Studying on the BA (Hons) Animation and Illustration course you will be able to explore and find your way within the two disciplines developing a practice which blurs the line between animation and illustration, but without the film making skills that the BA (Hons) Animation requires.

You will be working on analogue projects (e.g. printmaking and publishing alongside 2D drawn animation, stop-motion as well as new hybrid technologies like 3D printing) along with digital skills (e.g. digital 2D and 3D animation techniques, After Effects, Maya and become comfortable using Graphics Tablets to draw digitally).

Interdisciplinary collaboration with students from e.g. Fine Art Technology, Design Interaction and Photography allows you to exchange skills and to access technical support and subject expertise across disciplines giving you an edge in the competitive job market, with skills for the fourth industrial age (4iR).

You will be supported by yearly employability initiative Detour Ahead: Roadmaps for the Art and Design Industry, a week-long inter-disciplinary event offering you industry insights as well as guidance on subjects such as freelancing, copyright and tax.

You will graduate with skills in both animation and illustration with an adaptable approach to taking on work and being successful in the Creative Industries 4.0, where discipline distinctions become increasingly irrelevant.

BA (Hons) Animation and Illustration will give you the opportunity to develop a practice which blurs the line between animation and illustration, something that has become more common in industry, and gain skills in both Animation and Illustration with an adaptable approach to taking on work and being successful, chiming with the requirements of the Creative Industries 4.0, where discipline distinctions become increasingly irrelevant to professional life
 
Whilst studying you will develop skills in analogue craft skills (e.g. printmaking, collage, publishing and graphic novels alongside 2D drawn animation, stop-motion as well as new hybrid technologies like 3D printing and laser cutting) along with digital skills (e.g. digital 2D and 3D animation techniques, After Effects, Maya and become comfortable using Graphics Tablets to draw digitally).

You will undertake interdisciplinary collaboration with students from Fine Art Technology, Design Interaction, Graphic Design, Illustration and Photography gaining access to exchange of skills, technical support and subject expertise across disciplines.

Benefit from our progressive approach to learning through forward thinking and inclusive blended/ flipped learning and patchwork assessment, allowing you to make connections between modules, technical skills and research and your practice. You will gain fresh perspective and approaches (divergent thinking) giving you the edge in the competitive job market, and skills for the fourth industrial age (4iR).

Learn through critical thinking and undertake complex problem solving, to be able to succeed in 4iR and beyond (we call this emotional intelligence) and gain insights in our yearly cluster employability initiative Detour Ahead: Roadmaps for the Art and Design Industry, a week-long inter-disciplinary guest talk series as well as advice about copyright and licensing, freelancing and tax.

• Guided independent study
We are investing in key areas beyond your studies including our career services, library and well-being, to be available both face-to-face on campus and online with many of these available 24/7. We have new, modern library facilities on both campuses offering inspirational environments for study and research. Libraries contain resources in print and digital formats, a range of study spaces and dedicated librarian who can assist with your learning.

• Academic support
Students are supported with any academic or subject related queries by an Academic Advisor, module leaders, former and current UEL students.
If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, maths or IT, our Skillzone and English for Academic Purposes we offer workshops, drop-in sessions and one-to-one appointments to help our students achieve their potential. You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses.
Our Student Support hubs in Docklands and Stratford feature centralised helpdesks to cater for your every need. UEL provides also support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).

• Workload
Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate percentages for this course are:
Year 1: scheduled teaching – 300 hours; guided independent study – 900 hours.
Year 2: scheduled teaching – 300 hours; guided independent study – 900 hours.
Year 3: scheduled teaching – 300 hours; guided independent study – 900 hours.

The size of classes can vary depending on the nature of the course, module and activity. This can range from large groups in a lecture theatre setting, to smaller groups taking part in seminars and collaborative work. You will receive your personalised timetable at the beginning of the academic year dependent on your course.

Who will teach on this course:
Dan Duran, William Bishop-Stephens, Pooja Pottenkulam, Valerie Pezeron

When you graduate from this course, a wealth of opportunities within the broad area of animation and illustration will be open to you.

Professional studies modules will also prepare you for the world of work by giving you an understanding of how the industry works, covering areas such as on-line and published design magazines, making and publishing CVs. You’ll also put together you own portfolio to showcase your work to potential employers.

The BA (Hons) Illustration course has membership to the AOI (Association of Illustrators) — the BA (Hons) Graphic Design and Illustration course will also join as a member. Access offers students a two-hour illustration business masterclass and an interactive talk covering tangible employment skills, such as tips on contract negotiations and licensing, as well as cheap access to membership and the AOI magazine Varoom.

Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal.