In the Rigging course, students learn to create movement handles for characters, similar to how the human body moves with bones and joints. The course begins with a model that has no bones or joints. Students typically receive a pre-made character, although they have the option to create their own. Using Autodesk Maya, they then create the rig, bringing the character to life with realistic movements. 
 
For this exercise, our students are tasked with creating a fully functional character rig. They can choose from a selection of provided models or propose their own. Using the techniques learned throughout the semester, they rig the model to ensure it is fully operational. Once the rig is complete, animators can begin animating the character. To ensure a smooth process, the character rig must be free of technical errors. 

With the created rig, animators can move every body part, including small muscles around the nose and mouth. This capability brings characters to life with vivid facial expressions, allowing viewers to truly feel and understand their emotions through nuanced body language. This level of detail gives the animation a deeply realistic and immersive quality, captivating the audience and making the characters' experiences resonate powerfully.