Program Overview

Introduction to Animation

The Animation program at the University of Canterbury combines art with movement, creating cinematic scenes and dynamic, believable worlds full of life and motion. Studies at UC will help students develop their own personal animation style, and they will learn concepts, tools, and techniques needed to see the animation process from creation to post-production.

What Will My Study Involve?

• Use traditional hand-drawn and modern computer graphic techniques to create multi-dimensional characters and worlds.
• Work in computer and stop motion studio.
• Create their own portfolio of animation work.

Courses

Animation Major

For the major in the Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours, students must complete the following courses:

• 200-level:
  • DISC213 Editing and Postproduction
  • DISC241 Foundations of Animation
  • PROD241 Character Design
  • PROD244 Lighting and Rendering
  • DISC240 Animation Project I (15 points) OR DISC248 Animation Project I (30 points)
• 300-level:
  • PROD341 Cinematics and Visual Effects
  • PROD342 Digital Sculpting
  • PROD344 World Building At the 400-level, compulsory courses in the degree will focus on Animation projects.

Animation Minor

For the minor in the Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours, students must complete:

• 75 points of courses chosen from the specified options, with 45 points above 100-level. A maximum of 15 points can be chosen from the approved courses.

For the minor in the Bachelor of Arts, Commerce, Health, Product Design, Science, Social and Environmental Sustainability, Sport, or Youth and Community Leadership, students must complete:

• PROD142 2D and 3D Art for Game and Film
• 60 points of courses chosen from the specified options, with 45 points above 100-level. A maximum of 15 points can be chosen from the approved courses.

Career Opportunities

Students' experiences working on animation and visual effects for video games and other digital media will help prepare them for work in the fast-paced entertainment industry, as well as in roles in marketing, web design, and other areas needing animation expertise. Career pathways could include:

• Animation
• Visual effects (VFX)
• Game art
• Graphic design

Qualifications

The University of Canterbury offers the following qualifications related to Animation:

• Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours
• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Arts (Specialisations)
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Health
• Bachelor of Product Design
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Social and Environmental Sustainability
• Bachelor of Sport
• Bachelor of Youth and Community Leadership

Related Subjects

Students interested in Animation may also consider the following subjects:

• Game Development: Learn the tools and processes required to create modern digital games from scratch.
• Game Arts: Learn conceptual art design and technical skills needed for game design.