Characters are essential to making a successful story. Students in this class observe and discuss ways in which artists and authors establish characters in visual media, including film, animation, comics, and games. Open to ages 15-18. (Summer term) Course descriptionThe class features discussion of character development, writing and drawing exercises, and incorporates visual and informational research. Students learn different methods of character design through style, materials and storytelling methods, creating illustrations from sketch to finish. Students produce a final character portfolio, which includes a brief written narrative and illustrations. / Students in this class will have access to Adobe Creative Cloud software throughout the class.Open to students ages 15–18. Students must meet the age requirement by August 1, 2025. Please review our complete Teen Policies as well as our General Policies prior to completing your registration.PrerequisitePrevious drawing experience is helpful, but not required. Previous experience with Adobe Photoshop is helpful, but not required (example skills include digital drawing, editing, and painting).Class Meeting DetailsThis online course will be a combination of synchronous and asynchronous. Students will meet together online for synchronous class meetings on Tuesdays from 2:00-3:30 p.m. CST using Google Meet for demonstrations, discussions, opportunities for students to ask questions, and check-ins. Asynchronous activities may include readings, video demonstrations and tutorials, online discussions, projects, and critiques. The Instructor will schedule office hours and provide individual feedback throughout the course. The class meetings will be recorded for students to use as a review.Required materialsSupplies for the first classnotebook or sketchbookgeneral sketching tools such as:drawing pencils (HB-6B)pensmarkerscolored pencilsSoftwareAdobe Creative Cloud (provided by MCAD).HardwareComputer capable of running Adobe Creative Cloud with internet access, a camera, and a microphonea scanner or scanning app on a smartphoneprinter (optional)Class resourcesThis class used Adobe Creative Cloud and Canvas, MCAD’s learning management software. Please see the links for more information.Recommended textbookAny "The Art of..." books for film and games.Questions?Contact MCAD Continuing Education at continuing_education@mcad.edu or call 612.874.3765. Register Title Non-credit Tuition $384.00 Tuition Type Non-credit TuitionOne Credit Tuition Student's Legal First Name Student's Legal Last Name Student Birthdate Month MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Day Day12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031 Year Year192519261927192819291930193119321933193419351936193719381939194019411942194319441945194619471948194919501951195219531954195519561957195819591960196119621963196419651966196719681969197019711972197319741975197619771978197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020 I agree to the following registration terms and conditions. Date: Mon, Jun 9, 2025 - Fri, Jul 11, 2025 Time: 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. CST Day(s) of the week: Asynchronous Tuesday Ages: Open to ages 15 to 18. Term: Summer 2025 Instructor: Lafe Smith Location: Online SKU: CST 9620 20 SU25 Prerequisites: Previous drawing experience is helpful, but not required. Previous experience with Adobe Photoshop is helpful, but not required (example skills include digital drawing, editing, and painting).