Animation & Graphic Design

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The Geek Group produces video as part of its educational programming. We are seeking volunteers to work in the animation &graphics department, which includes:

For web video, we make:

• titles

• graphics

• 2D & 3D motion graphics

• 2D & 3D animation

For web, print, and products, we make:

• icons

• graphics

• (sometimes) whole layouts

We have enough work on a regular basis to be a fullfilling experience for volunteers who want to commit anywhere from 1 to 40 hours per week. Experience is NOT REQUIRED, but is helpful.

Experience that is useful:

• hard-surface modelling

• CAD/Architectural work

• object animation (familiarity with curve editor)

• camera blocking/shot composition

• surfacing/texturing/materials (especially non-photo-realism)

• lighting

• rendering

• compositing

• (stylized) physics simulation

• vector art

• title, graphic, & intertitle typography

• composition

• keyframing/object-based animation

• basic After Effects expressions (it's really similar to javascript)

• camera/motion tracking

• color correction

Skills/personality traits that are helpful:

• Has strong work ethic

• Able to manage own time

• Able to iterate on ideas & knows when to ask for feedback

• Not afraid to ask for instructions, clarification, or help

• At least moderate professionalism: doesn't take direction/criticism/praise of work personally

• Can keep a schedule--or, failing that, can send an email at the beginning of the week saying when they'll be in

Skills for design:

• Understands elements of typography & lettering

• Understands principles of design

• Can synthesize references rather than just copying

Skills for 3D modeling:

• Sorry, but we just don't do character modeling/animation. Almost all hard-surface, sometimes some simulation

• That said, understanding of how rigging & animation works is beneficial to someone making the often-complicated mechanical stuff we have to animate

• Understands how to exaggerate, doesn't get bogged down in the minutiae until it's necessary

Skills for animation dept:

• (All of the preceding)

• Patience; disciplined enough to not charge ahead with the nitty-gritty until the broader stuff is working properly

• Sense of timing & composition; understands animation principles

• We do limited character animation in 2D

• Experience with the software we use (Adobe CC--particularly After Effects; Autodesk 3DS Max) is a plus, but not necessarily required. At the very least be willing/able to pick up these tools relatively quickly.