Hailing from the vibrant streets of Beirut, Lebanon, Walid Abouljoud is a versatile artist whose creative journey is fueled by a profound fascination with time-based art. At the core of his creative pursuits, he seeks to harmoniously blend the worlds of sound and moving imagery through animation.
In 2013, Abouljoud relocated to London, UK, where he earned his MA in character animation at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London. During his seven years in the United Kingdom, he contributed to numerous feature films and shorter animated projects, weaving together a diverse array of skills, including design, illustration, animation and music. Abouljoud is currently based in Boston, MA.
This course focuses primarily on hand-drawn character design, development, and movement. Beginning with simple model sheets drawn from different points of view, we explore how action and context can affect the design of characters. The same characters are then taken straight into animation. Students use the characters they created as actors who must perform in a variety of situations, and interact directly with the physical space around them. Exercises include walk cycles, lip-syncing, anticipation and follow-through, weight and resistance, and lessons in narrative, storyboarding, and drawing skills. A longer, three-week final project provides an opportunity for students to show what they have learned, and to create a cohesive story from start to finish. All supporting software is covered in a series of simple workshops. Class time involves critiques of homework assignments, demonstrations of techniques and screenings of a diverse range of films.
Times: F | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PMInstructor(s): Walid AbouljoudLocation(s): Auditorium, Room 525Enrolled / Capacity: 13Status: Open
SECTION DESCRIPTION
This course explores the use of the computer to create animation and motion graphics. Emphasis is placed on producing dynamic movement using keyframe interpolation and vector graphics. In addition, students will work with sound and motion data, coded expressions and effects generators to expand the range of animation possibilities. Through a series of individual and group projects, students will explore and experiment with computer animation techniques and gain experience with digital tools. A range of films will be screened complementing each week's focus. Knowledge of Adobe After Effects and Illustrator is helpful but not required. In addition to project work, students will reinforce software concepts by viewing weekly video tutorials outside class.
