Animation – MArt

At a glance

Develop a thorough understanding of all aspects of animation on a course that encourages creativity and innovation. You learn how to work with animation and visual effects, such as stop motion, 2D and 3D animation and camera and green screen, using industry-standard software. Workshops and practice-based assignments give you chance to develop the creative skills needed to work in this vibrant industry.

Key points
• Study 2D, 3D and traditional methods of animation.• Fully develop your knowledge of animation and visual effects theory.
• Work with professional film equipment in our fully dedicated stop-motion studio and green screen film studio.

What is animation?
Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images to create an illusion of movement. It is a unique filmmaking and effects based technique that has been used within the industry for over 100 years.

Today, the range of animation techniques and disciplines have grown due to technological advances, making it an exciting time to be involved in this creative industry. 3D CG, drawn, stop-motion animation and visual effects all have an important role within film making, adverts, games production and online interactive media.

This course

Learn the creative skills and techniques of animation from tutors who are practising industry animators and effects artists. Members of the teaching team have worked on award-winning productions across all disciplines of animation and visual effects.

To help create a stimulating environment and to ensure that you gain the latest industry knowledge, you attend animation festival trips and film seminars. We also run a programme of visiting guest lecturers. Our industry links include Aardman, Double Negative, Frame Store, McKinnon and Saunders and Finger Industries.

Throughout the course you develop a portfolio of your project work to showcase your skills to potential employers. Your portfolio will include • stop-motion puppet animation • 2D drawn animation • 3D-CG rigging and animation • mixed media • set building • animation • pre-production research and development.

These techniques are explored using regularly updated industry standard software such as Autodesk Maya, 3DStudio Max, Foundry Nuke X and Stop Motion pro, as well as the full Adobe Master Suite, in dedicated workstation labs.

Other facilities you use include a stop-motion studio, a green screen studio, and a workshop including rapid prototype machines such as 3D printers and laser cutters.

All these taught skills prepare you for your final year project, creating and producing a professional-standard animated film.

We aim to ensure that you graduate from this course as creative, innovative individual with skills and knowledge to work in this exiting and vibrant industry.

About the MArt
This course runs parallel to the BA (Honours) Animation. The main difference begins in year three. The pace of work increases as you complete your undergraduate studies and begin your postgraduate studies.

In year four, self-directed study forms the main part of your learning. This is supported by taught modules, which are common to the masters programme. You also increase the professional activity in your specialist area. This improves your skills and develops career opportunities by building on links with external partners.

Key areas of study
Key areas include • traditional animation techniques • 3D-CG animation • animation theory • life drawing • digital compositing • image acquisition • animation production • photography and lighting for animation and visual effects.