Heather D. Freeman is Associate Professor of Digital Media at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, US. She teaches 2D and 3D digital animation, video, digital print, sound art, small-screen interactivity, installation art, and drawing. She primarily teaches introductory and intermediate digital media and animation courses to students with concentrations in graphic design, digital media, illustration, photography and printmaking, although she occasionally has students concentrating in painting, ceramics, fiber art and sculpture in her classes. To accommodate this vast diversity of interests and applications, she approaches digital technologies as tools for the creation of works grounded on solid conceptualization and formalization. With this approach, both graphic designers and printmakers can learn the same software and technical applications, but apply these tools to their own formal and conceptual concerns.

If you need a fun, hands-on introduction to core animation techniques - then look no further! Heather Freeman guides you through a wide range of practical projects, helping you establish and build skills in narrative animation, motion graphics and visual effects.
Each chapter begins by summarizing historical and theoretical concerns and connecting them with current practice and applications - all beautifully illustrated with stills from classic commercial and independent films, as well as contemporary examples from student work. Having established this context, the remainder of the chapter focuses on walking readers through their own creative projects.
Topics covered include early animation technologies and techniques, scenes and staging, character animation, animated type, visual effects and motion graphics, pre- through post-production and experimental approaches to motion graphics.
Dozens of sample files are available online, for experimentation and to get readers started on each exercise. The companion website also includes example animations as well as links to recommended software tutorials, recommended artist websites, blogs and animation channels.

Introduction
1. Underpinnings: Principles of Animation
2. Brain Games: Pre-planning and Pre-production
3. A Thoughtful Space: Movement and Composition
4. Synthetic Life: Character Design and Movement
5. All Words are Pegs to Hang Ideas On: Text Animation
6. Lightning Bolts and Weathermen: Motion GFX and Visual FX
7. Devious Things: Experiments in Movement
8. Your Name in Lights: Venues for Animation
Conclusion: Art Making for Everyone
Glossary
Bibliography