MA Design – Animation allows practitioners in animation to explore opportunities that cross established boundaries or develop in-depth aspects of practice beyond usual levels. This postgraduate course aims to develop the student’s personal philosophies on design with a view to developing a personal area of specialism.
Our Postgraduate Animation degree is an exciting course, which offers students a chance to fine tune their animation skills under the supervision of industry professionals. This can range from creating brilliant character animation to creating an award winning animated film or developing amazing sound design skills. A ‘statement of intent’ is drawn up during the beginning of your studies which forms the backbone of the postgraduate activity and provides a term of reference for assessable outcomes.
Students are supported by staff input through a series of design activities, and tutorials during the initial modules that are designed to identify an area of interest that can then be fully explored. The formal presentation of this initial research activity and the conclusions drawn, form the basis of the ‘statement of intent’ document. Both the practical and theoretical elements will be assessed both during, and at the end of, each module.
Students work on individual projects and there is also the opportunity to work in groups on ‘live’ projects for real companies. In industry animation is essentially a group activity and this group work prepares students for their future career.
Successful applicants to this course will find themselves part of a larger postgraduate community, which will reflect and include a wide variety of interest’s right across the Art and Design spectrum. Furthermore, students should be able to demonstrate an ability to critically examine, analyse and evaluate contextual and philosophical issues relating to their intended programme of study. Students from Animation have gone on to work in the industry as both animators and directors.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Core modules:
MA Design Stage 1 – Design Ideation (60 credits)
Negotiate a ‘programme of study’ with your tutors to identify the topics that you intend to study and develop. Choose to specialise in just one discipline or explore a number of different disciplines. Your studies will include aspects of creative studio practice that are relevant to your named pathway. There is also a theoretical element that contextualises your chosen discipline(s), alongside other design media, within the broader field of design.
MA Design Stage 2 – Design development and Prototypes (60 credits)
Test out your ideas and experiences in this prototyping stage before the final outcome in Stage 3. Explore the techniques and application of your ideas. Practical output and theoretical contextualisation will continue to interact and build on each other.
MA Design Stage 3 – Design Realisation and Production (60 credits)
Produce your final design outcomes leading to a portfolio of creative work that has evolved from the practice and theoretical research developed up to this point. A Critical Evaluation Report will support your portfolio.