Program Overview
The BA (Hons) Illustration and Animation program combines digital art technologies with animation. It provides a strong foundation in storytelling, animation production, and digital aesthetics. Through a mix of practical workshops and theoretical studies, students develop adaptability, maturity, and problem-solving skills that prepare them for diverse careers in the animation industry and beyond. The program fosters individual creative approaches and emphasizes the integration of theory and practice to enhance visual communication capabilities.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Illustration Animation Programme is a BA (Hons) degree that offers multiple digital, artistic, and creative experiences. It aims to develop students' skills across a range of digital art technologies, combining illustration with animation and enhancing visual communication capabilities related to regional, national, and international cultures and practices. The program strives to produce high-quality graduates equipped to solve real-world problems with adaptability and maturity.
HE Level 4:
- Classic Narrative Film Development: Film One (ADGMA064): (20 Credits) This module focuses on visual storytelling and narrative filmmaking for animation, guiding students from initial ideas to fully realized narrative film proposals. It covers professional animation techniques like character design, storyboarding, film language, and animatics, culminating in a collaborative film project. Theoretical aspects include design and narrative theory, requiring integration of theory and practice.
- Experimental Film Development: Film Two (ADGMA074): (20 Credits) This module expands animation skills with digital techniques, resulting in a short film proposal combining traditional and digital production methods. It incorporates theories to inform creative decisions and practical workshops to realize creative ideas.
- Production/Collaboration (ADGMA084): (40 Credits) Students select one project for in-depth exploration, reflecting their interests and skills. This usually involves producing one major piece of work (theoretical or practical), supported by contextual studies. Prior skills and experience are applied to the chosen media.
- The Animatics Bootcamp: Theory of Practice One (ADGMA094): (20 Credits) This module combines practical work with an introduction to film theory, divided into directed exercises, theoretical studies, and presentations. It aims to provide skills applicable to animation across various technological contexts.
- Pioneers of Animation Bootcamp: Theory of Practice Two (ADGMA104): (20 Credits) Students produce animation clips using various techniques to compare animation methods. It encourages experimentation and individual approaches, integrating theory to develop critical thinking. Self-evaluation is emphasized for increased clarity of understanding.
HE Level 5:
- Interpretation and Adaptation for Animation (ADGMA115): (20 Credits) This module focuses on filmmaking development, helping students discover their creative methodology. Short projects provide hands-on experience with film craft, emphasizing the relationship between text and image, and audio and visual elements in animation. Supporting workshops are included.
- Documentary Film Development (ADGMA125): (20 Credits) This module provides practical engagement with documentary animation, covering research, development, planning, and pitching of a short documentary animation film. It aims to consolidate understanding and experience as a reflective practitioner.
- Digital Aesthetics (CGI 1) (ADGMA135): (20 Credits) This module centers on digital production with practical drawing exercises, emphasizing final digital production. Theoretical components inform creative decisions in digital animation projects, supported by practical workshops.
- Digital Pathways (CGI 2) (ADGMA145): (20 Credits) This module develops digital animation skills in a chosen area of interest, helping students understand their interests within industrial and academic contexts. It supports the pursuit of individual specialisms informed by creative, social, environmental, and ethical considerations. Typical research paths include 2D animation, 3D character animation, and interactive animation.
HE Level 6:
- GMA Graduation Project Prototype (ADGMA186): (20 Credits) Students define, research, plan, and propose a complete production cycle for a 90-second animation film, from concept to public screening, aimed at an adult audience and suitable for festival exhibition. It emphasizes self-direction and individual creative approaches.
- GMA Graduation Project (ADGMA196): (40 Credits) This module involves completing a self-negotiated animation production, individually or as part of a team. Theoretical investigation, self-assessment, academic research (including case studies), tutorial support, and peer reviews are included. The outcome serves as evidence for employment, project commissions, or further study.
- Organic Modelling & Animation (ADGMA206): (20 Credits) This module focuses on creating an animated story, covering advanced character modeling techniques and the animation pipeline. It develops traditional drawing skills essential for game artists and provides techniques for complex 3D modeling challenges.
- GMA Dissertation (ADGMP176): (40 Credits) This module guides students in identifying a dissertation topic, synthesizing theory, conducting a literature review, and preparing a dissertation proposal.
Other:
The program emphasizes the integration of theory and practice in all modules. Students are encouraged to develop individual creative approaches and critical thinking skills. The program also highlights the importance of adaptability and maturity in solving real-world problems. The program's curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills needed to work across various technological contexts in animation.
