Computer Animation Arts

Course content - 2017 entry

• Year 1
• Year 2
• Year 3

In the first year, you'll be introduced to the University and the technical workshops and facilities available to you. On the course you’ll learn the technical and conceptual skills that will give you a solid foundation from which to explore your areas of specialist activity.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• The CG Artist's Toolkit

  This unit will comprise three components: drawing, animation and character, plus learning how to use Autodesk Maya and supporting software. Together, they make up the CG artist's toolkit, skill sets fundamental to the origination and execution of innovative, technically accomplished computer generated imagery and animation.

• Space and Environment

  This unit will require you to investigate ways in which space can be represented dynamically through the development and production of original concept art and an original digital set. Working from developmental drawings and concept art, you'll pre-produce and execute work that demonstrates understanding of mise en scène and environment-derived narratives.
  

• Storytelling and Commission

  This will bring together the educational experiences of your first year, requiring you to engage in creating narrative-based work and developing a complete computer generated animation.

• Contextual Studies

  We'll encourage you to investigate culture and history, providing an introduction to studies that explore representation and how contemporary cultural phenomena communicate to audiences. The unit will address questions on how we receive information about the world in which we live, what we understand by language, and how we attribute meanings to things.

The second year focus is on finding your own specialist way of working and you’ll be encouraged and supported to start working more independently. During this year you may also have the opportunity to complete an industry work placement or even study abroad.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• Narrative and Character

  This unit aims to enhance your understanding of genre and character. Genres are formed by conventions and characteristic devices that structure audience expectation. Likewise, the role of a character designer is to act as a visual casting director and develop characters that fulfil the story and performance requirements of a script. Effective character design is essential to animation for conveying personality, role, and story. This unit will require you to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of narrative and character conventions.

• Adaptation and Professional Practice

  We'll require you to adapt creatively an existing source or body of information and this marks a key transition from directed to self-directed study. This unit will also include a professional practice element. Whilst developing work for Adaptation, you may also engage in a self-initiated work placement.

• Critical Perspectives

  This unit starts with an introduction to the body of theoretical ideas that emerged, in the second half of the 20th century, around the concept of post-modernity. You'll then address the need to formally place your work within complex frameworks of theory and practice.

• Study Abroad (optional)

  This optional unit will allow you to spend a period of time in an overseas educational institution.

The third year will see you achieve a greater level of independence with self-managed research, study and practice, resulting in a final major project and a written dissertation.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules

• Minor Project

  You'll develop and execute a creatively and technically sophisticated project. This project will demonstrate knowledge of professional practices representative of recognised CG industry pipelines.

• Major Project

  We'll require you to demonstrate innovative and sophisticated approaches to CGI and animation, supported by an advanced creative methodology.

• Dissertation

  You'll undertake a substantial period of sustained, individually-devised research on a subject related to the contextual and/or theoretical concerns of your discipline or professional area, towards the provision of structured written argument.

• OR Combined Dissertation/ Critical Reflection

  This unit consists of two periods of sustained, individually negotiated research on subjects which are
  likely to be related to the contextual and/ or theoretical concerns of your chosen areas of practice,
  towards the provision of structured argument.

• View the programme specification for 2016 entry

Please note, syllabus content indicated is provided as a guide. The content of the course may be subject to change.

Course modules