Semester Week-By-Week Schedule 2026
*subject to change
Introduction to Motion Design
Wednesday, 1/21
– Course Introduction
– Intro Project 1
Homework
– Read pg 16 – 43 Act 1 | Action, Design is Storytelling, Ellen Lupton,
– Read Gestalt Principles and Affordances Reading
– Watch School of Motion’s Animation in After Effects | The Power of Animation Principles
Monday, 1/26
Snow Day Class- Asynchronous Class Assignment (see link)
Homework
+ Be prepared to present the Mini Assignment (see link above)
Wednesday, 1/28
– Be prepared to present Snow Day Mini Assignment
– Intro to Storyboards
– Assign Gestalt Principles
– In-class Research on Gestalt Principles
– Listen to provided audio files (Project1_audio) for the Motion Studies project
– Begin to sketch your Gestalt Principle in pencil sketch storyboard form to develop possible concepts
– Once you have some concepts you’re interested in, select 3 storyboard concepts that you wish to further explore and develop 3-4 keyframes for each.
(“Keyframes” are sketches done on the computer that represent a specific point in time in the animation and should be more fully visualized in terms of the design than the initial storyboards.)
Homework
– Continue to develop new storyboard concepts and companion “key frames”
– For Monday, be prepared to present 4-6 distinctly different concepts to communicate your Gestalt Principle, along with example “key frames”
– While the number of frames in a storyboard can vary based on what is needed for your concept, aim for “telling the story” over 4-8 frames per storyboard
– Be ready to share in small groups on Monday
Monday, 2/2
– Small group discussions, review storyboard sketches w/ associated key frames
– Tech Demo 1
Homework
Refine storyboard sketches for critique
Wednesday, 2/4
First Draft Critique
Tech Demo / Work Session
As you’re working, if you feel you need additional practice or a refresher on what was covered during our first two tech demos, watch VideoCoPilot After Effects Basic Training 03: Animation and Adobe After Effects Tutorials
For specifics re: working with vector shapes and drawing shapes in AE, see https://www.nobledesktop.com/learn/after-effects/shape-tool-basics-in-after-effects
https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/overview-shape-layers-paths-vector.html
https://helpx.adobe.com/after-effects/using/creating-shapes-masks.html
Homework
– Be ready to present for 4-6 unique concepts for your Motion Studies, along with matching “key frame comps” you have created in Illustrator. These are where you are exploring how you actually want to design your sequence.Begin to animate a section of one of your Motion Studies concepts in AfterEffects.
– From those, select a minimum of one of them, and begin to set up the animation in After Effects, using your “key frame comp” designs as visual reference.
Monday, 2/9
– One-on-ones: Be prepared to share a section of one of your Motion Studies concepts in AfterEffects, as well as refined storyboards and associated “key frame comps” for your other two concepts.
Homework
– Continue to work on your 3 videos.
Wednesday, 2/11
Working Sessions and individual critiques
Homework
– Continue to work on your 3 videos, Have one completed for review on Monday 2/16 – upload to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MotionDesignSpring2026
Monday, 2/16
Class Critique & Discussion: Motion Studies Drafts due on YouTube (2-3)
Due this class: First draft of motion study animations. Have started animating at least 2/3 of your motion studies in After Effects. Get through as much of the 10-15 seconds per sequence as possible, but the focus should be on the quality of the animation rather than the duration
Homework
Continue to work on your Motion Studies pieces. All 3 Motion Studies are due next Monday,
Wednesday, 2/18
– Working Session
– Individual reviews / one-on-ones
Due this class: Revised motion study animations. All sequences should be animated to their full 10-15 second length.
Monday, 2/23
– Class Critique & Discussion: Motion Studies Drafts due on YouTube (all 3)
– Refine based on feedback
Homework
Continue to work on your Motion Studies pieces.
Wednesday, 2/25
– Class Critique & Discussion Con’t.: Motion Studies Drafts due on YouTube (all 3)
– Refine based on feedback
Homework
Continue to work on your Motion Studies pieces.
Monday, 3/2
– Research possible audio for the News Flash Project
Monday, 3/ 9: Class Critique: Concept Directions / Working Session
Due this class: Three distinctly different visual concepts for your News Flash project.
– Sketch widely to define three possible visual language concept directions.
– Concepts should be represented by digital “key frame comps” (Illustrator). Comps will show three different concepts for visual language, typography, and other design elements. Be prepared to discuss your concept directions and verbally support your design choices.
– Also due today: your chosen audio clip, cut to the correct length
Working session:
– Begin to work on the storyboard for your chosen concept direction.
Wednesday, 3/ 11: Class Critique: Concept Directions / Working Session Con’t.
– Revised key frames for chosen concept based on feedback
– Storyboard for selected concept direction (base all of your concepts off of your chosen audio clip).
The number of frames in your storyboard can vary depending on your audio selection, but most will likely average 8-12 frames.
– First Draft of at least 10-15 seconds (approximately one half of full piece)
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>> Spring Break March 16 – 19: No Classes <<
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Monday, 3/23:
Due: News Flash Storyboard Critique
Wednesday, March 25:
Finish News Flash Storyboard Critique / Working session
Monday, March 30:
Due: First Full Draft of News Flash Project for Class Critique (30-40 seconds)
Wednesday, April 1 :
Finish News Draft, Full Draft Critique / Working session
Monday, April 6:
Working session / One-on-ones: News Flash sequence refinments
Wednesday, April 8:
– Working session / One-on-ones: News Flash sequence refinments
– Introduce Project 3: Opening Title Sequence
Monday, April 13:
Due:
– Refined News Flash sequence for Class Critique
– Book Selection & pencil sketches storyboard concepts for Project 3: Opening Title Sequence
Wednesday, April 15:
Due: Key Frame (digital storyboard) of Opening Title Sequence
Monday, April 20:
Due: Opening Title Sequence Rough Draft for Class Critique
Wednesday, April 22:
Working session / One-on-ones
Monday, April 27:
Working session / One-on-ones
Wednesday, April 29:
Working session / One-on-ones
Monday, May 4th: Last Class Session
Due: Final Opening Title Sequence
FINAL EXAM: Monday May 11, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
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