Intro to Animation: Bringing Drawings to Life (July 14-18, 9 AM to 3 PM)

225 W Center Street, Kingsport, TN 37660

$175 per student . Deposit of $87.50 due upon registration, balance due ten days before class begins.

Jump into the world of animation in this immersive week-long course! Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to sharpen your foundational skills, this class will guide you through the core principles of animation.

Each session will begin with a look at inspiring animation examples, breaking down what makes movement feel dynamic and believable. From classic 2D techniques to an introduction to 3D concepts, we'll explore how animation brings characters and stories to life.

The second half of each class will be hands-on, with guided exercises to practice fundamental animation principles like squash and stretch, timing, anticipation, and more. By the end of the week, students will have created their own short animated exercises and gained a solid understanding of how to bring movement to the screen.

What You’ll Learn:

✅ The 12 Principles of Animation

✅ Hands-on practice with basic animation exercises

✅ Exploring 2D animation, with a possible look at 3D

INSTRUCTOR BIO: Miguel Caffey is a 3D animator and recent grad from ETSU specializing in dynamic animation that blends 2D and 3D techniques, inspired by styles seen in Arcane and Spider-Verse. With a passion for storytelling that reflects themes of identity, culture, and movement, Miguel creates animations that feel raw, real, and expressive. This work draws on graffiti aesthetics and music sampling techniques, combining seemingly mismatched elements to form something powerful and cohesive. Whether crafting game animations or narrative-driven pieces, Miguel pushes creative boundaries to bring bold, impactful stories to life. Create Appalachia is pleased to have Miguel return to teach this beginning animation class.

Create Appalachia strives to make our region a better place to live and work by supporting innovation and creative entrepreneurship. Our primary focus is startups and small businesses that marry creativity and technology. Our goal is to incubate new businesses, increase employment opportunities for creatives, and highlight the key role that creativity plays in the region’s economic vitality.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Create Appalachia Center for Art & Technology, 225 West Center Street, Kingsport, United States