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Motion Graphic & Animation 1

University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT

Fall 2025 - 2026

Average of 11 - 16 students per section

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Student work by James Hayes 

Course Overview

A project-based course introducing students to motion design, animation, and visual storytelling through Adobe After Effects and related creative tools. Students develop original animated works while learning industry-inspired production workflows from concept development to final delivery.
 

The course emphasizes the creation of a portfolio-quality final animation project while providing students with hands-on experience across the entire production pipeline. Through iterative development, critiques, presentations, and mentorship, students learn how professional animation projects evolve from initial concepts into finished works prepared for public presentation and festival submission.

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Course Curriculum & Schedule Table

Student work by Sol Fernandez

Course Structure

  • 15-week studio-based course

  • Weekly lectures, screenings, hands-on exercises, and critiques

  • Individual and group feedback sessions

  • Portfolio-quality final animation project

  • One-on-one mentoring throughout the semester

  • Professional presentation and project refinement

  • Festival submission preparation

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Student work by James Hayes 

Topics Covered

  • Principles of Animation

  • Motion Graphics

  • Visual Storytelling

  • Character Design

  • Style Frames & Color Design

  • Storyboarding & Animatics

  • Typography in Motion

  • Creative Process & Project Development

  • Professional Presentation Practices

  • Portfolio & Festival Preparation

Teaching Materials Sample

Animation Principles with walking cycle example

Student work by Sol Fernandez (above) /  James Hayes (below)

Student work by Magnolia Gilson

Professional Production Pipeline

Students developed an original animation project through a complete production workflow modeled after professional animation and motion design practice.

Pre-Production

Students established the conceptual foundation of their projects through research, visual development, and planning.
 

  • Project Proposal

  • Character Design

  • Style Frames

  • Storyboards

  • Animatics

  • Visual Development Boards

Student work by Charlya Tabansi 

Lyric Video “IDC” by tenTempo & T3AR.jpeg

Student work by Olivia McBain

Student work by James Hayes

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Student work by Sol Fernandez

Production

Students translated ideas into motion through iterative development, technical exercises, and animation production.
 

  • Animation Principles

  • Motion Design Techniques

  • Draft Development

  • First Draft Presentation

  • Second Draft Presentation
     

Student Work Examples

  • Animation Tests

  • Motion Studies

  • Draft Sequences

Student work by Charlya Tabansi 

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Student work by Rudar Zafar

Student work by William Hodges

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Student work by Leo Franco

Post-Production

Students refined and finalized projects through critique, revision, presentation, and preparation for external audiences.
 

  • Progress Reviews

  • Final Revisions

  • Sound & Finishing

  • Final Presentation

  • Festival Submission Preparation
     

Student Work Examples

  • Near-Final Edits

  • Final Films

  • Presentation Materials

  • Festival Submission Packages

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Student work by Charlya Tabansi 

Final Work & Festival Submission

Student work by Rudar Zafar

Student work by William Hodges

Student work by Charlya Tabansi 

Student work by Olivia McBain

Student work by James Hayes

Learning Outcomes

  • Create original motion design and animation projects

  • Apply animation principles and visual storytelling techniques

  • Experience a complete professional production pipeline

  • Develop and refine projects through multiple rounds of critique

  • Strengthen presentation and communication skills

  • Produce portfolio-quality animation work

  • Prepare creative projects for exhibitions and festival submissions

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