2D Animation and Stop Motion 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.

Unlock the secrets of character creation, storyboarding, and environment sketching in traditional and digital drawing.

Traditional drawing skills

Study life drawing and observational techniques, perspective and composition.

Digital drawing skills

Explore image manipulation techniques using digital software and customising digital drawing tools. Dive into character design, environmental creation and prop development.

This is a 30-credit module.

Embark on a journey into the realm of stop-motion animation, looking at the history, methods, materials, and techniques.

Stop motion animation techniques

Explore stop motion techniques including claymation, object animation, cut-out animation, puppetry and pixilation.

Lighting and camera setups

Create captivating visuals through lighting and camera setups, and use capturing software to capture the essence of your creations.

Prop making

Learn to craft tools and models that breathe life into your animations.

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.

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.

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 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.

This is a 30-credit module.

Master the methods, materials, techniques, and fundamental principles employed in professional stop-motion productions.

Puppets, cut-outs and sets

Explore a range of materials and tools to create original props, characters and sets. Experiment with claymation, puppet animation and cut-out animation techniques.

Complex lighting, rigging and camera setups

Explore lighting setups, rigging, and precise tie-down techniques on set, and expand your knowledge of different camera lenses for animation.

Professional workflow

Immerse yourself in the professional animation workflow and learn to synchronise lip movements with recorded audio to create a short animated sequence.

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.

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.