After Effects I
3 credits
DIG 208: After Effects I
Learn motion graphics for today's media applications
Adobe After Effects is a powerful application for motion graphics and visual effects for film and video. After Effects is used for broadcast graphics, music videos, feature films, video rotoscoping, corporate presentations, and conferences. In this online After Effects course, you can study with a leading animator and learn how to use After Effects to create sophisticated motion graphics—using text and object animations, compositing videos and images, and adding audio and effects. You'll learn how to set keyframes on a timeline and work with transform properties, motion paths, masks, effects, and more.
Course At A Glance
Course Features
- 100% online
- Project-based
- Instructor-led
- Credit-bearing: 3 Credits
- Classes start January, April, and August
Instructor(s)
The course is taught by the following instructor(s):
Take this course as a standalone or as part of the following program(s):
Course Projects
Intro to After Effects
We will begin by familiarizing you with the many facets of the After Effects interface. After an introduction to some real-world After Effects applications, you'll dive right into using the basic features of the program. First you'll learn how to create, copy, and nudge keyframes in order to develop your first composition on a timeline. Then you'll learn the purpose of the transform properties (Anchor Point, Position, Scale, Rotation, and Opacity) and explore how to work with multiple layers.
Motion Paths and Interpolation
Let's explore how to customize motion paths to create realistic-looking animations. By delving further into keyframe interpolation, you will learn to use easing and velocity to gain control over motion in your animations. You will also learn how to paste motion paths from other programs into After Effects and zoom in and out of panels to get a better view of your intricate keyframing handiwork.
Text and Effects
After Effects allows you to manipulate text with considerable control and finesse, which explains why it's a favorite for television and film titling. This week, you will learn to use the Text tool along with text animation techniques such as motion blur and text effects presets. You will learn to import and manipulate text from Photoshop.
Masks and Effects
If you're familiar with non-linear editing, you'll have heard about the power of After Effects as a compositing tool. You can combine video files, stills, and Photoshop and Illustrator art (and more) into a single animation. This week's class shows you how. You'll learn to use layer masks to full advantage, creating custom shapes, and pasting them from Photoshop and Illustrator, while using alpha channels to manage transparency. You'll also become familiar with such widely used effects as stroke, scribble, and 3D.
Blending Modes, Time Manipulation, and Painting
This week, you will learn how to add original content or remove unwanted elements from your movies and beautify footage shot in less than ideal lighting conditions. You'll explore how to apply toning and blurring to your images or adjust their saturation and luminosity. You will also learn how to speed up and slow down time with time remapping.
Video, Audio, and Layers
After Effects projects can range from very simple to quite complex. In this final lecture you'll be introduced to keyframe assistants and various other panels and tools that will make your make your projects easier and more efficient. You'll see how After Effects fits into the video production workflow and learn how to organize your files for output.
Sample Student Work
by Thomas Andrews
Course Outcomes
What Are The Course Projects?
Creative motion graphics projects include 2D animation, squash and stretch,
A 15-second TV preview, rotoscoping, compositing, and audio integration.
What Software or Supplies Do I Need?
- Computer with Internet connection.
- Adobe After Effects and Adobe Photoshop.
- Basic experience in Photoshop.
What Will I Learn?
Students in this course can expect to learn to:
- Develop effective color schemes for design scenarios based on an understanding of color harmony.
- Plan and develop an After Effects composition on a timeline utilizing keyframes and anchor points.
- Apply transform properties: Anchor Point, Position, Scale, Rotation, and Opacity, and work with multiple layers of content.
- Utilize three kinds of interpolation: linear, Bezier, and hold to define the relationships between keyframes.
- Develop the skills to make original animations with text and objects.
- Create and import masks, layer masks, and backgrounds from Photoshop and combine video and still images with Photoshop artwork.
- Experiment with blending modes to correct color, lighting, and sharpness in video footage and still images.
- Implement the basics of rotoscoping to composite a video.
- Slow down and speed up movie clips through time remapping.
- Utilize painting and erasing tools to add or remove elements from a movie.
- Gain techniques for introducing audio into After Effects projects.
Getting Started
Course Registration
- Classes start January, April, and August
- 3 Credit Course
- Project-Based: Exercises, Discussions, and Critiques
| Course Tuition and Fees | |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $510/credit |
| Registration Fee* | $200 |
| Total Course Price | $1730 |
Registration fees are nonrefundable after 5 days from enrollment. All tuition includes a digital materials fee for course content.
Course Registration Form
To register for this course, use the form below to enter your information and desired start date. An Admissions Advisor will contact you to arrange payment and provide you with an Enrollment Agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Are The Courses Like?
Our courses are project-based. In each course you’ll enjoy a series of lectures, projects, discussions, and critiques designed to stretch your creative skills, earning college credit for your completed course.
How Much Time Do I Need?
Classes start January, April, and August, and this course can be completed in a 15-week term. College credit from this course can be applied to a range of degree and certificate level programs at Sessions College.
Who Are The Instructors?
Our courses are developed and taught by our faculty of professional artists, designers, and photographers. This means that you’ll learn in-demand skills, get feedback on your work, and build a portfolio of creative work.
Is Sessions College accredited?
Yes. Since 2001, Sessions College has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).