Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Motion Graphics (Face-to-Face)

ART 4260-01

Course: ART 4260-01
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: ARTD
CRN: 31721

Course Description

This course focuses on integrating the components of typography, graphics, photography, video, and audio to create rich time-based projects. Both linear and non-linear interactive forms will be explored as they relate to real-world graphic design projects. Training will be given in selected current software. (Fall - Odd Years) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): ART 1120 and ART 2210 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Repeatable for Add’l Credit? Yes - Total Credits: 6 Registration Restriction(s): Art Foundation Review required

Required Texts

There are no required textbooks for this course. However, as an upper division Graphic Design Major only course you will need to have your own laptop.

Course Materials
Equipment:
- Laptop computer Mac or PC is fine
- Recommended: MacBook Pro with Quad-core processor, 16GB of RAM, 2GB of GPU VRAM
- Recommended: PC with Intel or AMD Quad-Core Processor, 16GB of RAM, and 2GB of GPU VRAM
- Adobe specifications can be found online

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Demonstrate the design process
      Document and reflect on each phase of creative development, from concept to completion, showing how design choices solve visual and communication problems.

    2. Create compelling time-based visuals
      Design motion graphics that effectively communicate through intellect and/or emotion, utilizing strong aesthetics and storytelling techniques.

    3. Use visual storytelling in motion
      Apply the principles of narrative structure, pacing, and rhythm to develop engaging motion sequences that integrate text, image, sound, and movement.

    4. Critically analyze and revise work
      Use critique to evaluate personal and peer work objectively, incorporating feedback and refining projects through iteration.

    5. Demonstrate technical proficiency in motion design tools and techniques, including:

      • Adobe After Effects

      • Integration of type, graphics, photography, and video

      • Use of frame-by-frame effects and creative transitions

      • Application of audio for motion sync and impact

      • Exploration of abstract, experimental, and branded motion design


Course Requirements


Course Project Overview
Each project listed below will have multiple assignments, which are assigned modules to help you stay on schedule for completing the larger projects.

Weeks 1-4: Type in Motion (20% of final grade)
- Type in Motion Micro-Project (60 points): Animate a single word or short phrase using movement alone to convey its meaning and emotional tone.
- Kinetic Typography (140 points): Create a dynamic animation that visually interprets spoken or sung words through synchronized and expressive type motion.

Weeks 5-8: Mixed Media Spot (20% of final grade)
- Storyboard (40 points): Develop a visual plan for a motion piece that outlines timing, transitions, and key scenes using frames and annotations.
- Style Frames (60 points): Design a set of polished stills that define the visual language—typography, color, composition, and mood—of an upcoming animation.
- Mixed Media Spot (100 points): Combine animated typography and graphics with original photo or video assets to produce a short concept-driven piece.

Weeks 9-12: Collage & Branding (25% of final grade)
- Motion Collage (100 points): Create a layered, abstract animation that experiments with texture, rhythm, and juxtaposition using diverse source materials.
- Animated Branding Package (150 points): Build a cohesive set of motion assets for a brand—such as a logo sting, lower third, and social loop—that demonstrates visual identity in motion.

Weeks 13-15: Final Motion Graphics Project (35% of final grade)
- Final Motion Graphics Project (350 points): Produce a fully-developed, self-directed motion piece that showcases your design thinking, technical skill, and storytelling ability.

Course Outline

Week 1 | Course introduction, overview of motion design, animation principles, intro to After Effects | Type in Motion exercise assigned
Week 2 | Keyframe animation, easing, motion timing, intro to expressive typography | Work time & critique: Type in Motion
Week 3 | Kinetic typography principles, syncing audio to motion | Kinetic Typography project assigned
Week 4 | Advanced type animation, visual rhythm, using sound expressively | Work time & critique: Kinetic Typography
Week 5 | Storytelling structure, concept development, writing for motion | Storyboard assignment given
Week 6 | Storyboard reviews, introduction to visual styling and look development | Style Frames assigned
Week 7 | Compositing in After Effects, image & video integration | Work time: Style Frames
Week 8 | Intro to mixed media motion, experimental visuals | Mixed Media Spot assigned & in progress
Week 9 | Visual abstraction, layering, collage techniques | Motion Collage assigned
Week 10 | Rhythm, timing, audio-driven visuals, feedback on collage ideas | Work time: Motion Collage
Week 11 | Branding systems, motion identity, logo animation best practices | Animated Branding Package assigned
Week 12 | Systematic design in motion, social content formats | Critique: Branding Package
Week 13 | Final project concepting, moodboards, pitches | Final Project proposal due
Week 14 | Animation work time, individual feedback and refinement | Final Project in progress
Week 15 | Final critiques, reflection, and documentation | Final Project due & presented

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

Late Work Policy

Meeting deadlines is essential in a collaborative, critique-based course like this one. Projects must be submitted on time to receive in-class feedback and to be included in critiques. Late work will only be accepted if you communicate with me before the due date. If approved, late submissions may be penalized by a 5% deduction per day, up to a maximum of 25%.

Unexcused late work, or work turned in after critiques have begun without prior communication, will not be accepted and will receive a grade of zero. Arriving late to a critique without prior notice will result in being marked absent, and your project will not be reviewed.

Students are responsible for managing their time and anticipating potential conflicts. If you’re facing unexpected circumstances, reach out early—I’m happy to work with you when communication is proactive.

Make up work will be handled on a case by case basis, with appropriate documentation for excused absences.

Attendance Policy

Studio courses are experiential in nature and rely heavily on in-class instruction, collaboration, and critique. As such, attendance is mandatory.

A student who misses more than 25% of scheduled class time (including unexcused absences and tardiness) will receive a final grade no higher than a “C–”, and may fail the course, regardless of performance on assignments.

Excused absences—such as those due to documented illness, university-sponsored activities, or other legitimate circumstances—may be made up with appropriate documentation (e.g., a doctor's note or official university communication). It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor before the absence when possible and to make arrangements to complete missed work promptly.

Consistent attendance and active participation are essential to your success in this course and in your development as a designer.

Course Fees

This is a 3 credit course with a $19.00 per credit program fee for a total of $57.00

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.