Schedule
This schedule maps out what we are covering in class each week and what work we are starting that day. It is very subject to change as we go along in class.
If you want to know what is due for next class, check here.
January 27 — Week 1
In our first week we will go over the framework for the class, meet each other, and make a gif.
Lessons
- 1.1: Introduction
- 1.2: Gifs
Starting
- E1: dot gif
- P1: Moving Poster
February 3 — Week 2
Motion projects take thought and planning to execute well. This week we will cover the process of storyboarding, creating concept boards, and cover other parts of the planning process. We will also show some moving poster examples.
Lessons
- 2.1: Planning for Motion (Shots, Storyboards, Concept Boards, Animatics)
- 2.2: The Moving Poster
Starting
- E2: Making a Plan
Digital References
- School of Motion: What Are Animatics, and Why Are They Important?
- Studio Binder: Every Shot Size Explained
February 10 — Week 3
After Effects is a complex and powerful program which we will only start to understand in this class. This week we will introduce the After Effects interface and the primary tools used creating motion.
Class
- 3.1: What is Motion Design?
- 3.2: After Effects Tour
- 3.3: Position, Scale, Opacity, Rotation
Starting
- E3: Poster Animation
Digital References
- Adobe: Get to Know After Effects
- Adobe: Work with Compositions
- School of Motion: 3 Pro Tips for After Effects Beginners
- School of Motion: 30 Essential Keyboard Shortcuts in After Effects
February 17 — Week 4
Taking our knowledge a little further we will talk about the 12 Principles of Animation and cover null objects and parenting which allow us to group pieces and animate them as a unit.
Class
- 4.1: 12 Principles of Animation
- 4.2: Null Objects and Parenting
Starting
- E4: Sound and Motion
- P2: Obstructions
Digital References
- Disney: The 12 Principles of Animation as Illustrated Through Disney and Pixar Films
- Alan Becker Tutorials: 12 Principles of Animation
- Adobe: Control Animation of Multiple Layers with Parenting
February 24 — Week 5
The two topics covered this week are important for any motion project. Cuts and transitions allow the story to move from one scene to the next and the graph editor. The graph editor is a way for us to more precisely control motion in After Effects.
Class
- 5.1: Cuts and Transitions
- 5.2: Graph Editor
Starting
- E5: Type in Motion
Digital References
- School of Motion: Six Essential Motion Design Transitions
- School of Motion: Using the Graph Editor in After Effects
- School of Motion: Intro to the Graph Editor in After Effects
- Adobe: Build Custom Transitions
- Adobe: Create Dynamic Movement Between Keyframes with the Graph Editor
- RocketJump Film School Cuts & Transitions 101
March 3 — Week 6
We dive a little deeper into After Effects this week looking at some animation techniques and reviewing masks and mattes.
Class Lessons
- 6.1: Animating Shapes and Trim Paths
- 6.2: Masks and Mattes
Starting
- E6: Bouncing Ball
Digital References
- School of Motion: How to Use Masks in After Effects
- School of Motion: Exaggerate Animation with Squash and Stretch
- School of Motion: Squash and Stretch in After Effects
- Adobe: Animate an Object to Follow Along a Path
March 10 — Week 7
Our After Effects training has generally come to an end this week and we start to begin the final project. This week we will cover ideas about title sequences, kinetic type, and broadcast packages.
Class Lessons
- 7.1: Title Sequences
- 7.2: Kinetic Type
- 7.3: Broadcast Package
Starting
- P3: Something in Motion
Digital References
- Adobe: Make Text Write Itself
- School of Motion: Create a Write-On Effect in After Effects
- School of Motion: How to Create Morphing Letters in After Effects
- School of Motion: Motion Design in Real Life
March 17 — Week 8
No class, Spring Break!
March 24 — Week 9
Individual meetings this week to present your final project beginnings.
Lessons
- Individual Meetings
March 31 — Week 10
Logo reveals can add a lot of energy to a simple logo by bringing in a bit of motion. This week we will find some examples and create our own.
Lessons
- 8.1: Logo Reveals
Starting
- E7: Logo Reveal
Digital References
- Adobe: Animate a Title Reveal
April 7 — Week 11
Come to class ready to work with your best ideas. This week you will create a video in class and we will screen them all at the end.
April 14 — Week 12
Individual meetings this week to look at your projects.
Lessons
- Individual meetings
April 21 — Week 13
Group meetings to discuss your projects. For an out of class activity watch the tutorials below on expressions and complete E9.
Lessons
- 9.1: Expressions (look at Digital Resources)
- Group Meetings
Starting
- E8: Wash, Rinse, Repeat
Digital References
- School of Motion: After Effects Expressions 101
- School of Motion: Amazing Expressions in After Effects
- School of Motion: How to Use the Loop Expression in After Effects
April 28 — Week 14
Group critique to discuss your projects.
Lessons
- Group critique
May 5 — Week 15
The final week to review any odds and ends.
May 12 — Week 16
Final critiques.