Animation

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Course Details

Course Code	LY_DANIM_B
Level	8
Duration	1 Year
Credits	60
Method of Delivery	On-campus
Campus Locations	Donegal – Letterkenny
Mode of Delivery	Full Time

How to Apply

Course Overview

This Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Animation is a one-year add-on Level 8 programme designed to allow you to specialise in your chosen area of animation production. This year is designed to allow you to gain both industry knowledge and experience while allowing you the time and space needed to hone your craft and produce your own animated film, showcase or tv series idea.

While you are developing your personal animation production, you will undertake a number of industry projects which will run alongside. These projects will include group projects as well as individual live project briefs from Animation companies such as DogEars, Cartoon Saloon and Kavaleer films. The dissertation enables you to research in depth an area of animation that particularly interests you. The Innovation & Creativity module aims to afford you a working knowledge of the business side of animation; the role of the producer in getting ideas and projects off the ground as well as an awareness of the selling/ pitching/ funding platforms in Ireland, UK and Europe. You will also develop an online portfolio and showreel during the programme.

Course Details

Year 1

Semester	Module Details	Credits	Mandatory / Elective
1	Industry/Competition Project This module allows the student to experience the pace of working in the creative industries through working on a variety of live industry and competition project briefs. Learners will demonstrate their skills and identify their strengths in their chosen field. Learning Outcomes 1. Pitch and present project work to a professional standard 2. Engage with industry standard and high profile competition briefs to produce professional standard project work 3. Critique design solutions against best practice in order to develop innovative design solutions 4. Justify use of medium, material and/or platform for a design solution 5. Integrate their knowledge and application of industry led production pipelines 6. Exercise critical judgement in utilising appropriate production techniques 7. Engage with industry practitioners	10	Mandatory
1	Final Project (Pre-Production & Process) In this module students of Film and Animation will initiate the conception, research and development of a project proposal, which will form the basis for their major project. Graphic and UX design will use advanced skills to interrogate how communication is evolving in the age of connected devices and social media. Fashion with Promotion will explore a range of technical advancement and social conscience which now inform the industry. The module affords students the opportunity to investigate the historical, theoretical, technical and cultural frameworks shaping their chosen field of study. They will be expected to seek out exemplars of professional practices and reflect on their own practice, and personal objectives for enhancing future progression. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate enhanced critical, conceptual, and technical skills in the generation and progression of a self-initiated project 2. Explore and analyse the work of industry experts and practitioners 3. Express systematic understanding of current practices within their chosen field 4. Manage comprehensive independent research demonstrating engagement with the wide contextual domain of their chosen field 5. Apply advanced presentation skills through active participation in peer-to-peer critiques	10	Mandatory
1	Research & Dissertation Learners will propose, research and write a 6,000 word dissertation on an area of visual culture identified in consultation with the tutor. This will normally have been developed and presented as an initial proposal in semester 6. The dissertation must be the candidate’s own work and show evidence of significant independent research and a thorough knowledge of their field of study. Learning Outcomes 1. Select, evaluate and manage independent research demonstrating substantial engagement with the relevant contextual domain for their area of study 2. Articulate an advanced understanding of the historical, theoretical, and cultural concepts relevant to the dissertation topic 3. Formulate a personal perspective on design practise informed by a variety of critical frameworks 4. Construct findings informed by critical appraisal of pertinent texts and sources 5. Write a cogent dissertation demonstrating thorough compliance with departmental conventions on academic writing	10	Mandatory
2	Major Project This module follows on from the Pre-Production & Process module and pushes the learner into full production of an individual Major project in their chosen field of study. This module allows the learner to apply their creative and technical skills in the production of a substantial body of work. Learning Outcomes 1. Formulate a self-initiated design brief 2. Produce an advanced body of work demonstrating creativity, innovation and skill 3. Master a range of production techniques relevant to their chosen field of study 4. Demonstrate the limitations of production tools and technologies in their chosen field of study 5. Exercise critical judgement in utilising a range of skillsets to realise professional standard work 6. Work independently, critique their own work and engage pro-actively with group critiques and discussions 7. Exercise appropriate judgement in dealing with and mitigating production problems and risks	25	Mandatory
2	Creativity and Creative Enterprise The creative industries, a sector founded on creative endeavour and creative enterprise, are the subject of theoretical and policy debate within Ireland and internationally. They provide employment opportunities to many graduates. This module encourages students to explore how creativity operates at a personal and organisational level and to become familiar with the employment landscape. Students work across disciplines to gain insights into the creative industries and their specific place within them. Learning Outcomes 1. Discuss creativity theory in relation to themselves and to creative enterprise 2. Assess the challenges facing the creative entrepreneur 3. Analyse the characteristics of the creative enterprise 4. Engage with businesses operating within the creative industries	05	Mandatory

Progression

On successful completion of this programme, students may apply to progress to Post Graduate and Masters programmes at ATU or at Institutes / Universities across Ireland and abroad.

Download a prospectus

Undergraduate Prospectus

Entry Requirements

The programme is offered in full-time mode for one year. Applicants must have a relevant Level 7 award with 180 ECTS credits and appropriate learning outcomes in Animation or a related area. Equivalent qualifications will be considered.

I always had an interest in animation, and the opportunity to learn and develop as an animator from lecturers who were not just industry veterans, but people who are still actively involved in the animation industry today was invaluable and extremely insightful. I loved everything about the course. The friends I have made are lifelong. The lectures who bent over backwards and came in on weekends to help with my final project were incredible. I would highly recommend this course.

I was given so much creative freedom and encouragement as an individual. The facilities in the department of design and creative media are still some of the best I have every witnessed. From the hardware to the software and to the support. Anything I needed to help produce a film was provided often without me even having to ask. Within 2 weeks of me finishing the course, I was hired to be a full time Animator/ Graphic Designer. I’ve also had a steady amount of freelance work with other studios and my final year film has received a great reception both in Ireland and Internationally. It has even won some awards – I’m still surprised by it’s performance myself.

The skills I learnt were invaluable. Within my first few weeks I helped design my current employers brand new in-house characters for animation. I’ve created rigs which have streamlined and improved our production quality and timelines. I’ve also lead, developed and been given my own projects.
Shaun Kelly , Animation