Animation BA Honours

What will you study on the BA Animation?

On this course you will study a broad range of animation practice including:

• Traditional 2D: Drawing, Painting, Mixed Media
• Digital 2D: Flash, After Effects, Cel Action, TV Paint and Adobe Photoshop
• Stop Motion: Puppet, Claymation, Cut Out, Sand on Glass, Paint on Glass and Pixilation
• 3D Computer Animation: Cinema 4D and Motion Capture

In your first year you will develop a personal approach to animation and learn to apply an understanding of film language, narrative and the technical processes of animation to the creation of your own animation sequences. You will learn about changing practices in the history of animation and explore and experiment with different forms of graphic media.

In your second year you will further develop your animation practice and begin to identify specific areas of interest. The second year of study gives you the opportunity to refine your technical and problem-solving skills. In the Digital Cultures module you will be introduced to a range of concepts regarding animation in games and play, particularly in relation to computer games.

In your final year you will consolidate your skills to a professional standard and fully prepare for a career in the animation industry, identifying potential career paths and preparing a graduation showreel, portfolio and promotional material.

What will you gain?

You will learn to:

• Research and develop your own ideas and turn them into compelling and emotive screenplays
• Develop strong and believable animated characters that your audience can empathise with
• Explore and experiment with image making as a means to developing a personal visual language
• Effectively use film language to communicate concept, character, personality and emotion
• Plan and manage all aspects of an animation production and deliver on time according to an agreed schedule
• Use film editing techniques to effectively convey concepts and narrative
• Use sound recording and editing techniques to create professional soundtracks for your films.

Modules

Embracing all aspects of animated film making, this animation degree simply makes perfect sense if youre an aspiring animator.

Animation for the modern age

Animation is at the heart of the movie industry, from the latest blockbuster to the small budget indie. Here you will develop your vision as an artist, animator, designer and director, equipping yourself with the essential skills to establish yourself in the animation industry. You'll be encouraged to experiment and be given the space to explore your own creativity and develop your own style. Youll study across a broad range of animation practice, including traditional and digital 2D, motion graphics and stop motion, as well as 3D computer animation and even working directly onto 16mm film.

Space to develop your own creativity

While studying animation you'll combine both theory and practice to develop your skills and knowledge. In class discussions and lectures, you'll learn about the history of animation, building your understanding of the changing practices of animation and being introduced to new concepts around animation and games.

When it comes to practical work, you'll develop and consolidate your own approach to animation in our state-of-the-art animation studios. Using building your own animated films as part of your portfolio development module. Using industry standard software you'll build and refine your technical skills with a focus on designing and directing your own animated films. You'll also learn storytelling, scriptwriting and characterisation alongside film and sound editing techniques to convey compelling narratives.

Youll learn alongside our BAFTA winning academic team who all work professionally in film making, each with their own set of skills in long and short animation, commercials, TV shows, motion graphics and music videos. They have worked with companies like Dreamworks, Warner Bros, Cartoon Network and the BBC with nominations and wins across events such as Cannes Film Festival and London International Animation Festival.

Support for your career goals

While youre learning, youll be matched with a Personal Tutor directly related to your course. Youll also get support from our Student Learning and Graduate Academic Assistants, who have experience in your subject area. Full time specialist technicians and technical tutors with in-depth professional experience will support you during workshops and studio practice.

We have strong links with UK and international animation companies, and our industry partners even sponsor final year students and give specialist workshops and lectures. You'll have the opportunity to build your network, as well as showcasing your work to employers within the creative industry at events, festivals and our end of term Degree Show. Our graduates have gone on to work on such films as Wes Anderson's 'Isle of Dogs', as well as animation companies like Lupus Film, Tiger Aspect Productions and Passion Pictures.

If you're passionate about animation and determined to succeed in a high pressure, fast paced environment, our BA in animation can set you up with the skills and support you'll need to succeed.

Qualifications

In addition to qualifications such as A level and International Baccalaureate, we accept a wide range of international qualifications.

Find out more about the qualifications we accept from your country on the relevant support in your country page. If you are unsure about the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest regional office for support.

English language requirements for international students

You must have competence in English language to study with us. The most commonly accepted evidence of English language ability is IELTS 6.0 (with minimum 5.5 in all components). We also normally require Grade C GCSE or an equivalent qualification. Visit our English language requirements page for a full list of accepted tests and qualifications. For some EU countries, we may be able to accept English language competency evidenced through your high school qualification. If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer an intensive pre-sessional English course.

Visas and immigration

In order to study in the UK, you will need to apply for a student route visa. Please see our visas and immigration page for further information.

How can the BA Animation support your career?

Middlesex has strong links with art and design employers. Our industry partners sponsor final year students and give visiting lectures. Hundreds of art and design agencies, organisations and other employers attend our final year degree show each year. Animation at Middlesex will prepare you for a career in many areas of the animation industry, with roles including:

Our graduates

Our students have gone on to work in roles where animation skills are highly valued, for example, creating visuals for live music tours, concerts, events, theatre productions and operas. The BA Animation also enables entrepreneurial students to set up their own business. To name a few of our alumni and their work:

• Adara Todd (2016) - Production assistant on children's television at Tiger Aspect
• Eleonora Quario (2015) - Assistant animator on many productions such as 'Ethel & Earnest' (BBC) and the new Wes Anderson film 'Isle of Dogs'
• Greg Haworth (2015) - Animator/ Creative Editor at RM2
• Lana Simanenkova (2013) - Successful senior animator at animation company in London Animade

Most recently, our 3^rd year student, Zachary Aghaizu, won the London Adobe Creative Jam 2018. The event was hosted by the BBC at Portland Place and with presentations from top Adobe executives including David Simons, the man who invented After Effects. There were 11 teams competing and each student got the chance to work as part of a creative team with two BBC designers. The teams were given a live brief with just three hours to create a new animated logo for community arts charity WAC Arts.

Work experience

Work experience in all forms greatly improves graduate employment prospects and we encourage all our students to undertake work experience during their studies whether through 2 work, volunteering or other means. The Animation department also organises live projects with industry practitioners so you can experience working on professional creative briefs.

Our specialist Employability Service and London location ensure that every year our students and graduates have access to an excellent range of work experience opportunities.

What support is available?

Our Employability Service can help you to develop your employability skills and get some valuable work experience. We provide workshops, events and one-to-one support with job hunting, CVs, covering letters, interviews, networking and so on. We also support you in securing 2 work, placements, internships and volunteering opportunities, and offer an enterprise support service for those looking to start their own business.