Animation (with Foundation Year)

Our BA (Hons) Animation degree gives you the tools you need to enter the industry, creating compelling works of motion and magic. We look to nurture and embolden your skills through relevant theory, constant practice and high-calibre technical demonstration.

You will:

• Study in an exceptional Stop-motion studio, equipped with Dragonframe software, professional camera equipment, and pre-rigged stages with grips, stands, and lights

• Benefit from our refurbished Mac Computer suite, designed for resource-heavy animation software such as Adobe After Effects and Autodesk Maya

• Gain a free subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud and ToonBoom Harmony for the duration of your study

• Receive dedicated technical training for all software mentioned above

• Learn from staff with extensive experience in creating animation within the industry

• Benefit from strong regional and national commercial links

• Have work experience opportunities

• Have regular industry interactions with Motion Design and Animation experts at networking events

Course Modules

YEAR 1 (FOUNDATION YEAR)
The foundation year will introduce you to the key elements of art and design. 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 practice assignments that will increase your recognition of strong ideas and original concepts.

MODULES

• Study Skills for Success (Core)

• Arts Engagement (Core)

• Visual Language (Core)

• Creative Reasoning (Core)

• Arts in Context (Core)

• Progression Project (Core)

• Welsh for First Time Learners (Optional)

  YEAR 2 (LEVEL 4)

• Visual Communication

• History and Context

• Interactive Design

• Digital Communication

• Storytelling: Theory and Practice

• Social Design

Year 3 (Level 5)

MODULES

• Motion Design

• Print and Production

• Critical Thinking

• Design Project: Animation

• Creating Futures: Making a Living

Year 4 (Level 6)

MODULES

• Specialist Project: Animation

• Research Project

• Live Brief

• Creative Futures: Professional Practice

Teaching & Assessment

There are no set exams. Assessment is continuous and relates to all aspects of the programme, providing more carefully defined emphasis on formative assessment and feedback on your coursework throughout the academic year. We will advise you on your level of attainment and direct you towards a strategy for further progression as you complete assignments and modules.

There are varied formats of assessment to encourage your learning through group seminars, critiques and tutorials. This can be through group interaction with critical analysis where you will submit a range of work including sketchbooks, design sheets, finished artwork, screen-based work, technical/ production files, journals, essays and audio-visual presentations. There are reviews of work at key points before Christmas and before Easter and this provides time for you to reflect on your progress prior to a final or summative year end assessment.

TEACHING AND LEARNING

On this course teaching and learning is designed to support students from a variety of backgrounds with diverse needs and to promote the supportive learning environment and pastoral care the School of Art and Design provides. Timetabling is developed to help learning teaching and assessment methodologies and provide clear and effective feedback to students. Contact hours are 16 per week in year 1, 14 per week in year 2 and 12 per week in year 3.

The programme is structured to enable you to work in a multidisciplinary manner, to be flexible and enable you to develop individually. This is supported by a personal tutor / tutorials system that provides you with guidance throughout all aspects of the programme.

Wrexham University is committed to supporting our students to maximise their academic potential.

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments. Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.