Skip to main content

ANIMATION FUNDAMENTALS | EXERCISES


Week 2 – Week 4 | 01/10/25 – 15/10/25
Emily Soh Ching-Ling | 0359478
Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media
Animation Fundamentals | Section 01 | GCD61104
Exercises

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1.0 LECTURES 

1.1 WEEK 1 — INTRODUCTION

We were introduced to Animation Fundamentals along with the expectations and objectives of the module. We were also shown examples of our seniors' works and briefly introduced to the 12 animation principles. 

1.2 WEEK 2 — ANIMATION PRINCIPLES (PART 1)

Animation Principles (Part 1)

  • Frame Rate (AKA frames per second / FPS): 
    • Definition: The frequency (rate) at which consecutive images (frames) are displayed.
    • E.g. 24 fps (film, 25 fps (video — PAL), 30 fps (video — NTSC).
Figure 1.2-1: One Second of Animation
  • 1. Timing & Spacing:
    • Timing:
      • The number of drawings used determines the amount of time an action will take.
Figure 1.2-2: Number of Drawings VS Amount of Time
    • Spacing:
      • Using the bouncing ball example:
        • The ball overlaps itself during the slow part of its arc.
        • The ball is spaced further apart when it drops fast.
Figure 1.2-3: Spacing

Figure 1.2-4: Timing & Spacing
  • 2. Slow In & Slow Out:
Figure 1.2-5: Slow In & Slow Out
  • 3. Arcs:
Figure 1.2-6: Arcs

1.3 WEEK 3 — ANIMATION PRINCIPLES (PART 2)

Animation Principles (Part 2)

  • 4. Drag, Follow-Through & Overlapping
  • 5. Squash & Stretch:
    • Gives the illusion of:
      • Elasticity of material.
      • Flexibility of motion.
      • Life.
    • Flexibility can be achieved through breakdown poses.

1.4 WEEK 4 — ANIMATION PRINCIPLES (PART 3)

Animation Principles (Part 3)

  • 6. 

2.0 INSTRUCTIONS 


3.0 EXERCISE 1 — BOUNCING BALL 

Instructions: 
  1. Animate a bouncing ball (soccer ball) of normal weight and moderate timing.
  2. Apply the Animation Principles learnt in Week 2 (Timing & Spacing, Slow In & Slow Out, Arcs).
  3. Software: Adobe Animate.
  4. Requirements:
    1. Frame Rate: 24 fps.
    2. Aspect Ratio: 16:9.
    3. Resolution: 1280 × 720 (HD 720p).
    4. Format: .mp4.
    5. The final animation should be animated on "2" with a clean-up stroke.

3.1 PROGRESS

Figure 3.1-1: Floor & Arcs, Week 2 (01/10/25)

After understanding the basic Adobe Animate controls, I plotted out the floor and the arcs my ball would travel in, which gradually got smaller in size.

Figure 3.1-2: All Frames, Week 2 (01/10/25)

I started with the extremes and then added the in-betweens. 

3.2 FINAL SUBMISSION


Figure 3.2-1: Video — Without Arcs (Final Submission), Week 2 (01/10/25)

Figure 3.2-2: Video — With Arcs (Final Submission), Week 2 (01/10/25)

4.0 EXERCISE 2 — BALL WITH TAIL 

Instructions: 
  1. Animate a bouncing ball.
  2. Apply the Principles of Squash & Stretch to show the ball's elasticity.
  3. Apply the Principles of Drag, Follow-Through and Overlapping by attaching a tail to the ball to show the ball's flexibility.
  4. Apply the Animation Principles learnt in Week 2 (Timing & Spacing, Slow In & Slow Out, Arcs).
  5. Software: Adobe Animate.
  6. Requirements:
    1. Frame Rate: 24 fps.
    2. Aspect Ratio: 16:9.
    3. Resolution: 1280 × 720 (HD 720p).
    4. Format: .mp4.
    5. The final animation should be animated on "2" with a clean-up stroke.

4.1 PROGRESS

Figure 4.1-1: Floor & Arcs, Week 3 (08/10/25)

Figure 4.1-2: Keyframes — Without Squash & Stretch, Week 3 (08/10/25)

Figure 4.1-3: Keyframes — With Squash & Stretch, Week 3 (08/10/25)

The animation process up to this point is the same as Exercise 1, but updated according to feedback from Exercise 1. 

Figure 4.1-4: Without Tail, Week 3 (08/10/25)

Figure 4.1-5: All Frames, Week 3 (08/10/25)

The tail ended up longer than anticipated. I referenced this video and a video of a fox jumping for the tail movement. 

4.2 FINAL SUBMISSION


Figure 4.2-1: Video — Without Arcs (Final Submission), Week 3 (08/10/25)

Figure 4.2-1: Video — Without Arcs (Final Submission), Week 3 (08/10/25)

5.0 FEEDBACK 

5.1 WEEK 3

Specific Feedback: 
  • Looks good.
  • Timing is OK.
  • Make sure the arc is more curved.
  • Final animation should be animated on "2".

5.2 WEEK 4

Specific Feedback: 
  • Tail is a bit too big, which makes it hard to judge.

6.0 REFLECTION 

New semester, new Adobe program for me to mess with.😌 Adobe Animate wasn't as difficult to use as I initially thought, and I finally got to animate something. It's been pretty good so far.😇 I'm excited to start work on the projects.

7.0 FURTHER READING 

7.1 WEEK 3 — THE BOUNCING BALL WITH A TAIL

Figure 7.1-1: Animation Lessons: The Bouncing Ball With A Tail by Cullan Sanders

Reference: Cullan Sanders. (2022, October 12). Animation Lessons: The Bouncing Ball With A Tail. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Xg5Cq5c5gvA?si=mVzQyxWVz4HEo82u

Key Takeaways:
  • The tail has one of three shapes: I, S, and C.
  • Do not alternate the shapes rhythmically; instead, consider what forces are being applied to the ball that influence the tail shape.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

INTERCULTURAL DESIGN | PROJECT 1 — PROPOSAL

Week 1 –  Week 3 | 05/02/24 – 23/02/24 Emily Soh Ching-Ling | 0359478 Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media Intercultural Design | Section 01 | GCD61304 Project 1 — Proposal TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 LECTURES     1.1 WEEK 1 — TASK 1 BRIEFING, CULTURE & DESIGN     1.2 WEEK 2 — RESEARCH PROCESS 2.0 INSTRUCTIONS 3.0 PROJECT 1 — PROPOSAL     3.1 IDEATION     3.2 RESEARCH     3.3 PRELIMINARY IDEA #1      3.4 FINAL SUBMISSION 4.0 REFLECTION 1.0 LECTURES 1.1 WEEK 1 — TASK 1 BRIEFING, CULTURE & DESIGN TASK 1 BRIEFING: Theme:  "Cultural Sensitivity in Design" Any culture can be chosen for this project, however, students going on the Osaka field trip have to pick Japan. 5–6 students per group, grouping will be decided by tutors on Week 2. The preliminary ideas can be about anything .  CULTURE & DESIGN: Definition of Visuals: Everything that can be seen:   Wide and all-inclusive, including nature....
Post a Comment
Read more

ADVANCED TYPOGRAPHY | TASK 3 — TYPE EXPLORATION & APPLICATION

Week 8 –  Week 14 | 12/06/24 – 23/07/24 Emily Soh Ching-Ling | 0359478 Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media Advanced Typography | Section 01 | GCD61004 Task 3 — Type Exploration & Application TABLE OF CONTENTS  1.0 LECTURES 2.0 INSTRUCTIONS 3.0 TASK 3 — TYPE EXPLORATION & APPLICATION     3.1 PROPOSAL     3.2 SKETCHES     3.3 DIGITISATION     3.4 FONTFORGE     3.5 FONT PRESENTATIONS     3.6 FONT APPLICATIONS      3.7 FINAL SUBMISSION 4.0 FEEDBACK     4.1 WEEK 9     4.2 WEEK 10     4.3 WEEK 11     4.4 WEEK 12     4.5 WEEK 13 5.0 REFLECTION      5.1 EXPERIENCE      5.2 OBSERVATIONS      5.3 FINDINGS 6.0 FURTHER READING     6.1 WEEK 10–11 — GT ACADEMY LESSON 29: PUNCTUATION     6.2 WEEK 13 — CREATING A FONT WITH FONT FORGE 1.0 LECTURES  *Sidenote:  All lectures have ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SONIC DESIGN | PROJECT 3 — AUDIO STORYTELLING

Week 8 –  Week 10 | 10/06/25 – 29/07/25 Emily Soh Ching-Ling | 0359478 Bachelor of Design (Honours) in Creative Media Sonic Design | Section 01 | VSA60304 Project 3 — Audio Storytelling TABLE OF CONTENTS  1.0 LECTURES 2.0 INSTRUCTIONS 3.0 PROJECT 3 — AUDIO STORYTELLING     3.1 PRE-PRODUCTION     3.2 PRODUCTION     3.3 POST-PRODUCTION      3.4 FINAL SUBMISSION 4.0 REFLECTION 1.0 LECTURES  *Sidenote:  All lectures have been completed in  Project 1 — Audio Fundamentals . 2.0 INSTRUCTIONS  3.0 PROJECT 3 — AUDIO STORYTELLING  Instructions:   Choose a fairy tale of your liking or write your own. Record an audiobook of the fairy tale, complete with dialogue, narration, and suitable SFX. The final audiobook should be paired with illustrations/screenshots of the storybook/movie. Requirements: Duration: 2–3 minutes. ☑ Voice acting can be done by other people. 3.1 PRE-PRODUCTION Story Selection My cousin and siste...
Post a Comment
Read more