Character Design For Animation Short Course
Course description
Course overview
As animation evolves, digital production still routinely requires interesting, unique and authentic characters - and as such, continues to emerge from decidedly intuitive, structured, 'analogue' processes - typically, drawing.
With a strong emphasis on both drawing and on animation/cartoons' legacy and inspiration, this course offers an understanding of the fundamentals of shape theory, character design and character development by an experienced Traditional 2D Animator/Filmmaker. You will be guided through all the stages necessary to design characters that may be used for traditional or computer animation, cut-out, stop motion, games, illustration, comic strips or advertising. You will also animate your character traditionally/on paper - testing your character's design and bringing your character 'to life'.
Please note that this is a studio-based design and idea generation course rather than a course teaching computer software.
Who this course is for
This beginners course is suitable for students and professionals, regardless of their chosen media. This course will provide learners with the skills and working methods to create satisfying and original characters.
Key information
Topics covered
- Basic anatomy and construction
- Personality and facial expression
- Acting potential, implied movement and stylisation
- Standard production aspects of pose-sheets, turnarounds and 3D maquettes
Learning outcomes
- Embrace the benefits of creating, developing, testing, as well as adhering to structured drawings of students' characters (constructing 'character turnaround' and 'pose' drawings), that focus on 'shape'
- Build confidence in personal work and decision-making through active participation in the course. Students will also receive links to the works viewed and books discussed during the course to support their future development
- Produce a 1-second animated walk cycle based on personal creative decisions, reinforcing a practical understanding of the principles and processes of animation
- Explore the history of animation and its influence on game design, by studying the work and inspiration of renowned animators, such as Chuck Jones, Genndy Tartakovsky, Winsor McCay, Joanna Quinn, and others
- Gain hands-on experience in creating and numbering 'key' and 'in-between' drawings/images, a fundamental aspect of both 2D and 3D animation, while also learning the 12 Principles of Animation
- Develop pre-production work that enhances creative thinking, a skill increasingly required in Secondary and Sixth Form education, essential for Tertiary study, and central to the production of animated content in industrial and commercial settings
- Understand and apply the benefits of creating, developing, and testing structured drawings of characters, including 'character turnaround' and 'pose' drawings, with a focus on shape
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- HB, B or 2B pencils (not mechanical pencils)
- Light blue pencils (preferably Faber-Castell ""Col-Erase"" light blue)
- A4 photocopy paper (one pack of 500 sheets will last the whole course)
- Pencil sharpener (preferably one that holds the shavings)
- Putty eraser
Tutor
Elroy Simmons
Elroy Simmons has worked as a Traditional 2D Animator since 1995. In that time, Elroy has worked on a wide range of projects - from TV commercials, Children's TV series and animated specials, to independent shorts. Most recently, Elroy's work can be seen in two independently made feature length, live-action/animated documentaries; "Doozy" (Director: Richard Squires. LMFYFF. 2018) and "Mansfield 66/67" (Directors: Todd Hughes, David Ebersole. The Ebersole Hughes Company. 2016). Both of these films utilise cartoon animation styles - from the 1960s/70s and 50s/60s, respectively.
Elroy directs (both his own work and for others) and has substantial experience in both 'Indie' and commercial animation. Elroy has been employed in a range of roles, including; writing, character design/development, storyboarding, animation timing, animation layout, supervising animator and art direction.
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