Digital Animation 101

Learn the foundational aspects of animation and how to create original works with different feelings, moods, and effects. Throughout this four-week course, you'll learn the 12 principles of animation to help guide your creative process and workflow. You'll also hone your observational skills and vocabulary so that you can learn from existing animated media and apply techniques to your own creations.

The course begins with character design and the principles of solid drawing, staging, and exaggeration. The goal is to capture the essence of a person, animal, or object. You'll then explore the nuances of timing, easing, and squash and stretch as you make your characters move.

Once you have basic movement down, you'll learn how to make your characters even more believable—first with anticipation, secondary action, and follow-through—and then with overlapping action and arcs. Last but not least, you’ll learn about appeal and how to create animations and characters that people want to watch and connect with.

With a blend of hands-on exercises, engaging discussions, and expert guidance, this course offers a holistic learning experience that empowers you to bring your animated visions to life.

What you will learn:

✔ Master fundamental animation skills, allowing for immediate application in creating animations
✔ Develop proficiency in using animation software and confidently navigate interfaces and drawing tools effectively
✔ Analyze existing animated media so you can apply similar techniques directly to your own animation projects
✔ Build a diverse portfolio of animation projects, including character turnarounds, dynamic movements, and expressive gestures, demonstrating a practical understanding of the 12 principles of animation

Join us and learn how to animate online!

What you need to participate:

Computer or mobile device with Internet. Internet speed must be at least 1.5Mbps download and 800Kbps upload. For students using a mobile device, download the Canvas mobile app and select “Interlochen Online” as your school.
Adobe Animate
Optional: Touch screen or tablet for drawing
Optional: Animator's Survival Kit by Richard Williams

How the course works:

Interlochen Online courses are designed to be inspiring and flexible with weekly learning units that combine video segments and guided instruction that you can complete on your own schedule during the week. You will interact regularly with your teacher and peers inside the learning environment.

You can also participate in an optional weekly hour-long video class meeting, where you can learn from the teacher and interact with your classmates in real-time. At the beginning of the course, you will complete a survey indicating your preferred times for the class meeting. The teacher will make every best effort to identify a meeting time that works for everyone. The teacher will also post recordings of the meetings and you can view them when it is convenient.

The goal is that you walk away not only with practical skills and friendships but that you are inspired and motivated to pursue your art and realize your potential.