SPRING 2026 - Character Design Class WED 1P - 345P 15 Weeks
SPRING 2026 - Character Design Class FRI 4P - 645P 15 Weeks
Professor Frederick Gardner (University of Texas at Dallas) Bass School
Course Information
Course Number/Section:
Class 27550 / Course ANGM 3304.001.26S (WED)
Class 29441 / Course ANGM 3304.002.26S (FRI)
Course Title: Character Design SPRING Term 26S 1/20/26 - 5/8/26 WED 1P - 345P & FRI 4P - 645P
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 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) involves 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 subjects 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, pipeling 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 Noble Approach (ISBN 1452102945) by Tod Polson
Illusion of Life (ISBN 978-0786860708) by Ollie Johnston & Frank Thomas
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:
This is San Francisco (ISBN 9778-0789309624) by Mirslav Sasek
The Art of Book of Life (ISBN 0786860707) by Jorge Gutierrez (2014)
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
Wall-E (2008) Pixar
Up! (2009) Pixar
Frozen (2013) Walt Disney
Primal Seasons 1-3 (2019) Gennedy Tartakovski
The Great Race (1965) Blake Edwards - Warner Bros
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
