{"id":2184,"date":"2026-01-19T00:55:25","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T00:55:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/?p=2184"},"modified":"2026-04-21T17:45:53","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T17:45:53","slug":"semester-week-by-week-schedule-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/semester-week-by-week-schedule-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Semester Week-By-Week Schedule 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

*subject to change<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Introduction to Motion Design<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, 1\/21<\/strong><\/strong>
\u2013 Course Introduction
\u2013 Intro Project 1

Homework<\/strong>
\u2013 Read pg 16 – 43 Act 1 | Action, Design is Storytelling, Ellen Lupton<\/a>,
\u2013 Read Gestalt Principles and Affordances Reading<\/a>
\u2013 Watch School of Motion’s Animation in After Effects | The Power of Animation Principles<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, 1\/26<\/strong>
Snow Day Class- Asynchronous Class Assignment (see link)<\/a>

Homework<\/strong>
+ Be prepared to present the Mini Assignment (see link above)
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday<\/strong><\/strong>, 1\/28<\/strong>
\u2013 Be prepared to present Snow Day Mini Assignment
\u2013 Intro to Storyboards
\u2013 Assign Gestalt Principles
\u2013 In-class Research on Gestalt Principles
\u2013 Listen to provided audio files (Project1_audio<\/a>) for the Motion Studies project
\u2013 Begin to sketch your Gestalt Principle in pencil sketch storyboard form to develop possible concepts
\u2013 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

(“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.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homework<\/strong>
\u2013 Continue to develop new storyboard concepts and companion “key frames”
\u2013 For Monday, be prepared to present 4-6 distinctly different concepts to communicate your Gestalt Principle, along with example “key frames”
\u2013 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
\u2013 Be ready to share in small groups on Monday<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday<\/strong><\/strong>, 2\/2<\/strong>
\u2013 Small group discussions, review storyboard sketches w\/ associated key frames
\u2013 Tech Demo 1

Homework<\/strong>
Refine storyboard sketches for critique<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday<\/strong><\/strong>, 2\/4<\/strong>
First Draft Critique
Tech Demo \/ Work Session
As you\u2019re 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<\/a> and Adobe After Effects Tutorials<\/a>
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<\/a>
https:\/\/helpx.adobe.com\/after-effects\/using\/overview-shape-layers-paths-vector.html<\/a>
https:\/\/helpx.adobe.com\/after-effects\/using\/creating-shapes-masks.html<\/a>

Homework<\/strong>
\u2013 Be ready to present for 4-6 unique concepts for your Motion Studies, along with matching \u201ckey frame comps<\/strong>\u201d 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.
\u2013 From those, select a minimum of one of them, and begin to set up the animation in After Effects, using your \u201ckey frame comp\u201d designs as visual reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, 2\/9<\/strong>
\u2013 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<\/strong>
\u2013 Continue to work on your 3 videos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday<\/strong><\/strong>, <\/strong> 2\/11<\/strong>
Working Sessions and individual critiques

Homework
<\/strong>\u2013 Continue to work on your 3 videos, Have one completed for review on Monday 2\/16 \u2013 upload to our YouTube Channel: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@MotionDesignSpring2026<\/a>
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, 2\/16<\/strong>
Class Critique & Discussion: Motion Studies Drafts due on YouTube (2-3)

Due this class:<\/strong> 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homework<\/strong>
Continue to work on your Motion Studies pieces. All 3 Motion Studies are due next Monday, <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, 2\/18<\/strong>
\u2013 Working Session
\u2013 Individual reviews \/ one-on-ones

Due this class:<\/strong> Revised motion study animations. All sequences should be animated to their full 10-15 second length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, 2\/23<\/strong>
\u2013 Class Critique & Discussion: Motion Studies Drafts due on YouTube (all 3)
\u2013 Refine based on feedback

Homework<\/strong>
Continue to work on your Motion Studies pieces.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, 2\/25<\/strong>
\u2013 Class Critique & Discussion Con’t.: Motion Studies Drafts due on YouTube (all 3)
\u2013 Refine based on feedback

Homework<\/strong>
Continue to work on your Motion Studies pieces.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, 3\/2<\/strong>
\u2013 Research possible audio for the News Flash Project
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, 3\/ 9:<\/strong> Class Critique: Concept Directions \/ Working Session
Due this class:<\/strong> Three distinctly different visual concepts for your News Flash project.
\u2013 Sketch widely to define three possible visual language concept directions.
\u2013 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.
\u2013 Also due today: your chosen audio clip, cut to the correct length
Working session:<\/strong>
\u2013 Begin to work on the storyboard for your chosen concept direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, 3\/ 11:<\/strong> Class Critique: Concept Directions \/ Working Session Con’t.
– Revised key frames for chosen concept based on feedback
\u2013 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)
\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013
>> Spring Break March 16 – 19: No Classes <<<\/strong>
\u2013\u2013\u2013\u2013
Monday, 3\/23:<\/strong>
Due:<\/strong> News Flash Storyboard Critique<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, March 25:<\/strong>
Finish News Flash Storyboard Critique \/ Working session<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, March 30:<\/strong>
Due: <\/strong>First Full Draft of News Flash Project for Class Critique (30-40 seconds)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, April 1 <\/strong>:
Finish News Draft, Full Draft Critique \/ Working session<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, April 6:<\/strong><\/strong>
Working session \/ One-on-ones: News Flash sequence refinments<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, April 8:<\/strong>
\u2013 Working session \/ One-on-ones: News Flash sequence refinments
\u2013 Introduce Project 3: Opening Title Sequence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, April 13:<\/strong>
Due: <\/strong>
\u2013 Refined News Flash sequence for Class Critique
\u2013 Book Selection & pencil sketches storyboard concepts for Project 3: Opening Title Sequence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, April 15:<\/strong>
Due:<\/strong> Key Frame (digital storyboard) of Opening Title Sequence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, April 20:<\/strong>
Due: <\/strong>Opening Title Sequence Rough Draft for Class Critique<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, April 22:<\/strong>
Working session \/ One-on-ones<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, April 27:<\/strong>
Working session \/ One-on-ones<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Wednesday, April 29:<\/strong>
Working session \/ One-on-ones<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Monday, May 4th: Last Class Session<\/strong>
Due:<\/strong> Final Opening Title Sequence<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

FINAL EXAM: Monday May 11, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

*subject to change Introduction to Motion Design Wednesday, 1\/21\u2013 Course Introduction\u2013 Intro Project 1 Homework\u2013 Read pg 16 – 43 Act 1 | Action, Design is Storytelling, Ellen Lupton,\u2013 Read Gestalt Principles and Affordances Reading\u2013 Watch School of Motion’s Animation in After Effects | The Power of Animation Principles Monday, 1\/26Snow Day Class- Asynchronous Class Assignment […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":2180,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2184","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-assignments","category-resources"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/StendigCalendar-1.webp?fit=454%2C341&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8je1l-ze","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2184","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2184"}],"version-history":[{"count":40,"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2184\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2474,"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2184\/revisions\/2474"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2184"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2184"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/acmgd.info\/md1B\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2184"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}