KNB210 Animation Project Development
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: | KNB210 |
|---|---|
| Assumed Knowledge: | Applying animation principles/characterisation supported by a theoretical understanding of animation practice. Understanding of how 3D characters are constructed for animation. Understanding of real-time 3d animation production is of benefit. |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2027, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KNB210 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Applying animation principles/characterisation supported by a theoretical understanding of animation practice. Understanding of how 3D characters are constructed for animation. Understanding of real-time 3d animation production is of benefit. |
Overview
Creating believable animated characters requires more than convincing movement. In this unit, you will explore how animators craft expressive character performances that communicate thought, emotion and intention. Building on your understanding of characterised movement, you will investigate how body language, facial animation, timing and acting choices combine to create characters that audiences connect with emotionally. Through animation theory and iconic examples, you will examine how animators balance expression and believability in animated performance, including how audiences respond to realistic or stylised characters. You will apply these ideas through practical exercises that focus on character performance, including facial animation and contemporary approaches such as real-time animation and performance capture. By the end of the unit, you will develop the skills and conceptual understanding needed to create compelling animation driven by motivation and intent.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Analyse animated performances and acting methodologies to understand how thought, emotion and intention are constructed through movement, timing and expression.
- Apply principles of acting and animation to construct believable character performances, including body language, facial animation, timing and expressive behaviour.
- Apply animation production workflows and technologies, including real-time animation or performance capture, to develop and refine character performance.
- Develop animated performances through iterative processes of reference, blocking, refinement and critique, demonstrating critical reflection and responsiveness to feedback.
- Demonstrate professionalism, ethical judgement and collaborative engagement in the development and critique of animated performance work.
Content
The content of this unit focuses on the theory and practice of animated performance, examining how characters communicate thought, emotion and intention through movement and expression. It includes the study of body language, facial animation, timing and acting choices, and how these elements combine to create believable character behaviour.
The content explores how animators construct performance through concepts such as motivation, intention and the relationship between thought, reaction and action, alongside analysis of how stylisation, realism and the uncanny influence audience response.
The unit also engages with acting methodologies for animation, including the use of reference, performance analysis and iterative refinement, as well as approaches to facial animation such as expression, lip-sync and micro-movements. Contemporary methods of animation practice are introduced, including real-time animation and motion capture, and their role in shaping current animation workflows.
Practical components include the creation of animation studies focused on acting and performance, progressing toward the development of a character-driven animation. The content supports critical and creative thinking in animation performance and the refinement of animation through feedback and iteration, and presents core understandings of future practices in animation.
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, as well as in the creation of pre-production materials and emerging approaches to creating 3D animated characters. Gen-AI tools are positioned as supplementary to, not replacements for, core 3D 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 animated performance and acting for animation. Lectures introduce key concepts such as motivation, intention, emotion, timing and facial expression, while workshops support discussion and analysis of how these ideas underpin character performance, how animators construct believable performances from acting principles and concepts of future animation practices. The unit emphasises conceptual understanding of how performance is created in animation, with practical animation exercises used to reinforce and apply these principles through the development of character-driven animation that communicates thought, emotion and narrative intent.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- formative feedback on your progress in this unit during tutorials and discussions throughout the semester
- comments on summative assessment work in addition to marked rubric.
Assessment
Overview
In this unit, you will develop a strong connection between animation theory and the practical creation of expressive character performances. The three assessments are designed to progressively build your conceptual and practical understanding of animated acting and character behaviour. In the first assessment, you will analyse animated performances, examining how posture, timing, facial expression and body language contribute to believable character behaviour in both historical and contemporary animation. This task focuses on how animators construct performance to communicate meaning. In the second assessment, you will explore acting and character expression through ongoing practical activities, engaging in animation studies that investigate how thought, reaction and action shape performance. You will present and discuss your work in tutorials, reflecting on how performance theory informs your animation decisions. In the final assessment, you will apply these concepts through the creation of a short character animation that communicates emotion, motivation and narrative intention. You may also explore contemporary animation practices, such as real-time animation or performance capture, as part of your performance process. 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: Animated Performance Analysis
In this assessment, you will analyse how animators create expressive character performances by deconstructing a provided segment of animated work. Drawing on iconic examples from animation and performance capture, you will examine how body language, facial expression, timing and acting choices communicate thought, emotion and intention. Your analysis will explore how animators balance expression and believability, and how audiences respond to realistic or stylised animated characters.
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: Acting and Expression Study
In this assessment, you will create a series of short animation studies that explore acting and character expression. Using 3D animation techniques introduced in the unit, you will experiment with body language, facial animation and timing to communicate character intention and emotion. The studies may include reference-based acting exploration, where you record or perform actions to analyse performance choices before translating them into animation. An annotated workbook will document the key stages of the animation process and reflect on how theoretical concepts informed your technical decisions and problem-solving during development of the outcomes.
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: Character Animation Performance
In this assessment you will apply theories of animated performance through the creation of a short character animation. The project focuses on developing a believable animated performance driven by character motivation and emotional intent. Drawing on principles of acting for animation, facial animation and character behavior, you will create a performance that communicates thought, emotion and narrative intention. You will also explore contemporary approaches such as real-time animation or motion capture as part of the animation process.
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.
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
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
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.
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.
Costs
It is highly recommended that students undertaking animation units acquire a high-speed, portable solid-state drive with USB-C connectivity and at least 500 GB. Cost can range from $150 to $500 you should discuss with the teaching staff before purchasing.
Resources
Additional resources are also available through the Canvas site for this unit. 24-hour labs are accessible - on campus – during term time.
Resource Materials
Recommended text(s)
Gibson, S., Arisona, S., Leishman, D., & Tanaka, A. (Eds.). (2022). Live Visuals: History, Theory, Practice. Taylor & Francis.
Levitt, D. (2018). The Animatic Apparatus: Animation, Vitality, and the Futures of the Image. John Hunt Publishing.
Santucci, W. (2009) The guerrilla guide to animation : making animated films outside the mainstream, New York : Continuum.
Sito, T. (2013) Moving Innovation: A History of Computer Animation. Cambridge, Mass.: The MIT Press.
Risk Assessment Statement
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement).
This unit will require a 'Tier 3 Specific activities or equipment inductions' in relation to the use of Motion Capture and related studio spaces. This induction is provided by the technician on-site as part of classes in the unit.
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.
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, Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance - 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, Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance - Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance - Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
Relates to: ULO3, ULO4, ULO5, Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance - Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
Relates to: ULO4, Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
Relates to: ULO5, Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO5, Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance
IN05 Bachelor of Games and Interactive Environments
- Apply creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills to generate solutions to design challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Acting and Expression Study, Character Animation Performance - Collaborate effectively in transdisciplinary teams to achieve shared goals and to manage projects in professional contexts.
Relates to: Animated Performance Analysis, Acting and Expression Study - Communicate complex concepts at all stages of the development cycle to specialist and non-specialist audiences in written, oral and interactive visual formats.
Relates to: ULO3 - 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, Character Animation Performance