CHARACTER DESIGN - UTD ATEC

 

SPRING 25 - Character Design Class TUE 10a - 1245p 15 Weeks

Professor Frederick Gardner (University of Texas at Dallas)

Course Information
Course Number/Section: Class 28216 / Course ANGM 3304.001.25S

Course Title: Character Design Spring Term 25S 1/21/25 - 5/6/25 TUE 10A - 1245P

 

 

 

 

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions:
Some ability to draw traditionally on paper with pen or pencil and ability to draw digitally on Photoshop CC & Toon Boom Harmony using a stylus and Cintiq or graphic tablet. Drawing for Animation ANGM 2309 with a grade of B or better, and Instructor consent with Portfolio Review.

Course Description:
ANGM 3304 - Character Design for Animation (3 semester credit hours) designing characters (human & animal, costumes & props), constructing turns, size comps and developing shape language and model sheets from story outlines and scripts for Visual Development and Production. This Course offers a further exploration of ideas and principles utilized in the animation process. Sections may be devoted to a single aspect of animation or to a variety of subjections in the field. May be repeated for credit as topics vary (6 semester credit hours maximum). Department consent required.


Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes:
Students will experience a professional studio environment, using the current software, tools and techniques to develop the movement of characters, props and environments from traditional pencil thumbnail through to final digital animation. Live action and animation movement mechanics will be studied and referenced as foundational skills are demonstrated in a studio setting. Notes may be given online and the discussion will continue throughout the week on Teams (online/phone app). It is your responsibility to take detailed notes everyday. 


Required Textbooks and Materials:
The Nobel Approach (ISBN 1452102945) by Tod Polson


Required Materials:
Computer (MAC or PC) w/ Webcam, Microphone 
Photoshop CC & Toon Boom Harmony
Stylus & Tablet or WACOM Cintiq
Portable Drive or USB Drive
Moleskin Sketchbook (Unruled)
Fine Point (or Extra Fine Point) Black Sharpie
Prismacolor Verithin & Prismacolor Pencils in Indigo Blue, Sepia or Black w/ Pencil Sharpener
Kneaded Eraser
Smartphone w/ Camera
Microsoft Teams software (for phone & computer)
** You are REQUIRED to use the PC, Cintiq and Software provided in the classroom

Suggested Course Materials:
The Illusion of Life (ISBN 0786860707) by Frank Thomas & Ollie Johnston
Drawing Book of Faces (ISBN 1-4177-3399-3) by Ed Emberley
100 Tuesday Tips - by Griz and Norm (ISBN 978-0990875000)


Suggested Course Films:
Steamboat Willie (1928) Walt Disney
What’s Opera Doc? (1957) Warner Bros
A Bear For Punishment (1951) Warner Bros
Robin Hood Daffy (1958) Warner Bros
Sleeping Beauty (1959) Walt Disney
Muybridge Motion Studies (1884) Pennsylvania University
Get A Horse! (2013) Walt Disney
Mickey Mouse Series (2013-2018) Walt Disney
Primal (2019) Cartoon Network
Wall-E (2008) Pixar
Up! (2009) Pixar
Frozen (2013) Walt Disney


15 WEEK LECTURE OUTLINE (Lecture Topics may change at any time):

- SHAPE LANGUAGE -Syllabus, Class Structure, Circle, Square, Triangle/Life Drawing

- CHARACTER IN DESIGN & SHAPE - Developing Character, Basics of Composition

- CHARACTER MODEL DEVELOPMENT - Size Comp, Thumbnail Sketching, Self Portrait

- CARICATURE - Caricature v Realism, Character Props, Costume Changes

- SIZE COMP, PERSPECTIVE, MEANING OF COLOR -Intro to Color, Size Comp, Character Perspective, Size Comp of Props w/Characters

- STYLE & GENRE - Character Details, Turning Objects, Genre Shape Exploration, Cast Line Up

- HEAD TURNS/FACIAL EXPRESSIONS/SKULL- Turn & Articulation for Posing, Mouth/Eye Shapes, Character Detail, Model Sheets, Phonemes

- CHARACTER BUILDING & AGE DESIGN - Age Differences, Posture, Masculine v Feminine Shapes, Design Character Aging (Up!)

- CHARACTER PROPS/HANDS & FEET - Mechanics of Hands & Feet/Action Poses, Develop Model Sheet Callouts for Hands & Feet, Props

- HAIR, HATS & SURFACING,
RUN/WALK - Drawing Texture, Run/Walk Cycles, Develop Hair Models & Texture Callouts, Props

- VILLAINS - Good Shapes v Bad Shapes, Design Cast of Villains, Special FX, Weapons

- CHARACTERS & VEHICLES OR CHAR VEHICLES - Design Vehicles for Characters/Vehicle Faces, Interior/Cutaway Design Using Thumbnails

- ANIMAL CHARACTERS & SCALE - Animal Differences/Anthropomorphic Designs, Design SM & LG Animals in Scale/Size Comp

- FANTASY CREATURES & CHARACTER MOUNTS - Non-Animal Creatures & Fantasy Designs/Complex Shapes, FINAL Character Design Models & Presentation Orientation

- FINAL PRESENTATION - Final Pitch of Character Design Portfolio to Jury Final Grade, Portfolio Assessment, Assemble a Portfolio Reel, Online Presence

LIFE DRAWING, GESTURE & PLEIN AIR SKETCHING:

Life Drawing is available on Wednesdays in the Life Drawing Studio (4th Floor) 10-1115a at Standing Easels based on Availability. Live Model provided. Bring Newsprint (18x24") & Vine or Willow Charcoal w/ Chamois.

Gesture Sketching is always available at the Student Union Mon - Fri. Take advantage of the students lounging in the area and try capturing 2 or more students, sharing the same space. Bring Moleskin Sketchbook, Ultra Fine Point Sharpie and 20% Gray Marker (Tombow Brushpen Cool or Warm Gray 2).

 

 

Plein Air Sketching is offered several times a semester at the Texas State Fair, Tiger Refuge, Dallas Arboretum or Zoo. At these locations, you will be given the opportunity to Gesture Sketch animals in a semi-natural environment and study their motion and biomechanics. Schedule to be announced in the first weeks of the semester. Gesture Sketching done in Moleskin Sketchbook, Ultra Fine Point Sharpie, 20% Gray Marker or pencil.

ANIMATION CHARACTER DESIGN REFERENCE -


"Steamboat Willie" (Walt Disney) 1928

"Robin Hood Daffy" (Warner Bros) 1958

"Sleeping Beauty" (Walt Disney) 1958

"DeDeuce You Say?" (Warner Bros) 1956

"Whats Opera Doc?" (Warner Bros) 1957

Character Design Poster Annotation - Character Designs by Frederick Gardner (also Tim Lamb)

 - Upper Left Image - "Mr Peanut Design & Party Attendees - v003" from "Planters Party" (Laika House Animation) 2009

- Upper Middle Left Image - "Jack" Bluebird Design from "Jack & Ben" (Laika Studios) 2008 Emmy Winner

- Upper Middle Right Image - "Viking Warrior Costume Change" from "Character Design" Lecture (Richland College) 2009 (Tim Lamb Original Character - Moby Dick)

- Upper Right Image - "Sobek Crocodile God Statues v6-9.0" from "Tutenstein" (Trilogy Entertainment) 2021

- Bottom Lower Right Image - "Toro Statue" from "The Book of Life" (Reel FX/20th Century Fox) 2013

- Bottom Middle Image - "Mondragon Statue Details" from "The Book of Life" (Reel FX/20th Century Fox) 2013

- Bottom Right Image - "Ugly Island" from "Ugly Dolls Movie" (Reel FX/STX Entertainment) 2017