Overview
This unit is designed to provide students with a foundation in animation practice. Students will develop animations, applying theoretical concepts to practical solutions using industry-standard software.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 2 - 2024
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE Unit Comments Report
YouTube's shift in delivery patterns this year, marked by an increase in disruptive advertisements during animation tutorials, has led to frustration among students.
Other video delivery options e.g. Echo360 will be reviewed.
- knowledge and understanding about the history and context of contemporary animation, particularly in online environments
- familiarity and competency with traditional animation techniques and principles using industry-standard software
- analytical and problem-solving abilities which can be applied to practical solutions for specific industry requirements and issues.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 30% | |||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 30% | |||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| 1 - Communication | |||
| 2 - Problem Solving | |||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | |||
| 4 - Information Literacy | |||
| 5 - Team Work | |||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | |||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | |||
| 8 - Ethical practice | |||
| 9 - Social Innovation | |||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | |||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Practical Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Practical Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Practical Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manual of Methods, Principles, and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion, and Internet Animators
Edition: 1st (2001)
Authors: Williams, Richard
Faber & Faber
London London , UK
ISBN: 0-5712-0228-4
Binding: Paperback
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Adobe After Effects CC
- Adobe Media Encoder CC
- Adobe Photoshop CC
- Google Chrome
- Graphics Tablet (Recommended)
- Adobe Illustrator CC (Optional)
- Adobe Premiere Pro CC (Optional)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
j.picton@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Unit Overview
History of Animation: Caves to Computers
Principles of Animation: Overview, Squash and Stretch, Slow In and Slow Out, Timing (and Spacing)
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 1-67, 84-101
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Module/Topic
History of Animation: Before Mickey
Principles of Animation: Arcs, Staging
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 90-92, 251
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Module/Topic
History of Animation: A New Medium
Principles of Animation: Anticipation, Exaggeration
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 96-98, 273-284
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Module/Topic
History of Animation: Walt Disney
Principles of Animation: Follow Through and Overlapping Action
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 226-230, 252-255
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Module/Topic
History of Animation: Puppets and Stop-Motion
Principles of Animation: “Flexibility”
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 217-225, 231-245, 252-255
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Tutorial Exercises 1 and Individual Exercise 1 Due: Week 5 Monday (5 Aug 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
No classes - Enjoy your break!
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
History of Animation: Limited Animation
Principles of Animation: “Walks”
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 102-166
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Module/Topic
History of Animation: Anime
Principles of Animation: Secondary Action, "Character"
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 161-162, 315-326
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Module/Topic
History of Animation: Alternative Animation and Motion Graphics
Principles of Animation: “Weight”
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 257-272
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Tutorial Exercises 2 and Individual Exercise 2 Due: Week 8 Monday (2 Sept 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
History of Animation: Computer Animation
Principles of Animation: “Rhythm”
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 201-216
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Module/Topic
History of Animation: Australia
Principles of Animation: Solid Drawing, Appeal
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 23-34, 324-325
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Module/Topic
History of Animation: Women
Principles of Animation: "Dialogue"
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 304-314
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Module/Topic
History of Animation: Documentaries
Principles of Animation: “Acting for Animation”
Chapter
The Animator's Survival Kit: Pages 315-326
Events and Submissions/Topic
Please refer to the 'Virtual Classes' tile on the unit website for the weekly tutorial schedule (for online & on-campus students).
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Although this unit can be completed successfully by using the requisite software (Adobe Photoshop & After Effects) with a standard computer mouse, you are strongly encouraged to acquire a drawing/graphics tablet if you are able. Not only will a tablet make the creation of digital assets simpler, you will use it throughout your studies and post-graduation when working in industry.
Drawing tablets can be purchase through Wacom (CQUniversity students can obtain a discount). You may also like to consider other well-regarded brands such as Huon or XP-Pen which may be a little cheaper, and are available through technology suppliers such as JB Hifi or Amazon. Additionally, good quality secondhand tablets can often be found on Facebook Marketplace, eBay or Gumtree.
CQUniversity campuses in Brisbane, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay and Cairns should have a small pool of drawing tablets which may be available for on-campus students to make use of. Speak to your local Digital Media Lecturer about booking these through the Cheqroom software.
1 Practical Assessment
This assessment requires you to complete the Week 1, 2 and 3 tutorial exercises to demonstrate proficiency in basic animation principles; complete an original individual animation exercise, and then compile these into a single video. Finally, you will reflect on your learning by completing a self-reflection using the template provided.
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for a detailed assessment description and criteria.
Week 5 Monday (5 Aug 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Assessment tasks will be marked and returned to students (generally) within 14 days of submission.
- Adherence to technical specifications and submission requirements
- Application of principles of animation
- Competence with medium and/or software
- Creativity
- Communication (written)
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI cannot be used to create media assets (art, sound, animation etc) for submission.
- Gen AI cannot be used for the written reflection task.
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for detailed assessment criteria.
- knowledge and understanding about the history and context of contemporary animation, particularly in online environments
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
2 Practical Assessment
This assessment requires you to complete the Week 4, 5 and 6 tutorial exercises to demonstrate proficiency in basic animation principles; complete an original individual animation exercise, and then compile these into a single video. Finally, you will reflect on your learning by completing a self-reflection using the template provided.
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for a detailed assessment description and criteria.
Week 8 Monday (2 Sept 2024) 11:45 pm AEST
Assessment tasks will be marked and returned to students (generally) within 14 days of submission.
- Adherence to technical specifications and submission requirements
- Application of principles of animation
- Competence with medium and/or software
- Creativity
- Communication (written)
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI cannot be used to create media assets (art, sound, animation etc) for submission.
- Gen AI cannot be used for the written reflection task.
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for detailed assessment criteria.
- familiarity and competency with traditional animation techniques and principles using industry-standard software
- analytical and problem-solving abilities which can be applied to practical solutions for specific industry requirements and issues.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
3 Practical Assessment
This assessment requires you to animate three (3) character walk cycles using one of the templates provided, and complete a written review of your work.
The video must adhere to the technical specifications and submission requirements specified in the assessment criteria.
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for a detailed assessment description and criteria.
Review/Exam Week Monday (7 Oct 2024) 11:45 am AEST
Assessment tasks will be marked and returned to students (generally) within 14 days of submission.
- Adherence to technical specifications and submission requirements
- Application of principles of animation
- Competence with medium and/or software
- Creativity
- Communication (written)
Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence agents (Gen AI)
Within this assessment, the use of Microsoft Copilot, Chat GPT or other Gen AI agents is as follows:
- Gen AI cannot be used to create media assets (art, sound, animation etc) for submission.
- Gen AI cannot be used for the written report.
Please refer to the unit website (Moodle) for detailed assessment criteria.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
