Students explore the art of hand-drawn animation at UW Bothell

This winter, the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences launched a Hand-Drawn Animation course, taught by Masahiro Sugano, Senior Artist-in-Residence.

Like many creative experiments, the course involved plenty of trial and error along the way. But according to Sugano, something meaningful emerged through the process: a shared sense of discovery, persistence, and joy in learning together.

“I am impressed by what the class accomplished together — especially considering that most students had virtually no prior experience with this art form.”

Over the course of the quarter, students learned the foundations of hand-drawn animation. Working frame by frame with pencil and paper, students produced hundreds of drawings, learned traditional animation techniques, and collaborated on a final class production, titled “Big Cheese Wheel.” Watch the final movie production below.

Hand-Drawn Animation (BISIA 240) will return in winter 2027. Students interested in animation, visual storytelling, illustration, or experimental art practices are encouraged to keep an eye out for future registration details.