KNB115 3D Character Animation
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | KNB115 |
|---|---|
| Assumed Knowledge: | Foundational understanding of animation principles, including timing, spacing, weight and motion, supported by an awareness of how these principles are applied and interpreted within animation and experience in creating simple animated sequences. |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KNB115 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Foundational understanding of animation principles, including timing, spacing, weight and motion, supported by an awareness of how these principles are applied and interpreted within animation and experience in creating simple animated sequences. |
| Coordinator: | Michael Linhart | michael.linhart@qut.edu.au |
Overview
Building on your understanding of animation principles and constructed motion, this unit focuses on body mechanics and how movement communicates character. You will explore how animators move beyond functional motion to create expressive performances that reveal personality, intention and emotion. Through the analysis of animated characters from historical and contemporary works, you will investigate how posture, timing, gesture and body language shape how animated characters move and behave. Practical exercises will build your ability to create believable movements and challenge you to experiment with characterised movement, transforming simple actions such as walk cycles into expressive animated performances that express mood, attitude and intention. By the end of the unit, you will develop the skills needed to create believable character-driven animation, where movement is shaped not only by mechanics but by the motivations and emotions of the character.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse real-world movement and animated performances in relation to principles of body mechanics and character animation
- Apply principles of body mechanics to construct believable animated motion, demonstrating control of weight, force, balance and momentum in 3D animation.
- Translate mechanical motion into expressive characterisation, using posture, gesture, timing and movement to communicate personality, intention and emotion.
- Develop animated sequences through iterative processes of blocking, refinement and feedback, demonstrating problem-solving and critical evaluation of performance.
- Reflect on animation processes and outcomes, demonstrating awareness of creative decision-making, audience interpretation and ethical considerations in character representation.
Content
The content of this unit focuses on the theory and practice of body mechanics and characterisation in 3D animation. It includes the study of forces, weight, balance and momentum, and how these elements are used to construct believable animated motion. The unit examines the transition from mechanical movement to expressive performance, with a focus on how posture, timing, gesture and body language communicate character, intention and emotion.
The content explores the analysis of animated performances and real-world movement, including how character behaviour is shaped by motivation and context. It also introduces core animation workflows and methodologies used in 3D animation, such as reference gathering, motion analysis, blocking, key pose development, inbetweening and refinement.
Practical components include the creation of animation studies and sequences that apply body mechanics within animated forms, progressing toward characterised movement. The content supports the translation of observation into animation and the development of movement that conveys personality and narrative intent.
The unit also supports critical and creative thinking in animation practice, including iterative problem-solving, refinement through feedback and understanding how technical and creative decisions influence character performance within contemporary animation production.
The ethical and practical applications of Gen-AI are openly discussed with you as part of content delivery. In this unit, you will explore the methods and considerations involved in using Gen-AI as part of an evolving academic writing and communication toolset. Gen-AI tools are positioned as supplementary to, not replacements for, core 3D character animation production methods, and should be engaged with only after a firm understanding of key principles and techniques has been established.
Learning Approaches
Learning is facilitated through lectures and workshops that focus on the theoretical foundations of body mechanics and characterisation in animation. Lectures introduce key concepts such as weight, balance, force, momentum and the relationship between movement and character, while workshops support discussion, analysis and critique of how these ideas underpin animated performance and how animators construct expressive movement from observed action.
Across the semester, lectures and workshops progressively support an increasing focus on animation production. Lectures continue to frame and contextualise core principles, while workshops provide structured, guided opportunities to apply these ideas through animation exercises. Within workshops, you will develop and refine characterised movement using 3D animation techniques, with an emphasis on iteration, feedback, problem-solving and technical development.
The unit emphasises a strong conceptual understanding of how movement communicates character, with tutorial-based practical activities used to test, apply and extend theoretical principles through the creation of expressive animated sequences.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- comments on summative assessment work
- comments during in-class discussion
- criteria sheet grading.
You will also be encouraged to develop collaborative peer feedback approaches.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, you will develop a strong connection between animation theory and the practical creation of expressive character movement in 3D animation. The three assessments are designed to progressively build your conceptual and technical understanding of how movement communicates character and emotion. In the first assessment, you will analyse animated performances, examining how posture, timing, gesture and body language contribute to believable character behaviour in both historical and contemporary animation. This task focuses on developing your understanding of how animators use movement to communicate meaning. In the second assessment, you will explore forces and body mechanics through a series of short animated sequences and motion studies. You will investigate how weight, balance, momentum and timing influence movement, applying animation principles to develop believable and expressive motion. In the final assessment, you will apply these principles through the creation of a short 3D animation. Building on your understanding of body mechanics and performance, you will transform a simple action into characterised movement that communicates personality, mood and intention. Throughout the semester, tutorials provide opportunities for critique and discussion, where you will present work-in-progress animations for feedback and refinement. Formative feedback will support your development of both conceptual understanding and practical animation skills.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Character Movement Analysis
In this video case study, you will analyse how animators use movement to communicate character and emotion. Drawing on examples from historical and contemporary animation, you will examine how posture, timing, gesture and body language contribute to believable character performance. Your analysis will explore how animators move beyond mechanical motion to create expressive animated behaviour.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Movement and Body Mechanics
In this assessment, you will engage in weekly class activities that explore key concepts of body mechanics and characterisation in 3D animation, including weight, balance, momentum, timing, posture and gesture. Through guided exercises and practical experimentation, you will investigate how these principles inform believable character movement. Active Engagement in tutorial discussions and critiques, where you will present work-in-progress studies and reflect on how animation principles shape your approach to movement. At various points during the semester, you will be asked to discuss and evaluate your work and the work of others, contributing to a shared understanding of how animators construct motion and performance. You are expected to come prepared for tutorials, engage in peer discussion and critique, and demonstrate an understanding of how body mechanics and animation principles influence character-driven movement.
The ethical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is authorised in this assessment. See the relevant assessment details in Canvas for specific guidelines.
Assessment: Characterised Motion Study
In this assessment you will apply key principles of character animation through the creation of a short 3D animation. Drawing on concepts of locomotion, body mechanics and animated performance explored in the unit, you will transform a simple action such as a walk or movement cycle into a characterised animation. The project focuses on applying animation theory in practice to create believable character movement that communicates personality, mood and intention through timing, posture and gesture.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement).
You will be advised if you are required to complete a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio, or a Tier 3 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery.
This unit involves substantial computer-based work. You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work, and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
Costs
In this unit you may be required to use a WACOM CINTIQ tablet pen (approx. $170). (Staff will advise on suitable version/model in Week 1.) There are a limited number of pens supplied but students are advised to purchase their own.
Resources
Refer to the unit's Canvas Learning Resources for links to additional learning materials.
24-hour labs are accessible - on campus – during term time.
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Thomas, F., & Johnston, O. (1981). Disney animation: The illusion of life. Los Angeles, CA: Disney Editions.
Williams, R. (2012). The animator's survival kit: a manual of methods, principles and formulas for classical, computer, games, stop motion and internet animators. Macmillan.
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Every effort is made by QUT staff to ensure that you work in a safe environment. Conversely, you are expected to follow all safety rules, procedures and directions, and to ensure that you do not put at risk the safety of others, or yourself, or of the highest artistic fulfilment of the project in any way.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts
- Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Character Movement Analysis, Movement and Body Mechanics, Characterised Motion Study - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Character Movement Analysis, Movement and Body Mechanics, Characterised Motion Study - Demonstrate technical proficiency and a knowledge of contemporary digital practices and technologies in one or more disciplines and apply these in creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Character Movement Analysis, Movement and Body Mechanics, Characterised Motion Study - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO5, Character Movement Analysis, Movement and Body Mechanics, Characterised Motion Study - Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO2, Character Movement Analysis, Movement and Body Mechanics, Characterised Motion Study - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Character Movement Analysis, Movement and Body Mechanics, Characterised Motion Study - Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Character Movement Analysis, Movement and Body Mechanics, Characterised Motion Study - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
Relates to: ULO5, Character Movement Analysis, Movement and Body Mechanics, Characterised Motion Study - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO3, Character Movement Analysis, Movement and Body Mechanics, Characterised Motion Study
IN05 Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments
- Demonstrate broad knowledge of games and interactive environments principles and theory, with an in-depth knowledge of one games-related discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, Movement and Body Mechanics - Apply creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to generate solutions to design challenges.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Character Movement Analysis - Collaborate effectively in transdisciplinary teams to achieve shared goals and to manage projects in professional contexts.
Relates to: Characterised Motion Study - Critically reflect on social, ethical, cultural, legal and accessibility issues in the context of games and interactive environments, including as they relate to First Nations Australians.
Relates to: ULO3 - Evidence the development of your learning, professional capabilities and skills through creating a curated portfolio of work.
Relates to: Character Movement Analysis, Movement and Body Mechanics, Characterised Motion Study