Portland State University Fall 2020 Instructor: Laura Di Trapani

Course # Art 399 Office hrs: tba

Tues. and Thurs. 9:00-11:50 email: ditrapan@pdx.edu

2D Animation-Syllabus
If it moves, it’s ALIVE!
“Movement is the outer (physical) result of inner (mental) impulses.”

You will develop animation skills using the Adobe 2D vector animation program
‘Animate’ (formerly known as Flash). Emphasis is on using traditional methods of
single frame animation as well as the tools unique to Adobe Animate (CC) in order to
create 2D animated short films. We’l be exploring basic principles of animation, timing,
movement and editing. Consideration will also be given to design, color and sound.
Although the focus of this class is to produce full resolution broadcast quality video, we
will also discuss image optimization and file size- as needed for delivery on the web.
We will screen and discuss many films made by independent artists using a wide
variety of techniques.
The final project for each student (or team) will be a finished short coherent and
cohesive animated film (narrative or experimental) 2-3 minutes in length.

Course Objectives:
1. Learn to navigate within the Animate program CC Cloud) environment and use
the tools to create convincing, and engaging animation.
2 - Learn to conceptualize and render ideas into a visual medium.
3 - Develop skills in basic animation principles (timing, movement, weight and
balance).
4 - Develop a more discerning eye and sophisticated appreciation of the animated
art form.

There is NO required text for this class. I will be giving you many technical
‘how-to’ hand-outs that will supplement the class assignments. Other hand-outs I
give are more conceptual and theoretical in nature. These are just as important for
you to read and digest as the technical ones! I expect you to seek out additional
information as you may need from the many sites and tutorials on the web ( there
are some good links given in the syllabus.

We will use Zoom for virtual meetings at the normal scheduled dates and
times listed for this class. In the D2L 2D Animation site menu bar go to:
People - Zoom Meetings. In there you will see every class that is scheduled and
the url to go to for each session.
 The url for our Tuesday meeting is
Join URL: https://pdx.zoom.us/j/92612828612

Thursday meeting is:

Join URL: https://pdx.zoom.us/j/94842308287

Your use of Zoom is governed by the Acceptable Use Policy and PSU’s Student Code of Conduct.
A record of all meetings and recordings is kept and stored by PSU, in accordance with the
Acceptable Use Policy and FERPA. Individual use and distribution of recording is limited to
academic purposes.

****************Accessing Course material:

You have two choices. A Google Drive folder exists for hand-outs as well as
handing in assignments. Here’s the link.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1RJV7YcBx4_uolF4R70q8HgZZ-FsW6z_f?usp=sharing

The course material for this class is also available on the school’s D2L site.
https://d2l.pdx.edu
You will find the syllabus, instructional hand-outs, required readings, demonstration
files, homework assignments, links to films in BOTH places .
The best place to go is the Google Drive…..(I can create subfolders for individual files that
D2L doesn’t allow).
Hand In you assignments to the GoogleDrive folder.

Inside the Google drive ‘Hand-In’ folder there are two sub folders. A
“Hand in here” folder and a “Reviewed Assignments” folder.
Put your files only in the “Hand in here” folder.
********
SAVE EARLY AND SAVE OFTEN

File naming convention: Write the file name (title), then underscore and your first initial,
period and last name. Do not leave spaces. This can be a problem when importing
swfs into other programs.
Example: Wonderlights_ L.DiTrapani.mov

Grading Criteria:
Note: you will NOT be judged on your drawing abilities. Rather, your grade will reflect your ability to
master the animation techniques presented in class in order to achieve convincing movement,
proper scene construction, clarity of subject matter and creative design within the Adobe Animate
program.

- 1 point is given for each class that you attend (10% of final grade).
-There are five In-class / homework projects (40% of final grade).
-There will be an In-class Mid term project - graded on completion,
effort, and quality- (20% of final grade).
- Final Project- consisting of film treatment, storyboards and a
minimum 2 minute sound animation- graded on completion, effort, and
demonstrated understanding of animation techniques- (30% of final
grade).
See further down in this syllabus for the assignment check list specifics.

Grades are determined by completion of in-class / homework

assignments, skills acquired, personal expression and dedication to
learning subject matter.
************************************

Week 1 – Sept. 29 & Oct. 1 Animation principles: increments, distance and

speed, squash/stretch and weight etc.
Introduction to the Flash interface. -composition settings, tools, stage, time
line, onion skinning …key frames, objects vs symbols and instances, shape and
motion tweens, edit mode.
In class: A: Write your name. B: Creating convincing ball animation. Project #1:-
The Three balls. Using principles discussed in class, make one ball behave as if
made of rubber, another as if it is made of stone, and the last one as if it is full of air.
Put the balls in an environment and add sound effects.
Homework :Complete Ball exercise. DUE THURSDAY OCT 15th.
Watch this:
http://ed.ted.com/lessons/animation-basics-the-art-of-timing-and-spacing-ted-ed. 6:42
Timing and spacing is what separates a slide show from a truly amazing
animation. TED-Ed demonstrates, by manipulating various bouncing balls, how
the smallest adjustments from frame to frame can make all the difference.

Week 2 - Oct. 6 & 8 (Ball exercise due Oct. 15)

Creating a sense of space & perspective - part 1
Symbols, Instances, layers and Edit Mode. Also: Importing Bit maps.
Review week one, work with layers, key frames, anchor points and instance
properties.
Animation principles II: timing. and balance.
Discussion: Collage animation Working with Bit map images
In class. - Panning and creating depth. Project #2:- Desert Pan / ET visitation
Homework: Work on Desert Pan exercise. DUE THURSDAY OCT 22th.
Read hand-out : Narrative Deconstruction
Week 3 – Oct. 13 & 15 (Desert Pan exercise due Oct. 22th )
Creating depth cont.
Animation principles: Pacing, repeating cycles
In class: Continue Pan.
Discussion: Concept development and Storyboarding!
Homework: Continue with Pan project # 2 DUE THURS. OCT 22.

Week 4 –Oct. 20 & 22 (Desert Pan due Oct. 22 ).

Creating a sense of space & perspective
Motion Guides, animated symbols, cycles and masks.
Animation principles: Pacing, repeating cycles
In class: Finish Pan., Start Project # 3- Rotating Planet & Satellite
Discussion: Project #5-Writing a Concept Treatment and storyboards for final project.
Homework: Continue work on Project # 3- Rotating Planet & Satellite (due Oct 29)
Begin concept development for your final project.

Week 5 – Oct. 27 & 29. (Rotating Planet due Oct. 29 ).

Character animation- walk cycle
Walk cycles - Walk in place, walking forward, repeating cycles
Animation principles: Anticipation, Follow through, Weight and Balance.
In class: Continue / finish Project # 3- Rotating Planet & Satellite
Start Project #4 - Create a character & make him/her/it walk.
Discussion: Showing personality in a walk.
Homework: Construct all your character body parts and have them distributed in
layers and ready to animate in the timeline.

Week 6 – Nov. 3 & 5. ( Basic Walk Cycle due Nov 5th, Project treatment and SBs due
Nov. 12th ).
Character animation- walk cycle part 2
Walk/Stop/Modify etc. Create a composite animation of previous assignments,
add sound effects?
In Class: continue walking characters- giving them personality.
Discussion: the advantages of making an animatic.
Homework: Character Walk/ stop/ respond (due Nov. 12)
Project treatment and SBs due Nov. 12th ).
Prepare for midterm exam.
Week 7 – Nov. 10 & 12 Project treatment and SBs due Nov. 12th ).
In class mid term - You will be working with animated symbols, classic tweening,
layers, bitmaps, and motion guides. You will create a scene containing your perfected
walk cycle.
Homework: - Contemplate your final project- Start building scenes.

Week 8 - Nov. 17 & 19

Review Mid Term. Begin work on final projects
Importing and editing sound files. A brief lesson on the use of sound editing software.
In class: How to build a scene in Flash
Individual consultation. Incorporate composition, optimization and sound concerns in lay out
of final project. Work on final projects/ trouble shoot.
In class work on final project -focusing on composition, movement, timing issues
Homework: Final project.
Discussion: addressing your concerns.

Week 9 – Nov. 24
Export file formats
Discussion: How to get your movie out of Flash and into the world.

Nov. 26- no class Happy Thanksgiving

Week 10 Dec. 1 & 3

Work
Week 11 Submit Final project Thursday Dec. 10th
Submit projects to the Google Drive by 8 a.m. (See below for specifics).
We will screen everyone’s work, critique, discuss and clap.

Final Project requirements

Your final project must make use of most of the techniques you have learned in class.
Also:
1. At some point, and in some manner you must incorporate an animated
environmental element into the design and animation of your piece. Choices include
wind, water, fire, smoke or organic growth (the unfurling of a fern frond or a butterfly
that emerges from a pupae would be two examples)
2. Your final animation must contain a sound track with at least 3 synced sound
effects. I will provide a library of sound effects to choose from or you may use your
own.
 You may also use a selection from a music CD but please credit the source(s) in the
end credits.

The grading rubric for all assignments as well as the final project will be based
on completion of projects and demonstrated understanding of the Flash animation
concepts and tools. I will assess your ability to compose sequential images and scenes
in the creation of a coherent experience for the viewer. I will also take into
consideration the level of dedication and inventiveness that your work exhibits.

Technical specifics:
Image size: 960 x 540 Frames per second: 24
Length of film: 2 minutes is about the minimum acceptable length. Much
depends on the complexity of your work in terms of techniques used and skill level
demonstrated in creating a complete, and coherent film concept.
You must have a title and end credits (including credit for any music tracks
used).

CONCEPT: level of thoughtful consideration, clear and descriptive

premise,
INVENTIVENESS: story / idea development, character design (if
any), personality and timing
LOGISTICS: understanding of animation principles of movement,
visual coherence and
continuity

Please submit your Project as a MP4. file AND SWF. I also

want the master FLA. Project file. Put all three in a folder with
your name and put them into the ‘Hand-In to Di Trapani’ folder
in the Google Drive Hand In folder.

Final Project check list:

Incorporation of ( at least ) one environmental visual effect.
Use of (at least) 3 sync sounds.
Title and end credits.
Two minutes in length (at least).
Animation class assignment check list:
1. The Personality of a ball (rubber, lead and helium). (5%) due: Oct. 15
2. Desert Pan. (5%) due: Oct .22
3. Planet Rotation. (5%) due: Oct. 29
4. Basic Character walk. (5%) due: Nov. 5
5. Mid Term in class (20%) due: Nov. 10
6. Walk & Response (10%) due: Nov.12
7. Final Project Concept treatment &storyboards. (10%) due: Nov.12
8. Final Project –An animated movie! (30%) due: Dec. 12
9. Attendance (10%)

Animation Titles (a short list):

Method and Technique:
* TRADIGITAL ANIMATE CC by Stephen Brooks
12 Principles of Animation in Adobe Animate - Focal Press
ANIMATION FROM PENCILS TO PIXELS by Tony White
Classical Techniques for digital animators - Focal Press
ANIMATOR’S NOTEBOOK by Tony White
Personal observations on the principles of movement
Focal Press ISBN: 978-0-240-81307-3
THE ANIMATIOR’S SURVIVAL KIT by Richard Williams
A Manual of methods, principles and formulas for classical, games, stop motion and
internet animators Faber & Faber ISBN 0-571-20228
HOW TO CHEAT IN ADOBE ANIMATE CC by Myra Ferguson & Chris Geogenes
The Art of Design and Animation - Focal Press
Specific projects to learn Animate program animation techniques.
UNDERSTANDING COMICS, by Scott McCloud
Harper Collins ISBN: 0-06-097625-X
This book is written specifically for the graphic novel but is also applicable to the theory and
practice of film/animation and storytelling in general.

History:
Hollywood Cartoons: American Animation in Its Golden Age by Michael Barrier
Animation Art: From Pencil to Pixel, The History of Cartoon, Anime & CGI by Jerry Beck
Cartoons: One Hundred Years of Cinema Animation. by Giannalberto Bendazzi
Before Mickey 1898-1928. by Donald Crafton
Hollywood Flatlands: Animation Critical Theory & the Avant Garde. by Leslie Esther
Anime: Experiencing Contemporary Japanese Animation by Susan J. Napier
Of Mice & Men-A History of American Animated Cartoons. by Leonard Maltin
Understanding Animation by Paul Wells

Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty, and the

Disability Resource Center. Students with accommodations approved through the DRC
are responsible for contacting me prior to or during the first week of the term to
discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations
but who have not yet obtained approval through the DRC should contact the DRC
immediately.

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discrimination and sexual harassment (sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and gender or
sex-based harassment and stalking). If you have experienced any form of gender or sex-based
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and more. Information about PSU’s support services on campus, including confidential services and
reporting options, can be found on PSU’s Sexual Misconduct Prevention and Response website at:
http://www.pdx.edu/sexual-assault/get-help or you may call a confidential IPV Advocate at
503-725-5672. You may report any incident of discrimination or discriminatory harassment,
including sexual harassment, to either the Office of Equity and Compliance or the Office of the
Dean of Student Life.
Please be aware that all PSU faculty members and instructors are required to report information of
an incident that may constitute prohibited discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual
violence. This means that if you tell me about a situation of sexual harassment or sexual violence
that may have violated university policy or student code of conduct, I have to share the information
with my supervisor, the University’s Title IX Coordinator or the Office of the Dean of Student Life.
For more information about Title IX please complete the required student module Creating a Safe
Campus in your D2L.