Course description for 2026/27
Animation Fundamentals
CGA1002
Course description for 2026/27
Animation Fundamentals
CGA1002
Students will leave this course with a solid understanding on the fundamentals of animation and the skills necessary to bring their own characters to life.
Students will explore the famous 12 principles of animation, as developed by early Disney animators, as well as gain foundational training in 3D animation.
It is a "learn by example" course that introduces students to the fundamentals of character animation step-by-step, starting with a the classic ball bounces to more advanced exercises involving rigged characters.
A short set of animations will be made by the students using pre-rigged 3D models, which they will later render as a captured sequence.
Restricted to students at the Bachelor studies in CG art and Animation, Games and Entertainment Technology, Film and TV production and connected study programs at our international partner institutions
After completing the course, the student can:
Knowledge
- identify and make appropriate use of the 12 animation principles
Skills
- set and alter keyframes in a 3D Software
- reference in rigs and objects
- utilise a graph editor to adjust timing or offset animation
- utilise the blue pencil to plan the animation sequence
- manipulate curves to alter animation
- record and utilize video reference
- output a captured sequence from a 3D software
General competence
- plan an animated sequence or scene.
In addition to the semester fee and curriculum literature, it is assumed that the student has a laptop computer at his/her disposal.
Mandatory
Theory-based lectures, practical demonstrations, hands on tutorials and lab work on assignments.
Evaluation using mid-term and final surveys. Students are also encouraged to participate in the central quality surveys.
Portfolio (MA). Individual. (100/100)
The portfolio consists of 2 components:
- Animation (80/100)
- Reflection paper (20/100)
Graded: Pass/Fail
Generating an answer using ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence and submitting it wholly or partially as one's own answer, is considered cheating.
None
Course language
English
Credits
5
Study location
Levanger
Teaching semesters
Autumn 2026
Responsible faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences
Course coordinator
