SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2026 12:16:56 AM	CS 775.1 Course Outline as of Fall 2025	New Course (First Version)
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  CS 775.1	Title:  DIGITAL 2D ANIM (RVPA)
Full Title:  Introduction to Digital 2D Animation (RVPA)
Last Reviewed:9/22/2025

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	0	Lecture Scheduled	3.00		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	52.50
Minimum	0	Lab Scheduled	0		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	0
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	3.00			Contact Total	52.50
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00

Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50

Title 5 Category:  Non-Credit
Grading:  Non-Credit Course
Repeatability:  27 - Exempt From Repeat Provisions
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:

In this non-credit course, students will learn the traditional principles of 2D animation: creating characters; drawing key poses and in-betweens; designing movement paths, pose manipulation and cycles; timing movement based on sound tracks; utilizing storyboards and dynamic composition to create animated scenes; and testing motion studies and scene storytelling with software.

 

This is a Regional Virtual Production Academy (RVPA) course that is not offered at SRJC but is available through one or more of the other five participating colleges of the RVPA collaborative program. Learn more about the RVPA at https://cs.santarosa.edu/vp

 

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

In this non-credit course, students will learn the traditional principles of 2D animation: creating characters; drawing key poses and in-betweens; designing movement paths, pose manipulation and cycles; timing movement based on sound tracks; utilizing storyboards and dynamic composition to create animated scenes; and testing motion studies and scene storytelling with software.

 

This is a Regional Virtual Production Academy (RVPA) course that is not offered at SRJC but is available through one or more of the other five participating colleges of the RVPA collaborative program. Learn more about the RVPA at https://cs.santarosa.edu/vp

(Non-Credit Course)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:
Repeatability:27 - Exempt From Repeat Provisions

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:		Inactive:
Area:
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Analyze professional animation using traditional principles.

2. Create animated sequences using traditional animation principles.

3. Adjust animated sequences to reflect appropriate timing, improved movement and believability.

 

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Evaluate professional animation examples using traditional principles.

2. Use model sheets and expression sheets to create fully-realized animated characters.

3. Storyboard an animated short.

4. Animate basic human, animal, objects, and effects motion following traditional principles.

5. Synchronize animated movement to sound track reading.

6. Design animated scenes based on dynamic composition.

7. Create and follow timing charts to test animation.

8. Create an animated short with sound.

Topics and Scope

I. Traditional Principles of Animation

II. Designing Animated Characters

III. Development and Presentation of Storyboards

IV. Animating Characters

V. Synchronization to Sound, Sound Effects and Lip Synch

VI. Layout and Composition

VII. Creating and Following Timing Charts, X-Sheets to Test Animation, Scene Planning

VIII. Planning for Animation Shorts

IX. Performance of Various Skills Based Upon Selected Topics, Including Utilization of Advanced Functions of Graphic Software

    A. Scanning software

    B. Adobe Photoshop

    C. Digital animation software

    D. Other animation/graphic/multimedia programs

X. Animating Characters, Scene Planning for Scenes, Presentation of Projects in Digital Format

XI. Presentation and Critique of Work

XII. Development of Pre-Production Materials

Assignments:

1. Hands on projects

2. Presentations

3. Additional assignments as determined by instructor may include:

    a. Viewing and critique of classic animated work

    b. Peer review

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 0 - 0%
None
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 20%
Hands on projects
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 60 - 80%
Presentations
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 10 - 30%
Hands on projects
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Additional assignments (if assigned)

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Derek Hayes and Chris Weber. Acting and Performance for Animation. 1 Focal Press, 2013. (Classic).

Eric Goldberg. Character Animation Crash Course!. kindle Silman-James Press, 2016. (Classic).

Preston Blair. Animation: Learn How to Draw Animated Cartoons. 1 Literary Licensing, LLC, 2012. (Classic).

Richard Williams. The Animator's Survival Kit: A Manuel of Methods, Principles and Formulas for Classical, Computer, Games, Stop Motion and Internet Animators. 4 Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2012. (Classic).

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