More than one course may be available, see the Course Catalog and consult the department and/or your advisor for more information.

LAS Upper Division Elective LIBS314 - 3 Credits

This course can be an upper division Art History or upper division Liberal Studies elective. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for examples of upper division elective offerings or see the Department and/or your Adviser for more information.

Design and Drawing for Animation III ANIM420 - 3 Credits

Students will explore concepts through research, critical analysis, and brainstorming to create elements needed for conveying story. Design and Drawing Fundamentals III is a class that combines artistic exploration, perceptions, observations, personal narratives, and intuition to create new work. A series of stories and situations will provide both context and a point of departure for our projects.

Prerequisite: ANIM320 Design and Drawing Fundamentals II

Animation Senior Project I ANIM450 - 3 Credits

This course provides a practical introduction to skills for acquiring and keeping a job, as well as the processes for developing a final project. Class and professional critiques help students develop their work, while learning from the creative processes of their classmates. Students collect their work from drawing classes, their storyboards, and other parts of the creative process, to be used as windows into their personal working styles.

Prerequisite: ANIM350 Animation Studio Project II

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Animation Internship ANIM470 - 3 Credits**

This course engages students to work with established companies that are related to their academic and career interests.

The purpose of this course is to expose students to live workplace environments and expand networking resources. Students are expected to do well and represent Otis and the BFA animation program. At the end of the Internship, students will report on their experience through a sharing session.

Students who wish to participate in the internship program need to submit updated resume, portfolios and websites.

Prerequisite: Approval of the Chair

Studio Elective - 3 Credits

A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

Studio Elective - 3 Credits

A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

Capstone LIBS440 - 3 Credits

A required senior- level course where students identify and critically reflect on a theme that intersects with their own studio practice, discipline, and/or identity and their work in Liberal Studies. The Capstone is the signature course and culminating expression of the Liberal Arts program.

A minimum grade of “C-" or better is required to pass this course.

Note that Creative Writing, Art History, Cultural Studies, Sustainability minors, and Fine Arts majors take specific Capstones. Please see department for courses.

Animation Explorations ANIM445 - 3 Credits

In this course, students will focus on creating several animated pieces experimenting with multiple techniques with the dual purpose of telling stories and embracing the idea of play. In addition to completing assignments, students are expected to participate in group discussions and be present during in-class work sessions.

Prerequisite: ANIM330 3D Animation I

Animation Senior Project II - 3 Credits

Animation Senior Project II is a production class which takes students through the process of conceptualizing, proposing, planning and executing an original project. Students will learn how to deliver professional level work and deliver presentations to represent their work. Goal setting, scheduling, research, and expanding knowledge will be skills developed through the class. For the final project, each student will complete an original work or project and present it to members of the professional community. Goal: To create an original work and demo reel in a production environment.

Prerequisite: ANIM450 Animation Senior Project I

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Animation Internship ANIM470 - 3 Credits**

This course engages students to work with established companies that are related to their academic and career interests. The purpose of this course is to expose students to live workplace environments and expand networking resources. Students are expected to do well and represent Otis and the BFA animation program. At the end of the Internship, students will report on their experience through a sharing session. Students who wish to participate in the internship program need to submit updated resume, portfolios and websites.

Prerequisite: Approval of the Chair

Studio Elective - 3 Credits

A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

Studio Elective - 3 Credits

A Studio Elective is any art and/or design course with visual production (not a Liberal Arts and Sciences course) that may be offered within or outside a student’s studio major. Students must meet the course’s prerequisite or co-requisite requirements, class level, or other criteria specified in the Course Description. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for a complete list of courses.

LAS Upper Division Elective LIBS314 - 3 Credits

This course can be an upper division Art History or upper division Liberal Studies elective. See the Course Catalog (pdf) for examples of upper division elective offerings or see the Department and/or your Adviser for more information.