CU4050 - 2D Computer Animation (2024/25)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2024/25 | ||||||||||
| Module title | 2D Computer Animation | ||||||||||
| Module level | Certificate (04) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||
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| Running in 2024/25(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
The module introduces concepts, production methods, and techniques from the animation industry and related areas. The module introduces skills in foundational animation techniques including: script writing, concept art, character design, pose to pose animation, rigging for animation and lip-sync.
Concepts, techniques, and principles that enhance the design and production of linear narrative, character and environments are introduced, and students’ skills in these areas developed. Upon completion of this module students will be able to effectively represent character, emotion, movement and narrative.
Principles will be introduced through lectures, demonstrations and participative sessions with practical techniques explored in workshops.
Prior learning requirements
Introduction to Drawing and Animation
Syllabus
Students will learn the foundational principles of animation and the pipeline process of how to integrate skills to produce a range of animation styles and techniques:
Pre-production planning
Narrative development
Concept Art
Character design
Storyboarding
Cinematics
Animation genres
Mise-en-scène
Layouts
Script writing
Exposure sheets
Pose to pose and straight-ahead animation techniques
Lip sync using substitution animation
Sound
Nested animation
Shape tweening
Masking
Bone animation and rigging
Walk cycles
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Teaching and learning will be carried out through seminars (1 hour) and workshops (2 hour). During seminars students are introduced to specific principles and techniques. These principles and techniques will be explored further through practical workshops.
In addition to this contact time students are expected to spend a significant number of hours carrying out research connected with the subject, reading bibliographic and course materials, practising their software skills and working on assignments.
Appropriate blended learning approaches and technologies, such as, the University’s VLE and online tools, will be used to facilitate and support student learning, specifically to:
• Deliver content;
• Encourage active learning;
• Provide formative and summative assessments, and prompt feedback;
• Enhance student engagement and learning experience.
Effective digital image making requires the proficient practitioner to be both self-reflective and constructively critical. The digital image maker needs to be able to apply this understanding to their own work and the work of others. The development of these skills is embedded into the module
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
LO1 - Respond appropriately and creatively to client briefs, to carry out research and to plan and schedule project work.
LO2 – Understand how to make use of The Principles of Animation, genre and cinematics to develop a narrative and relate an animated story.
L03 Understand and demonstrate the fundamental principles of 2D Computer animation (e.g. pose to pose, tweening, nested animation, lip-sync, masking, rigging, etc.).