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FdA/BA (Hons) Digital Animation Design and Production
Overview
Animation endures as one of the truest forms of creative expression. It's a vessel for humour, a voice for social or political commentary and an evergreen form of entertainment. It has the liberty to go anywhere, in any style and tell any story, which remains one of the reasons it is still so loved; it challenges narrative limits.
Course overview
Digital animators are enviably positioned within the creative world; our skills are used for character design/concepts, environments, pre-visualisation/animatic within 2D, 3D, stop motion and hybrid work. We understand timing, nuance, style, representation and above all, story.
Animators are found within film, games and of course animation itself as standalone work. This is the cultural space of the creators, the dreamers, the outsiders and the storytellers. Our own sensibilities and skills allow us to work in concept, production and post-production comfortably across all areas of media. We have the opportunity to both embrace technology but also retain character and humanity of voice.
Upon successful completion of the FdA Digital Animation Design and Production course, you'll have the option to progress to a BA (Hons) degree by studying for an additional year on our exclusive top-up course.
FdA Digital Animation Design and Production
What you'll study
We aim to give learners the knowledge, skill, support and environment in which to explore animation.
We'll look at various areas including life drawing, 2D/digital design and illustration, stop motion and modelmaking, character design/expression/acting and movement, writing for animation, storyboarding/shot and camera, animatic work, environment/asset design, colour and lighting (2D, 2.5D and 3D), and post-production, effects and colour grading.
We'll also cover pitching your idea, working independently and within a team as an animator, and workflow and roles.
You'll attend lectures and seminars delivered by a passionate and engaging team, in a positive environment. The course aims to equip learners with a thorough knowledge of the processes and skills expected for a professional animator. You'll build a portfolio demonstrating these aspects of animation, which will be further underpinned by more established creative sector skills such as pre- and post-production, editing, working with sound and so on.
By the end of the course, you'll be able to...
- Work confidently on all stages of an animation production.
- Work independently as an animator or as part of a production team.
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of the medium and its storytelling potential.
- Work at a higher academic level, managing your own future learning and development.
- Take a strong portfolio of your work forward.
BA (Hons) Digital Animation Design and Production (top-up)
The BA (Hons) Digital Animation Design and Production top-up provides a focused route for Level 5 graduates to advance their creative and academic skills in animation. The course develops independence, critical understanding and professional readiness, culminating in the production of an industry-standard portfolio and final project.
What you'll study
Through four key units, you'll progress from research and pre-production to the delivery of a final animated piece. Emphasis is placed on applying theory to practice, managing complex production workflows and refining personal identity as a creative practitioner.
The core study areas include:
- Advanced digital and stop-motion animation techniques
- Concept development and storyboarding
- Research and critical analysis through investigative study
- Production planning and workflow management
- Portfolio and professional identity development
In addition, the Major Project forms the capstone of the portfolio, evidencing your creative mastery and readiness for employment or postgraduate study.
Entry requirements
All applicants should have Level 3 qualifications, including at least one ‘creative’ subject. We're looking for 48 UCAS points.
Applicants who fall outside this tariff may be considered.
English Language requirements
The course is taught in English.
Academic IELTS overall score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.0 in each band (reading, writing, speaking, listening).
Please note that we're unable to consider students for this course who would require a student visa to study in the UK.