Previsualization is an essential tool in both animation and live action filmmaking. Whether it is a feature film or a commercial, a television show or a short film, it's critical that storyboarding is the first directorial step of translating the written word to the screen. In a medium where collaboration is the norm, a story artist inherently becomes one of the most influential figures in a film's production, as every department builds upon the foundation of their work. In this course, we will go over the building blocks of visual storytelling and traditional filmmaking, culminating in a final project at the end of the semester. Lectures and screenings will explore the tenets of story structure, visual language, film grammar, and performance, all of which will be integrated into weekly assignments that exercise tried and true techniques of storyboarding method. The lessons in this course will give you a firm understanding of the art of storyboarding as it applies to the film and animation industry, and also a greater understanding of how to visually communicate with a level of clarity that you had not known before.

Open to Junior or Senior Illustration Students.

Elective

This course is predicated on deep student focus on social engagement and the societal benefits attached to their studio work. Students will investigate and critique methodologies of contemporary, socially engaged artists to develop their own progressive work in order to question and shift traditionally narrow and restrictive paradigms in Illustration that preference and reward the hegemonic at the expense of the progressive, dissident, and critical work needed to advocate for the historically underrepresented. Collaborative projects with local artists, individuals and community organizations will be encouraged and supported to directly connect students with local communities. Students will be required to present self-driven work periodically in response to selected topics, readings, and community discussion.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $0.00 - $150.00

Open to Graduate Illustration Students.

Major Requirement | MFA Illustration

In this course we will explore the process of designing characters as well as the objects they possess and the environments they inhabit. Through a series of projects that emphasize conceptual thinking and functional design, students will learn the problem solving skills used in design as a means of supporting a narrative. Full color works in variety of media will be critiqued on their clarity of vision and strength of presentation. This course is a continuation of the ideas presented in Character Design, and will serve both students who have taken that class and students new to this subject matter.

Open to Junior or Senior Illustration Students.

Elective

Manga, a term that represents a style and tradition of comics and cartooning developed in Japan during the late 19th century, has spread in global popularity the last few decades. As the artform increases its profile and influence on popular culture comics, animation, film, and art academics, many Illustrators and academics are becoming interested in learning the craft, and unique aspects of the artform. What better way of exploring the culture of manga and it's many intricacies than traveling to its birthplace, Japan, and interfacing with an institution that specializes in teaching the craft?

This course will take place on the campus of Kyoto Seika University, a partner institution of RISD with a full-fledged Manga, Anime, and Illustration undergraduate and graduate program, led Kyoto Seika faculty and RISD faculty members, multidisciplined artist Eric Telfort (Associate professor, Illustration), and graphic novelist Cat Huang (term appointment, Illustration). Participants will engage in a 3 week intensive cultural exchange experience where they will work alongside student peers at Kyoto Seika, learn traditional Japanese illustration techniques, research the range of manga genres, and meet with leading professionals from the Japanese publishing world. Museums, historical landmarks, and location scouting will provide further cultural context as students develop an appreciation for the influences of manga. While on campus students will develop a 4-page manga, as part of an anthology of short stories by students from RISD and Kyoto Seika, to be printed at a later date. In addition to group critiques, feedback will be provided by RISD and Kyoto Seika faculty, as well as invited professionals from the local publishing community.