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Unit of study_

DECO1017: Principles of Animation

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit introduces students to the fundamental principles of animation and its role in interaction design. Students will develop an understanding of the process involved in developing character, text and motion graphics based 2D animation, and techniques and tools for production to support animation. Assessments in this unit focus on the application of animation in user interface design. Students will acquire basic animation skills, develop the skills to create an animated sequence, and learn the critical vocabulary to describe animation. Basic knowledge will be related to foundational technical skills in industry standard software for animation.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DECO1017
Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rohann Dorabjee, rohann.dorabjee@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rohann Dorabjee, rohann.dorabjee@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final animation
Design
40% STUVAC
Due date: 17 Nov 2021 at 23:59
20 to 60 seconds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Loop Animations
Design
20% Week 03
Due date: 27 Aug 2021 at 23:59
15 seconds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Online task Online Quiz A
Quiz
5% Week 06
Due date: 15 Sep 2021 at 18:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO6
Assignment Wireframe Prototype
Design
30% Week 07
Due date: 24 Sep 2021 at 23:59
20 to 60 seconds
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Online task Online Quiz B
Quiz
5% Week 12
Due date: 03 Nov 2021 at 18:00
1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO6

Assessment summary

  • Online quizzes: The quizzes will test students’ knowledge and understanding of topics related to the principles of animation. Quizzes will be divided into after effects basics, composition and principles of animation, and lecture and tutorial content presented in weeks 1 -5 and 7-12.
  • Loop Animations: 

    The purpose of this assignment will be to demonstrate your understanding and competency in creating 3 different loop animations. For example, the three distinct animations could be demonstrated in a:

    1) Loading Screen / Logo

    2) Pop-up Notification / Icons

    3) Button (being pressed – showing visual prompt/change)

  • Wireframe Prototype

    The purpose of this assignment is to plan and brand your mobile app, followed by a series of wireframes which display FOUR main sections within the app such as:

    • Landing page

    • Main Menu Nav bar

    • Popup Info panel

    • Contact Us Page

  • Final animation: 

    The Major Assignment will be to create a single video animation that demonstrates a convincing a high-fidelity refinement of the wireframe prototype into a final polished animation.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed.
The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight,
creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes
assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight,
creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning
outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes
assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Intro to Assessment 1 and 2 – Loop Animation Tutorial Activity: Introduction to AE. Basic Loop animation in AE. Using a basic primitive shape in creating a perfect loop animation. Q&A regarding course content. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Course Introduction (Intro to UoS / Assessment Brief) Introduction to the 12 Principles of Animation, and Loops. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 02 Creating a simple dropdown menu or menu style interface using AE. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Interface Animations Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 03 Workshop: on final pointers for A2- Feedback session. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Web / Mobile animations, enhancing positive user experiences. Part 1 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 04 Intro to Assessment 3 – Wireframe Prototyping Tutorial Activity: Introduction to Adobe XD - Wireframing Creating an Artboards Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Web / Mobile animations, data visualisation animations, UI elements Part 2 Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Component States – Brainstorming ideas Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Introduction to Animatics and Visual illustrations Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 06 Pipeline – Adobe XD to Adobe AE. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Visual Communication/ UX UI Design - Branding Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 07 Tutorial Activity: Importing Sound with AE. Workshop: Working on A3 – feedback session. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Sound for Animation Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Intro to Assessment 4 – Final animation Tutorial Activity: Using colour theory and branding for apps & Mood board Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Colour Theory Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 09 Animating transitions, parallax effects in AE Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Key principles for motion design. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 10 Text and Imagery in Creating Animated Text and Masking. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Animated Infographics, 3D text animation and its use in explainer videos. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 11 Open Tutorial: Student workshop Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Existing media-based animations and their distinct values for post productions. Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO6
Week 12 Workshop: Working on A4 – feedback session. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Beyond Generic animations Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Week 13 Working on A4 – feedback session. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. control and manipulate P.O.A (Principles of Animation) with intention and direction
  • LO2. integrate P.O.A into a composition and control scene transition
  • LO3. synthesise and direct elements of P.O.A into a narrative structure
  • LO4. identify and utilise animation techniques and principles
  • LO5. show intent and consideration in regard to visual design, audio effects and genre
  • LO6. demonstrate an understanding of the methodologies and practices used in the communication of an idea and interaction for a product.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This unit has changed in delivery due to the Pandemic. We also have made some changes to the weekly subject content as a result of the feedback received. The assessment brief has also been developed further for clarity.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.