MICRO-CREDENTIAL IN ANIMATION AND ART PRODUCTION

About this Module

What you will learn

This course will teach students about the fundamentals of animation production, including animation concepts, principles, characters, storyline, and storyboard. Students will participate in hands-on lab activities to aid in the creation of their animations. Students will demonstrate technical and conceptual understanding of the computer animation process. It also gives an overview of frame-by-frame animation techniques, object animation, and emphasizing the use of traditionally or digitally generated image sequences to create movement and expression. Students are also exploring the basic concepts such as trending Augmented Reality (AR) and producing a simple animation by the AR to provide students with real-time, contextual information in producing their project better. Lectures, film presentations, studio practice, and projects will expose students to all aspects of animated film creation. This introductory course provides students with a basic understanding of the animation techniques required to create short animated sequences.

What skills you will gain

Basic drawing for animation, idea development process, Virtual Reality

Total contents and assessments

Not applicable

Module Details

CLUSTER : Social Science & Humanities ( SS )
MODE/DURATION : Flexible
LENGTH : 90 days
EFFORT : 5
LEVEL : Beginner
LANGUAGE : English
CERTIFICATE : Yes
CPD POINT : 0
PRICE : Free

Associated Course (s) :
No Course

 Syllabus

What is animation

Animation is the process of creating the illusion of movement by rapidly displaying a sequence of static images or frames. This is achieved by manipulating images, objects, or characters frame by frame. There are several types of animation, including traditional hand-drawn animation, 2D vector-based animation, 3D computer animation, stop-motion animation using physical objects, and motion graphics that combine animation with text. The key principles of animation include squash and stretch, anticipation, staging, straight-ahead action, slow in and slow out, arcs, secondary action, timing, and exaggeration. Mastering these principles helps create more realistic and engaging animated sequences. Animation has a rich history, with early forms dating back to ancient civilizations. The modern animation industry took off in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with pioneers like Eadweard Muybridge and J. Stuart Blackton. Iconic animated characters like Mickey Mouse further advanced the art form. Today, animation is widely used in films, TV shows, video games, advertisements, and educational content. The demand for skilled animators continues to grow as new technologies enable increasingly sophisticated and immersive animated experiences.

The history of animation

The history of animation dates back centuries, with early techniques like shadow puppetry and magic lantern shows. The key developments that laid the foundation for modern animation include:
- The phenakistiscope and zoetrope in the 1830s, which used the principle of persistence of vision to create the illusion of motion.
- The pioneering work of animators like J. Stuart Blackton, who created the first animated films in the U.S. in the early 1900s using stop-motion and drawn-on-blackboard techniques.
- The contributions of French animator Émile Cohl, who is considered the "father of animation" for creating the first fully animated film, Fantasmagorie, in 1908.
- The rise of cel animation in the 1910s, pioneered by animators like Earl Hurd, which became the dominant animation technique for much of the 20th century.
- The groundbreaking work of Walt Disney, whose studio produced the first feature-length animated film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, in 1937, as well as iconic characters like Mickey Mouse.
- The shift to computer animation in the late 20th century, which has become the dominant technique today, exemplified by Pixar's Toy Story in 1995.
Animation has evolved from its early experimental roots to become a ubiquitous part of modern media and entertainment.

The process of animation

The development and evolution of animation span centuries, with roots in ancient storytelling and visual arts. Early forms included shadow play, mechanical slides, and magic lantern shows, which used moving images to tell stories. The first real animation device, the phenakistiscope, was invented in 1832 by Joseph Plateau, creating a fluid illusion of motion through persistence of vision. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, various animation techniques were developed, such as stop-motion, cutout, and hand-drawn animation. The rise of cinema in the early 20th century saw the dominance of hand-drawn animation, particularly with the work of Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros. Computer animation emerged in the late 20th century, revolutionizing the industry with films like "Toy Story" (1995) and "The Rescuers Down Under" (1990). Today, computer animation is the dominant technique, with styles ranging from traditional 2D to highly detailed 3D. Animation has influenced popular culture, with iconic characters and films, and has expanded into various media, including television, advertising, and video games. The evolution of animation continues, integrating new technologies and styles to captivate audiences worldwide.

Understanding the Different Types of Animation

Animation is a versatile art form that has evolved significantly over the years. From the classic hand-drawn techniques to the cutting-edge computer-generated imagery, the world of animation offers a diverse range of styles and techniques. Understanding the different types of animation can help to appreciate the creativity and innovation that goes into this captivating medium.

Cel Animation (Traditional Animation) also known as traditional animation, is one of the oldest and most iconic forms of animation. It involves the painstaking process of drawing each frame by hand on transparent sheets called cels, which are then photographed in rapid succession to create the illusion of movement. This labor-intensive technique was used to create classic animated films like Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Sleeping Beauty.

2D Animation is a modern approach that utilizes digital tools and techniques to create the illusion of movement in a two-dimensional space. Animators can use software like Toon Boom Harmony to create characters and scenes, often by using digital rigging to streamline the animation process. This style is commonly seen in contemporary animated films, TV shows, and video games.

3D Animation is the art of bringing digital characters, objects, and environments to life in a virtual three-dimensional space. Animators use specialized software like Maya or Blender to model, rig, and manipulate 3D assets, allowing for a greater level of complexity and realism compared to 2D animation. Blockbuster animated films like Toy Story and The Incredibles are prime examples of this technique.

Stop Motion Animation is a unique technique that involves physically manipulating physical objects, such as puppets or clay models, and capturing them frame by frame to create the illusion of movement. This painstaking process requires a great deal of patience and attention to detail, as even the slightest movement can be captured and incorporated into the final animation.

Motion Capture or mocap, is a technique that enhances the realism of 3D animation by recording the movements of live actors and translating them into digital form. Actors wear specialized suits equipped with sensors, and their movements are then mapped onto digital characters, allowing for more natural and lifelike animations.

Motion Graphics is a type of animation that focuses on the dynamic presentation of text, graphics, and visual effects. This style is often used in title sequences, explainer videos, and various forms of digital media, where the emphasis is on creating visually engaging and informative content.

Each type of animation has its own unique strengths, challenges, and applications, allowing animators to tell stories and convey ideas in a wide range of creative ways.

Character development, creating storyline and storyboard
Character development is a crucial aspect of storytelling, as it involves creating believable and engaging personalities for characters that drive the plot forward and resolve conflicts. Effective character development can be achieved through various methods, including storyboarding, character analysis, and visual representation.

Storyboarding for Character Development
Storyboarding is a visual representation of a script, used to plan and communicate the vision of a story. It involves creating a series of images that depict key scenes, actions, and transitions in a narrative. For character development, storyboarding can be particularly useful in conveying emotions, symbols, arcs, and dialogue.

Creating a Storyline and Storyboard
Effective character development is essential for creating engaging and believable stories. Storyboarding, character analysis, and visual representation are powerful tools to help authors and animators bring their characters to life. By understanding the role, traits, conflicts, and arcs of characters, and using visual aids to convey emotions and reactions, storytellers can create compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.

Step by Step process of animation development

Researching and Defining the Project Scope
The first steps involve gathering information about the project, understanding the client's goals, and defining the scope and requirements. This includes creating a creative brief, outlining the purpose, target audience, and key messages.

Scriptwriting and Storyboarding
Next, the script is written and a storyboard is created to visualize the sequence of scenes and actions. The storyboard helps plan the pacing, framing, and flow of the animation.

Character and Asset Design
The visual style, including character designs, backgrounds, and other visual elements, is developed and refined through style frames and illustrations.

Voice Recording
If the animation includes dialogue, the voiceover is recorded at this stage to guide the timing and lip-syncing of the animation.

Animation
The actual animation process brings the visuals and voiceover together, focusing on achieving natural movements, seamless transitions, and effective lighting.

Sound Design
Music, sound effects, and audio mixing are added to enhance the emotional impact and overall polish of the final animation.

Review and Delivery
Throughout the process, the animation is reviewed and refined based on client feedback. Once finalized, the completed animation is delivered in the required format.

The animation production process is iterative, with frequent reviews and adjustments to ensure the final product meets the client's objectives and creative vision.

Introduction to Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality (AR) is transforming the education industry by making learning more interactive, engaging, and effective. Here are the key ways AR is being used in education. AR enables teachers to show virtual examples of concepts and add gaming elements to provide more immersive learning experiences. This helps students learn faster and better retain information, as visuals are easier to remember than text. AR apps like "Dinosaur 4D+" allow students to view 3D dinosaurs and interact with them, while "Element 4D" makes learning chemistry fun by enabling students to see chemical reactions between virtual elements. AR also provides easy access to learning materials anytime, anywhere by replacing physical textbooks, posters, and brochures. This reduces the cost of learning materials and makes them more accessible. AR further enables immersive practical learning, allowing students to safely practice operating equipment or conducting experiments without real-world risks. Additionally, the gamification and interactivity of AR helps engage students and spark their interest in learning. This improves collaboration, problem-solving, and other key skills. Overall, AR is transforming education by making the learning experience more interactive, immersive, and effective.

How to use AR in animation
Augmented reality (AR) is a powerful tool for animators to create immersive experiences that blend digital content with the real world. Here are some key ways AR is used in animation:

Staging Animation for Multiple Perspectives
In traditional animation, animators work with fixed camera angles. But with VR-based AR, animators must stage scenes to work with changing perspectives as the viewer can look around freely. This requires animating from multiple viewpoints to create a seamless, 360-degree experience.

Integrating Digital Elements into the Real World
AR allows animators to seamlessly integrate 3D animated characters, objects, and visual effects into a viewer's actual environment. This creates a sense of presence and interactivity that is not possible with 2D screens.

Enabling Creative Storytelling
The ability to place animated content in the real world opens up new creative possibilities for storytelling. Animators can design narratives that have the viewer actively participate and interact with the animated elements.

Reducing Production Costs
Compared to live-action filming, AR-based animation can reduce costs by eliminating the need for physical sets, props, and locations. Animators can create the entire experience digitally. Overall, AR provides animators with new tools to craft immersive, interactive experiences that blur the line between the digital and physical worlds. By leveraging AR, animators can tell stories in innovative ways and engage audiences on a deeper level.

How does it change the education?
AR is allowing artists to tell their stories in new, immersive ways. Creators can overlay animations, videos, text, and audio onto their artworks to reveal backstories, add context, and amplify the narrative. This "co-existence of truth and illusion" unique to AR enables deeper engagement and new modes of storytelling. AR is democratizing art by inviting viewers into a dynamic dialogue and giving them "co-creation rights". Viewers can now interact with and even modify artworks, blurring the lines of ownership and fostering stronger emotional connections. AR is enhancing the display and visualization of art. Apps like Room Plan and Ikea Place allow users to virtually "place" artworks and visualize how they would look in their own spaces. This digital dimension added to décor and interiors opens up new possibilities for how art is experienced. Overall, AR is fundamentally transforming art education by empowering artists to experiment with new modes of expression, engaging audiences in novel ways, and redefining how art is created, displayed, and consumed.

Our Instructor

DR. ROSLAILI BINTI ANUAR

Course Instructor
UiTM Kampus Puncak Alam
4.3 (average sufo) instructor rating 12 course(s)