The Foundational year gives you the opportunity to gain a general artistic experience in diverse disciplines so that you can access the Animation programme with confidence.

This new specialised Animation programme will transform your passion for bringing characters to life, storytelling and moving images into exciting projects. This new course aims to train future versatile creatives in the art of the moving image.

The programme is first in Wales and 6th in the Uk for overall satisfaction in the of creative arts and design (WGU analysis of unpublished NSS 2019 data).

 During the first year of the BA (Hons) you will learn the principles of visual communication and drawing, to apply them to character design, background design, storyboarding and scene layout. You will explore the principles of animation with a focus on 2D techniques. The second year will involve you in an informative motion graphic project working in teams for an exterior collaborator. You will practice character animation using 3D techniques to build up a show reel. The third year will allow you to specialise and develop a final degree project.

 You will finish your studies with the professional skills and creative thinking strategies to apply for jobs in studios, work as a freelance artist, start your own studio or apply for post-graduate studies. You will be part of a vibrant collaborative learning community formed by enthusiastic artists.

The programme will give you experience creating animated projects from initial ideas to final results. The first year has an emphasis on drawing and designing the creative process. You will learn to generate ideas, research inspiring references, create engaging final images of character design sheets, backgrounds, and storyboards. During the first and second year, you will learn to apply the principles of animation using diverse techniques. Such as 2D drawn, 2D digital animation, motion graphics and 3D animation. You will acquire industry standard software skills and the creative strategies to be able to develop professional experimental projects as well as client briefs. The course aims to provide you with a showreel that will allow you to start a freelance professional activity, apply for post-graduate studies, and enter the animation industry.

YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)

 The foundation year will introduce you to the key elements of art and design, including design practice, applied and fine art.  You will explore the creative thought process relating to various art and design disciplines, developing your ability to put ideas down on paper quickly. There will be a range of practical assignments which will increase your recognition of strong ideas and original concepts.

 MODULES

• Introduction to Art and Design
• Introduction to Applied Art
• Introduction to Fine Art
• Creative Thinking
• The Skills You Need
• Contextual Studies

 YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4)

MODULES

• Visual communication (20 credits): you will learn the basics of drawing, composition, value and concept art. You will be introduced to digital image creation and edition.
• Contextual Studies 1 (20 credits): this module will make you familiar with the history of animation and game art including the evolution of technology, historical and social events, as well as the most innovative contributions of artists. It encourages debate and critical thinking about past and contemporary productions.
• Creative Writing for Visual Narrative (20 credits): you will learn the key elements involved in storytelling as well as continuity in audio-visual narratives and storyboarding.
• Creative Futures 1 (20 credits): this module provides professional skills and real competition briefs.
• Principles of Animation (20 credits): This module will introduce you to the methods and principles of animation and how to apply them through diverse techniques.
• Media and Motion (20 credits): you will develop further practice playing with the application of the principles of animation. You will produce final animation sequences to be added to your showreel.

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 5)

 MODULES

• Contextual Studies 2 (20 credits): This module will introduce you to critical theory and research methodologies applied to your artwork and your interests. You will be introduced to conceptual ideas and theories as a foundation for further enquiry at level 6.
• Creative Futures 2 (20 credits): this module provides professional skills such as time management, project management and to presentation and promotion of your work.
• Character Animation (20 credits): you will go deeper into the application of the principles of animation to acting and character performance in chosen techniques. You will express emotion in a believable way and learn to simulate weight and balance.
• Character in Context (20 credits): You will expand your knowledge in the art of creating characters and visualising a script. You will work on the layout, composition, value, the use of thumbnails and the use of camera moves to create engaging scenes with visual coherence, consistency and continuity.
• Animation for Society (20 credits):  this module will allow you to engage in a teamwork client-based project in collaboration with an external organisation. You will develop an informative film using motion graphics.
• Experimental Animation (20 credits): you will explore symbolic and metaphoric ways to communicate ideas and concepts through the manipulation of materials and the metamorphosis of shapes in relation to sound.

 YEAR 4 (LEVEL 6)

MODULES

• Contextual Studies 3 (20 credits): you will produce a piece of research in a chosen topic that can have multiple formats such as a written paper, an art project or a video essay.
• Creative Futures 3 (20 credits): you will acquire the skills to work as a professional.
• Negotiated practice (40 credits): you will set your own project with specific aims and objectives according to your professional aspirations in agreement with your tutor.
• Animation Degree project (40 credits): you will produce a professional standard outcome (such as an animated short film or a showreel) to be showcased in diverse events or platforms such as Animation festivals or job applications.