ART 324 Tentative Class Schedule

Note: This is only a tentative schedule and changes are likely to occur throughout the course of the semester.
The course website will have the most up-to-date schedule of daily activities

Jan

1
  • Present syllabus
  • Watch: Why man Creates
  • Watch: The Evolution of Motion Design
  • Animation concepts
  • Quick overview of AE interface
  • Class exercise: Simple keyframe animation in AE
  • Assignment: Stop motion using 120 Jpeg photos (800 x 600px) under the theme, "Origins." Intepret this theme however you wish.

2
  • Review stop motion GIF animations
  • Introduce Project 1: The Shape of Things to Come
  • Presentation: History of Motion Graphics
  • Presentation: Storyboarding
  • Assignment: Create Storyboards for Project 1
  • Reading Assignment: Read 12 Basic Principles of Animation – Post an example of an animation that incorporates one or more of the principles
  • Assignment: Quiz Prep: Motion Graphics Design – Ch. 1, 2, 3, & 6

  • MLK Day: No class

3
  • Review: 12 Basic Principles of Animation
  • Watch: 12 Basic Principles of Animation
  • Review Storyboards and Look and Feels
  • Overview of animation properties
  • Presentation: Science of Motion Graphics
  • Workshop/Assignment: Science of Motion
  • Refined storyboards and look and feels due at next class.
  • Assignment: Post examples of expressive animation on blog (due next two classes)
  • Professional Storyboard Example
  • Professional Look and Feel Example
  • The Science of Motion exercise worked better as a workshop than a homework assignment. It allowed me to help students resolve their issues.

4
  • Science of motion exercise due on Google Drive
  • Presentation: Folder organization
  • Presentation: Animation Basics
  • Demo on preparing AI files for AE
  • Demo on layer labeling and nesting compositions
  • Assignment: Have at least 10 seconds of animation to show by next class
  • Demos from today
    • Using several compositions for better project management and workflow
    • Increment and save. Helps for better workflow
    • Morphing one shape into another
    • Turning shapes into paths: Click on the shape sublayer and select "convert to bezier paths."
    • Make an element to follow a path: Copy the path sublayer from other layer and paste it to the position property of target layer.

5
  • Review blog posts on expressive animation
  • Presentation: Timing
  • Demo: Linear vs Interpolated animation / Using the graph editor in AE
  • Class exercise: Keyframe Interpolation
  • Interpret the AE timecode, adding/editing sub-layers in after effects (trim paths, etc.)
  • Assignment: Have at least 25 seconds of animation to show by next class
Feb

6
  • View expressive animation examples
  • Peer review
  • Presentation: Motion literacy
  • On demand AE demos. What do you want to learn?

7
  • Project 1 critique (Upload to Frame.io)
  • Introduce Project 2: Network Package
  • Presentation: Network Package
  • Anatomy of a Station ID and Lower Third
  • Reading assignment: The Science of High Frame Rates & Safe Areas
  • Quiz Prep: Motion Graphics Design – Ch. 2, 3, and 10
  • Asssignment: Work on write-up and storyboards for Monday
  • Write-up Template
  • The network package presentation needs updated with new exaples.

8
  • Project 1 quiz
  • Project 1 due on server
  • Review write-ups and storyboards
  • Discussion: Anatomy of a lower third and station ID
  • Presentation: Broadcast Design
  • View examples of animatics

9
  • Review quiz 1
  • Review edited storyboards and Look & Feels
  • Reading discussion: Science of High Frame Rates and Safe Areas
  • Video: Shooting 24p and 64p / History of Frame Rates for Film
  • Demo: Broadcast design settings in AE
  • Demo: Preparing audio files for AE import
  • Discussion: The role of sound in animation
    • Music quality: Choose one that has clear instirumentation or effects, free of background noise.
    • Audio style: Choose one that complements the tone and mood of your project.
    • Audio licensing: Choose one that you have the rights to or is free to use.
    • Sound effects (SFX): Consider whether your animation is enhanced by including SFX. SFX can be used to reinforce action or draw attention to certain parts of your animation.
  • Review Broadcast Design packages from NBC
  • Assignment: Post 2 examples of Network IDs and Lower Thirds to blog

10
  • Critique finished animatics
  • Presentation & Demo: Getting started with 3D in AE
  • Class exercise: Getting started with 3D in AE
  • Assignment: Have finished animatics and progress in AE for next class.

11
  • Review blog posts on Station ID and Lower Third
  • Video: Making of “7TV Idents” and “Edition Special” opening by Greg Barth
  • Demo: Parenting in AE
  • Demo: Rotobrush tool in AE
  • Email Greg Barth animations
  • Assignment: Have draft of Station ID and Lower Third ready for peer review on Monday

12
  • Presentation and demo: Audio Editing with Adobe Audition
  • Peer review of animation progress
  • AE Demos: Masking, Layer and compositional markers, write-on effect, motion sketch, and blending modes.

13
  • Project 2 critique
  • Introduce project 3
  • Presentation: Explainer Videos
  • Review presentation guide
  • Mid-term grades due by Friday
  • Assignment: Post examples of Explainer Videos to blogs. Due on Wednesday.
  • Quiz Prep: Motion Graphics Design - Ch. 9 & 11
Mar

14
  • Project 2 quiz
  • Project 2 due on Google Drive. Check the presentation guide in the Google Drive submission folder.
  • Research presentations on Explainer Videos
  • Reading assignment: Semiotics for beginners. No blog post required. Take notes for a discussion on Wednesday.
  • Assignment: Have animation scripts ready for review by next class. Storyboards need to have been started. We will continue them in class.

15
  • Review quiz 2
  • Reading discussion: Semiotics for beginners
  • Presentation: Semiotics
  • Class exercise: Signs
  • Presentation: The Motion Graphics Design Process
  • Review examples of explainer videos from blogs
  • Review animation scripts and storyboards
  • Assignment: Have finished storyboards and animation scripts ready for Monday. Work on animatics and look and feels for Wednesday.

16
  • Review revised storyboards
  • Review final animation scripts
  • Presentation & Demo: Character Animation
  • Character animation class exercise
  • Work on animatics and look and feels in class
  • Assignment: Have animatics and look and feel ready for review by next class
  • It was good having the character animation as a workshop. I needed about 1hr and 15 mins.

17
  • Review project 3 animatics and Look & Feels. Upload to frame.io
  • Assignment: Have 20-30 secs of animation completed by Monday

  • Spring recess

Wednesday 3/15

  • Spring recess

18
  • Visiting Artist: James O'Hara at 2:15 pm
  • Review 20-30 seconds draft animation
  • Video and demo: Adobe Audition for Voice Over
  • Assignment: Have at least 45 seconds of animation to show on Wednesday. Have it uploaded to folder on Frame.io

19
  • On-demand demos / Work day

20
  • Work day
Apr

21
  • Project 3 final critique. Upload to Frame.io
  • Review project 3
  • Introduce project 4
  • Presentation: The Art of the Title
  • Group brainstorming on what to include in presentation
    • Synopsis
    • Main characters
    • Trailer
    • Existing title sequence
    • Symbols and keywords
    • Notable one-liners, quotes, etc.
    • Plan of action: Metaphors, etc.
    • Information about the Art Movement
      • Key figures
      • Notable works
      • Art Movement Moodboard
      • Key attributes of the art movement
  • Assignment: Begin research on title sequence for presentation at next meeting. Your presentation should include a moodboard of your chosen art movement. Plan on speaking for about 5-7 minutes.
  • Assignment: Write an animation script for your title sequence. See this example.

22
  • Project 3 quiz
  • Project 3 due on server
  • Student presentations
  • Discussion: What is Art Direction?
  • Discuss: Art Movements and Styles
  • Upload animation scripts to Google Drive
  • Assignment: Have animation scripts revised and work on storyboards for review on Wednesday
  • Review website for visiting artist Imogen Frost and have questions ready for Monday April 8.
  • I moved the quiz becuase some students were traveling to Pittsburgh. Otherwise it should be taken on this day.

23
  • Project 3 quiz
  • Review quiz
  • Review edited animation scripts
  • Peer review of storyboards
  • Work on animatics on class
  • Demo: Converting audio to keyframes & Expression pick whip tool
  • Reading assignmnent: Addams Family Title Sequence Project (For next class. No blog post)

24
  • Reading discussion
  • Review quiz
  • Review Animatics and Look and Feel
  • Presentation: AE Expressions part 1
  • Class exercise: AE Expressions. Upload to Google Drive when done
  • Assignment: Revise your Animatics and Look and Feels based on feedback today. Move on to AE when finished.

25
  • Visiting Artist?
  • Presentation: AE expressions part 2
  • Review revised animatics and look and feels
  • Work on animation in class
  • Assignment: have about 10-15 seconds of animation to show on Monday
  • Assignment: Have a draft of the film poster ready to show on Monday. Size is 11 x 17 inches.
  • Expressions code

26
  • Visiting Artist @ 2:00pm: Andrew Foerster
  • Review draft of film poster
  • Ae expressions: Expression controls
  • Review of animation progress
  • Last Day to Drop a Class and Last Day to Withdraw from the University
  • Assignment: Have 20-30 seconds to show by Wednesday

27
  • Peer review
  • AE Expressions: Animating a bicycle
  • AE Expressions: Animating a clock
  • Assignment: Have at least 80 percent of your animation completed.
  • Have your poster design edited for review.
  • Understanding Interpolation and Time
  • Presentation and demo: Color correction and effects in AE

28

29
  • Final critique of project 4
  • Final quiz
  • Presentation on Motion Graphics resources
  • Finished project due on server by 5 pm on Monday
May

  • Project 4 due on Google Drive by 5 pm

5/5 - 5/9

  • Final Exams Week

Note: You can visit the course website to print a new schedule or syllabus. Be sure to use Safari when printing.