| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-01 | 2023-07-09 |
| 2024-01-01 | 2023-11-26 |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The 2D Animation and Stop Motion BA (Hons) program at Teesside University equips students with the skills and knowledge to become professional animators. The program emphasizes storytelling, character design, and animation techniques, preparing graduates for a variety of careers in the animation industry. Students gain experience in industry-standard software and workflows, and create a professional animation portfolio. The program features unique approaches such as bespoke animation studios and an international animation festival, and has a strong track record of preparing students for successful careers in the animation industry.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Overview:
The 2D Animation and Stop Motion BA (Hons) program at Teesside University equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become professional animators. The program emphasizes storytelling, character design, and animation techniques, preparing graduates for a variety of careers in the animation industry.
Objectives:
- Develop strong animation skills in both 2D and stop motion techniques.
- Master the principles of animation and storytelling.
- Gain experience in industry-standard software and workflows.
- Create a professional animation portfolio.
Description:
The program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering all aspects of 2D animation and stop motion. Students learn about drawing, character design, storyboarding, animation principles, cinematography, lighting, and sound design. They also gain hands-on experience using industry-standard software and equipment, including Toon Boom Harmony and Dragonframe. The program culminates in a final-year project where students create a large-scale animation project based on their chosen specialism.
Outline:
Program Content:
- 2D animation
- Stop motion animation
- Character design
- Storyboarding
- Animation principles
- Cinematography
- Lighting
- Sound design
- Visual effects
Program Structure:
Year 1:
- Core modules: Animation Principles, Art for Animation, Introduction to Stop Motion, Visual Development for the Moving Image
Year 2:
- Core modules: 2D Animated Performance, Moviola, Professional Research and Development, Stop Motion
Optional Work Placement Year:
- Students have the option to spend one year in industry gaining work experience.
Final Year:
- Core modules: AVFX Project, Creative Industry Briefs, Kino
Course Schedule:
The program is offered full-time or part-time. Full-time students attend classes 5 days per week, while part-time students attend classes 2 days per week.
Individual Modules:
Year 1 Core Modules:
- Animation Principles: This module introduces the fundamental principles of animation, including timing, spacing, anticipation, exaggeration, and follow-through.
- Art for Animation: This module covers traditional and digital drawing techniques, focusing on character design, storyboarding, and environment sketching.
- Introduction to Stop Motion: This module explores the history, methods, materials, and techniques of stop-motion animation.
- Visual Development for the Moving Image: This module teaches students how to visualize and plan sequences for animation and live-action projects.
Year 2 Core Modules:
- 2D Animated Performance: This module focuses on animating characters with personality and emotion, and telling compelling stories through animation.
- Moviola: This module allows students to work in a team to produce an animation or visual effects sequence based on an industry-style brief.
- Professional Research and Development: This module gives students the opportunity to explore a specialist area of animation, games, or visual effects.
- Stop Motion: This module delves deeper into stop-motion techniques, including puppet animation, claymation, and cut-out animation.
Final Year Core Modules:
- AVFX Project: This module allows students to develop a large-scale animation project based on their chosen specialism and career goals.
- Creative Industry Briefs: This module challenges students to work on industry-style briefs, such as creating realistic creature animation or designing a motion graphics title sequence.
- Kino: This module involves working in a team to produce a short film or visual effects sequence in a style of the student's choice.
Assessment:
Assessment Methods:
The program uses a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Assignments
- Projects
- Presentations
- Portfolios
- Examinations
Assessment Criteria:
The assessment criteria for each module are based on the learning outcomes for that module. The criteria typically assess students' knowledge, understanding, and skills in the following areas:
- Animation principles
- Character design
- Storyboarding
- Cinematography
- Lighting
- Sound design
- Visual effects
- Project management
- Teamwork
Teaching:
Teaching Methods:
The program uses a variety of teaching methods, including:
- Lectures
- Seminars
- Workshops
- Tutorials
- Individual supervision
- Guest lectures
Faculty:
The program is taught by a team of experienced and qualified lecturers who are active in the animation industry. The faculty includes:
- Justin Greetham (Head of Animation)
- Ellie Serafin (Lecturer in Animation)
- Lesley-Anne Rose (Lecturer in Animation)
Unique Approaches:
The program has several unique features, including:
- Bespoke 2D animation studios featuring industry-standard software
- Dedicated workshops and stop-motion studios equipped with lighting, cameras, and green screen
- ExpoSeries of events showcasing work to industry professionals
- Animex, an international animation and games festival featuring experts from leading studios
Careers:
Career Opportunities:
Graduates of the program can pursue a variety of careers in the animation industry, including:
- 2Danimator
- Stop motion animator
- Visual effects artist
- Character designer
- Storyboard artist
- Animator
- Production designer
Career Outcomes:
The program has a strong track record of preparing students for successful careers in the animation industry. Many graduates have gone on to work for leading studios such as Pixar, Disney, and Aardman Animations.
Other:
Additional Information:
The program offers a foundation year for students who need additional preparation or who do not have sufficient grades to join Year 1. The program also offers an optional work placement year, allowing students to gain valuable industry experience. Students can apply for a scholarship to help with the cost of tuition fees. The program is located in Teesside University's town-centre campus, which has undergone £280 million of recent investment. Teesside University is the first Adobe Creative Campus in Europe, providing students with access to the latest Adobe software and resources. The student work section of the website features a 2D Animation and Stop Motion showreel showcasing the work of current students. The staff profile section of the website features profiles of the program's teaching staff. The program's Instagram account provides news, updates, and insights into the program. The program's Vimeo account features a selection of student work and animation projects. The program's Twitter account provides news, updates, and insights into the program. The program's Pinterest account features a collection of animation-related inspiration and resources.
Tuition Fees and Payment Information:
- Full-time
- Entry to 2024/25 academic year
- Fee for UK applicants: £9,250 a year
- Fee for international applicants: £17,000 a year
- Part-time
- 2024/25 entry
- Fee for UK applicants: £4,500 (120 credits)
