Art Degrees Online

“Animation” is derived from the verb “to animate” — to bring to life.
Unlike a documentary film, which simply reflects the physical world, an animation is a completely constructed reality. In this new world, all kinds of characters, situations and space can be created simply from imagination.
KSU’s Animation course will provide the opportunity for students to dedicate themselves to serious study in this field. Faculty members include experienced animation experts whose work helped Japanese anime to gain world-wide recognition. Our objective is to foster the next generation of leaders creating animations that will bring dreams and inspiration to the world.

Department profile (May 2007):
Undergrad students (first intake 2006): 129
(M: 49; F: 80)
Overseas undergrad students: 8

Curriculum
1st year: Practical training and lectures forming the basis of the four-year course. Students will learn to see animation from the artist’s point of view, gaining knowledge of various processes.
Principles of animation 1 & 2, practical animation 1 & 2, CG animation 1 & 2, animation modeling (basic practice) 1 & 2, theory of animation media, theory of animation industry, history of Japanese animation, history of world animation, research on animation works and artists 1 & 2, history of media
2nd year: Contents of courses will be expanded, with more practical study of techniques, and improvement of skills by pursuing the real nature of animation.
Theory of animation direction 1 & 2, analysis of animation 1 & 2, CG animation 3 & 4, animation modeling expression 1 & 2, stop motion animation 1 & 2, modeling practice 1 & 2, theory of cinema 1 & 2
3rd year: Preparation period for major production (in 4th year)
Animation creation 1 & 2, sound effect practice 1 & 2, CG practical animation 1 & 2, practical animation modeling 1 & 2, theory of scenarios 1 & 2, theory of CG 1 & 2, animation production 1 & 2
4th year: Students express what they have learned in 4 years in their major graduation works.

In this department we teach European-style cartoons, which originated in the UK. A cartoon is a humorous picture, usually in a single panel, which expresses caricature, wit and exaggeration, for example as seen in newspaper editorial cartoons. Our students learn a style that is globally recognized and widely popular. A cartoon is an ultimately simple art form, which can be created with no more than a pen and paper. However, to achieve this apparent simplicity, it is necessary to attain a high level of technique and keen observational skills. Our curriculum is designed to provide thorough training in basic drawing, and to raise social awareness to enhance creative response. We want our students to challenge the art of humor at world-class level.

Department profile (May 2007):

Total undergraduate students: 126
(M: 38; F: 88)

Overseas undergraduate students: 9

Fulltime faculty: 3
Part-time lecturers: 11

Professors:

YOSHITOMI Yasuo
TAMADA Kyoko
SHINOHARA Yukio
G.M. Sudarta (Visiting Professor)

Curriculum:
1st year & 2nd year:
Some students join this course eager to learn the basics. In these two years most of their time is spent developing basic skills to express movement naturally in drawing. Through rigorous training students achieve their own characteristic “line” and other drawing skills, and discover the special characteristics of cartoons that cannot be matched by computer graphics.

1st year: Theory of caricature 1 & 2, drawing 1 & 2, design 1 & 2, painting technique1 & 2
2nd year: Production practice 1 & 2, sketching 1 & 2, satirical caricature 1 & 2, basic CG 1 & 2, newspaper study 1 & 2, basic 3D modeling (plaster), handcraft

3rd year: Training to develop critical views and creativity through caricatures based on global issues in news, and making illustrations that represent the sense of poetry found in children’s literature.
Production practice 3 & 4, caricature 1 & 2, cartoon 1 & 2, theory of contemporary media culture 1 & 2, research on media information 1 & 2 (theory), research on media information 1 & 2 (seminar), cartoon techniques 1 & 2

4th year: In first semester, a concentration on cartoons; in second semester, focus on production assignments and graduation works with emphasis on picture-book styles.
Production practice 5, free production, critical review, graduation work

Enrollments:
The Cartoon Art major accepts approximately 20 new students per year, approximately 3 of whom are international students.

Scope of Courses:
Cartoon Art emphasizes international and historical perspectives. Rather than simply learning techniques and styles popular in Japan today, students are exposed to cartoons and comics from all over the world, and throughout history, in order to gain a concrete grasp of the limitless potential of the medium. Every year, we will host visiting lecturers from around the world, as well as international symposia and other events. The faculty aim to make the department one of the major foci of cartoon and comic art in the world.