Johnny teaches various animation mediums including 2D, 3D, and motion graphics. With a background in visual effects and motion graphics, and training from USC School of Cinematic Arts, Johnny's teaching style blends foundational principles with project-based learning to empower students in creating their own animated narratives. Inspired by the ever-evolving nature of animation, Johnny stays creatively engaged by exploring new techniques and innovations in the field, drawing inspiration from both professional works and student projects alike. Johnny additionally teaches Italian, Trombone, and Piano.
I teach various mediums of animation, including 2D, 3D, and motion graphics.
Animation is a magical medium of artistic expression. The simulation of life and motion from a sequence of moving images is pure beauty. The nature of animation allows us to defy the laws of physics and gravity, to create what would never be possible in the world we live in. That very thing is what allows the medium to be this incredible sandbox of storytelling. I want to arm you with the tools and freedom to tell your own stories in this fantastic medium.
The first form of animation I explored was connected to visual effects, and mastering that aspect of Adobe After Effects in high school, I expanded into motion graphics and typography. Having been influenced very much by the Pixar movies early in my childhood, I decided to explore 3D animation and taught myself Autodesk Maya. I then went on to study animation in college at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, where I learned the principles of animation from teachers who created the very works that inspired me as a kid- Tom Sito (Beauty & the Beast, Lion King, Roger Rabbit), and Eric Goldberg (animator of the Genie in Aladdin). It was them that made me fall in love with the classic, hand-drawn style.
Whether we’re tackling 2D typography, classic character animation, or 3D creature animation, it is essential that students understand the twelve principles of animation. Once that foundation is built, I like to take a project-based approach, each mini-project utilizing a different principle increasing in difficulty, until the student is well-versed in style/software to have the freedom to create on their own.
This form of art is always changing and it keeps evolving. Every time animation is revolutionized, I fall in love with it all over again. Whether it be films like Into the Spider-Verse, or a student film that I see, getting to witness the continual rebirth of this form is what excites me.
You can see my own animation work here! www.johnnydigiorgio.com/design.
