This elective explores both traditional and digital illustration while introducing students to the creative tools and techniques that bring drawings to life through animation. Students will learn the fundamentals of pose, movement, and expression, gaining insight into how artists use visual rhythm and timing to communicate emotion and storytelling.

Through a series of hands-on projects, students will experiment with digital, time-based media used by professional animators to transform still images into motion. They will explore key concepts such as keyframing, sequencing, and expressive gesture while developing their own short animated pieces.

By the end of the course, students will have a stronger understanding of how illustration and animation intersect, and a portfolio of original animated works that showcase their creative growth and technical skills.

While this elective can be taken on its own, is is designed to pair perfectly with the core Summer@Cornish morning Art & Design Intensive program.

We encourage students to enroll the morning intensive to build a strong foundation, then expand their skills and interests through these afternoon electives.

Explore the morning Art & Design Intensive [here], or email plus@cornish.edu with any questions.

How the Summer@Cornish Program Works

Design your own schedule: full days, morning Intensive only or afternoon Electives only!

Three Ways to Participate

• Full-Day Program

• Half-Day Program

• Single Elective

Full-Day Program

• Morning Intensive: Monday–Friday, 9 AM–12 PM

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• Afternoon Electives: Monday/Wednesday/Friday) & Tuesday/Thursday, 1 PM–4 PM

Half-Day Program

Students can select a combination of: 

• Only morning Intensive

• Only two afternoon Electives

Residency Program (Optional Add-On)

Available to Full-Day students:

• Evening & weekend activities

• Extra studio time

• On-campus supervision and housing

[Learn more here →]