Animation BA (Hons)

In this module, you will build on your experience and understanding of the processes of animation learned at level 4. The module encourages experimentation and problem solving whilst taking a broader approach to animation production, learning new techniques to address new challenges.

You should develop your understanding of two-dimensional and three-dimensional digital animation theory and practice whilst developing a personal visual language. The project brief will include opportunities to examine developing media toolsets for animation and related outputs. An exploration of the concepts and applications of developing media activities within professional practice will also be included in the module.

Compulsory

Bringing together best practice across VFX, animation and games, this module should advance your knowledge of 3D animation practices and character design. It builds on skills gained at Level 4 and examines fundamental techniques such as character sheets concept art and pre-visualisation, through to production, turntable renders, rigging, and walk cycles. You will also gain experience of working with different render engines to produce render passes, or AOVs (Arbitrary Output Variables) for compositing purposes. You may have the opportunity to collaborate with students from Games Art and Visual Effects (VFX).

Compulsory

This module examines 3D character design techniques using sculpting platforms such as Mudbox or ZBrush from concept to development. You will create specific creatures (and relevant assets such as props or weapons) and rig them for animation in the context of games, film, and other creative formats. The module explores key animation skills in terms of breaking down the distinct stages of animation workflow such as testing, refining, and rigging. You will be expected to research anatomy and myology as the basis for their designs and produce characters that are broken down into manageable components for later use in the pipeline. You may have the opportunity to collaborate with students from Games Art and Visual Effects (VFX).

Compulsory

The pre-production process in animation focuses on concepting, storyboarding, scripting, animatics, design, and logistics, and takes you through the pre-production pipeline in preparation for final animation production or related media.

In this module, there is an emphasis on effective time management, professionalism, and preparedness. You will seek to develop a body of work that demonstrates a personal visual language that responds to market trends, innovation and emerging markets and avenues of employment, whilst simultaneously identifying the area of professional practice that you wish to pursue.

Compulsory

Modelling and creating musculoskeletal structures for movement is core to the 2D and 3D animation process. In this module, you will look at the industry conventions that underpin effective modelling and rigging for animation, games, and live action content. Exploring both digital and physical production methods, you will have the opportunity to explore form using software or physical/mechanical production.
You are strongly encouraged to draw upon a range of cultural references and explore variety and difference to inform your project outcomes. There will be an examination of developments and innovations together with opportunities to explore traditional and newly developing techniques in modelling and rigging. You will explore and evaluate the creative processes employed within various methods of the depiction of 3-dimensional form.

Compulsory

Working collaboratively is core to the animation process and in this module, you will work as part of a creative team to produce a completed animation-related project, offering you the opportunity to experience first-hand the requirement for effective interpersonal engagement and professionalism across several disciplines. You should gain understanding of team dynamics and how to leverage your own and collaborators’ skills and abilities to the advantage of the overall team to successfully deliver the project.
You will be required to attend regular team briefings, keep an accurate production log, and maintain a high level of professional communication with your team for the duration of the module. You will have an opportunity to define your own area of specialist interest and to take ownership of your individual contribution to the team project, which you will be marked on.

Compulsory

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved placement² undertaken during your programme. A placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Optional

This module provides you with an opportunity to reflect upon and gain experience for an approved international study/work placement² undertaken during your programme. A work/study placement should usually be at least 26 weeks or equivalent; however, each placement will be considered on its own merits, having regard to the ability to achieve the learning outcomes.

Compulsory

The ability to address and respond to client briefs in a variety of contexts is core to animation practice and the positioning of animators within the professional landscape. This module provides you with the opportunity to externalise your practice by executing and synthesising responses to a range of professional, live, competition and self-initiated briefs.

You will undertake projects that are relevant to your professional goals and will address issues including visual development, scheduling, turnaround times, verbal and visual presentation, budgeting and meeting the expectations of clients and contractees. Emphasis will be on ideas generation, encouraging you to formulate and articulate solutions professionally and within strict deadlines.

Compulsory

Animation and related disciplines are informed by contemporary artistic, technical, historical, and cultural factors. You will undertake an exploration of contemporary, cultural, and technological debates and precedents relevant to your practical work so that you can locate your work within contexts of professional creative practice. Through this investigation, you will engage with industry, responding to the expectations of your chosen area of practice. Using this research, you will craft a report that will form the basis of the proposal for your Final Major Project.

Styles of presentation for this component of the submission are flexible including visual/audio visual content. It must be a critically researched endeavour, in a text-based or scripted format which includes a bibliography, full referencing of sources and follows the guidelines provided in lectures and handouts. You should draw upon a range of primary and secondary research to formulate a critical report with which to facilitate your transition into professional creative practice.

Compulsory

In this module, you will build on the skills and reflection developed in earlier stages. You will collect and collate your work and reflect on the relations, interpretations, and context of your current animation practice. You will be expected to demonstrate/evidence your awareness and understanding of the particularities of your chosen career direction through focused research, and to place your career aims in a professional context/ marketplace(s). The module will provide the opportunity for you to consider your own body of work within the context of your chosen field. At the conclusion of your final year, you will be required to present your work in an appropriate form for distribution within a professional context.

Compulsory

In this module you will develop your ability to negotiate the challenges of working as part of a creative and technical team within and across disciplines. Throughout this module, you will be expected to further develop appropriate levels of negotiation, reflection, technical and visual research, and idea development together with growing awareness of different approaches to practice. You will be expected to plan, record, and implement the creation of finished artefacts in collaborative teams.

This module addresses the collaborative culture of studio production across the animation and games art pipelines and responds to the need for collegiate communication in a professional working environment. Starting with a negotiated brief, you will produce work that will demonstrate meaningful planning, time management and high-quality output. You will minute and action appropriate expectations negotiated during the daily scrum which will be presented in the form of a production report at the end of the module.

Compulsory

This module provides you with an extended period of studio practice to allow you to consolidate and refine your practice and produce a substantial, sustained, and coherent body of work leading towards a relevant professional portfolio. You are guided to both conceive and manage complex and challenging projects, by responding to a variety of live externally set briefs, and/or by extending your own studio practice.

Projects may be hypothetical or personal, providing suitable context and purpose can be evidenced and supported in the proposal. You may choose to work collaboratively with clients, organisations, and audiences, or individually, establishing a realistic and externally tested personal practice. You will be expected to develop your skills in terms of managing complex, multi-dimensional challenges, integrating the skills and depth of knowledge acquired at Levels 4 and 5, whilst expanding your own discipline expertise. You will be expected to demonstrate the integration of analytical, theoretical, creative, and craft/ technological skills, explore/expand upon your personal philosophy, and evidence familiarity with the professional practices of the creative industry.

You will be expected to demonstrate a high order of professional and transferable skills (relevant to your chosen discipline) including, for example, presentation and pitching skills, written and visual documentation, client meeting, brief writing, self-reflection, and portfolio preparation and exhibiting.

Compulsory