The Art of Computer Animation (2D) (Integrated Masters)

In recent years, 2D animation has experienced a significant revival, as studios including Blue Zoo, Aardman Animation and Brown Bag Films are creating wonderful films and experiences using the latest tools. The industry demand for more 2D Animators has recently gone through the roof.

This degree has been developed in collaboration with experts from the likes of DNEG and Framestore to give you the technical, creative and soft skills that the industry is looking for.

Our experienced tutors who’ve worked on the likes of The Lion King, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Godzilla and Doctor Strange, will teach you a range of animation techniques through intensive hands-on tutorials in our London industry-standard studios.

You’ll start building your experience and professional network and will graduate with a killer showreel to help open the doors to your dream studio.

Why choose this course

• Ranked 3rd in the UK and 8th in Europe in the Animation Career Review’s school ranking

• Based in London - home to some of the best animation studios in the world

• Industry briefs - work on industry-standard briefs and experience real-life scenarios, just like in a professional studio

• Successful alumni - you’ll join our community of thousands of Escapees, many of whom have gone on to work at some of the world’s top studios including Rare, Rockstar, Ubisoft, DNEG and Framestore. 47 Escapees worked on Avengers: Endgame, 26 on The Mandalorian, 23 on Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3 and 20 on Stranger Things

• Study in a studio environment that mirrors current industry practice, using professional software such as Maya, Toon Boom Harmony and Blender

• Professional input - our advisory board of experts from the likes of DNEG (Avengers: Endgame and Oscar-winning Dune) and Cinesite (Thor: Love and Thunder) help develop and keep this degree up to date. You will also receive feedback on some of your work from industry professionals

• 2D specialism - follow 2D specialist modules, focusing more on traditional drawing skills and how to leverage them with new digital tools. With modules including sketch-visualisation, backgrounds, lighting and shading, concept art.

First year (Level 4 - 120 credits)

Students on our BA/MArt Animation, Game Art and Visual Effects degrees study common modules in their first year. This will give you the all-round skills needed to become a professional, and a chance to choose a different specialism if you change your mind before your second year (subject to availability).

Creative Foundations - Craft (30 credits)
Creative Foundations - Project (30 credits)
Computer Animation - Core (15 credits)
Video Game Art - Core (15 credits)
Compositing for VFX - Core (15 credits)
3D for VFX - Core (15 credits)

Second year (Level 5 - 120 credits)

You’ll start to focus on 2D computer animation, developing your specialist skills and working in teams on industry-style projects.

Computer Animation (2D) - pro (30 credits)
Computer Animation (2D) - advanced (30 credits)
Specialism (15 credits)
Industry Studio Project (45 credits)

Third year (Level 6 - 120 credits)

You’ll hone your skills and begin to demonstrate the level of knowledge to be a professional artist.

Advanced Specialism (30 credits)
Professional Practice (30 credits)
Professional Studio Project (60 credits)

Fourth year - Integrated Masters students only (Level 7 - 120 credits)

Keen to further refine your skillset, considering working freelance, or one day dream of starting your own studio? As part of a team, you’ll work like a real outsourced studio, each taking on different roles relevant to your expertise. You’ll learn about business, entrepreneurship and the know-how for an impressive portfolio career.

Creative Research & Development (30 credits)
Commercial Studio Project (60 credits)
Business of Innovation (30 credits)

Formative assessment

The majority of modules contain at least one piece of practice or ‘formative’ assessment for which you receive feedback. Formative assessments are developmental and do not count towards your overall module mark.

Summative assessment breakdown

Level 4 and 5:
For Level 4 and 5 modules, your assessment will be split into two parts:
• 75% product - you will be required to create a product (short computer animation, rendered image of a 3D object composited shot, etc) to a specified brief, then present it in front of a panel and demonstrate how you have met the learning outcomes in your work
• 25% retrospective - you will be required to write a reflective analysis and present it for moderation and assessment.

Level 6:
The professional studio project module will be assessed just like level 4 and 5 modules; for the two other modules (advanced specialism, professional practice), 100% of your mark will be based on a self-evaluative portfolio.

Level 7:
If you’re doing the four-year MArt programme, you will be required to complete level 7 modules. The assessment of these modules will be split into four parts corresponding to four stages of the project - explore, ideate, accelerate, and incubate. Each stage will be equal to 25% of your final mark.

Progression:
In order to progress to the next stage (from first to second year, and from second to third year), you will have to achieve 120 credits at the end of the academic year.

For further information, please see Escape Studios' website escapestudios.ac.uk.

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS