ART 106O - 2D ANIMATION COURSE SYLLABUS

DESCRIPTION

ART 106O is a project-centered studio course that introduces 2D animation concepts, history, techniques and contemporary practices, production strategies, processes, and tools from a practical approach rooted in a historical/theoretical context. During each project's development, students research artists working within relevant categories and/or topics of animation, presenting findings to assist in their creative process. May be repeated for credit

Course Learning outcomes

• Understanding of definitions, principles, histories and core concepts important for creating animated artworks through lecture presentation and viewings

• Establish a core studio practice with a variety of different animation formats and techniques

• Explore methods for conceptualizing and developing animated artworks via analysis and critique

COURSE Introduction

I.1 Welcome SUMMER SESSION 2022

Welcome to 106O - 2D Animation. I am your instructor, Kristen Gillette (pronouns She/They), and am excited to be teaching this course for Summer Session 2 for 2022. For this intro module content (which this syllabus is a part of) I will be introducing the course format and basic weekly schedule, as well as the online learning system, called Canvas, that we will be using to do everything for this course. The Intro Assignments due for this module - which include reviewing this syllabus - are short practice assignments to get everyone comfortable with using Canvas to submit projects, and going through a few basic operations on your computers. These assignments will be graded based on completion only - so you will receive full credit for each assignment submitted correctly.

This course was always designed to be completely online - and because of this, the format might be a bit different from the remote courses you have been taking due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A plus side is that all of the content and projects are tailored and designed to fit the online format. I will still probably need to adjust some things, however, to accommodate the fact that everyone is now attending all courses remotely. This will be discussed further in the Course Policy section below.

I.2 Course Teaching assistants

This quarter we will be joined by TA Natalie Zajac. Natalie will be covering the teaching responsibilities of 2 TAs, and will be managing most of the grading organization for the session. We will both be providing feedback and available for questions from everyone. More info about Natalie’s weekly Zoom Studio Session time, contact info, discussion post moderation schedule, and creative practice will be posted to Canvas during Week 1.

I.3 Using Canvas

Canvas is the “Learning Management System” we will be using to host this course. Think of Canvas as the door to your classroom or lecture hall - every time you are doing any work for this course, you will want to first log into Canvas, which will then link you to our course site via your Canvas Dashboard. You will be using this site to do everything for this class - including access videos, tutorials and content, submit assignments, post discussion questions, view the course schedule, and view all course updates and announcements.

Before you go any farther, if you have not logged into Canvas, go to canvas.ucsc.edu to do so. Once logged in, go to Account, and then click Notifications and ensure that all 106O announcements will also be sent to the email you will be checking throughout the quarter.

I.4 Module Format

This online course will use 6 “modules” to organize lectures / animation viewings, assignments, participation credit assignments and other course components, centered around the 4 main course projects. Access modules via the “Module” menu option on the left of the Canvas page, or, by linking through to each on the course Home Page.

Four of the 6 modules will be Studio Project Modules, and feature a lecture page and lecture content quiz, project tutorial videos and a corresponding project, a peer workshop assignment for each project and a participation credit assignment. This Intro Module, Module 1 and Module 6 are shorter modules, and do not contain Studio Projects. The modules will be organized by week and listed in order. Starting with Module 2, the modules will also overlap slightly in terms of due dates.

i.5 Contacting Instructor + TA’s

Contact us via email with any non-technical questions, with “ART 106O” in the subject line, including any general inquiries about the course and policies, extension requests, or questions about grades, assignment requirements or course subject matter or material.

During the week, M-F from 9AM to 5PM, please allow 6 - 8 hrs for a response - it will usually be quicker, and sometimes a general concern might be addressed via an announcement - if this happens, it means that multiple people had similar issues. Over the weekend and after 5PM, response time and availability is limited, but always email anyway, as this will allow you to "timestamp" any serious issues.

Course Requirements + Assignments

Category breakdown for Art 106O

5% Intro Module Exercises (1 pt each)
18% Lecture Review Assignments (3pts each x 6)
12% Participation Credit Assignments (2pts each x 6)
40% Projects (10 pts each x 4)
20% Peer Workshops (5 pts each x 4)
5% Project Re-Work (5 pts)

Weekly time estimates

Since this is a 5 unit course during a 5 Week Summer Session, you can expect to spend about 30 hours per week on this course (6 hours a week per unit). This breaks down to about 6 -8 hours viewing lecture content / completing lecture assignments, 8 - 10 hours on studio instruction (including watching recorded tutorials and attending Zoom Studio Sessions or using the Technical Discussion Boards), 10-12 hours completing module projects, including production time, and 1 - 2 hours of visual analysis via peer workshop assignments. Keep in mind that most modules are about 1.5 weeks.

C.1 MODULE STRUCTURE + DUE DATES

When you decide to work on assignments, view course content and videos, and participate on discussion boards is totally up to you throughout the week. All required assignments within modules will have weekly due dates which will be specified under each individual assignment.

Modules unlock on each Monday morning. Other than the Intro Module, all Modules contain a Lecture Assignment and a Participation Credit Assignment. Modules 2 - 5 also each contain a Studio Project, Project Tutorial Videos / Instruction and a corresponding Peer Workshop. These projects, along with the accompanying instructional videos and peer workshops, represent the majority of the coursework for the class. Module 6 (the last module) will contain a shorter “Studio Project Re-Work” assignment instead of a Studio Project, which will be based on developing and/or improving a previous Studio Project. This Re-Work project will not require any additional instruction.

Below is a sample timeline for Module 2, which will have the same general timelines and deadlines as Modules 3, 4 + 5. Modules 1 + 6 will have slightly shorter timelines because there are not the same Studio Project requirements. All deadlines are at 11:30PM (PDT).

Monday 6AM Week 1 - Module 2 (M2) Unlocks
Monday Week 2 - M2 Lecture Assignment and M2 Participation Credit Assignment Due + Module 3 (M3) Unlocks
Wednesday Week 2 - M2 Studio Project Due
Friday Week 3 - M2 Peer Workshop Due

For Modules 2 - 5, all Lecture and Participation Credit Assignments are due on 2nd Mondays and all Studio Projects are due on 2nd Wednesdays, however, they will not be counted as “late” if they are submitted within 48 hours of the 11:30PM deadline. This gives everyone a 48-hour “grace period” to deal with any last minute issues - technical, personal or otherwise. You do not need to request this 48-hour grace period - it is automatic for every Lecture and Participation Credit Assignment and every Studio Project for Modules 2 - 5. Be sure to review the late policies below. All due dates + deadlines will also be outlined in the schedule and the Module lists.

c.2 Lecture Pages + Viewing Content

Each module’s lecture content is centered around a specific 2D animation technique or concept: Frame Animation, Keyframe Animation, Stop Motion Animation, Rotoscope Animation, Animated Text and Animated Narratives via Animatics. Each of these lectures will explore the development and history of each technique or concept, introduce key artists, provide technical information, and present and discuss a range of related artworks, short film clips and, of course, animations. These lectures are a mix of written text, image galleries and videos, and are viewable on a range of devices, including mobile platforms. At the end of each module, a short 3 point lecture review assignment will be due that requires brief analysis and review of the posted lecture materials and concepts.

c.3 Module Studio Projects

Each Studio Project explores that module’s thematic technique from a technical and a conceptual standpoint. The project tutorial videos provide hands-on, step-by-step instruction centered around each of the project’s technical requirements. As an upper division studio course, these projects make up a large portion of the anticipated workload, and the video instruction time is not the only time that will be dedicated to these projects. Expect to spend time planning projects, exploring different visual options, practicing techniques and completing steps or processes demonstrated in instructional videos.

At the end of the session, during Week 5, you will choose one project to “re-work” and/or improve to submit for 5 points. This Re-Work is an opportunity to improve or make changes based on instructor or peer workshop feedback, or to explore a project in greater depth. It will be a shorter assignment than the Studio Projects.

c.4 Peer Workshop Discussion Boards

Since this course is totally online, the critique and peer review process of projects will also happen online, via discussion boards. These peer workshops will be supported via TA and instructor moderation, as well as guided review questions that require peers to leave specific, targeted feedback. This feedback / review process is a critical part of the course and is worth 20% of the final grade (5 pts for each project). There will be specific instructions and due dates posted under each of these workshop assignments.

When providing feedback, please remember that everyone is coming into this class with different levels of experience with animation techniques and processes, as well as different levels of experience with creative studio environments, and be sure to follow the specific directions and guidelines for each workshop response.

c.5 Asking for Technical Help with Programs + project requirements

For this course, there is a procedure for asking technical questions about Photoshop, Illustrator and After Effects, and also questions about project requirements. I define “technical questions” as any question about a program or tool presented in the project tutorial videos, or any process required, or any general questions about the requirements posted in the project descriptions. It is not realistic or efficient for the TAs and I to answer individual questions about a project requirement, program or a process via email - because of this, we ask students to utilize the Technical Discussion Boards, the Project FAQ Boards, and the Zoom Studio Sessions for these types of questions.

Reminder - this is for technical and general project questions only, and does not include things like questions about the course, individual assignment grades or concerns or questions about project rubrics or individual project content, extension requests, issues accessing your course portal, DRC accommodations or any other course concerns. Any questions like these should be sent directly to your grading TA and/or me.

Finally, never hesitate to contact us if you aren’t sure how to classify your question. No one will be penalized for sending a question via email that is better suited for a discussion board - if this happens, we will just direct you to the discussion boards.

C.6 Optional Module Project Discussion Boards + Extra Credit

Each Module there will be an optional project discussion board or thread where you can ask technical questions and other questions about project requirements. These discussion boards are completely optional, but are the system that we are using for these types of questions.

Up to 5 points of extra credit will be assigned to students at the end of the quarter based on participation on these boards. Participation is viewed as both asking questions (and not just posting duplicate questions that have already been addressed) and answering other student’s questions.

c.7 Required PARTICIPATION credit

For Modules 1 - 6, you will be required to complete a Participation Credit assignment, which is worth 12% of the final grade. For Modules 2 - 6, the Weekly Zoom Studio Sessions will go over the Participation Credit assignment in depth - you will usually be able to complete the assignment during the Zoom Session. If you do not attend the Zoom Session, you will still be able to complete the Participation Credit Assignment, you will just need to spend more individual time going over the content that the assignment addresses (in most cases, this will be the Studio Project Description and Requirements.)

C.8 Zoom Studio Session Structure - what to expect

Each TA will host a Zoom Studio Session at least once each week. You can attend any of these sessions, regardless of your assigned TA. You are not required to have your cameras on, and can ask questions via the chat - just be sure to check the Zoom Policies + Expectations section below to ensure that the Zoom space can be as accessible and safe for all students and instructors as possible. At the beginning of each Zoom Session, the Module’s Studio Project will be introduced, and the Participation Credit Assignment (usually a multiple choice quiz) will be covered with all answers provided. You are not required to attend the Studio Sessions to complete the Participation Credit Assignment, but it is an option (and could be helpful, especially if you have questions about the Studio Project requirements). After this Participation Credit assignment is discussed, the sessions will open up for hands-on support with the projects, requirements and technical processes. If you are running into issues with the Studio Project, attending a Zoom Studio Session is one way to get direct help with a program or process. If you are unable or prefer not to attend a Zoom Studio Session, the discussion boards are a great option for similar support.

Course Rules + Policies

p.1 Discussion Board Conduct

Discussion posts will not be graded for spelling or grammar, but its in your best interest to be clear because you want your question to be understood. When answering your peer’s questions, please remember that everyone is coming into this class with different levels of experience with (not to mention access to) these tools, processes and programs.

Any disrespectful communication, bullying, trolling will be immediately deleted and will subtract 1 pt from the student’s 100 point final grade. Any hate speech or directly violent speech will also be deleted and further grade penalties and additional disciplinary action will be applied.

If anyone is feeling bullied, uncomfortable or unsafe with a discussion board communication, please do not engage or reply, and email me and your TA immediately.

P.2 Zoom Conduct

If attending a Zoom Meeting, please use respectful communication and language. Cameras are not required to be on, and you can always ask questions via the chat instead of using video / audio. The TAs and I will never pressure you to turn on your cameras or audio, but you are welcome to, as long as you are following these stated guidelines. If you have your cameras on, dress and act as you would if attending an in-person lecture. Do not engage in any disruptive behavior or communications, via video, audio or chat. Be sure to mute audio at all times except when speaking or asking a question. Disruptive behavior will result in loss of Zoom access and potential further discipline or grade penalties. All Discussion Posts and Written Communication content rules above also apply to verbal or chat communication via Zoom.

P.3 Time Management, Computer Issues + Internet Access

As a professional in the digital design field, I know that some of you are going to encounter equipment issues - like internet outages, or crashed or stolen computers - at probably the worst times. I have found this happens more often with the COVID-19 pandemic. These issues do not automatically excuse late assignment submissions. If something does come up, complete the following steps:

1. If possible, take screenshots of any error messages or issues, or photos of any equipment malfunctions

2. Email me and the TA with the issue and any of the above documentation ASAP, even if it is over the weekend

3. For internet connection issues, try to get documentation of a network outage from your internet service provider

Each issue will be considered on a case-by-case basis - communication and pro-activeness is very important with these kinds of problems, in both the academic world and in the professional world. If you notice your computer crashing a few days before an assignment is due, figure out a troubleshooting or repair plan as soon as possible, and let us know as soon as you notice it.

P.4 Late work

Every Studio Project and Lecture and Participation Credit Assignment has a 48-hour window to submit without late penalties. This does not need to be requested.

Unless granted an extension, late work will be docked points based on the following outline. Any late work submitted 1 week (7 days) after the deadline must be approved by a TA. If attempting to submit or start projects a week after they are due, please contact your TA prior to starting.

• Late Studio Projects will be docked 1 point each day they are late after the 48 hour window ends or 1/2 credit (after 5 days)

• Late Lecture Response Assignments, Participation Credit Assignments and Peer Workshops will be docked by 1/2 credit if submitted more than one week after the 48-hour window ends.

P.5 Extension options

The last few years have been filled with unprecedented challenges as many individuals, families, and communities have been navigating the ongoing multiple and intersecting pandemics of COVID-19, political + economic unrest and challenges, systemic and/or targeted racism, violence and oppression, mass shootings, threats of violence against trans and queer communities and individuals and the loss of bodily autonomy for many people - especially BIPOC folks - who could become pregnant.

We understand that all of this is happening in addition any individual’s more “typical” set of academic challenges. For all of these reasons, we want to make it very easy for folks to utilize extensions for late work for the course. Below are 2 options for submitting late work if things come up during the session - if you need more than these options, always just email us as soon as you can.

1. Each project and lecture / participation credit assignment has a 48-hour “grace period”. You do not need to request this option to use it, but keep in mind that submitting projects after their initial deadlines might delay their grading slightly.

2. Each of you are allowed 1 Module throughout the quarter to submit all assignments and studio projects 5-days late without penalty. This is to accommodate any illness or other more disruptive issues or circumstances. To utilize this option, you will need to email your TA by the Wednesday that the Module Assignments are originally due - you do not need to wait for a response. Email them again when you have submitted all module assignments.

If you find yourself needing to utilize this option more than once, check in with us so we can ensure you can stay on track with the course. This option will probably need to be modified slightly for Module 5 + 6, in order to accommodate final grades.

P.6 Grading scale

Grade Scale:
100% and Above A+
99% - 94% A
93% - 90% A-
89% - 87% B+
86% - 84% B
83% - 80% B-
79% - 77% C+
76% - 74% C
73% - 70% C- Considered not passing
69% - 67% D+ / 66-64% D / 63% - 60% D-
59% - 0 F

p.7 COURSE SOFTWARE + hardware REQUIREMENTS

Course projects will require Adobe Photoshop for Weeks 1 - 5 and Adobe After Effects for weeks 2 - 5. Due to COVID-19, all UCSC students have free access to Adobe CC software. I will post more info on how to access this software on the course Canvas site.

Since this is an opportunity to work with these programs for free, all students are required to install Photoshop and After Effects. Please contact me if you are unable to install or run After Effects due to system limitations - both programs need to be installed on a desktop / laptop computer. All other course content and materials can be viewed on mobile and tablet devices.

The Module 4 project (Week 3/4 ) requires a digital camera / video device - phone cameras are ideal for this project. Please contact me ASAP if you will not have access to any kind of digital camera / recording device for this project.

A stylus device is not required, but could be used for this course.

University Policies + resources

DRC ACCOMMODATIONS

UC Santa Cruz is committed to creating an academic environment that supports its diverse student body. If you are a student with a disability who requires accommodations to achieve equal access in this course, please submit your Accommodation Authorization Letter from the Disability Resource Center (DRC) to me privately during my office hours or by appointment, preferably within the first two weeks of the quarter. At this time, we would also like us to discuss ways we can ensure your full participation in the course. We encourage all students who may benefit from learning more about DRC services to contact DRC by phone at 831-459-2089 or by email at drc@ucsc.edu.

GRADE DISPUTES

If you have questions about the grading of your work, please contact your teaching assistant (TA). If your questions are not resolved, please contact me. If the matter still remains unresolved, I will advise you on further options.

ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT POLICY

Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, or facilitating academic dishonesty. Acts of academic misconduct during the course, including plagiarism, can and usually do result in failure of the course, at the sole discretion of the instructor of record. Your case will be reported to the College Provost as per the Academic Integrity guidelines found on the web at: https://www.ue.ucsc.edu/academic_misconduct

COURSE SURVEYS

Course Surveys for faculty will be available online for students to complete towards the end of quarter. You will be sent emails to your @ucsc.edu email from the course survey system to complete your evaluations online for all of your classes. Please be thoughtful in your responses, as we take these evaluations seriously. Course surveys help faculty consider ways to improve instruction and are completely confidential.

GRAPHIC CONTENT

In Art courses you will often be assigned images, films or other material that could contain difficult ideas, uncomfortable language, or graphic depictions of sex or violence. You will be asked to treat these portrayals critically, to consider what is being expressed by the maker, or to examine the potential social impact, and to evaluate the works in a given context. Instructors are always happy to speak with you about your work, and might direct you to CAPS (Counseling and Psychological Services) at 831-459-2628 or the Disability Resource Center (drc@ucsc.edu or 831-459-2089) should you need additional support in order to do your best work.

TITLE IX

Title IX prohibits gender discrimination, including sexual harassment, domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. If you have experienced sexual harassment or sexual violence, you can receive confidential support and advocacy at the Campus Advocacy Resources & Education (CARE) Office by calling (831) 502-2273.  In addition, Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) can provide confidential, counseling support, (831) 459-2628. You can also report gender discrimination directly to the University’s Title IX Office, (831) 459-2462. Reports to law enforcement can be made to UCPD, (831) 459-2231 ext. 1. For emergencies call 911.  

Faculty and Teaching Assistants are required under the UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment to inform the Title IX Office should they become aware that you or any other student has experienced sexual violence or sexual harassment.

RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS

The art department has a list of many resources on campus available to students. Please take a look at these to see what is available for you. http://art.ucsc.edu/links