Mixed Media Animation: Bring Your Creations to Life
A course by Estudio AgiteGraphic Design and Animation Studio
A course by Estudio Agite, Graphic Design and Animation Studio
Explore different methods for creating an original diorama animation using stop motion and live action
Have you ever wanted to create a universe with a life of its own? Animation opens up a world of possibilities where you can experiment with endless techniques and materials. Julián and David Henao, animation experts and two of the founders of Agite design studio, teach you how to add smooth, seamless motion to your creations.
In this course, learn basic mixed media animation techniques to bring a diorama to life. Create exciting and memorable projects using 2D animation, stop motion, and live action techniques and simple materials like play dough and tin foil.
What will you learn in this online course?
29 lessons & 29 downloads
What Will We Do in This Course?
2 minutes, 31 seconds
Animate In Multiple Dimensions
18 minutes, 19 seconds
Diorama: From Idea to Reality
20 minutes, 0 seconds
Sketch, Color, and Storyboard 1
18 minutes, 30 seconds
Sketch, Color and Storyboard 2
13 minutes, 1 second
Sketch, Color and Storyboard 3
13 minutes, 21 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start the course by getting to know David and Julián. They tell you about their professional background as graphic designers and what motivated them to venture into the world of animation. They also show you some of their work at Agite and share their biggest influences.
In the next unit, review basic concepts for each of the three animation techniques used throughout the course: 2D animation, stop motion, and live action. Then, David and Julián show you some tricks to help you work around creative roadblocks while defining your concept. Learn how to develop your idea by first sketching it and then mapping it out in a storyboard. Now it's time to put all the pieces together and create your diorama. Assemble your main character, add the animated objects, and organize materials for your set.
Once you have an outline of the pieces, materials, and positions you want to use for each scene, learn some techniques to save you hours of work in post-production. With help from David and Julián, create a filming plan and experiment with lighting, set layout, and different types of frames. Lights, camera, animate! Use what you've learned about stop motion and live action to animate your diorama.
Finish your project by uploading all your recorded material to your computer to join sequences, edit, and add color. David and Julián give you some helpful advice on how to prepare your materials for an orderly post-production process. Use Photoshop and After Effects tools like masks to bring your diorama to life creating smooth, seamless animation. Finally, learn how to export and share your work in different formats and make your followers' jaws drop.
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Combine 2D animation, stop motion, and live action techniques to create an animated loop using a diorama.
Who is this online course for?
Creative minds interested in animation, handicrafts, and images in motion.
Requirements and materials
You need basic notions of animation and the desire to create using your hands. Working knowledge of Adobe Photoshop and After Effects is also highly recommended.
The materials for this course include a camera or a smartphone with high resolution, a computer with After Effects and Photoshop, colored paper, play dough, tape, and other basic tools and objects that the teachers outline in the course.
Reviews
- 1 year ago
Voy empezando el curso, me esta gustando mucho. Gracias por lo compartido.
- 1 year ago
20%
- 2 years ago
Zabawny i interesujący, ogromna ilość aspektów i detali.
- 3 years ago
I really enjoyed this course! Recommended.
- 3 years ago
Me gusto mucho, la manera de explicar hace que sea mas fácil.
The goal of this Medellín-based studio is to create graphic design with purpose by transferring all of their skills and experience into projects that focus on education, art, innovation, and sharing knowledge.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- Presentation
- Influences
- What Will We Do in This Course?
- U2
Come Up with an Idea for an Animated Diorama
- Animate In Multiple Dimensions
- Diorama: From Idea to Reality
- Sketch, Color, and Storyboard 1
- Sketch, Color and Storyboard 2
- Sketch, Color and Storyboard 3
- Building Our Diorama
- U3
Now, Let's Have Fun!
- Shooting Plan: Lights, Camera, Animation!
- Setting Up Our Workspace
- Stop-Motion Animation
- Live Action Animation
- U4
Everything is Ready
- Digital Preparation (Footage)
- Timeline Montage and Composition 1
- Montage and Composition of Timeline 2
- Timeline Montage and Composition 3
- 2D Animation 1
- 2D Animation 2
- 2D Animation 3
- Color Editing and Final Render 1
- Color Editing and Final Render 2
- Color Editing and Final Rendering 3
- Color Editing and Final Render 4
- Color Editing and Final Render 5
- Color Editing and Final Render 6
- Color Editing and Final Render 7
- Color Editing and Final Render 8
- Color Editing and Final Render 9
- FP
Final project
- Mixed Media Animation: Bring Your Creations to Life
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
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Get front-row seats
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
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FAQs
You’ll learn how to craft handmade dioramas, sculpt characters, apply mixed animation techniques (2D, 3D, stop motion), and combine photography, color, and composition to create immersive, narrative visual projects.
This course is recommended for those with intermediate skills in visual techniques or animation, but since processes are explained step-by-step, you can follow along if you have a basic background in illustration or design.
You’ll need basic modeling materials (clay, cardboard, paints), a camera or smartphone for photography, a computer with Photoshop and After Effects, and internet access to look up resources and references.
The course focuses on crafting handmade dioramas and animating them using mixed media techniques, blending manual and digital processes to create original audiovisual pieces and visual stories.
Yes, you’ll learn to combine digital 2D animation and stop motion techniques within dioramas, using tools like Photoshop and After Effects to create dynamic, original visuals.
The course blends digital illustration, hand modeling, photography, traditional animation, and stop motion to bring 3D scenes to life, resulting in visually rich and unique projects.
It draws inspiration from artists and studios like Studio Ghibli, Moebius, John Kelly, and Buck, exploring how they create immersive worlds, set designs, and mixed media visuals.