The first grades are in!

222.3330 Computer Animation 1
Assignment: Motion

Research: Excellent (A)
'Sufficient collated background material, analysis of theories, practice of techniques, and processes relevant to the computer animation medium.'

Process: Good (B)
'Examples of fluid animated movement that is controlled and expressive, utilizing timing, nuance, weight and other key animation attributes.'

Control: Satisfactory (C)
'Control over support areas of video referencing, camera and rendering. Consistent control over the software and the medium.'

Formal Resolution: Good (B)
'Inclusion of additional style and originality that extends the meaning for the audience.'

General comments:
A great start to digital animation - your character is nicely modeled and engaging. Good development of blend-shapes. Good development of storyboard elements and exploration into character animation. There are elements of very expressive character animation and good sense of gravity eg: the jump and the first interaction with the fan. However the narrative element does not always give a clear indication as to what the character is doing and often confuses the 6 sequences. Also some of the shots do not frame the character well to make explicit the animated movement. The time spent developing the wheel cycle has probably left you short on time to really polish your animation. Overall this project shows a good foundation of animation skill that will greatly improve with more animation time.

Overall Grade: B 67%


22.492 Play Research and Design
Assignment: Why Play?

Research: Good (B)
'Identify and discuss relevant processes and theories of play'

Critical Thinking: Excellent (A)
'Develop meaning, relevance and application of play through a process of analysis, exploration and experimentation.'

Process: Good (B)
'Apply strategies of play to resolve an identifiable need or task to a high standard.'

Implementation: Good (B)
'Provide reflection and discussion on own work and that of others in the area of play research and design.'

General comments:
Overall a great start to the play paper, your project is timely and very pivotal to current social events. Good selection of target audience - although expansive, this present a unique challenge to engage the masses within your work. Your presentation provided a good insight into the structure and strategy of your play world and the elements you wish to develop. Although this project is well-formed and visually cohesive, it does sit on the fence between and educational, role playing or simulation game design. This positioning has the potential to extend your play world engagement and functionality- however this project needs to further research into the platforms of play, and what are the motivating forces behind them in order to make a cohesive blend of genres.
The use of visual mapping helps to convey the functionality of the play world, this project just needs to further illustrate the play research and strategies informing the design.
Overall a good project with plenty of potential.

Overall grade: B+ (74%)

This comments about a design I came up with in regards to the failed emergency preparedness campaign back in the Netherlands and New Zealand's frequency of natural disasters. The design revolves around people playing a social game that prepares them for natural disasters and encourages them to assemble a kit.