Animation

"I’ve been pretty busy here at Ragdoll, and I’m just in the thick of finishing of a TV series called “Blips” which is now transmitting on CiTV Monday - Friday at around 3:30 up until Christmas. Take a look at one of the episodes and you will be able to see the kind of work I have been doing!”

Adam Fenwick, Graduated 2004 and currently employed at Ragdoll (Stratford-Upon-Avon).

Animation graduate, Becki Wilson got to work on the latest Harry Potter movie as a Match Mover for Cinesite - Read more

Animation Showreel 2010

Animation concerns “the illusion of life” using a sequence of hand drawn, modelled or computer-generated characters. The course enables you to specialise in this creative area and equips you with the fundamentals of animation production skills including life drawing, storyboarding, animatics and narrative dialogue, through to completed film utilising 2D ink and paint, 3D computer and stop motion processes. You will work toward a professional portfolio and showreel of work.

The course aims to develop you as a creative animator. We provide demonstrations of industry standard equipment and techniques, animation production though workshops, lectures and seminars, peer critiques and individual tutorials, centred on a series of animation projects.

Level 4 provides a structure for learning the basic principles of animation as sought after by industry. These include timing and spacing, cycles, metamorphosis and various exercises, utilising traditional cartoon, experimental, 2D, 3D and computer aided animation.

At Level 5 we start to look at the development of characters and explore the narrative of animation. This includes scriptwriting classes, lip sync and professional audio production. Visiting professionals are involved in introducing a variety of animation practices direct from contemporary animation studios and students work on a collaborative project in animation.

Level 6 encourages and emphasises professional practice. You will be expected to produce an animated film as part of your showreel. Personal tutorials support you as you develop expertise through a negotiated programme of study, culminating in the exhibition of your paper-based and film work in the graduate exhibition.

In Year 1, the emphasis is on short, appealing sketches which demonstrate your understanding of animation timing. You learn different methods of animating from traditional and digital 2D cell animation, 2D cut out, stop motion, and computer-aided animation pipelines to enable you to make an informed decision about which method of production best suits you.

Year 2 focuses on the development of character design and performance, alongside the use of sound, voice and score. Scriptwriting is embedded as a core module leading to the development of a short animated sketch in semester 2 and supported by further contextual studies in Professional Practice.

Year 3 culminates in the production of two projects which demonstrate the skills and specialism acquired from previous years.
Project one involves negotiating a short individual animation project which employs professional practice. In project two you will direct a team, including year 2 assistant animators, in a collaborative production.
Core modules also offer career and destination planning, leading to strategies to find work placements as part of an external client brief.

Our animation graduates gain employment as animators/modellers in commercial studios or start their own business.

We operate a work placement scheme at the Bradford Animation Festival.

• Stop Motion Animation and Puppet Making
  

• Cartoon and Comic Arts

Related: Undergraduate degrees from Arts, Media and Design

• BA(Hons) Animation Awards Programme Specification (PDF, file size: 144.24KB)

For more information about Animation (W616) please contact: