Do you love Pixar, Disney, or anything animated? Then this is the class for you! In this beginner’s animation course, students learn the basics of 2D animation using some of the 9 principles established by classic Disney animators.

Through a series of projects, students learn how to bring their drawings – and their imaginations – to life! Projects are completed on provided Ipads and Apple Pencils using the digital art programs Rough Animator and Procreate!

Educators will:

• Be introduced to the history, dynamism, storytelling power, science, and technique of animation – the art of bringing still images to LIFE!
• Be using digital tools to learn the concept of the 12 Principles of Animation and more, including: Squash and stretch, timing, and appeal – 3 of the Principles of Animation Solid drawing techniques and ways to impart this to students
• The science of animation – how to incorporate S.T.E.A.M. (namely physics) into design
• Participate in 3 projects:
  • The Bouncy Ball
  • The Cliff
  • The Prancing Pillow
  • All designed to bring these concepts to life

YA Connections

NJSLS-VPA:

• Creating: 2. Organize and develop artistic ideas and work.
• Presenting: 5. Develop and refine artistic techniques and work for presentation.
• Connecting: 11. Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural and historical context to deepen understanding.

Professional Standards for Educational

• Respect: Teachers should respect and honor each student’s efforts and offer encouragement.
• Learning styles: Teachers should recognize and accommodate learning styles and abilities.
• Learning Environment: Teachers should strive to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.
• Culturally Responsive Practice Animation is a universal language – discuss the ways in which body language are mostly universal
• Explore specific cultural contexts in which emotions, movements, and expressions are read differently
• Explore ways in which some movements are culturally specific and carry certain meanings
• Teachers will engage with ways to include students’ lived experiences and artistic strengths. Social-Emotional Learning Students encouraged to share and reflect on what they like about their work and in others’ as well
• Discuss the ways body language depicts feeling
• Discuss how we can use simple shifts in weight and timing to depict feeling – even in inanimate objects
• Collaborative discussion – teachers and students encouraged to discuss their process – what works for them? What’s frustrating about animation? What’s tough? What’s easy?

When you pair this program with Rashad Malik Davis’s workshop, he provides teachers with the in-classroom support implementing creative teaching practices, what they have learned into practice.