The Moving Image Workshop: Introducing animation, motion graphics and visual effects in 45 practical projects

by Heather D. Freeman

Overview

If you need a fun, hands-on introduction to core animation techniques - then look no further! Heather Freeman guides you through a wide range of practical projects, helping you establish and build skills in narrative animation, motion graphics and visual effects.

Each chapter begins by summarizing historical and theoretical concerns and connecting them with current practice and applications - all beautifully illustrated with stills from classic commercial and independent films, as well as contemporary examples from student work. Having established this context, the remainder of the chapter focuses on walking readers through their own creative projects.

Topics covered include early animation technologies and techniques, scenes and staging, character animation, animated type, visual effects and motion graphics, pre- through post-production and experimental approaches to motion graphics.

Dozens of sample files are available online, for experimentation and to get readers started on each exercise. The companion website also includes example animations as well as links to recommended software tutorials, recommended artist websites, blogs and animation channels.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472572004
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	12/31/2015
Series:	Required Reading Range , #52
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	8.30(w) x 10.60(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Heather D. Freeman is Associate Professor of Digital Media at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, US. She teaches 2D and 3D digital animation, video, digital print, sound art, small-screen interactivity, installation art, and drawing. She primarily teaches introductory and intermediate digital media and animation courses to students with concentrations in graphic design, digital media, illustration, photography and printmaking, although she occasionally has students concentrating in painting, ceramics, fiber art and sculpture in her classes. To accommodate this vast diversity of interests and applications, she approaches digital technologies as tools for the creation of works grounded on solid conceptualization and formalization. With this approach, both graphic designers and printmakers can learn the same software and technical applications, but apply these tools to their own formal and conceptual concerns.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. Underpinnings: Principles of Animation
2. Brain Games: Pre-planning and Pre-production
3. A Thoughtful Space: Movement and Composition
4. Synthetic Life: Character Design and Movement
5. All Words are Pegs to Hang Ideas On: Text Animation
6. Lightning Bolts and Weathermen: Motion GFX and Visual FX
7. Devious Things: Experiments in Movement
8. Your Name in Lights: Venues for Animation

Conclusion: Art Making for Everyone
Glossary
Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

The Moving Image Workshop offers a concise, thorough and realistic approach to creating well thought out and engaging animations. The exercises are invaluable and easily adaptable to the classroom and obviously come from the author's careful study and understanding of prior works in the field as well as her own practice. The chapter on character development and character appeal is inspired and further refines the definition of what is successful in animation. Highly recommended!” —Doreen Maloney, Associate Professor of New Media, Founder, New Media Caucus, School of Art and Visual Studies, University of Kentucky, USA

“This is a very useful and current work. Its application of various projects create a useful bridge between technical practice and creative application. The Moving Image Workshop has been well designed and mapped out, enabling each chapter to be broken down into understandable and relatable sections, and thus supporting the learner, without ever over-burdening them with superfluous detail. Overall an excellent reference book, especially for students about to embark on any moving image based course.” —Stephen Hibbert, University of Huddersfield, UK

“An extensively researched and beautifully illustrated book, which helps to explore the expansive range and various applications of animation while giving a good background into the basic principles as well. The wide variety of exercises as well offers an extended value to this book and would benefit anyone suffering from a creative 'block'!” —Ros Allen, University of Sunderland, UK

“The Moving Image Workshop is beautifully illustrated and structured thematically with loads of project ideas and animation principles to inspire students and teachers of animation.” —John Morrison, Edinburgh Napier University, UK

From the Publisher