Units / DGN2531
DGN2531 · Animation design
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 2Department of Design
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This elective is concerned with the creation of animation and time-based design across a variety of forms and styles. The principles and processes of animation are explored through a series of individualised creative briefs, where you will develop your design, illustration and image-making skills to create time-based media. You will be introduced to a variety of analogue and digital animation techniques, workflows and processes as well as character design and the creation of narrative as core components of animated story-telling. You will gain an understanding of the history of animation and motion and be exposed to the work of leading exponents of the practice. Experimentation and curiosity are encouraged as you investigate narrative and abstract forms of animation, and develop your skills in designing for motion.
Offerings
The Handbook publishes no offerings for this unit.
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Project 1 | Project | 20% | — |
| 2 | Project 2 | Project | 30% | — |
| 3 | Project 3 | Project | 50% | — |
100% in-semester assessment
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
corequisite
- OHS1000 — Introduction to art and design health and safety
prerequisite
- CDS1002 — Communication design studio 2
prohibitions
- CDS2531 — Animation and motion
Learning outcomes
- Utilise and understand key terminology and concepts associated with animation and motion;
- Create a number of animated outcomes that utilise a variety of animation techniques: analogue, digital, traditional and experimental;
- Write, direct and edit an animation through the creation of a screenplay and storyboard, visual concepts, sound design and animatic;
- Demonstrate a greater awareness of the historical development of animation, the principles of animation and the language of animation;
- Understand and utilise narrative structures, character design concepts and sound design concepts to create narrative and story.
Workload
12 hours per week including 3 contact hours plus 9 hours of independent study.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Studio activities | 36 hours |
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