THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2017/2018

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : Centre for Open Learning : Creative Arts

Undergraduate Course: Digital Animation for Artists (LLLA07116)

Course Outline
SchoolCentre for Open Learning CollegeCollege of Humanities and Social Science
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) AvailabilityNot available to visiting students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryTHIS IS A FOR-CREDIT ONLY COURSE OFFERED BY THE CENTRE FOR OPEN LEARNING (COL); ONLY STUDENTS REGISTERED WITH COL SHOULD BE ENROLLED

Many contemporary artists use the animated moving image as part of their means of expression. This course will introduce students a range of techniques and approaches to digital animation as an artists' tool to develop creative ideas through the moving image. The focus will be on learning the basics of 2D digital animation through establishing a working knowledge of 'Adobe Photoshop' and 'Adobe After Effects' while studying and reflecting on a range of artists' animated films video. Through a range of hands-on exercises, such as 'stop frame', cut paper animation and green-screen, students will gain a knowledge of using a storyboard and setting up an environment or composition, working with sound, to make short animated sequences exported to DVD or to upload on the internet.
Course description The course teaching is typically delivered over weekly class sessions of around 3 hours each and totaling 30 hours. Alternatively, the course can be delivered more intensely or as a block if required.
Over the class sessions the course will cover:
- Introduction to planning and storyboarding for animation and getting to know the workspace in Adobe Photoshop
- Looking at making selections and working with layers on Photoshop and an introduction to developing an animation journal or logbook
- Preparing a composition or collage in Photoshop for animation
- Introduction to After Effects, looking at working with the timeline, importing a Photoshop composition and basic animation
- Continuing to look at After Effects, exploring video effects and working with the 3D camera
- Hands on exercise in class looking at stop frame, cut paper animation and basic green-screen
- Importing and working with footage from the previous week, as well as green-screen keying and basic compositing in After Effects
- Working with the type tool on After Effects to develop motion graphics
- Adding a soundtrack to the animation and exporting video
- Completing student project work with final 1-3 minute short film


The Learning Experience
The teaching will be based and delivered in specialist art and design studios or workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration. Over the course, students' progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor. Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

For work required to be undertaken after the class hours are complete, the course tutor will set students a 'directed study plan' which can be undertaken without the need for specialist workshops or access to models.

Directed study will include research into a range of suggested artists and their associated movements to engender a contextual awareness. Students are expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work through annotated sketchbooks, a visual digital journal and practical outcomes.
The Directed Study Plan will include preparing evidence of research and practical work to form an appropriate presentation for assessment.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Other requirements None
Additional Costs Unless otherwise stated, all students on this short course pay a published course fee per enrolment.

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicate tools, materials and equipment:
Estimated cost: £20-£30 depending on use
- Notebook and pen for notes, storyboards, video logging, and developing project ideas
- Additional DVDs (DVD-R) for backing up video work, and DVD authoring in iDVD.
- USB pen drive, 4 GB or more.

Additional recommended materials and equipment students can provide:
Estimated cost: £20 - £200 depending on usage.

- Digital Video Camera or Camcorder, with card, or tape, with appropriate cable, or card reader for capturing or downloading video footage as appropriate to camera type.
- Optional, lightweight tripod
- Optional: video camera manual
- Optional - External or portable drive (compatible with, or formatted for use with Apple Macs)
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2017/18, Not available to visiting students (SS1) Quota:  12
Course Start Lifelong Learning - Session 3
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 30, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 68 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Formative Assessment (required for all credit courses).
(Occurs in weeks 6 or 7 of the 10 week course)

A formative assessment session will occur in week 6 or 7 of the taught element of the course. Each student will undertake a 5 minute verbal presentation with their practical work in progress to other members of the class group followed by a 5 minute group critique supported by the course tutor. Each student will also electronically submit their work in progress digital journal to the course tutor.

Indicative and supportive feedback will be summarised in written form on the digital journal which will give an indication of what areas requires to be address in order to meet the published learning outcomes. This will comprise of short written summary of action points.

Summative Assessment
(Occurs at least 2 weeks after the last taught class)

Two weeks after the end of the class teaching, this course will be assessed by the submission of:

A digital journal documenting a summary of the learning journey as evidenced in the portfolio
(Indicate time spent: 20 hours)
This will include a summary of idea development, media exploration, contextual research, critical reflection and outcomes through notes, annotation, illustration and photography.

A portfolio of visual art/design works
(Indicate time spent: 80 hours)
This will include a selection of resolved design works, sketchbook works, preparatory studies, visual research and evidence of a contextual awareness.

The Digital Journal and Portfolio must be presented in a clear and professional manner appropriate to the discipline. The submission should include work undertaken within the class as well as directed and independent study out with the class.

The combined Digital Journal and Portfolio submission will be assessed against the three learning outcomes for this course. These are equally weighted (33.3% each) and each will be given a percentage grade. To pass, students must achieve a minimum of 30% in each learning outcome and an overall combined mark of 40% minimum.
Feedback Formative Assessments
This will comprise of short written summary of action points of areas requiring addressing to meet the learning outcomes, but no indicative grades will be given.

Summative Assessments
On completion the assessment - each student will receive a % mark for each learning outcome along with written feedback putting in context the % mark and outlines areas for development.
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Research, context and ideas: Demonstrate a contextual awareness and critical thinking to support the planning and the creative development of a project, though the production of a reflective animation and moving image journal.
  2. Practice, skills and techniques: Show a confidence in using and applying a range of Adobe Photoshop and After Effect Skills, using sound appropriately to complement the work.
  3. Selection, presentation and reflection: Evidence appropriate judgement to document, select, edit and produce an animation for viewing, presenting a finished short 1-3 minute video.
Reading List
Adobe Creative Team, 2012 Adobe After Effects CS6 Classroom in a Book Adobe
Adobe Creative Team, 2012 Adobe Photoshop CS6 Classroom in a Book Adobe
WELLS, P., 1998, Understanding Animation, Routledge.

Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Ability to make effective use of Photoshop and After Effects
Ability to make short digital animations
Ability to undertake research and reflective practice and apply these in the context of animation within visual culture
KeywordsAnimation,Digital,Adobe,After Effects,Moving Image,Artists
Contacts
Course organiserMr Oliver Reed
Tel:
Email: Oliver.Reed@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMr Benjamin Mcnab
Tel: (0131 6)51 4832
Email: Benjamin.Mcnab@ed.ac.uk
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