Game Character Design and Animation for 11 to 15 Year Olds Short Course
Course description
Course overview
On this exciting course, you'll explore popular characters from games and cartoons such as Roblox, Toca Life, Fortnite, Sonic the Hedgehog, Cuphead, Bugs Bunny, and Mister Magoo as inspiration for creating your own unique character.
Guided by an experienced 2D animator, you'll design and illustrate a character and learn how to bring it to life using traditional animation techniques at the core of the principles used today. You'll also dive into animation and cartoon history, shape theory in character design, and other considerations central to character design.
By the end of the course, you'll complete an animated walk cycle (loop) of your character and gain first-hand experience in the art of traditional animation.
Who this course is for
- Students aged 11 to 15 with an interest in character design, cartoon and animation more broadly
- Students with an interest in drawing, but practical experience of animation is not required
Key information
Topics covered
- Introduction to character design and cartooning
- Intersecting core shapes
- Thumbnail sketches
- Rough sketching
- Construction lines
- Place 'n' trace
- Repositioning drawings
- Layers and separation
- Inbetweening
- The 12 rules of animation
- Field guides and framing
Learning outcomes
- Boost confidence in your capabilities
- Develop an understanding of character design and animation principles
- Have an idea of how you may input your designs into computer software
- Produce work to build portfolio for future study or creative development
- Receive a digital badge and certificate of attendance
- Develop an open-minded approach to art and design
- Experience art school teaching
For practical information about our kids and teens courses, take a look at our kids and teens information hub. This includes details of our policies on safeguarding, food allergies, learning requirements and online study.
Materials
If possible, please bring a camera or camera phone to record the process of making the work, and the outcomes.
Everything else needed to complete the course is provided, but please feel free to bring any current sketchbooks or materials you enjoy using.
Tutor
Elroy Simmons
Elroy Simmons has worked as a Traditional 2D Animator since 1995. In that time, Elroy has worked on a wide range of projects - from TV commercials, Children's TV series and animated specials, to independent shorts. Most recently, Elroy's work can be seen in two independently made feature length, live-action/animated documentaries; "Doozy" (Director: Richard Squires. LMFYFF. 2018) and "Mansfield 66/67" (Directors: Todd Hughes, David Ebersole. The Ebersole Hughes Company. 2016). Both of these films utilise cartoon animation styles - from the 1960s/70s and 50s/60s, respectively.
Elroy directs (both his own work and for others) and has substantial experience in both 'Indie' and commercial animation. Elroy has been employed in a range of roles, including; writing, character design/development, storyboarding, animation timing, animation layout, supervising animator and art direction.
Book a course
Loading