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Students
Tuition Fee
Start Date
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
36 months
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Bachelors
Major
Animation | Digital Media
Area of study
Arts
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview


Animation and Motion Design – BA (Hons)

Course Overview

This programme is a creative mix of Animation & Motion Design disciplines. It is this mix that allows students to blend, develop, and present original visuals and narratives in exciting new ways. The purpose of animation is to entertain and may also inform, while the purpose of motion design is informative but may also entertain. The course nurtures creative individuals with the artistic vision and skills to produce diverse screen content for film, television, streaming platforms, and commercial spaces.


Our course provides students with a platform to develop their ideas, concepts, and skills through challenging creative briefs and exercises. These briefs are structured yet flexible, encouraging a hybrid approach that blends physical and digital art, 2D and 3D elements. Physical art-making is supported, with a focus on creation rather than discovery. Drawing is a fundamental component throughout all years. The course philosophy emphasises developing creative animators and motion designers, focusing on key skills in creativity, ideation, drawing, design, exploration, problem-solving, and collaboration.


Our studios, located in the heart of Limerick City, offer a bespoke working environment for our students. To view the diverse range of work produced by our final-year students for their graduate exhibition, visit us online. For a glimpse of ongoing student projects across our five key areas—Animation, Motion Design, Figure Drawing, Stop-Motion, and Digital – follow us on Instagram.


Entry Requirements

Entry into Animation & Motion Design is by competition and selection during US800 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry).


Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.


International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application.


Course Modules

Year 2

  • Animation 2.1 – Principles Students are introduced to the fundamentals and principles of traditional animation skills, techniques, and processes, through a range of assignments. These assignments are designed to build student confidence in drawing, design skills, technical understanding and application processes used in animating.
  • Animation 2.2 – Skills Students continue to develop their animation skills further, bringing believability to their characters through facial expressions, emotion, and dialogue. Planning actions and references for more complex animations are encouraged here, prior to moving into the digital realm.
  • Digital 2.1 – Drawing for Animation The presentation of animation and motion design concepts such as characters, layouts and backgrounds must be professionally presented, and to industry standards. This is achieved by excellent digital drawing skills, a comprehensive knowledge of digital painting and rendering techniques, in the making and creation of all aspects of preproduction material.
  • Digital 2.2 – Illustration for Motion Illustration in motion promotes the creation of visual language and patterns. Students are encouraged to engage with shape, character & form, and to prepare eye-catching content for motion sequences.
  • Figure Drawing 2.1 – Fundamentals Students acquire the skill of drawing the human body and mastering its line, shape, and depth. Understanding the basic proportions of the human body i.e., male, female, adult, and child proportions etc., and how all the parts relate to each other. Drawing a live model in 3D form, grasping measurements, center line and line of action etc. Learning to draw the head, torso, legs, arms, hands, and feet accurately, with the correct placing of drawings on the ground plane.
  • Figure Drawing 2.2 – Acting Students acquire the skill of drawing the human body in various poses that show: – The notion of shifting power centres i.e., when we stand and walk with ease, our power centre is in our chest leading us forward etc. Psychological gestures – a broken heart in mine can be expressed by breaking sticks. The Effects of Alcohol and drugs etc. Think Pantomime, think Emotions such as empathy – Charlie Chaplin the Tramp. This is a combination of body poses with facial expression, used in long to medium shot types
  • Motion Design 2.1 – Principles The defining quality of motion design is change that happens over time. Students are provided with the opportunity to play with qualities of rhythm and time. They are introduced to time-based media and the principles of motion design.
  • Motion Design 2.2 – Design Students will be taught how to design and create effective compositions and how to translate those into motion sequences.
  • Stop-Motion 2.1 – Basic (2D) Students are introduced to Object Motion, Pixilation and Cut-Out animation concepts and techniques. They apply animation principles such as timing, slow in and slow out, follow through and overlapping actions, using various mediums.
  • Stop-Motion 2.2 – Intermediate (2.5D & 3D) Students use more sophisticated processes and materials in Cut-Out, Silhouette and Claymation animations. Further principles and techniques of animation and motion design are applied as materials change. These include, staging, appeal, squash and stretch, exaggeration, arcs, timing, lighting, multi-plane, and sound design.

Year 3

  • Animation 3.1 – Technique & Process Students explore 2D digital animation techniques and processes, by combining animations with background elements, special effects, and camera movements, thus allowing for a wide range of complex visuals, within a digital, multi-plane environment.
  • Digital 3.1 – Design 2D / 3D Using multi-disciplinary techniques result in infinite communicational possibilities in both storytelling and narratives. Students are introduced to new digital techniques and processes
  • Digital 3.2 – Design 2D / 3D Creativity in animation and motion design is paramount, so animating characters or objects with believability, attitude and emotion is necessary. To do this effectively the animator and motion designer must make each motion memorable and each environment appropriate to the narrative or story being told, commencing in the pre-visualisation process. In achieving this, an in-depth understanding and attention to detail in behaviour, locomotion, and the built environment is essential.
  • Figure Drawing 3.1 – Motion Drawing body movements and body language that show: – The notion of shifting power centres i.e., when we stand and walk with ease, our power centre is in our chest leading us forward etc. Psychological gestures – a broken heart in mine can be expressed by breaking sticks. The Effects of Alcohol and drugs etc. Think Pantomime, think Emotions such as empathy – Charlie Chaplin the Tramp. This is a combination of body poses with facial expression, used in long to medium shot types
  • Motion Design 3.1 – Concept Motion designers’ value lies in their ability to bridge design disciplines and tell stories that are not bound to traditional formats or narratives. Students will be challenged to respond to creative problem solving in the form of a motion design project brief(s).
  • Placement / Practice / Exchange 3.1 – Research & Preparation
  • Practice / Placement / Exchange 3.2 – Planning & Enquiry Placement (6-8 weeks) March/April. Practice – Industry / Collaborative Project (6-8 weeks) March/April. Exchange – Erasmus opportunity for the full 15-week semester (25/30 credits)
  • Stop-Motion 3.1– Advanced (3D) Students develop their 3D skills in the making of puppets and sets. Design, camera, and lighting for stop motion is now paramount. The objective here is to bring not only motion, but life and believability to puppets and rigs. This is achieved using principles such as staging, anticipation, follow through & overlapping action, straight-ahead & pose to pose, exaggeration, arcs, and timing.
  • Stop-Motion 3.2 – Advanced (3D) Students develop their 3D skills further in the making of puppets and sets. Design, camera, and lighting for stop motion is now paramount. The objective here is to bring not only motion, but life and believability to their creations and capture for compositing. Including sound design, dialogue, and lip sync, all combined with a well-crafted skillset in stop motion production.

Year 4

  • Animation & Motion Design 4.1 Year 4 of the programme sees an intersection of animation & motion design. Students begin to research ideas and themes in an early-stage pre-production / pre-visualisation of their final year project. To further clarify their theme and to begin shaping their idea, students are provided the opportunity to visually explore and experiment. Originality and design certainty is derived through a series of self-initiated visual & motion studies. Students begin to refine and further develop their style, technique, approach, and to make creative decisions as to the platform and context of their final animation & motion design project. Students are also challenged to create an animation to enter the prestigious RSA student design awards, moving pictures category.
  • Animation & Motion Design 4.2 The final year project provides each student the opportunity to realise their visual themes and motion studies into a self-initiated project. The substantial body of work is carried through all stages in a professional and independent manner. – pre-production, production, post production. Students are supported by staff in the areas of – Story, Narrative & Script – Style, Visuals & Aesthetic – Technique, Context & Approach. While creating a piece of work that demonstrates technical knowledge and creative abilities as an independent thinker, students are encouraged to work to their strengths with a focus towards a future career in animation & motion design. The final outcomes are displayed at the end of year graduate exhibition in LSAD.

Career Opportunities

  • 2D Traditional Animator
  • Motion Designer
  • Character Animator
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Stop-Motion Animator
  • Compositing Designer
  • Concept Designer
  • Digital Media Designer
  • 2D Background Artist
  • 3D Animator
  • Scene Prep Artist

Further Study

Graduates are eligible to apply to Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programmes within LSAD and elsewhere.


Program Outline


Animation and Motion Design – BA (Hons) - TUS


Degree Overview:

This program is a creative blend of Animation & Motion Design disciplines, allowing students to combine, develop, and present original visuals and narratives in innovative ways. The program aims to nurture creative individuals with the artistic vision and skills to produce diverse screen content for film, television, streaming platforms, and commercial spaces. The course emphasizes developing creative animators and motion designers, focusing on key skills in creativity, ideation, drawing, design, exploration, problem-solving, and collaboration. It provides students with a platform to develop their ideas, concepts, and skills through challenging creative briefs and exercises. These briefs are structured yet flexible, encouraging a hybrid approach that blends physical and digital art, 2D and 3D elements. Physical art-making is supported, with a focus on creation rather than discovery. Drawing is a fundamental component throughout all years.


Outline:

The program is structured over 4 years, with a focus on developing both animation and motion design skills.


Year 2:

  • Animation 2.1 – Principles: Introduces students to the fundamentals and principles of traditional animation skills, techniques, and processes.
  • Animation 2.2 – Skills: Students continue to develop their animation skills, focusing on character believability through facial expressions, emotion, and dialogue.
  • Digital 2.1 – Drawing for Animation: Emphasizes professional presentation of animation and motion design concepts, including characters, layouts, and backgrounds, through digital drawing skills and knowledge of digital painting and rendering techniques.
  • Figure Drawing 2.1 – Fundamentals: Students learn to draw the human body, mastering its line, shape, and depth, understanding basic proportions, and drawing a live model in 3D form.
  • Figure Drawing 2.2 – Acting: Students learn to draw the human body in various poses that show actions, reactions, and gestures, defining a character and/or expressing an anticipated forthcoming event or action without facial features.
  • Motion Design 2.1 – Principles: Introduces students to time-based media and the principles of motion design, focusing on rhythm and time.
  • Motion Design 2.2 – Design: Students learn how to design and create effective compositions and translate them into motion sequences.
  • Stop-Motion 2.1 – Basic (2D): Introduces students to Object Motion, Pixilation, and Cut-Out animation concepts and techniques, applying animation principles using various mediums.
  • Stop-Motion 2.2 – Intermediate (2.5D & 3D): Students use more sophisticated processes and materials in Cut-Out, Silhouette, and Claymation animations, applying further principles and techniques of animation and motion design.

Year 3:

  • Animation 3.1 – Technique & Process: Students explore 2D digital animation techniques and processes, combining animations with background elements, special effects, and camera movements.
  • Digital 3.1 – Design 2D / 3D: Introduces students to new digital techniques and processes, including sketching, drawing, and painting in both bitmap and vector formats, using color palettes, deformers, frame-by-frame animation, and visual effects applications.
  • Digital 3.2 – Design 2D / 3D: Emphasizes animating characters or objects with believability, attitude, and emotion, focusing on pre-visualization, behavior, locomotion, and the built environment.
  • Figure Drawing 3.1 – Motion: Students learn to draw body movements and body language that show shifting power centers, psychological gestures, and the effects of alcohol and drugs.
  • Motion Design 3.1 – Concept: Students are challenged to respond to creative problem-solving in the form of a motion design project brief(s).
  • Placement / Practice / Exchange 3.1 – Research & Preparation: Students prepare for their placement, practice, or exchange opportunity.
  • Practice / Placement / Exchange 3.2 – Planning & Enquiry: Students participate in a 6-8 week placement, practice, or exchange opportunity.
  • Stop-Motion 3.1– Advanced (3D): Students develop their 3D skills in the making of puppets and sets, focusing on design, camera, and lighting for stop motion.
  • Stop-Motion 3.2 – Advanced (3D): Students further develop their 3D skills, focusing on bringing life and believability to their creations, including sound design, dialogue, and lip sync.

Year 4:

  • Animation & Motion Design 4.1: Students research ideas and themes in an early-stage pre-production/pre-visualization of their final year project, exploring and experimenting visually.
  • However, it is stated that students are supported by staff in the areas of Story, Narrative & Script, Style, Visuals & Aesthetic, Technique, Context & Approach.

Careers:

Graduates of this program are prepared for a variety of career opportunities in the animation and motion design industry.


Job categories include:

  • 2D Traditional Animator
  • Motion Designer
  • Character Animator
  • Storyboard Artist
  • Stop-Motion Animator
  • Compositing Designer
  • Concept Designer
  • Digital Media Designer
  • 2D Background Artist
  • 3D Animator
  • Scene Prep Artist

Further Study:

Graduates are eligible to apply to Level 9 and 10 postgraduate programs within LSAD and elsewhere.


Other:

The program's studios are located in the heart of Limerick City, offering a bespoke working environment for students. To view the diverse range of work produced by final-year students, visit lsadgraduates.ie.

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