BA (Hons) Animation with Foundation Year

On this course, we abide by the 12 Principles of Animation as definiend by the Disney animators Ollie Johnston and Frank Thomas in their 1981 book The Illusion of Life: Disney Animation. These principles underpin all motion-based work, over time they will be the most important thing you will learn, practice, and perfect. As emergent animators it is vital that you understand and implement these principles into your work.

This research and practice module introduces the introductory elements of character design and visual design processes and their use within animation production. Students will study and practice various design principles through digital drawing and image creation, resulting in a well-researched and contextualised creative portfolio of work

In this module, students are invited to explore how they and their peers perceive the world and examine how that fits in with creative practice and the wider context of the Creative Industries. The focus is on empowering voices and refining the articulation of ideas. The module aims to develop students' abilities to critically analyse information and engage in thoughtful, sometimes controversial, discussions on contemporary issues. It provides an opportunity to explore concepts including cultural, social, political, economic, and environmental factors and across various disciplines. Additionally, it encourages the exploration of diverse perspectives and fosters the development of collaborative and inclusive communication skills.

The comprehension and application of time-based experimentation with, included but not limited to, ToomBoom, ZBrush, UE5, Maya, and TV Paint empower you to surpass traditional expectations in the field of animation. By embracing these innovative softwares, you can push the boundaries of conventional animation techniques and create groundbreaking work. As emerging animators, it is crucial to contextualise your practice through thorough research. This involves studying the historical and contemporary developments in animation, understanding the theoretical frameworks, and analysing the works of pioneering animators. By grounding your practice in research, you can gain valuable insights and inspiration that will inform your creative process. Moreover, it is essential to allow yourself the freedom to experiment with alternative ways of working. This could include exploring new animation software, experimenting with different animation styles, or integrating various multimedia elements into your projects. By adopting a mindset of experimentation, you can discover unique methods and techniques that will enhance your artistic expression and contribute to the evolution of the animation industry. Moreover, it is essential to allow yourself the freedom to experiment with alternative ways of working. This could include exploring new animation software, experimenting with different animation styles, or integrating various multimedia elements into your projects. By adopting a mindset of experimentation, you can discover unique methods and techniques that will enhance your artistic expression and contribute to the evolution of the animation industry.

This module involves an in-depth exploration of story adaptation across various media platforms. You will begin by examining how stories are transformed and adapted from one medium to another, such as from literature to film, or from film to animation. This exploration will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in adapting stories for different formats.

This module is about ‘you’ and your place in the world, with a view to refining your specialism as a professional/practitioner and improving your profile. The module will be delivered across specific course groupings that capture the core values of each course. Across this module students will typically undertake at least one major externally facing project (e.g. live brief, placement, virtual placement, etc) or 2-3 smaller projects by negotiation. These projects will support student transferable skills around employment within the Creative Industries.

This module focuses on students preparing an original concept for their final major project. The primary aim is to develop a unique and compelling idea that showcases their creativity and technical skills. Ideally, this project will take the form of a short film, allowing students to demonstrate their ability to tell a story through animation. However, the project can also be a pitch for any form of animated media, such as a series, a game, or an interactive experience. The specific format will be negotiated and agreed upon by the lecturers, ensuring that it aligns with the student's interests and career goals.

A professional project will be set where you must work to a client brief and create client-led deliverables. This project will simulate a real-world professional environment, providing you with the opportunity to engage with actual client requirements and expectations.

This module is about your 'career' after you complete your formal UG study. It is about the realities of (and preparation for) freelance, entrepreneurial, industry and further study trajectories. This pan-school module will hinge around students creating a personal career strategy plan called ‘28 days later’. The purpose is for students to take accountability and ownership over their future direction by creating a career plan that they activate when leaving the course with a view to maximise their long term employability prospects.