BA (Honours) Animation
Part-time
Location • City Campus
Subject area • Media arts
Related subjects • Computing
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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.
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 level 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.
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.
Nick Park, creator of Wallace and Grommit studied here before producing A Grand Day Out. Each year, Nick personally picks his favourite animation from the top three animations produced by final year students.
Part-time typically six years, maximum eight years
Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form
2013/14 academic year
Typically £4,500 a year
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/funding
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