Why Digital Art & Animation?

“Buddies Hanging Out” – Araceli, 9th grade, 2016

I start every school year with a ‘get to know you’ form. There is such a barrage of information during the first few weeks, I am bound to forget things and this form helps me learn about each student. I ask about favorite books, music, hobbies, etc. but also ask why they elected to take the class. Here’s ten different responses from my Digital Art & Animation classes:

• I heard from someone that it was a fun class.
• To learn more about computers
• Because my interest in anime got me interested in animation
• Seems interesting and a relatively easy course
• I wanted to try something new.
• I like drawing and using computers.
• Because I’m not really used to drawing or animating digitally so I want to get better at it.
• Because my friend was taking it, but I didn’t get the same class as her.
• I needed a Fine Arts credit.
• My schedule changed.

Their answers were all over the place! However, no matter the reason, my goal is to make their experience in my classroom worth it. On the flip side, I end every school year with a reflection journal. Here’s ten different takeaways from last year’s classes:

• I think I will never forget the work and thought I put into it and how satisfied I was with the final product.
• Always encourage others around you and never neglect people that need or ask for your help.
• It gave me confidence in my computer abilities.
• I will always remember making things in Illustrator and Photoshop. I didn’t know anything about those programs at the start of the year!
• CTRL+Z, I always clicked ‘undo’ before knowing
• I will always remember earning my Adobe certification.
• Just learning and getting over my fear of being bad at computers
• How to push myself to be a better artist
• I really enjoyed seeing how my skills had evolved
• (My projects) incorporate something that speaks about who I am. If you look at them, you’ll learn more about me.

It’s so great to see what students learn while creating art and I look forward to seeing what students learn about themselves this year.