J219 Animating the News 10/8 – 11/26

Course Overview

This course is designed to introduce students to basic methods and practices in animation currently being deployed by media organizations to visualize online news. The course will provide an overview of techniques ranging from kinetic typography, animated maps, bringing still images to life and focuses on storytelling techniques through the basic principles of animation. Adobe After Effects will be the basis for the course—Adobe Illustrator will be touched upon. We will explore the interface, applications and possibilities of Adobe’s After Effects editing program. Each class will consist of a short demonstration, viewing of related works, hands-on experimentation, and critique. The course will conclude with the creation of final projects in which students will develop and create an animated news explainer or equivalent animated project.

*This is an entry level series so no prior experience is needed to attend.

Restrictions and Prerequisites:

* Priority enrollment for New Media Students. Exceptions to be made.