ClassInfo

ANI 101 Animation for Non-Majors

Joel Benjamin

Winter 2012-2013
Class number: 25949
Section number: 801
M 5:45PM - 9:00PM
CDM 00200 Loop Campus

Summary

ANI 101 for Non-Majors, Winter 2013
Instructor: Joel Benjamin. joeldbenjamin@gmail.com
Monday 5:45-9
Campus: LOOP
Room: CDM CS&TC00200


Syllabus is subject to change through out the quarter.


COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an introduction to the art of animation. We will study some of the history, theory and practice of several different forms of animation. Projects will be hand-drawn, digitally drawn and digital cut out animation.

Through out the quarter, the screening of relevant films, readings, weekly assignments (projects and writing papers), demonstrations and lectures will be given.

SOFTWARE
Adobe software - After Effects and Photoshop (sometimes in combination with 2d and other manual approaches) will be covered.

EMAIL COMMUNICATION
Email is the primary means of communication between faculty and students enrolled in this course outside of class time.

CLASS TIME
Some days, the second half of class will be in a computer lab. For official lab dates, please check postings on COL through out the quarter (updated when necessary). Lab time is sparse, and has to be booked a head of time for ANI-101 classes.

Things to know:
Animation is HARD WORK! It takes time ? significant amounts of time. You can think of it the same way as learning an instrument ? the more you put into it and the more you practice the better you will get. Expect to spend hours upon hours sitting in front of the computer (this is in addition to outside research, inspiration, LOOKING at the world and design and sleeping).

If you don't want to potentially spend 2-3 hours per week on assignments, this course is not for you. Especially because we only have 10 classes, we will be covering a lot of ground in a short period of time.

We are working with computers. Computers suck. They crash, they fail, they eat your work and generally hate the user. Expect to lose progress at some point!

How to deal with this:
Do not complain to the instructor. Unfortunately, the instructor cannot go back and save your work.
Save. Save often. Save constantly. If you make a change, save your file!
Save incrementally. Meaning ? save your files in versions, like BenjaminJoel_project1.psd, BenjaminJoel_project2.psd, BenjaminJoel_project3.psd, etc etc.

Back up your files onto a flash drive at the end of each work session. Buy a couple of em, they're cheap. Do NOT expect your work to be saved onto the school's computers ? it's possible the files won't be there later.
HOWEVER ? NEVER work directly off of a flash drive! They are cheap and die and are slow. They should ONLY be used to back up information, never as the sole means of storage.
1) Copy your files from the flash drive to the computer.
2) Remove the flash drive.
3) Work work work animate work.
4) Then when you're done, put the flash drive back in, copy the files back over to the flash drive. NEVER work directly off of those USB drives!

IMPORTANT: If you lose work due to computer failure, you will NOT get credit for it.

Want to get a good grade?
Your grade will depend on the following criteria:
Meeting Project Deadlines: It is important to have your work available for critique- work unavailable for critique will be lowered one full grade. Not turning in assignments will SIGNIFICANTLY hurt your final grade!
Creativity and personal input into execution of project
Coming prepared to class, including any assigned reading and assignments
Taking initiative to work outside of class and research.
Attend class! If you miss, you will be counted as absent, and you will miss out.
If you must miss class for some reason, you can watch the lecture on COL if the room is recorded! It may sound boring, but each week we will be covering lots of design and technique, so it's important not to fall behind! Some students in the past have found it helpful to have the lecture playing while doing their assignments.
Hard work and sweat! Assignments WILL take ON AVERAGE around 2-3 hours to complete. Some will take less, but some will require MORE!!
Participation in critiques and discussions is essential. If you sit quietly every class, you will not only be unhelpful to your classmates, but you will also miss out on your participation grade, which counts for 10% of your final grade. Many teachers say this matters and ignore it in the end ? I do NOT ignore it. Everyone is expected to speak up in class ? when discussing films and animations we watch as well as giving comments (critical or praising) on your classmates' work.

Attendance
Student absences are not expected to exceed more than 20% (2 absences) of the number of the classes scheduled for the quarter. Each absence after the second will subtract 10% from your final grade!

The student is responsible for any lectures or assignments missed. If an assignment is due a week that you are absent, it is your responsibility to make sure it still arrives on time. This is for your benefit. A good portion of our class time will be spent doing hands on tutorials, screening films, and critiquing work. Lecture notes will not make up for these missed learning experiences.

READ THIS: You may not miss the final class date. Doing so will equal an automatic two letter grade reduction of your final grade. If for some reason you cannot make one of these dates you must contact your instructor BEFORE the class that you must miss. Excuses given after the fact will not be accepted.

No incompletes will be given without documented proof of circumstances beyond your control. Brad Bird hates incompletes!
Assignments
This class is project-based and work-intensive. 70% of your grade will be based on projects. Do work, have fun. Work more. Get tired.

All assignments and grades will be listed on our Course Online site: https://col.cdm.depaul.edu

They must be handed in on time. On time is submitted through COLweb by 5PM on the due date (unless otherwise noted). Students who use class time to finish assignments the day they are due will forfeit the right to hand in that assignment. Class time is for working with the material at hand, not finishing late assignments.
If an assignment is turned in late, there will be a 10% reduction in grade for each date late (the counter starts after the due time).

Name your files using this format. If you continuously do NOT do so, the ?Following instructions? part of your grade will be reduced for each project you do not name the files correctly.
LastnameFirstname_projectname
example: BenjaminJoel_TreeProject01
The reason this is important ? if you name your file ?myFinalAnimation? I will not know it is yours. Sometimes I need to download the files individually from COL and it doesn't put your name on the file if I have to do it this way.

* Special Accommodations: If you have any special considerations please see the instructor.
BACK UP YOUR WORK: Failure of computer software and or Hardware will not be accepted as an extenuating circumstance for late projects or incomplete grades so back up your work daily.
Grading
10% Participation in class (critiques, screenings, discussions, etc)
70% Projects
20% Writing Assginments

Letter grades are assigned by the following point values:
A = 100-93, A- = 92-90, B+ = 89-88, B = 87-83, B- = 82-80, C+ = 79-78, C = 77-73, C- = 72-70, D+ = 69-68, D = 67-63, D- = 62-60, F = 59-0.

Students do NOT receive an ?A? by default.
An ?A? indicates total excellence. Not only were directions for assignments followed successfully but the student went above and beyond to create something truly fantastic.

--- A ?B? grade indicates good work, but could use some improvement in some area or another.
--- ?C? indicates average, uninspired work. If the directions were followed and the assignment was completed successfully, no extra effort or love was applied to raise the grade above Average.
--- D work is unsatisfactory, F is really, really bad.
NOTE
If you have never used a tool (be it manual or digital) ? it might take some time and dedication to learning how to use it (be it in this class or another class). This might not be an immediate process, and could be frustrating for some people. Our culture reinforces ?immediate gratification? and does not really encourage working through frustration, like learning new skills and tools. Working through frustration involves patience, effort, work, and long term thinking. However, this varies for each person. I am not saying that I want it to be frustrating for students, but I am addressing this as part of a possible, natural process you might encounter. Do the best you can!

ART MATERIALS you need to buy

Various places materials at: CVS, Walgreens, Blick Art, Utrecht, other art supply store...You may want to wait until the assignment is given before purchasing these materials.

- Regular, white, 8.5? x11? paper (by week 2)
- Drawing material, such as: mechanical pencils (0.5 or 0.7 lead, HB or 2B) , regular
pencils, erasers
- One 3-Hole Hole Punch (by week 3) (or, if you find one around campus, you can use that)
- One Round Peg Bar (by week 3) (Barnes and Noble located at: 1 E. Jackson)
- External hard drive with fire wire and USB and / or portable USB drive (Best Buy, Office
Depot, Online: New Egg)

TEXT BOOK: Lower level at Barnes and Noble: 1 E. Jackson. Please provide the name, and class ID /section number of the class so the person assisting you can find the book you need.
- Required: The Animation Bible by Maureen Furniss

- Recommended: After Effects Visual Quickpro Guide (for Windows and Mac)*
- Recommended: Photoshop Visual Quickstart Guide (for Windows and Mac)
- Recommended: The Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams

Recommended books are not in full stock at the bookstore. You can try Barnes and Noble, but you might have to order it online.

* Newer versions might be called ?Visual Quickstart Guide? - Check for different books / updated versions for After Effects CS6

Digital Cinema Equipment Cage

Located on the 9th floor of the CDM building. Rules and regulations for checking out any equipment, such as Wacom tablet pens, digital still cameras video equipment, etc, can be found here. Open hours are posted on the outside of the center. Polices and other info can also be found here.

DRAWING

Drawing is required for some of the assignments. If you feel you are someone who "can not draw" - do your best and be open to new mediums and ideas.

READING

Weekly reading will be assigned. We might discuss some of the reading in class. All reading is to completed by the following class unless otherwise instructed. For example, if it is assigned on a Wed. it should be completed by the following Monday.

WRITING
There will be 2 (NOTE: this may increase or decrease at instructor's discretion) writing assignments. This is part of the curriculum and is required.

Requirements for papers

Additional criteria and due dates for papers will be posted on COL, under ?Assignments?. The late policy applies to papers (read above)

Papers must be written in size 12 font, double spaced, unless instructed otherwise. Your full name, student ID and date must be listed at the top of the page. Spelling and grammar are to be checked not only by the computer's spell check but also by you or another individual. (The computer's grammar check does not know the difference between "its" and "it's")

Multiple errors in these areas will result in point deduction. Analysis papers to a film screened in class are to be written in essay form.

Other specific requirements for each paper will be addressed in class.

Papers are to be printed out and turned in, as well as posted online.

If a student feels he or she needs additional assistance in writing, go to:

THE WRITING CENTER located on the 16th floor, in the Lewis Building on the corner of Jackson and Wabash.

Students are responsible for seeking out additional help. You can also google, ?writing center, De Paul? and find out more information.


COMPUTER LAB ACCESS, COMPUTER LOG IN, & COL LOG IN

There are three different functions in the school?s system:

- Lab access: Use your DePaul Student ID to swipe to get in to certain labs.

- Computer Log in: You will need to create a CDM account to log in to computers. To do this, go to the CDM 4th floor reception desk for assistance.

- COL log in: Use your Campus Connect user name and password to log in to the COL site. To do this, go to the CDM 4th floor reception desk for assistance.


You will be working on projects outside of class, most likely in computer labs around campus. Take advantage of these labs, and the software that is in some of these labs. This is a free resource ! You will need to make sure that all three functions listed above are active.

You will need to use your student ID to get into the labs. You may only have access to certain labs around campus. I will notify you about what labs you should have access to for this class. Check to make sure your ID is active. If it is not, contact the 4th floor CDM front desk. You can also check with ID services. IF it still does not work, please notify me if you do not have access to these labs.

Also make sure you are in good standing with financial aid. If not, this might effect your access to labs.

There are other labs on the Loop Campus and the Lincoln Park Campus. However, not all computer labs have the software we will be using (Adobe Photoshop and Adobe After Effects).

Some labs have classes in them through out the day. Usually, the schedule for each lab is posted on the door.


LAB HOURS with software like Photoshop, students can check the calendars here:

http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/cim/academics/Pages/CIMLabResources.aspx

You will find a list of our available rooms and a links to calendars for each.? Click through the options for rooms like 332 in the Student Center, LPC.

You must have you DePaul student ID in order to ?swipe? and get into labs and classrooms.

Please be respectful of the professor that is in there. Do not interrupt them. Get there a head of time to ask them politely if you can use the lab while their class is in session. If they say no, please be respectful of this. There might not be enough room for you, and it could be distracting.

Some other labs you can use are: CDM, 2nd floor, CDM 4th floor general access lab, and possibly other labs on the 8th floor. Labs on the Lincoln Park Campus are Student Center, 363 and 364 (which may have classes in them)

USE HEADPHONES: When listening to audio in any of these labs, such as watching the lecture, listening top music, etc. please be mindful of others around you and use headphones.


Online Instructor Evaluation
Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching.

The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student?s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over two weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation.

Email
Email is the primary means of communication between faculty and students enrolled in this course outside of class time. Students should be sure their email listed under "demographic information" at: https://campusconnect.depaul.edu is correct.

Academic Integrity Policy
This course will be subject to the faculty council rules this site:

http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/

Plagiarism
The university and school policy on plagiarism can be summarized as follows: Students in this course, as well as all other courses in which independent research or writing play a vital part in the course requirements, should be aware of the strong sanctions that can be imposed against someone guilty of plagiarism. If proven, a charge of plagiarism could result in an automatic F in the course and possible expulsion. The strongest of sanctions will be imposed on anyone who submits as his/her own work a report, examination paper, computer file, lab report, or other assignment which has been prepared by someone else. If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials be sure to consult the instructor.

Incomplete
An incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional reason such as a death in the family, a serious illness, etc. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete request must be made at least two weeks before the final, and approved by the Dean of the College of Computing and Digital Media. Any consequences resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be considered as valid reasons for such a request.

Resources for Students with Disabilities
Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.

To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted either:
PLuS Program (for LD, AD/HD) at 773-325-4239 in SAC 220
The Office for Students with Disabilities (for all other disabilities) at 773-325-7290 Student Center 307



School policies:

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/ If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

All students are expected to abide by the University's Academic Integrity Policy which prohibits cheating and other misconduct in student coursework. Publicly sharing or posting online any prior or current materials from this course (including exam questions or answers), is considered to be providing unauthorized assistance prohibited by the policy. Both students who share/post and students who access or use such materials are considered to be cheating under the Policy and will be subject to sanctions for violations of Academic Integrity.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at http://www.cdm.depaul.edu/Current%20Students/Pages/PoliciesandProcedures.aspx.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential.
To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at:
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296