1. Chapter 5 | All Words are PEGS to Hang Ideas on: Text Animation and Chapter 4 | Synthetic Life: Character Design and Movement Reading Synopsis:

 

Chapter 4 covers the different techniques used to create animated characters. They begin by talking about how a more realistic drawing of a chameleon can make it harder to apply the twelve fundamental principles of animation. In comparison, a more minimal representation of a chameleon is easier to exaggerate and apply the principles of animation. A lot of a character's movement is defined by the design of the character. Creating a strong character design also requires knowledge of the final format, the materials, and methods for animation, as well as the conceptual approach. An important part of the process of designing a character is deciding the design approach and then refining it so that it follows the principles of animation. Another important part of designing a character is figuring out the different geometric shapes that make up that character and then refining those shapes to add appeal. The chapter goes on to talk about the different methods and materials that can be used to design a character for animation. The chapter continues by giving a brief overview of recording sound. It then goes on to talk about the different mouth shapes a character uses to pronounce different letters. The chapter concludes by giving an overview of animating walk cycles for characters. 

In chapter 5 we learn about the nuances of typography as an art form by looking at both static and kinetic type designs. The chapter begins by talking about the different components of typeface and how they can be used to add layers of meaning to an animation. The chapter goes on to talk about how different movements added to text can create different feelings. Moving text usually dominates the viewer's attention. An average rule is that text should be in a safe area long enough for the viewer to read it two or three times. The chapter goes on by analyzing different examples of typography being used in popular movies and tv. 

​​

2. Animation Samples Synopsis: 1949-1995 (Pick one and write a brief summary of what you found interesting and how it relates to your aesthetic)

 

One of the animations I found interesting was the trailer for “Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.” I found the animation interesting because it was one of my favorite movies as a child. As I rewatch the trailer now, I enjoy how they use a combination of realism and minimalism to design the characters and the world they interact with. This is a common aesthetic used in claymation-like films but it is done so seamlessly in Wallace and Gromet that it feels like every object they interact with belongs in their imaginary universe. 

 

3. Interview Reading Synopsis: Masha Crasnova

 

This reading begins with Crasnova describing one of her earliest memories of a painting her father did depict a world catastrophe. She says that she is constantly re-examining her childhood impressions and feelings where fantasies and dreams were as real as reality itself. Crasnova continues by talking about how she was fascinated by architectural images of soviet and post-soviet periods because they resemble her hometown as a child. She is able to think back to how as a child she felt that those atmospheres were alive and that old houses and ruins had organs and circulatory systems. She continues to try to express this feeling through her animated work. She concludes by talking about how she wants to tell stories about women, for women. For a long time, she was told that this type of work was “girly” and not serious. She hopes that her experience as an artist and the stories she tells inspires other young female artists.