Learn the art of animation underpinned by a strong foundation of design, filmmaking and game design principles

Storytelling and Design Fundamentals

• Compel audiences using storytelling elements such as plot and character in games.
• Fundamental design principles of form, colour, tone, shape, rhythm & texture & techniques for application across a range of contexts.
• Production and editing of photography & videos for multiple modern screen media platforms.

Animation

• Principles for effective sound design plus how to record, process and implement sound.
• Create motion graphics & prepare files for animation.
• Plan, animate and composite a professional level 2D Animation.
• Work with speed & efficiency and to collaborate effectively under real-world pressure on industry briefs.
• Learn industry-standard software and applications.

Software

Learn industry-standard software

• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe After Effects
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Toon Boom Harmony
• Adobe Animate CC
• Pro Tools

Even if your ultimate dream is to work for a big production company like Disney, there are a multitude of steps along the way that will build your skills and portfolio, as well as putting some money in your pocket and introducing you to some of the most passionate workers in the world.

In Australia alone, there are a range of independent animation companies that produce cartoons for the local market. Head overseas and you’ll find the number of opportunities to work in a studio increases, especially if you have picked up different techniques – in both 2D and 3D – along your journey so far.

Specific Roles

• Character Designer
• Character Animator
• Technical Animator
• Concept Artist

Understanding the principles of story telling and design

Digital Storytelling

Learn how to use storytelling elements such as plot and character to make engaging films and games. Students will learn the steps of developing an idea to a point that it can be produced. These steps include development of logline, treatment, script, storyboard and animatic. Students will also discuss interactive digital storytelling and the opportunities different types of media can offer.

Creative Drawing

Learn the elements of all art creation such as line, form, colour, texture, value and shape as well as different creative drawing styles using various techniques. Students will also be challenged to venture out of their comfort zones and broaden their understandings of styles and mediums, as well as develop their knowledge of theory and research on successful creative drawing.

Shooting and Editing

The key focus of this subject is the fusing of three elements: photography, cinematography and editing. In engaging with best practice and widely used industry techniques, ‘Shooting & Editing’ challenges students to take a quick glimpse of screen production. A key learning outcome is that students produce their own material, photographs and videos, and edit them for multiple modern screen media platforms.

Animation

Learn the processes used in animation. Explore the basic concepts and crafts of character design such as character animation, timing, movement, composition and background art.

Screen Language

Analyse and critique digital media using a theoretical framework of ‘Entertainment’. Learn how to differentiate genre and forms of narrative communicative meaning, and how to critique narrative structure and visual style in depth. Elements of storytelling (e.g. theme and motif, design elements, mise en scene) are incorporated into the studies as well visual coding within digital media.

Digital Images

Acquire a solid foundation of skills using industry standard graphic applications that include vector, pixel and image & text layout software applications such as Adobe CS products including Illustrator and Photoshop.

Game Design

Learn the principles of game design and how to apply these effectively to your own games. Review case studies of traditional and electronic games to modern games and contemporary industry standards. The outcome will be the ability for the student to design engaging and effective games and game mechanics.