What you will learn
This summer school introduces you to the fundamentals of rigged 2D character animation using Toon Boom Harmony, one of the animation industry's leading software packages for television series production. Through a project-based workflow, you will explore the process of creating and animating digital puppet rigs, from simple body mechanics to more expressive character performances.
You will be introduced to industry-standard workflows used in 2D productions and learn how character rigs are constructed, organised and animated within Harmony's node-based system. The course combines rigging, character animation, acting and production workflows to provide a practical understanding of how modern 2D television animation is created.
During the course, you will:
- Learn the Toon Boom Harmony interface and essential workflows
- Build and organise simple and more advanced character rigs
- Explore node-based rigging systems, constraints and controllers
- Create walk cycles and character movement using rigged characters
- Work with IK and FK animation workflows
- Develop an understanding of physicality, motion and character performance
- Rig a complete character from a model sheet
- Test and troubleshoot character rigs
- Animate an acting-based performance with a bit of dialogue
- Learn how to integrate audio and background into a shot
By the end of the course, you will have created a portfolio of rigging and animation exercises ending with a finished performance-based animation sequence demonstrating your understanding of character rigging, acting, workflow organisation and animation production methods.
Course background
Toon Boom Harmony 2D Rigged Animation is based on the programme element "Character Animation 2D - 2" from the Bachelor in Character Animation at The Animation Workshop, VIA University College.
Who should attend?
This summer school is primarily for animation students as well as professionals and others with some animation experience. The course assumes a basic understanding of animation principles but requires less strong drawing skills, since the method is rigged animation.
The first days are dedicated to becoming familiar with Toon Boom Harmony and establishing a common technical foundation for all participants through character rigging before progressing into animation.
Teaching format
As with all our summer school programmes, our teaching approach is a dynamic blend of lectures, assignments and constructive feedback. Learn from active industry professionals while building your own portfolio of animations. Participants will experiment, problem-solve and learn through practical exercises that reflect industry workflows.
Course overview
Week 1: Introduction to Harmony, basic rigging, and walk cycle
Week 2: Character rigging and jump animation test
Week 3: Acting and character performance
Daily Programme
9:00-12:00: Class
12:00-13:00: Lunch break
13:00-16:00: Class
Exam
The course finishes with a graded exam based on the topic of the course, rigged 2D character animation in Toon Boom Harmony. The exam is an individual project examination consisting of a:
- Character performance animation: a completed animation sequence using a supplied production-ready character rig, dialogue track and background
- Reflection paper: a 1-2 page reflection paper discussing workflow, rigging and animation choices, technical challenges and learning outcomes
The exam assesses the student's ability to plan and execute a complete rigged 2D animation workflow and critically reflect upon the process and final result.
Open Education
The summer school in Toon Boom Harmony: 2D Rigged Animation is an Open Education programme, part of the Bachelor in Character Animation at The Animation Workshop (TAW).
Open Education is a wide range of educational programmes in Denmark offered to adults who wish to undergo further training. It is open to anybody who has successfully passed our admission criteria.