Animation: core principles

About this course

The course introduces principles used to create flowing movement, convincing physics, coherent narratives, and considered characters and environments. Learners work from foundational ideas, applying them through short animation exercises that can inform projects in different media. Teaching combines brief explanations and demonstrations with extended class activities. Suggested reading, book extracts, and short films illustrate the principles covered between lessons, with the supporting material supplied by the tutor.

What you'll learn

• Explain core principles that contribute to movement and physical believability in animation
• Create short animations using the principles introduced in class
• Apply foundational animation principles to future projects in different media
• Identify how animation principles can influence characters, environments, and narrative design

Is this course right for you?

This course is intended for beginners and develops its subject from the ground up. A basic understanding of cameras and computers may be useful for some exercises, but the source states that it is not essential. Most sessions involve working independently on an exercise after an introduction and demonstration.

• Basic familiarity with cameras and computers may be advantageous, but is not essential
• Learners should expect to spend most of each class working on animation activities

Before you go

• Everything needed for the course is provided by the tutor and City Lit.
• Suggested reading, book extracts, and short films are provided for study between lessons.