Character Animation for Beginners

In this course, you will explore the fundamentals of character animation using simple exercises that focus on understanding how the animation principles apply to character motion. You will learn how to bring characters to life through movement, expression, and acting, working with digital tools and hands-on techniques.

You will be guided through the creative process of character design, basic character locomotion, lip syncing and character-environment interaction. You will also experiment with basic sound and timing to enhance your animations.

Learners will be taught in a specialist art studio with practical demonstrations, one-to-one support, and group discussion. Access to an internet-connected device is required for access to materials beyond the class contact time.

You may be asked to bring some materials to the first class (link here). Please wait until the first class and speak with your tutor before purchasing further materials. See ‘Entry Criteria’ for details.

Learning in this course is hands-on, and your skills will develop through practice, discovery, and engagement with materials and techniques.

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course, you should be able to:

• Develop and animate simple characters using digital software, demonstrating an understanding of the fundamental principles of animation, movement, expression, and basic storytelling principles.
• Plan and create short animated sequences involving various original characters interacting with each other and their environment, integrating visual and sound elements to communicate ideas effectively.
• Apply transferable creative skills including visual thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and project planning, which can be adapted across a wide range of creative and professional contexts. 

This course is for those with little or no experience of Animation.

Learners with an enthusiasm for creative exploration or have a natural appreciation for colour, texture and form may find this course particularly rewarding. A willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support. 

This course is suitable for participants with no prior experience. We welcome anyone with a vivid imagination and a passion for creative exploration. While no formal background in art, design or animation is required, the course is hands-on, and a willingness to experiment and express ideas visually is encouraged.

Please take this into account when booking, as there may be a small additional cost. Please visit https://col.ed.ac.uk/lifelong-learning/art-materials to see course materials. We aim to keep materials affordable while ensuring you have the appropriate tools. Costs may vary depending on the course, and your course teacher will provide further details during the first class.

The course is delivered using Adobe Creative Cloud software, primarily Adobe Animate. This software is available on the Apple computers during class sessions; however, the same account cannot be accessed from home. If you would like continued access both at home and during classes, it is recommended that you purchase a personal Adobe Creative Cloud subscription for the duration of the course. You are welcome to use other software to help develop your work independently, but during taught sessions only Adobe software will be used.

There is no recommended reading for this course, only suggested reference materials. Your course teacher will guide you to relevant sources during the sessions and through online resources.

Reading, listening and communication skills are essential. You must be comfortable learning in English. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course is due to start, unless the course is full or cancelled.