About Animation
Bringing characters, worlds, and information to life in motion. Courses carry the ANIM subject code and are offered through the College of Arts, Design & Communication. Numbers below 300 are introductory, 300–499 advanced undergraduate, and 500 and above graduate. Prerequisites are enforced at registration.
How the sequence works
Of the 9 ANIM courses listed, 3 are introductory (numbers under 300), 3 are advanced undergraduate (300–499). 2 courses have no prerequisite and are a reasonable first step. Later courses assume the earlier ones, so read prerequisites before you plan a term — they are enforced at registration and an override from the Animation department is the only way around them.
ANIM 1200 — Principles of Animation 3 cr
Timing, spacing, weight, anticipation, and follow-through through classic exercises.
Prerequisite: none.
ANIM 1400 — Drawing for Animation 3 cr
Gesture, construction, and expression for characters in motion.
Prerequisite: none.
ANIM 2100 — 2D Animation 3 cr
Frame-by-frame and rigged 2D animation, walk cycles, and a short scene.
Prerequisite: ANIM 1200.
ANIM 2300 — 3D Modeling for Animation 3 cr
Character and prop modeling, topology for deformation, and UVs.
Prerequisite: ANIM 1200.
ANIM 2500 — Rigging 3 cr
Skeletons, skinning, controls, and building an animator-friendly rig.
Prerequisite: ANIM 2300.
ANIM 3100 — 3D Character Animation 3 cr
Body mechanics, acting, and lip sync, built to a director's notes.
Prerequisite: ANIM 2500.
ANIM 3300 — Lighting and Rendering 3 cr
Cinematic lighting, shading, and rendering a finished shot.
Prerequisite: ANIM 2300.
ANIM 3500 — Motion Graphics 3 cr
Kinetic type, data-driven animation, and broadcast and explainer pieces.
Prerequisite: ANIM 2100.
ANIM 4900 — Animation Portfolio 3 cr
A polished reel or short film developed with faculty and shown at the senior screening.
Prerequisite: senior standing.
Planning and advising
Your degree audit shows exactly how ANIM courses apply to your requirements; this list only shows what is offered. If you are choosing between two courses, deciding when to take a heavy one, or wondering whether a course will run next term, your academic adviser can tell you. Course availability by term is set close to registration and is not guaranteed by anything on this page.
Fictional information
UW–Porter Falls is a work of parody. Every course, prerequisite, credit value, and department on this page is invented; nothing here describes a real curriculum or a course you can enroll in.