KNB135 Animation Aesthetics

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit introduces basic to medium level techniques of 3D character animation by investigating the fundamental principles, concepts and approaches to body mechanics and character performance. The focus is on developing an understanding of methodology, planning and execution in order to achieve a sense of physicality and believability. When creating animated content for production, it is important to develop a solid methodology that allows an animator to work quickly and creatively while maintaining an acceptable level of quality. Being able to take direction and creatively respond to a brief while finding the best way to communicate an idea to an audience is a core skill that takes time to develop. The core communication skills of illustration, motion, blocking and layout follow industry standards in pre-production and are required for the generation and presentation of ideas, as well as the exploration of form and character.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate principles of animation and mechanics of motion as applied to 3D characters and objects.
2. Communicate the personality of a character through motion, gesture and expression.
3. Plan and animate a simple performance in response to recorded audio track.
4. Apply knowledge and skills to constructive critiques of projects for the purposes of critical reflection and iterative design.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will incorporate studio problem-based learning, supported by a series of lectures and readings covering the theoretical and technical aspects of 3D graphics and production. During the studio sessions you will build upon the readings and lectures content through a series of practical exercises and production problems.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will receive formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and studio discussions throughout the semester.

Additionally feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:

• criteria sheet grading of summative pieces
• comments on summative assessment outcomes in addition to criteria sheets via in class discussions and/or QUT Canvas
• general comments back to the cohort via QUT Canvas and within classes.

Assessment

Overview

To access the Creative Industries Faculty Assessment Information see the Canvas site for this unit.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Animation Foundations

Using object-type character rigs and employing the 12 principles of animation, you are to animate a series of 3D character actions, investigating posing, weight, balance, believability of motion and overall action appeal. This assignment explores the foundations of animation, applying theoretical animation concepts to practice. You will also provide a blog to document your demonstrated understanding of applying animation theory to practice.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Body Mechanics

Using humanoid character rigs and employing the 12 principles of animation, you are to animate a series of 3D character actions, investigating posing, weight, balance, believability of motion and overall action appeal. You will also construct a video essay as a critical reflection of your animations.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

All students and staff are required to complete the Tier 1 CIF General Health and Safety Induction for access to campus buildings and facilities. This must be completed online.

There are no out of the ordinary risks for this unit.

Course Learning Outcomes

IN05 Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments

1. Apply creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to generate solutions to design challenges.
   Relates to: ULO2, Animation Foundations, Body Mechanics
2. Create engaging and meaningful games experiences for specific target audiences in partnership with diverse industry and community stakeholders using industry-relevant software and technologies..
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, Animation Foundations, Body Mechanics
3. 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: ULO4, Body Mechanics
4. Evidence the development of your learning, professional capabilities and skills through creating a curated portfolio of work.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Animation Foundations, Body Mechanics

KK34 Bachelor of Fine Arts

1. Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
   Relates to: ULO4
2. Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
3. Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4
4. Demonstrate technical proficiency in at least one area of your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3
5. Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
   Relates to: ULO4
6. Discern, critically analyse and synthesise knowledge in complex creative practice settings.
   Relates to: ULO2, ULO3