Assignment 3: Bouncing Ball

Create a short animation of a bouncing ball with at least 3 obstacles that will change the speed and trajectory of the ball.  Keep in mind gravity, weight and using squash and stretch to create exaggeration.  No set length, as long as it’s long enough to encompass the bouncing ball at 24 frames per second.

Keep in mind gravity's effect on an object - how it will cause the ball to slow down as it nears the top of the arc, and then speed up as it descends.  Also, we don't want to just replicate reality, but exaggerate it.  Really try and show that impact of the ball striking the ground.

What I will be thinking about when grading:
     Clarity:  Can we tell what's going on?
     Animation:
Ease:  Does it slow down as it nears the top of the arc and speed up before impact?
Squash and Stretch (if applicable): Does the ball appear to have a consistent mass, and does the squash and stretch happen at appropriate times?  Stretches are more likely to happen at higher speeds and squashes would happen at impact.
Arcs:  When the ball reaches the top of its bounce and comes back down it should move in an arc unless it's hitting something (like a ceiling).  Can we see gravity's effect on the ball?  Is the animation exaggerated to emphasize impact?
     Technical:  Does the ball move out of alignment at any point? Are there artifacts, or layers that disappear prematurely or last too long?

Don't forget to leave an artist statement on your blog, talking about your creative and technical process.


Supplementary Materials

Principles of Animation: Arcs
Principles of Animation: Squash and Stretch
Bouncing Ball Tutorial



Student Examples:
    

 

 

 

 

Assignment 2: Timing/Spacing Animation Exercises

 Create a Series of short Animation Exercises in Harmony
 

These exercises will be focusing on the Timing/Spacing principle of animation.  They include the following: Linear, Ease Out, Ease In, Ease In and Out, Overshoot and Settle and Vibrate.




Supplementary Materials
 
Recommended Videos and Tutorials

Principles of Animation: Timing and Spacing
Introduction to Harmony and Animation Exericise Tutorial Playlist - My Tutorials
Toon Boom Harmony for Beginners 1
Toon Boom Harmony for Beginners 2 

Timing Charts to Use for Reference

Exercise Video Example

Assignment 1: Blog

Create a Blog for this Class

Create your own blog for this class, using Blogger.  You will be using the blog to upload all animations, along with concept art and Artist Statements.  Send me an email with your blog link.

The Blog will count towards participation., but it will be referenced while grading your future projects.  I will also need a copy of each of your assignments/projects on the student server, but the absence of each project on the blog will affect the grade of that assignment and project.

You are allowed to use Tumblr, or a different blog format if needed, but your class blog cannot be shared with another class or anything outside of the classroom.  It becomes awkward when grading, and I download the blogs at the end of the semester to submit your work to the University of Tampa.  With outside work attached, it becomes convoluted and confusing.

Feel free to have fun with the designs and layout, but just make sure that your blogs are easily accessible and easy to navigate.

Some of your projects may be too large to fit on Blogger.  In those cases, you may use an alternate source - YouTube, Vimeo - and provide a link to those videos on your blog.



How to create a blog using Blogger:

1. Go to www.blogger.com

2. Create a New Account.

a. If you already have an account on there, then skip this step.

b. Blogger will provide instructions on how to make a new account.

3. Once your account is created, start a new blog. Give it any kind of fun title so long as it’s something that’s still obviously yours.

4. Make one post, saying who you are, what you do and what you expect to learn from this class. You’re welcome to just write it normally, or if you want to add silly answers or take a fun approach to it (treat it like an interview, talk in third person, etc.) you’re welcome to. 

5. You are welcome to use templates, or change the colors/layout of your blog to anything so long as it’s readable and I can see the posts.  

6. Submit the link to your blog to the assignment on Blackboard

You will be graded on these factors:

- You have a new blog specifically for this class (whether it’s under a new account or a pre-existing account)

- You have at least one post.

- Your post has some text on it that talks about you.

- You have at least one image on it.  It can be a picture of anything, so long as it's appropriate to the blog and the post.

- Aesthetics, such as using a template, adding pictures, finding an appropriate font and color scheme.  Any extra bells and whistles.

This blog will be treated as your own artistic journal. Make sure to post all future assignments and projects on the blog along with an artistic statement. Creating the blog is your first assignment, and maintenance of this blog will count towards 5% of your grade.