CS 294-7, with Brian A. Barsky and Laurence Arcadias

The Fall 2002 semester is over.

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Check out the Spring 2004 animation course website!

Course Summary

This hands-on animation course is intended for students with a computer science background who would like to improve their sense of observation, timing, and motion through the real art of animation to create strong believable animation pieces. A good understanding of motion is an important foundation for using computers and technology to their full potential for the creation of animation. This class is also emphasizes artistic and aesthetic creativity, intending to push the boundaries of the imagination and to familiarize students with storytelling. Some time will be spent on screening international animated for inspiration and to learn a variety of styles and techniques.

Lectures will be accompanied by simple step-by-step exercises on paper in which students will learn how to create believable movement through the use of weight, speed, and timing.

In this class, students will learn:

During the second half of the semester, each student will develop a small project of his or her own with a small story line. Since animation is time consuming, it is not advisable to attempt to create a piece that is too long or too complex. Instead, students should concentrate on projects that are still challenging but can be nonetheless done successfully.

Students are encouraged to keep an open mind of creative experimentation to fully appreciate this class.

Class Structure

(Photograph of Ping and Morgan)

This is a three-hour class. The first hour will comprise exercises review, lecture and screening, and then the second and third hours will be workshop where the students will animate simple exercises with one-on-one advice and critiquing.

Class Time and Place

The class is on Mondays, from 3 pm to 6 pm, in 380 Soda Hall. The first class is August 26 and the last class is December 2. There will be no class on Sept. 2 (Labor Day) nor on Nov.11 (Veterans Day).