Undergraduate Course: Animation Elective 3: Puppet Construction (DESI10101)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The intention of this course is to hone students' ability to develop skills in the construction of physical puppets and their digital counterparts for use in the production of animated films and to promote understanding of similarities in method despite difference in material. |
| Course description |
This course introduces students to a hybrid approach to design for animation by teaching them how to design and produce puppets using physical materials supported by an armature, and digital puppets using CGI geometry supported by a rig. These two separate methods will be combined with 3D printing technologies to create a third form of puppet.
Topics may include but are not limited to:
Drawing for character design
Anatomic principles for animation
Constructing wire armatures
Sculpting
Mould making
Coverings and clothing for puppets
Use of tie downs
CGI modelling of a character for animation
Creating a boned and weighted rig
UV mapping and texturing for CGI characters
Export to 3D printers
Combined printed components with wire armatures
Making puppets move, stop frame and CGI techniques for animation
Students would create 3 puppets, real, CGI and hybrid, and a short animation test to show each in action.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
| Additional Costs | Students will be required to provide:
Drawing and painting materials (pens, pencils, crayons, charcoal, markers, paper, sketch pads for example).
Sculpting materials (wire, modelling clay, balsa wood for example).
Animation supplies (Peg bar, animation paper and cels for example).
The list above is an example, and is by no means exhaustive. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- DESIGN: Demonstrate the ability to design characters appropriate for movement.
- CONSTRUCT: Demonstrate the ability to realise character designs using both physical and digital materials.
- ANIMATE: Demonstrate the ability to move physical and digital puppets via animated film.
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Reading List
Purves, B. Stop-Motion Animation: Frame by Frame Film-Making with Puppets and Models (Revised) Fairchild Books (2014)
Brierton, T. Stop-Motion Puppet Sculpting: A Manual of Foam Injection, Build-Up, and Finishing Techniques McFarland (2004)
Amin, J. Beginner's Guide to Character Creation in Maya 3D Total Publishing (2015)
Anatomy for 3D Artists 3D Total Publishing (2015) |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Material research, comparative analysis and evaluation |
| Keywords | Puppets,Armatures,CGI,Hybrid design,3D printing |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Jared Taylor
Tel: (0131 6)51 5964
Email: jared.taylor@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Ms Jane Thomson
Tel: (0131 6)51 5713
Email: jane.thomson@ed.ac.uk |
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