2D ANIMATION: COURSE SYLLABUS & RUBRIC

Term: Fall 2026 | Duration: 15 Weeks (Live Interactive) | Level: Beginner to Advanced Portfolio Level

COURSE OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVES

This 15-week intensive course introduces students to the core mechanics of frame-by-frame 2D animation, character motion, and narrative cinematography. Students will progress from foundational motion physics to producing a fully animated, portfolio-ready short sequence.

By the end of this course, students will:

• Master the 12 Principles of Animation applied through modern digital software.

• Understand character body mechanics, weight distribution, and lip-sync acting.

• Develop a complete Animation Reel piece suitable for college portfolio submissions (SlideRoom ready).

🛠️ REQUIRED SOFTWARE & HARDWARE

• Software: Clip Studio Paint EX, Adobe Animate, or Toon Boom Harmony (Software onboarding provided in Week 1).

• Hardware: Drawing Tablet (Wacom, Huion, or iPad with Apple Pencil).

📅 15-WEEK DETAILED CURRICULUM

MODULE 1: FOUNDATIONS OF MOTION & PHYSICS (WEEKS 1–3)

• Week 1: Orientation, digital workspace setup, line quality, and timing vs. spacing.

• Week 2: The Bouncing Ball exercise—mastering Squash & Stretch, Arcs, and Easing (Slow-In / Slow-Out).

• Week 3: Secondary motion—animating pendulum swings, tails, and fabric physics.

MODULE 2: CHARACTER MECHANICS & LOOPS (WEEKS 4–7)

• Week 4: Character weight & balance—center of gravity, anticipation, and impact force.

• Week 5: The 2D Walk Cycle—keyframe poses, breakdowns, and in-betweens.

• Week 6: The 2D Run Cycle & dynamic locomotion.

• Week 7: Character interaction with objects (pushing, pulling, throwing).

MODULE 3: ACTING, CINEMATOGRAPHY & STORY (WEEKS 8–11)

• Week 8: Storyboarding, animatic creation, and camera framing/staging.

• Week 9: Facial animation, lip-syncing, and phoneme mouth shapes.

• Week 10: Character acting—expressing emotion through body gesture and silent pantomime.

• Week 11: Mid-Semester Animatic Review & 1-on-1 feedback.

MODULE 4: CLEAN-UP, COMPOSITING & REEL POLISH (WEEKS 12–15)

• Week 12: Line clean-up, vector tracing, and color palette assignment.

• Week 13: Background integration, multiplane camera effects, and lighting overlay.

• Week 14: Audio editing, sound effect (SFX) sync, and high-bitrate video rendering.

• Week 15: Final Showcase: Student Animation Reel presentation and peer/instructor critique.

📊 DETAILED ASSESSMENT RUBRIC (100 POINTS)

Evaluation Criteria

Point Value

Performance Expectations

1. Mechanics & Physics

30 Points

Demonstrates believable weight, arc trajectory, fluid easing, and accurate application of the 12 Animation Principles.

2. Character Consistency & Draftsmanship

25 Points

Maintains character volume, model sheet proportions, and clean line work across all animation frames.

3. Acting, Timing & Storytelling

20 Points

Clear narrative beats, convincing emotional expression, and well-timed dramatic/comedic pacing.

4. Process & Iteration

15 Points

Active participation in live reviews, documented rough keyframes, and responsiveness to critique.

5. Technical Reel Presentation

10 Points

HD/4K video encoding, crisp audio alignment, clean title cards, and professional formatting.

🏆 GRADING SYSTEM

• A (90–100 pts): Exceptional Mastery — Portfolio ready for top-tier art programs (e.g., CalArts, Ringling, Sheridan).

• B (80–89 pts): Proficient — Strong technical execution; minor polishing needed for portfolio inclusion.

• C (70–79 pts): Developing — Demonstrates core concepts; needs continued practice on motion timing.