Art 263 Animation I Syllabus F14
Section 02, 11074, T/TH 11:00 am - 1:45pm
Prof. Lee Crowe
Email: MyFriendlyCrow@gmail.com
Office Hours By Appointment AC402: T/Th 5:00 – 6:00 pm
Course Description:
Introduction to the fundamental principles of animation that are the basis for traditional and
computer animation. Hand-drawn exercises are utilized to learn timing, motion and weights.
Covers introduction to the early history of animation.
Art Dept. Student Learning Objectives Addressed in this class:
1. Basic Skills: Acquire a basic knowledge, theories, and concepts about art; develop a foundation of art skills
and a high level of craftsmanship; communicate ideas and concepts through writing, speaking and art making;
acquire a competency with the tools and technologies associated with the visual arts.
2. Art/Animation Knowledge: Broaden knowledge of early through contemporary animation art; develop an
understanding of the theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts of the art form.
3. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Apply processes of generating and solving problems in art; analyze,
interpret and question traditional methodologies and preconceived notions of art and art making.
4. Interdisciplinary Connections: Explore and engage in interdisciplinary forms of animation production.
5. Global Perspectives: Develop an appreciation of diverse artistic expressions from around the world.
6. Professional Preparation: Aid in developing a career path for an art profession or an art-related field;
develop an understanding of the demands and expectations of that area of art profession or art field.
Team effort projects will be assigned.
Course Student Learning Objectives
1. Learn and practice the Principles of Animation: timing, motion, & weight, thus gaining the basic skill
set needed for those proceeding into 2-D and 3-D Computer Animation. Produce a Reel of original
exercises that demonstrates this knowledge.
2.
Learn to critically analyze one’s own animation work and do active problem solving to improve work.
3. Learn course specific technology: Down shooting Pencil Test technology, 2D and 3D animation
software such as ToonBoom Pencil, Adobe Flash, etc.
5. This is an Animation survey class. Students will develop critical thinking skills of analyzing and
comparing animation context, styles, content, social political, economic and global factors that
influenced animation over the years.
•
Student will become aware of Animation historical and cultural context through screenings,
lectures, and individual research.
•
Identify milestones, studios, and key players in US Animation and why they were significant to the
industry.
•
6.
Become aware of cross discipline nature of animation and cultural influences.
Learn animation career paths. Learn and practice professional teamwork, professional behavior, and
protocols.
Student Evaluation & Grade Criteria: Assignments are specific and evaluated for both process and
product.
%
The final grade will be based on the following:
1. Sketchbook and basic drawing assignments
10
2. Flipbooks
10
3. Bouncing ball
10
4. Flag
10
5. Bi-ped
10
6. Flour sack
10
7. Resume and cover letter
10
8. Group Project
10
Quizzes (5% each)
10
Class Participation
10
Total
100
Letter Grade
Numerical Grade
A+
94 - 100
A
90 - 93
A-
87 - 89
B+
83 - 86
B
80 - 82
B-
77 - 79
C+
73 - 76
C
70 - 72
C-
67 - 69
D+
63 - 66
D
60 - 62
D-
57 - 50
F
49 or lower
Assignment Delivery:
This is not an on-line course. All assignments must begin in-class and submitted digitally (via Box.com
or some other designated means). Students will be notified directly if there is a Moodle or other online
component requirement for class. It is not appropriate for students to email instructor assignments. Late
and incomplete assignments will be penalized. Too many late or failed assignments will keep the student
from passing the course.

We will view and critique most assignments together as a
class.

For each class a project is late, it will lose a letter grade.

Assignments that are more than two weeks late will not be
accepted.
END OF TERM:
Copies of all work must be submitted digitally online in the www.box.com shared file. Failure to do so
may result in late or missed assignments, thus a grade reduction. Student work may be used as examples
in current or future courses.
Attendance Policy & Student Behavior/Professional Deportment:
Attendance is important for effective instruction and class participation. Written documentation is
needed for all absences.
• 4 absences will lower the student’s grade.
• 6 or more unexcused absences will keep a student from passing this course.
This Studio course requires class attendance, actual work in class, homework/lab work outside of classtime. Students are expected to practice professional behavior, treat people with respect and cooperate with
faculty & lab techs.
Recommended Books:
Animator's Survival Kit, Richard Williams, Faber & Faber, 0-571-20228-4, year 200.
Disney Animation: The Illusion of Life, Disney, Frank Thomas and Ollie Johnson, Hyperion, 0-7868-6070-7, 1981.
Character Animation Crash Course, Eric Goldberg, Silman-James Press, ISBN: 978-1-879505-97-1, year 2008.
Cartoon Animation, Preston Blair, Publisher: Walter Foster ISBN: 1-56010-084-2, Edition 1994.
Required supplies

Sketchbook

Two memo pads (glue or wirebound, not sticky note pads or homemade.)

Pencils

Flash drive or Portable Hard drive (recommended)

Other materials to be discussed
Professor will keep a copy of all assignments at the end of term
Syllabus and weekly assignments subject to change at Professor’s discretion
Notes