Animation BA (Hons)

The principles of animation are the foundation stone for any animator. Originally created by Disney, they have been used by generations of animators to create convincing animation across movies, TV series, games and commercials.

Fundamentals of 2D animation

Learn the principles of 2D animation, using hand-drawn techniques to create animation exercises.

Fundamentals of 3D animation

Explore the principles of 3D animation using industry standard techniques and software using a range of methods including the layered method and pose to pose.

Animation in context

Delve into the history of animation and motion design, from its earliest beginnings to today’s diverse styles and applications.

This is a 30-credit module.

You’re introduced to the 3D asset production, look development pipeline and the creation of production ready 3D assets using industry standard techniques and software.

Asset creation

You learn how to create 3D models, incorporating principles of topology, efficiency, and suitability.

3D texturing

Edit and apply captured, procedural and painted textures to 3D objects, using UV maps and image editing software.

CG lighting

Create attractive lighting for 3D objects and scenes, studying topics such as direct and indirect lighting, light types, shadows and colour temperature.

Rendering

Study physically based rendering techniques including theory, practice, rendering passes, layers and the rendering pipeline.

This is a 30-credit module.

You are introduced to a variety of technical areas of animation and VFX production.

Character and prop rigging

Learn the principles of forward and inverse kinematics, joints and skeletons, skinning and weight painting and applying control rigs.

Motion capture

Use the motion capture studio to learn how to direct actors and capture motion. Learn to clean data, apply it and import it into a real time engine.

Visual effects

Develop skills in simulation and procedural VFX to enhance rigid body dynamics, cloth, hair, fur and creature FX.

This is a 30-credit module.

When planning and visualising sequences for animation and live action, you need to understand the pre-production process and the tools and techniques you can use.

Cinematography and film language

You are introduced to cinematography and learn about film language, shot composition, camera moves and lighting.

Character and storyboard development

Develop your own visual interpretation of a script or narrative and produce a moving storyboard (animatic).

Digital compositing

You are introduced to a range of compositing techniques for live-action and 3D computer-generated imagery, 2D and stop-motion animation, lighting and digital 2D painted backgrounds.

This is a 30-credit module.

Character and Creature Animation
You study the animation workflow and develop key skills in character animation, lip sync, facial animation, acting and staging, and creature animation.

Motion Design
Delve into motion design tools and techniques, covering areas such as motion design and layout, animating to music, the history of motion graphics, and the iterative development of sequences.

You get the opportunity to experiment in a specialist area of your choice in animation, games and visual effects. Develop your independent learning skills and take ownership of your chosen direction through the assessment. You also research professional roles related to your specialism, identifying the graduate skills you need and developing an online presence.

AI literacy improves employability, making you more competitive in the job market. You also investigate the responsible use of AI in animation and visual effects, focusing on the benefits, risks and ethical concerns such as IP, copyright and consent.

This is a 30-credit module.

Learn to create characters that connect with your intended audience and how to give life to your story’s landscapes.

2D animation techniques

Develop your storytelling skills and animation principles to create strong sequences using industry-standard tools.

Acting and performance

Explore acting theory, drawing insights from references and observations and giving life to animated characters.

This is a 30-credit module.

Discover how to plan, rehearse, and direct actors on our motion-capture stage for full-body and facial performance capture. You follow the performance capture pipeline, from acquiring motion capture data to producing final animations.

You work with students from across all the games courses to develop a game slice in a team. Experience working in a production environment, and focus on specific skills in your own field of study while gaining valuable teamwork skills.

This is a 30-credit module.

You work in a team to produce an animation or visual effects sequence based on an industry style brief. Experience working in a production environment with industry input and feedback, and target specific production skills in your chosen field of study.

This is a 30-credit module.

You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.

You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.

Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:

· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.

If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.

Work alongside your project supervisor to develop a large-scale piece of individual work relating to your chosen specialism and career aims.

This is a 60-credit module.

You choose from a selection of briefs which reflect specialist industry roles, such as realistic creature animation, effects simulation or puppet making. Explore your specialism and develop your professional skills such as pitching ideas, costing and scheduling, working to a tight brief and responding to client changes.

This is a 30-credit module.

Experience working as a member of a games development team, in a setup that is as close to industrial practice as possible. You work in groups to construct a working game demo in a current game engine. You consider standard industry practices that consider multiplayer gaming threats, user safety, cheating and data security.

This is a 30-credit module.

You work in a team to produce a short film or visual effects sequence in a style of your choice. It could be a high-end visual effects sequence, a motion graphics title sequence or a short film. Each member takes on a production role to mimic the industry pipeline. You gain experience of teamwork, and a showpiece for your portfolio.

This is a 30-credit module.