Digital Animation BA (Hons)

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1 Digital Animation BA (Hons) Southend Campus Digital animation is a growing field used in a range of industries with applications in everything from Hollywood movies to advertising and video games. This programme introduces you to the technology and skills needed for employment in these and other industries. Overview The Digital Animation degree programme is designed to provide you with the skills, knowledge and experience required to become a successful image maker in an exciting creative media industry environment that is currently undergoing significant changes. You will engage with our experienced lecturers who come from a wide range of commercial and professional disciplines to increase your technical ability, expand your understanding of the digital animation world, and prepare you for a career in animated film, special effects, children s animation, web design and games design. This degree offers a unique approach to digital animation within a broad media context that will effectively prepare you for successful progression to the career of your choice. The programme offers stimulating and exciting modules that cover not only CGI development but also pre-production, character development and the principles of animation. Covering all types of animation from 2D to 3D including model making you will produce storyboards and layouts, scripts and treatments culminating in a substantial digital animation project in year three. The course covers a range of digital animation and Key facts Interactive Entertainment Undergraduate Qualification Digital Animation BA (Hons) Media and Performing Arts Awarded by

2 production techniques in response to the move in the industry towards multi-skilled practitioners. The degree focuses on building essential knowledge and skills in digital animation, meeting the demands for a diverse range of realistic commercial scenarios across a range of media platforms and contexts. Core digital animation skills are supported through critical and theoretical understanding of how the industry operates in order to ensure that employability is at the heart of the programme outcomes. About this course Why should I do this course? this course will give you the skills required to become a successful image maker in a creative media industry environment in relatively small class groups (normally less than 20) you will receive personalised support from tutors which will enhance your understanding and development our lecturers come from a wide range of disciplines and their teaching will increase your technical ability, and expand your understanding of the digital animation world the degree focuses on building essential knowledge and skills in digital animation, meeting the demands for commercial animation production core digital animation skills are supported through critical and theoretical understanding of how the industry operates in order to ensure that employability is at the heart of the programme outcomes

3 What's covered? The programme culminates in your end of year show. You and your fellow students will decide where and what format the show should take. Previous students have showcased their work at the Park Inn Palace in Southendon-Sea and also at New Designers in London. Guest speakers As series of guest speakers are included as part of the programme. Previous guests have included: Lindsey Watson from Toon Boom Bobby Chiu, Founder and Creative Director of Imaginism Studios Dane Winn and Alec Smith from Blue-Zoo Animation Studios who have worked on CBeebies and CBBC Field trips Students benefit from several field trips including: residential trip to Los Angeles VFX Festival in London Victoria and Albert Museum Live briefs You will have the opportunity to build your portfolio through live briefs. Recent projects have included: short animation for YMCA Volunteer of the Year awards music video shoot for Josh James of Eurovision fame The Royal Society of Arts competition brief Contact hours 13 hours per week, over three days the great majority of contact hours are spent in the studios, with the rest in lectures How will my work be assessed? The great majority of assessment is through practical activity in individual or group projects. Students also complete presentations and essays. There are no exams on this programme. What can I do after this? You can progress to postgraduate study including: MA Animation MA Character Animation MA Illustration and Visual Media MA Interaction Design Communication Additional costs

4 There are no additional costs for this course. Graduation destinations The majority of our graduates find employment in film and TV production studios, advertising companies, publishing houses and web design firms. Studio start-ups also occur among our graduates as a direct result of the positive collaborative atmosphere on the programme. Graduates have progressed to animation studios including: Fox International Channels Blue-Zoo Studios Nerve Studios Structure Year one Your first year provides an interdisciplinary approach to Digital Animation, with a broad, practical and theoretical grounding in digital media production techniques. The focus of the first year is to develop foundation skills in 2D and 3D animation. You will develop a number of short experimental animations which will develop your understanding of industry standard software packages, animation techniques and storytelling. You will also work on a complete animation production, applying the skills learnt and refining your technique. A number of modules will help you to develop an awareness of digital animation and its uses in the context of contemporary society as you acquire skills in communication, presentation, team work, problem-solving, leadership and project management. Modules Contextual studies: The module explores the cultural and historical factors that have shaped two or more fields of the animation industries, including regulatory and legal frameworks that both liberate and constrain creative practice in areas such as film, popular art, and music. It encourages students to develop independent research skills and initiate their own inquiries into contextual and cultural factors that influence an area related to their course of study. Ideas factory: Ideas Factory will provide students with an opportunity to generate ideas from initial concept through the stages of script, screenplay construction and character development. These skills are intended to be integrated in the Visual Storytelling and Production modules at level 4. These creative techniques will be enhanced and applied in specialist pathways at levels 5 and 6. Visual storytelling: This module aims to introduce the essential elements of creative production processes, technology and materials. Students will be encouraged to develop an appreciation of contemporary industry practices such as character design, digital painting and illustration processes and concept design. Production: The aim of this module is to introduce the student to a range of creative approaches specific to animation production, including skills in both traditional and cut-out 2D animation, 3d modelling and character animation, and non-liner compositing and editing.. This will enable students to embrace a wide range of knowledge and skills in order to prepare them as multi-skilled practitioners that are equipped to operate across a range of increasingly integrated disciplines. This will underpin the effective creation of the digital production projects that follow at level 5. It will equip students with a vital opportunity to embed basic software and studio production skills within their emerging portfolio of professional practices. Other modules at level 4 will complement these skills in preparation for more extensive film production at level 5.

5 Year two The second year focuses in on specialist modules to build upon the broad practical and theoretical knowledge gained in year one. The focus is on skills based and professional practices, alongside working with external clients on live projects. Your skills will be expanded in a variety of contexts, for differing media and audiences in all genres of digital animation practice. Additionally you will be able to explore career development opportunities in digital animation and the creative industries. Modules Cinema studies: The aim of this module is offer an essential introduction to the general context within which Film is constructed, produced, exhibited and received. It will also facilitate an understanding of key critical and historical debates within Film, TV and Cinema Studies. This module is intended to complement and inform creative and practical modules throughout the programme, operating as a bridge between theory in year 1 and the Dissertation Project in year 3. Concept development: This module is designed to encourage synthesis between modules in the first and second year. In this module students will develop their design skills and demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the animation visual development process. Students will develop a critical understanding of the nature of commercial product development, concept and character design, and how this can specifically relate to their own creative practice. This module is a development and natural progression of ADDAN103 Visual Storytelling in Year 1 and informs ADDAN302 Final Major Project Development in Year 3. Narrative animation: This module will focus on the application of specific contemporary 2D animation software and the development of advanced storytelling skills for a specific audience. This will result in a short animation incorporating contemporary storytelling techniques, character animation and soundtrack. The specific audience will be pre-defined by the tutor, enabling students to apply creative strategies by working to given constraints. Character animation: Animation relies on establishing empathy between subject and viewer. Since its inception animation has developed its own grammar to communicate emotion, with characters being a central element in this relationship. This module looks at how students can develop Character Animation skills using contemporary animation software. Students will develop an understanding of body mechanics, acting and theatrical performance, as well as conforming to script and storyboard designs. This module builds upon ADDAN 102 Ideas Factory and ADDAN103 Visual Storytelling and develops skills necessary for ADDAN 325 Final Major Project and ADDAN326 Storyboarding and Animatic. Year three The third year of the programme will allow you to apply the skills and ideas you have developed in the previous two years to your own practice. The focus is on developing independent ventures, supporting a Final Major Project and dissertation as the culmination of your practical and theoretical learning. You will complete a substantial piece of digital animation work culminating in an exhibition to help you gain employment or further academic study opportunities. You will produce a professional digital animation portfolio that is to be supported by advanced research into critical theory and the work of contemporary practitioners. The professional practice module supports your transfer into employment or higher study. Modules

6 Dissertation: This module aims to provide students with an opportunity to offer critical analysis within an independent area of research that draws upon theoretical and practical material developed on the degree programme. You have the option to complete a tradition Dissertation or alternatively an Action Research Project. The intention is to encourage you to explore links with your Final Major Project in terms of experimentation with technical and creative approaches to Animation production. Final major project development: This module aims to provide the students with time to reflect upon and plan their Final Major Project. By creating a full concept and visual development portfolio for their intended, it is also an opportunity to build a professional industry profile. Elements such as research, concept and character design materials, and pre-production work will furnish students with a fully-prepared plan for ADDAN 303 Final Major Project. Final major project: The aim of this Final Major Animation Project is to provide a framework including support and resources for the student to produce an extended body of animated work as defined in the ADDAN 302 Final Major Project Development. This body of work should show an advanced level of practice conceptually, aesthetically and technically. It should consolidate the learning delivered during the programme to good effect, synthesising elements of animation with practical elements to culminate in a sophisticated outcome reflective of the programme content. Professional development: This module is designed to build on the skills and knowledge introduced in Year Two in module ADDAN202 Concept Development. The purpose of this module is to draw together the different strands of the degree and to put them into a format which prepares students to promote and present themselves in a way suitable for entry into the industry, or progression onto a Masters programme of study. In addition it is designed to give students suitable knowledge of industry structures in order to facilitate and promote entrepreneurial development and self-managed working practices. Fees Low-cost higher education Our fees are well below the national average and are among the lowest in the region, so studying with us is great value for money! Click for more about higher education funding. Entry requirements You will need a minimum of 220 UCAS points from one or more of the following: at least two A-levels BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma/Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma/Certificate [QCF] BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma [NQF] Access to Higher Education Diploma International Baccalaureate AQA Baccalaureate Progression Diploma Advanced Diploma You will also need GCSE English at grade C (old specification) or Grade 4 (new specification) or above OR a Level 2 equivalent such as functional skills. To find out how many points your qualifications are awarded, view the UCAS Tariff tables.

7 Portfolio requirements You will be required to show a portfolio that demonstrates an advanced knowledge of drawing and visual development, anatomical study and character design. This should be in the form of a combination of traditional drawings and sketches, digital design materials and character model sheets. You will also be required to produce evidence of scriptwriting and narrative development work to demonstrate your understanding of filmic composition and timing. Examples of storyboards or animation X-sheets/Dope sheets are recommended. It is recommended that you bring with you a sketchbook from a previous project in a related field to showcase these skills. We will ask about the artists, animators and filmmakers that have inspired you, where you may have seen their work and how you think their work might relate to your own. Examples of written work such as essays or reports, for example a film analysis or critical investigation, should also be included within your portfolio. All work should be clearly labelled with your name and the title of the course you have applied for. Assessment of your suitability will be made on the criteria above. It is recommended that your portfolio be no larger than A3 and contain the following work. Artwork traditional anatomical studies traditional concept designs digital concept designs character concepts/model sheets Narrative Development Materials script for a live-action or animated scene drawn storyboard panels, or two pages of completed X-sheets/Dope sheets Research & Communication Materials a recent sketchbook for either a film or design related project Analytical Materials a recent essay or report on a film or design related topic The work showcased within this portfolio should demonstrate your skills as both a designer and storyteller. There should be evidence of not only a personal, developed design style, but also your ability to take risks and be experimental. The portfolio must have clear narrative, ensure that all materials are presented professionally with clear labelling, and are your most successful pieces of work. Exceptional Entry Applications from mature students who do not possess the entry requirements as listed above, but who possess related professional experience or professional qualifications, are welcome to apply. You will need to demonstrate by interview, exceptional entry portfolio (this is likely to include evidence of paid or unpaid work

8 Powered by TCPDF ( experience) and/or written assessment that you are suitable for the course. In the first instance we suggest you contact to discuss your application. Applying Full-time courses Applications for full-time courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), quoting institution code S43 and the UCAS code for your chosen course. Part-time courses (incl. short full-time) Applications for all part-time Honours Degree, Foundation Degree, PGCE, CertEd, Certificate of Higher Education and Diploma of Higher Education courses at South Essex College should be made directly to the College using the online application form or by completing a paper application form and mailing it to our freepost address: HE Admissions South Essex College Freepost SMU 110 Luker Road Southend on Sea Essex SS1 1BR Need more info? Take a look at applying for your course» Course options Venue Starts Attendance Southend Monday, Full time Campus (Luker September 19, Road) 2016 Duration Provision Course code Cost 3 years Higher Education W Apply Now