Syllabus
Storytelling Through Effects Animation
Course No. 53-323
Instructor: Dale Mayeda (dmayeda@andrew.cmu.edu)
TA: Ria Itty (ritty@andrew.cmu.edu)
Class Overview
This course explores the craft of effects animation which combines storytelling and artistry with cutting-edge technology to create visual effects which bring an animated world to life. We will also cover how effects animation fits into an animation production pipeline. One might think that effects is only comprised of physical simulations, however at an animation studio, effects serve to support the story, creating believable worlds, visual spectacle and invoking emotional impact in support of the director's creative vision. During the course of the class, students will learn animation principles as applied to effects animation, how to evoke emotion and help advance the story through effects animation.
Learning Objectives
This course will give students an insight into the craft of effects animation at a feature animation studio. Students will get exposure to animation principles and how they are applied to effects animation. They will learn the creative process from research and observation, planning and design, collaboration, storytelling and execution of an effect. Students will get some hands-on experience with one of the industry standard tools of an effects animator and have a project where they can use the storytelling concepts they will learn in the class to tell a story using effects animation.
Upon completion of the course, students will understand the creative process of effects animation and have an opportunity to demonstrate their own creativity with an effects animation project of their own. The point of the class is not to become proficient in the tools of effects animation, but to have an opportunity to explore their own creative instincts and use the tools of effects to convey an emotion or idea.
IDeATe
IDeATe Common Learning Goals
‣ Demonstrate an appreciation for and ability to participate in critique of one's own work and the work of others.
‣ Demonstrate an understanding of the role of reflection in learning and designing (begin to become a reflective practitioner).
‣ Demonstrate an ability to articulate the story (visually, orally, verbally, aurally, etc.) of one's own work and one's own learning.
‣ Demonstrate an understanding of the history, cultural context and social implications of course content.
‣ Demonstrate the ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
‣ Demonstrate technical and creative skills in procedural animation.
Information about IDeATe
Facilities: Most IDeATe facilities are located in Hunt Library. Lending, Physical Computing Lab, Media Lab, the laser cutters, 3D printers, wood- shop, and CNC router are on the lower level. Some of the equipment requires special training which you will receive either in the class that requires it or in a micro course. If you are unsure of how to operate any of the equipment or are unsure how to use the equipment safely and effectively, please send email to help@ideate.cmu.edu.
Safety: Report all fires and emergencies immediately to University Police at 412-268-2323.
Emergency response: University Police - 412-268-2323 Building maintenance: Facilities Management & Campus
Services (FMCS) - 412-268-2910 IDeATe-related inquiries - help@ideate.cmu.edu
IDeATe Lending:
Once you are enrolled in an IDeATe course, you will have access to IDeATe Lending. You will maintain your access through the rest of your time at Carnegie Mellon. You must present your CMU ID each time you borrow an item. You will also be able to purchase a limited number of consumable items (such as plywood and acrylic) for projects. Please visit https:// resources.ideate.cmu.edu/lending/ for more detailed information on available resources, to review the IDeATe Lending Borrower Policy, and to find hours of operation.
Classroom and Lending Access:
If you are enrolled in an IDeATe class at least a week before the start of the course, you will have access to IDeATe Lending and (if applicable) have keycard access to the classroom door on the first day of class. If you add a course during the Add Period, you may need to wait a few business days to receive access while the lists are updated. If you add a course after the last day of the Add Period, email help@ideate.cmu.edu with your name, Andrew ID, and course number so we can add you to our systems.
IDeATe Advising:
If you have questions or need advice about IDeATe minors or courses, please get in touch with Kelly Delaney, the Assistant Director of IDeATe. Her office is in Hunt 246 and her email is kellydel@andrew.cmu.edu.
Class Policies
Attendance: Tardy or absent days require permission from the instructor. Class attendance and participation are important parts of the learning in this course. To account for this, a portion of the final grade is based on your regular attendance and active participation (see grading section). That said, I also recognize that students may need to miss class for a variety of reasons (religious observance, job interview, university-sanctioned event, or illness). For that reason, all students are permitted one class absence without any impact on the final grade. When you must miss class, please notify me (at least 24 hours in advance except for illness/emergency), so that we can discuss alternative arrangements for catching up on class and associated work. If you encounter extenuating circumstances and must miss more than one class, please come and discuss the issue with me; I would like to find a way to support you.
Participation: It is important for everyone to participate during class discussions and ask questions whenever needed. Participation is part of the overall grading, and students are expected to focus on the topic at hand instead of on the internet or texting.
Late work: Assignments are given on a weekly basis and are due as listed on each assignment. Late submission of an assignment will be noted and result in the loss of a point for each day the assignment is late. Consideration will be given to waive this penalty if a student receives permission from the instructor before the assignment is due.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:
The School of Art recognizes the diversity of racial identities, religious backgrounds, sexual orientations, and gender identities that is fundamental to our culture. All classes and studios in the School of Art are safe spaces for self-identification, self-expression, and inclusivity.
If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact Catherine Getchell, Director of Disability Resources, 412-268-6121, getchell@cmu.edu. If you have an accommodation letter from the Disability Resources office, I encourage you to discuss your accommodations and needs with me as early in the semester as possible. I will work with you to ensure that accommodations are appropriately provided.
Student wellness:
As a student, you may experience a range of challenges that can interfere with learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, substance abuse, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may diminish your academic performance and/or reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. CMU services are available. You can learn more about confidential mental health services available on campus at: https://www.cmu.edu/counseling/. Support is always available (24/7) from Counseling and Psychological Services: 412-268-2922.
Academic Integrity and Collaboration:
This course asks you to think and produce creatively, and output should be your own. Plagiarism is serious and can lead to disciplinary action, so please respect yourself and your peers by ensuring that your work is your own original creation. Plagiarism/Copying work from others will result in an automatic failing grade for the course.
Assessment Structure
Grading
Grades will be determined from the overall quality of the assignments, student professionalism, dedication/willingness to learn, ability to meet deadlines, participation, and the quality of the final assignment. A letter grade will be given at the end of semester.
Assignments: Full assignments will be posted under the assignments tab of this website. See for more details and submission guidelines. Shorter descriptions are also posted in the syllabus schedule below.
There are 2 initial assignments during the first 3 weeks. The final project will span the rest of the course, but work in progress will be due each week and reviewed during class time.
Assignment Percent of Final Grade
First 2 Assignments
25
Final Project
50
Participation
25
The purpose of class projects is to introduce fundamental techniques and conceptual parameters for making creative work with animation tools. Each individual project will build towards a final project. Projects are opportunities for exploration of concept and craft through innovative and idiomatic means. Projects will be evaluated according to the following considerations:
‣ Creative Inquiry - thoughtful research and consideration of conceptual prompts that guides and informs creative production.
‣ Execution - purposeful craft with care, attention to detail, and the incorporation of class lessons into the project.
‣ Resourcefulness - an ability to identify problems and effectively seek solutions beyond the convenient and readymade.
‣ Resilience - forging through challenges to identify and arrive at creative solutions. Learning from experience and not hesitating to redo work.
‣ Inventiveness - innovative approaches and unique methodologies that challenge or extend existing paradigms beyond the obvious.
‣ Fulfillment - meeting all project criteria (providing requested supporting materials, submission specifications, properly naming/ labeling work, etc.)
Projects will be submitted on the class learning management system (Box) and will be graded on a 0-5 point scale:
0 - No credit, no work submitted.
1 - Incomplete work, or work that demonstrates considerable lack of effort and poor execution; late work, submitted two sessions after initial due date or later.
2 - Below average execution and problem-solving, lacking in multiple areas of evaluation.
3 - Satisfactory; meets basic requirements for all evaluation areas, demonstrating average approaches in the execution of form and content.
4 - Above average; this grade typically represents a good concept with excellent formal execution, or an excellent concept with a good formal execution.
5 - Exceptional work in both concept and form; exceeds standards in all evaluation areas.
Important Links (Please bookmark)
Course Webpage: https://dalemayedaeffectsanimation.webnode.page
Course Piazza: https://piazza.com/cmu/fall2025/53323/home
Course Zoom: Use Zoom Link in Calendar Invite.
Office Hours Zoom Link: https://cmu.zoom.us/my/dmofficehours
Class TA will be: Ria Itty (ritty@andrew.cmu.edu)
Class Hours will be Tuesdays from 9:05am - 11:55am EST beginning 10/21 through 12/2.
Module 01 | Effects Animation in a Studio Production Pipeline
- Write up what inspired you to take the class and what do you hope to gain from the course.
- Based on the reference image and the class demo, create a variation of the procedurally modeled fountain.
Module 02 | Principles of Animation and the Importance of Research
- Pick an emotion (ie: playful, grand, zen, whimsical, etc) which you hope to convey with creating a fountain effect.
- Take photos and video of a real fountain you can use as inspiration.
- Build your fountain that clearly conveys the emotion you picked. Take a few snapshots of the fountain to turn in for the first half of the assignment.
Module 03 | Applying Animation Principles to Effects Animation
- Premise, "a fuse is lit and something happens". Come up with a simple idea or concept of the story you want to tell.
- Using a page of post-its, storyboard what you hope to create for your project and think of what you might need to learn to execute it. Keep in mind the scope of what is achievable over the next 4 weeks.
Module 04 | Project Pitch Reviews
Demo a simple rig of a lit fuse to start the project.
Module 04 | Composition, Timing and Purpose With Storytelling Case Studies
Tuesday, [11/18] - Demo a simple geometry fracture and rigid body simulation.
Module 05 | Effects Design and Conveying Emotion and Story
Module 07 | Review Final Projects
Tuesday, [12/2] - Review final projects and wrap up class.
Entering the rooms via the designated ingress route with appropriate physical distancing.