Syllabus Winter 2020

Troy A. Gustafson
Office building, room: Montgomery Hall, 406
Phone: 912-525-8506
Office hours: Monday and Wednesday
4:35pm to 5:35pm.
Friday, starting second week
of the quarter
from 9am to 1pm the professor
will be available for open
extra help sessions.
It is advised that student
makes arrangements for a
meeting with professor
on extra help sessions.
Meeting place may be
located in professors
office, room 406 or
located in room 307
Email: tgustafs@scad.edu
Building/Room: MONTGO 307
Meeting Times: Monday / Wednesday
8:00 AM - 10:30 AM

School of Digital Media, Department of Animation, Savannah

ANIM 202 - Core Principles of 2-D Animation

Section: 03 CRN: 22597

SCAD Mission:
SCAD prepares talented students for creative professions through engaged teaching and learning in a positively oriented
university environment.

Course Description:
Emerging from the minds of animators, characters transform into moving pieces of art within a 2-D world. Students explore
the basic principles of animation, with an emphasis on analysis of actions, to develop an understanding of character
performance. Combining fundamental drawing techniques with 2-D animation methods, students create original moving
sequences. Prerequisite(s): ANIM 190.

Course Goals: The following course goals articulate the general objectives and purpose of this course:
1. Students will enhance their understanding of the fundamental principles and processes of animation.

2. Students will experience the iterative process of evaluating the quality of their animation.

3. Students will develop observation skills in regards to action analysis.

4. Students will improve their overall craftsmanship in regards to movement, two-dimensional clarity and
three-dimensional quality.

Student Learning Outcomes: The following course outcomes indicate competencies and measurable skills that students
develop as a result of completing this course:
1. Students will apply 2-D animation principles to an animated sequence including proper timing, believable weight,
 and expressive posing using straight-ahead and pose-to-pose techniques.

2. Students will employ iterative hand-drawn animation methods to create animated scenes.

3. Students will observe, plan, and create rough animations, evaluating quality at each stage of the character
animation process.

4. Students will sketch character gestures, pose thumbnails and full-body acting studies to improve their overall
craftsmanship.

Schedule of Classes:

Key events including assignments, projects due dates/exam dates:

Pre-quarter PRE-QUARTER ASSIGNMENT: Present a written introduction of yourself along with

assignment: your best sketch/drawing, printed version only, on a single piece of paper (Figure
drawing, Cartoon Character, etc.). Will be handed at the beginning of the class period,
due on the first class, January 06, 2020.
Please do not get too complex with the drawing.

Class 1: PRE-QUARTER ASSIGNMENT DUE.

Mon,
January 6, 1. Introduction to the Principles used in animation and how the class will utilize
2020 the 12 Principles in the assignments. Review of class objectives set a standard for the
disciplines needed for animation.
2. Pre-test for Principles of 2D Animation.
3. Distribution of Animation materials that will be used throughout the course;
the Midterm study guide will be introduced.

Class 2: 1. Continued discussion of the 12 Principles of Animation for assignments.

Wed, 2. Lecture on using FlipBook software for scanning in traditional 2D animation drawings.
January 8, 3. Lecture and demonstration Assignment 1: Bouncing Ball Test (Due on class 4)
2020 This is the first animation test usually given to all potential animators in the animation industry.
Will begin utilizing the principles of Squash & Stretch, Staging,
Straight Ahead & Pose to Pose, Slow-in & Slow-out, Arcs, TIMING, Solid Drawing and Appeal.

Class 3: 1. - Lecture and handout of Assignment 2: Waving Flag Test (Due on class 6)
Mon, Flag test is to push the principle of Follow-Through & Overlapping Action. Other 12
January 13, Principles that will be used are Staging, Straight Ahead & Pose to Pose, Slow-in &
2020 Slow-out, Arcs, Secondary Action, Timing, Exaggeration, Solid Drawing and Appeal.
2.- Class DEMO of waving flag.
Professor will create a production-like atmosphere where professor will be the animator
animating the keys for the flag and the students will be the crew that will work on the breakdowns
and in-betweens.
3. If time allows then there will be work time and continued lecture for ASSIGNMENT 1.

Class 4: 1. Assignment 1: Bouncing Ball Test Due. The class as well as the professor will
Wed, participate in an in-class critique of each student's assignment.
January 15, In-class critique will take up most of the class period.
2020 2. If time allows then there will be work time and continued lecture for on ASSIGNMENT

Class 5: In recognition of Martin Luther King Day January 20, 2020 (Monday) SCAD will be closed.
Mon, Class will be made up on 24 January, 2020 (Friday)
January 20, Assignment due: 24 January, 2019 (Friday)
2020
1. Jan. 24 2020 - Assignment 2: Waving Flag Test Due. The class as well as the professor will
participate in an in-class critique of each student's assignment. In-class critique will take up
most of the class period.
2. If time allows then there will be work time and continued lecture for ASSIGNMENT 3.
3. Distribution of Mid-Term Test Study Guide as well as what is expected for the mid-term test.

Class 6: 1. Lecture and handout of Assignment 3: Bean Bag Actor Test (Due on class 8)
Wed, All 12 Principles will be used from this point on for the duration of the quarter; Squash &
January 22, Stretch, Anticipation, Staging, Straight Ahead & Pose to Pose, Follow-Through &
2020 Overlapping Action, Slow-in & Slow-out, Arcs, Secondary Action, Timing, Exaggeration,
Solid Drawing and Appeal.
2. Work time and continued lecture for ASSIGNMENT 2, any outstanding questions in
regards to the flag animation will be discussed with the class.
 Class 7: 1. Lecture and handout of Assignment 4: Walk Test (Due on class 11)
Mon, Fundamental animation techniques for two-legged walks, showing layering &
January 27, overlapping actions.
2020 A character model sheet of the professor's choosing will be given to the students.
All 12 Principles will be incorporated into the animation test.
2. If time allows then there will be work time and continued lecture for ASSIGNMENT 3.

Class 8: 1. Assignment 3: Bean Bag Actor Test Due. The class as well as the professor will participate
Wed, in an in-class critique of each student's assignment.
January 29, In-class critique will take up most of the class period.
2020 2. Further discussion of anatomy and animation design for Walk Test.
Any outstanding questions in regards to the Walk Test animation will be discussed with
the class.
3. If time allows then there will be work time and continued lecture for ASSIGNMENT 4.

Class 9: 1. Lecture and handout of Assignment 5: Frog Test (Due on class 12)
Mon, Continued study of Follow-Through & Overlapping Action for character animation. This
February 3, will be a part 2 for Follow-Through & Overlapping Action,
2020 the first part was based on a prop, and the second part will be based more for the
character. All 12 Principles will be incorporated into the animation test.
2. If time allows then there will be work time and continued lecture for ASSIGNMENT 4.

Class 10: 1. Assignment 6: Midterm Test - Written Midterm test. The test is a timed test for one hour,
Wed, which will consist of the definition 12 Principles of Animation.
February 5, 2. Lecture and handout of ASSIGNMENT 7: Character Model Sheet (Due on class 13)
2020 A discussion of the basic human anatomy for animators to better understand the
character development.Character Model sheet will be a primary model sheet which has the turn
around and structural breakdown of the character.
The student will create their own character design that will be carefully monitored by the
professor as to not get too complex.

Class 11: 1. - Post-review of Midterm test.

Mon, 2. - Assignment 4: Walk Test Due. The class as well as the professor will participate
February in an in-class critique of each student's assignment.
10, 2020
In-class critique will take up most of the class period.
3. - If time allows then there will be work time and continued lecture for ASSIGNMENT 5.

Class 12: 1. Assignment 5: Frog Test Due. The class as well as the professor will participate in
Wed, an in-class critique of each student's assignment.
February In-class critique will take up most of the class period.
12, 2020 2. If time allows then there will be work time and continued lecture for ASSIGNMENT 7.

Class 13: 1. ASSIGNMENT 7: Character Model Sheet Due. The student and the professor will
Mon, participate in a one-to-one critique of their Character Model Sheet and notes will be given
February to be used in the redo for a better working character in the final assignment.
17, 2020 In-class critique will take up most of the class period.

Class 14: 1. - Lecture and handout of Assignment 8: Final Animation Test (Due on class 20)
Wed, Lecture on final assignment with points of interest based on 12 Principles of Animation.
February All 12 Principles will be used: Squash & Stretch, Anticipation, Staging, Straight Ahead &
19, 2020 Pose to Pose, Follow-Through & Overlapping Action, Slow-in & Slow-out, Arcs,

Secondary Action,Timing, Exaggeration, Solid Drawing and Appeal.

The final is a test in which the student will make careful choices as to how the 12
Principles will be applied the animation.
2. - During the lecture there will be a discussion of the requirements for
thumbnails and acting session, which will be due the following class period.

3. Field Trip: Friday, February 21, 2020, 10am to 1pm, student will be required to visit the
Jen Library and view the Don Bluth animation art work.
Write a 200-word essay as to how the art work can be applied to future
works you may encounter in the animation field.
 The written essay will be turned in as a hard copy (Hand written or
printed) by next class period, Class 15 - February 24, 2020 to the professor.
There is no grade for the written essay.

Class 15: 1. - Submission of comprehensive thumbnails for Assignment 8 due.

Mon, The class as well as the professor will participate in an in-class critique of each student's
February choice of scenario they are going to use as their final animation test.
24, 2020 Each student will be required to act out the thumbnails for Assignment 8.
The acting session is mandatory. This will help the student understand the amount of time it will
take for the scenario they have chosen.
This will take up the entire class period.

2. - Written essay for the Don Bluth field trip due. There is no grade for the written essay.

Class 16: 1. Continued lecture and follow up of the thumbnails that had to be reworked on final
Wed, assignment, with points of interest based on 12 Principles of Animation.
February 2. During the lecture there will be a discussion in regards to proper usage of an animatic
26, 2020 that the animation industry uses.

3. Layout for Assignment 8 to be reviewed.

.

Class 17: 1. Continued lecture on final assignment with points of interest based on
Mon, March 12 Principles of Animation. During lecture directions will be given as to what will be needed
2, 2020 for the mandatory preview of the final that is due by the following class period.
2. Continued work time and continued lecture for ASSIGNMENT 8.

Class 18: 1. Mandatory Preview of Assignment 8. The class as well as the professor
Wed, March will participate in an in-class critique of each student's final assignment.
4, 2020 The full working animatic is required.
In-class critique will take up most of the class period.
The students have 1 week left to continue their final.
They will be encouraged to look towards their fellow students for advice and
suggestions to complete their final test.

Class 19: 1. Class will have the opportunity to bring to the professor’s attention any questions
Mon, March that they and their fellow students could not answer, as well as difficulties that are of
9, 2020 major concern.
2. Continued work time and continued lecture for ASSIGNMENT 8 (Final Test).

Class 20: Assignment 8: Final Animation Test Due.

Wed, March The class as well as the professor will participate in an-in class critique of each student's
11, 2020 final assignment. In-class critique will take up most of the class period.
No redo allowed for Final Assignment!

Grading Opportunities:
Your overall course grade will be computed according to the following breakdown:

Assignment Weight

1.) Bouncing Ball Test 10.00 percent

2.) Waving Flag Test 10.00 percent

3.) Bean Bag Actor Test 10.00 percent

4.) Walk Test 10.00 percent

5.) Frog test 10.00 percent

 6.) MID-TERM TEST 10.00 percent

7.) Character Model Sheet 10.00 percent

8.) Final Animation Test 30.00 percent

Total Weight 100 percent

Grading Standards Range

Letter grade: A = excellent 90 —100 %

Letter grade: B = good 80 — 89 %

Letter grade: C = * 70 — 79 %

Letter grade: D = * 60 — 69%

Letter grade: F = failing 0 — 59%

*Refer to the student handbooks and departmental standards for minimal acceptance for passing grade.

Course Information:

Field Trip(s):
Special field trips may be needed at times per the assignment requirements. Information as to when and
where will be given to the students prior to the field trip.
Field Trip: February 21, 2020, 10am to 1pm, student will be required to visit the Jen Library and view the Don Bluth
animation artwork.

Extra Help Session(s):

Friday, starting second week of the quarter from 9am to 1pm the professor will be available for open extra
help sessions. It is advised that student makes arrangements for a meeting with professor on extra help
sessions. Meeting place may be located in professor’s office, room 406 or located in room 307 on the 3rd
floor of Montgomery Hall.

Extended Learning Opportunities:

Mandatory townhall meeting: Friday, Jan. 17th, 9:00am at Trustees Theater. Card readers available. Students should
bring their SCAD ID.

SCAD Career Fair 2020. Friday, Feb. 21, 2020. Savannah Convention Center.

Kyra Schmidt exhibition: 'Earth, Matter, Paper.' Presents Kyra Schmidt’s signature camera-less photography. Ends on
Jan. 26, 2020. SCAD Museum of Art.

Christina Forrer exhibition: 'Feet of the Devil'. Selection of recent works by Swiss-born, Los Angeles-based artist
Christina Forrer. Ends on Jan. 12, 2020. SCAD Museum of Art.

Mark Wallinger exhibition: 'Mark Wallinger'. Solo exhibition by and about the artist presents a constellation of works
from 2003 to 2018. Ends on Jan. 12, 2020. SCAD Museum of Art.

Liu Jiakun exhibition: 'People Mountain People Sea – A Celebration of Everyday Life'. Exhibition by leading architect,
artist and writer Liu Jiakun. Ends on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. SCAD Museum of Art.

Group exhibition: 'Leather, Lace and Luster'. Installation of black evening wear from the SCAD Permanent Collection.
Ends on Jan. 25, 2020. SCAD Museum of Art.
Other Course Information:
Conference (s): Each student enrolled in the course will have on going conferences throughout the course, that will be
scheduled outside of class time with the professor. Students are welcome to schedule appointments but are expected to
keep their appointments.

Course Materials:

Required Text(s):
Williams, R. (2012). The animators survival kit. London: Faber and Faber. ISBN-13: 978-0571202287, ISBN-10:
0571202284

Recommended Text(s):
1 - Thomas, F., & Johnston, O. (1981). The illusion of life: Disney animation. New York: Disney Editions.
ISBN-10:0786860707, ISBN-13: 978-0786860708

2 - Loomis, A. (2012). Successful drawing. London: Titan Books. ISBN-10: 0857687611, ISBN-13: 978-0857687616

3 - Bancroft, T. (2008). Creating characters with personality. New York: Watson-Guptill. ISBN-13: 978-0823023493,
ISBN-10: 0823023494

Required Material(s):
(Due from second class onward) sketchbook, graphite pencils, blue and red pencils, white plastic eraser, one ream of 12
field animation bond paper (may have to use 2).

University Policies:
Academic Integrity:
Under all circumstances, students are expected to be honest in their dealings with faculty, administrative staff and other
students.
In class assignments, students must submit work that fairly and accurately reflects their level of accomplishment. Any work
that is not a product of the student's own efforts is considered dishonest. Students must not engage in academic
dishonesty; doing so can have serious consequences.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Cheating, which includes, but is not limited to, (a) the giving or receiving of any unauthorized assistance in producing
assignments or taking quizzes, tests or examinations; (b) dependence on the aid of sources including technology beyond
those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems or carrying out other assignments;
(c) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the university faculty
or staff; or (d) the use of unauthorized assistance in the preparation of works of art.
2. Plagiarism, which includes, but is not limited to, the use, by paraphrase or direct quotation, of the published or
unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgment. Plagiarism also includes the unacknowledged
use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic materials.
3. Submission of the same work in two or more classes without prior written approval of the professors of the classes
involved.
4. Submission of any work not actually produced by the student submitting the work without full and clear written
acknowledgement of the actual author or creator of the work.
Attendance and Personal Conduct:
Only students who are properly registered for a course may attend and participate in that class. Students are expected to
attend and participate in all scheduled classes and examination periods. Absences in excess of four class periods per
quarter, or 20 percent of the course, result in the student receiving a failing grade for the course. Tardiness, early
departure or other time away from class in excess of 15 minutes per class session is considered absence for the class session.
The student's appearance and conduct should be appropriate and should contribute to the academic and professional
atmosphere of SCAD. The university reserves the right at its sole discretion to withdraw the privilege of enrollment from
any student whose conduct is detrimental to the academic environment or to the well-being of other students, faculty or
staff members, or to the university facilities.
Enrollment policies:
Students are responsible for assuring proper enrollment. See the SCAD catalog for information on add/drop, withdrawals,
incompletes, and academic standing.
Midterm Conference(s):
Each student enrolled in the course will have a midterm conference scheduled outside of class time with the professor.
Students are expected to keep this appointment.
Academic Support and Tutoring:
Academic support for students at all SCAD locations can be found in MySCAD, under the Student Workspace tab,
Department Directory, Academic Resources.
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accommodations from Counseling and Student Support Services (CS3) are encouraged to provide their letter of approved
accommodations to faculty in classes in which they are enrolled as soon as possible, as only students who provide the
letter are eligible for accommodations. Students who have not yet established services through CS3 and have a
documented disability that may require academic accommodations are encouraged to contact CS3 as soon as possible
since timely notice is needed to coordinate accommodations. CS3 staff will evaluate the request with required
documentation, recommend reasonable accommodations, and prepare a letter of approved accommodations for students
to provide to faculty dated in the current quarter in which the request is being made. Students may contact CS3 at
accommodations@scad.edu or 912-525-6971.
Course Evaluations:
SCAD offers students the opportunity to evaluate all scheduled courses during each quarter term. Student feedback is
essential to continuously improve academic services at SCAD. Evaluations will be available the end of each quarter at the
beginning of Week 8 and must be completed online by the Monday following Week 10. A sample course evaluation for
on-ground courses is available here.
In order to access course evaluations, the student should take the following steps:
1. Log on to MySCAD
2. Click on the Student Workspace Tab
3. Locate the Course Evaluations link under My Courses channel
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For more information or questions, contact us at evaluations@scad.edu.
Student Surveys:
Students are strongly encouraged to provide feedback on their university experience through SCAD’s institutional surveys.
The SCAD Student Survey and the Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory will both be administered in spring quarter.
SCAD Student Survey will be emailed to every student’s email account starting in Week 1. The Noel-Levitz Student
Satisfaction Inventory will be administered on paper during Week 4 of spring quarter. SCAD’s office of institutional
effectiveness is responsible for gathering and delivering survey results to decision-makers on campus. For more
information or questions, contact us at surveys@scad.edu.