MOTION GRAPHICS, Spring 2025

Course Website

This course has a website where you can find this syllabus, a detailed course schedule, tutorials, samples, and other course material. Visit:https://wvugraphicdesign.github.io/art-324-motion and bookmark the schedule page in your web browser for easy access.

Materials/ Equipment

• Portable Hard Drive (USB-3 recommended).
• Cloud account (Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, etc)
• Sketchbook
• Access to a digital camera
• Headphones

Textbook/Readings

Jon Krasner's Motion Graphic Design: Applied History and Aesthetics (Focal Press, 2013 ISBN: 978-0240821139). Additional reading will be assigned when necessary, or as it relates to the assigned project. Amazon Link

Recommended Books

Adobe After Effects Classroom in a Book (2024 Release) is ideal for those seeking a technical guide to using Adobe After Effects.

Software

• Adobe After Effects
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Audition
• Media Encoder

• After Effects
• Illustrator
• Photoshop
• Audition
• Adobe Media Encoder

Tutorials and Exercises

Presentations and tutorials will be on a regular basis during class sessions. Make it a point to show up early, so we can make the best use of our time. You will engage in short exercises to help develop your skills in Motion Design. Exercises are combined with quizzes and blog posts to make up 20 percent of your final grade. Failure to be here for lectures will severely impact your ability to complete assignments satisfactorily, and will decrease your chances of passing this course!

Blogs

You are required to keep a blog that showcases and discusses material about the various topics covered in class. Unless otherwise stated, you will also post a 500-word response (with examples) for each reading assignment. As much as possible, curate examples that relate to the assigned project to help you in your research. Blog posts are typically due by Noon on the day before our classroom discussion. Blog posts are combined with quizzes and classroom exercises to make up 20 percent of your final grade.

Quizzes

Quizzes are designed to assess your knowledge of the materials covered in class. There are 4 standard quizzes given during the semester. Each quiz is worth 20 points and is combined with classroom exercises and reading responses to make up 20 percent of your final grade. I reserve the right to give supplementary (unannounced) quizzes as a way of determining your comprehension of the material.

Projects

Projects are to be treated with all seriousness as they represent a substantial portion of your grade. There are four projects total, making up 70 percent of your grade. Quizzes, classroom exercises, critiques, and reading/blog responses make up the remaining 30 percent. You are encouraged to strive for the utmost quality in all projects.

• For each project, you will be presented with a rubric that shows how you will be graded. It is your responsibility to the rubric, and turn in ALL required elements for the project. Failure to properly submit a project will result in you losing points or failing the project.

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Project Due Dates

• February 5 – Project 1
• February 26 – Project 2
• April 2 – Project 3
• April 30 – Project 4

Deadlines

You must complete all assignments by their set deadlines, or you will lose points! All projects must be rendered and submitted via Frame.io 15 minutes before the start of class on critique days. Late submissions will drop your grade by a half letter for each day missed. All projects must be ready by the beginning of class on the day of the critique.

Resubmissions

I will determine if resubmissions are necessary. Your final grade will be an average between your original project and that of the reworked project.

General Outline for Grading

• 70% Projects
• 20% Quizzes, Reading Responses, Classroom Exercises
• 10% Critiques and Presentations

Citeria for grading

• Methodology (What is your idea and how did you get there)
• Craftsmanship (How well did you follow the recommended technical standards)
• Overall design and aesthetics (Is the color, form, and typography aiding the message?)
• Animation (Objects animate with meaning and not indiscriminately)

Note: Your process is worth roughly 20-30 points for each project. Take it seriously!

Grade Scale

A 100-90, B 89-80, C 79-70, D 69-60, F 59-0

(pluses and minuses will be assigned within these ranges)

Grade Explanation

• A. Excellent execution, superb ideas, great attention to detail
• B. Good product, interesting ideas, almost there.
• C. Okay product. You just checked the boxes; it works, but doesn’t blow us away.
• D. Poor ideas or craft. No effort.
• F. What can I say?

Grades are typically delivered within 10 business days after a project submission.

Originality

You are required to produce original work. Downloading copyrighted images from Google or using AI generated art IS NOT ALLOWED. Using copyrighted music or samples in your project without PERMISSION is strictly prohibited. Failure to comply is an act of academic dishonesty and could yield sanctions from the school.

Attendance

Attendance is hereby defined as your physical presence in class. This is a hands-on class where studio procedure and one-on-one discussion with the instructor is critical. Don't miss class, arrive late, or leave early. You will be marked as absent if you're more than 20 minutes late. You will also be marked as absent if you leave class without prior permission or if you leave before being dismissed.

It's your responsibility to let me know you were here if you're late. I cannot keep track of when you walk in and out of the room. More than 3 absences will result in a half grade drop, as will every 3 late appearances. 5 absences will likely result in a failing grade.

You must contact me directly about an illness that prevents you from being in class. You will still be expected to complete classwork and activities based on arrangements set for each case.

An absence, excused or unexcused, does not relieve you of any course requirement. Also, note that excused absences, including illness-related absences, count towards your total. I will review all absences at the end of the semester to determine any extenuating circumstances; therefore, it is crucial that you communicate each absence promptly.

Points will be deducted for missing critique days. You should come to class even if your work is not ready so that others can still benefit from your input. Critiques are combined with peer-reviews and works-in-progress to make up 10 percent of your final grade.

You're encouraged to read the updated university attendance policy here:

Lab Policy

All mobile devices must be turned off or put on silent during class hours. Lab times are for course work only. Therefore the use of social media sites and other entertainment sites during class hours is strictly prohibited.

Final Submissions

All final submissions should be on Google Drive. Submissions should include all materials produced during the methodology stage, as well as the final product. Review the rubric, so you know how to submit your project properly. Do not email me your project files!

Academic Integrity

The integrity of the classes offered by any academic institution solidifies the foundation of its mission and cannot be sacrificed to expediency, ignorance, or blatant fraud. Therefore, I will enforce rigorous standards of academic integrity in all aspects and assignments of this course. For the detailed policy of West Virginia University regarding the definitions of acts considered to fall under academic dishonesty and possible ensuing sanctions, please see the West Virginia University Academic Catalog at http://catalog.wvu.edu/undergraduate/coursecreditstermsclassification/#academicintegritytext. Should you have any questions about possibly improper research citations or references, or any other activity that may be interpreted as an attempt at academic dishonesty, please see me before the assignment is due to discuss the matter.

Requirements for Online Instruction

If and when a class is moved online, you will be required to keep your camera on for the duration of the class unless you obtain prior permission from me to turn it off. If you have technical issues, let me know before the class begins. You will be marked as absent if your camera is off without prior permission.

Sale of Course Material Statement

All course materials, including lectures, class notes, quizzes, exams, handouts, presentations, and other course materials provided to students for their courses are protected intellectual property. As such, the unauthorized purchase or sale of these materials may result in disciplinary sanctions under the Student Conduct Code. [adopted 5-11-2015]

Social Justice

"The West Virginia University community is committed to creating and fostering a positive learning and working environment based on open communication, mutual respect, and inclusion. If you are a person with a disability and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate in this class, please advise me and make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Disability Services (293-6700). For more information on West Virginia University's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives, please see http://diversity.wvu.edu."

Visiting Lectures Statement

The School of Art and Design is committed to providing important guest artists, designers, art historians, educators, and related art professionals every semester for your benefit. This is an opportunity for you to hear firsthand about the work and life story of those who have forged successful careers in the arts. Art and Design undergraduate and graduate students are required to attend all lectures. (Recordings of lectures will be available at: https://library.wvu.edu/collections/school-of-art-design-visiting-lectures.)