BA (Hons) Illustration with Animation - A026

The course offers an intensive period of study that proceeds from relatively directed creative projects to greater independent learning including self-directed and live projects. This takes place within design studios equipped with Apple Mac suites using industry standard software and through a variety of practical workshops in real media techniques. All directly aimed at informing and developing your own practise within illustration and animation. The course involves a series of lectures, seminars, regular one to one tutorial sessions, briefings, reviews and critiques which are delivered by a team of creative academic staff who have direct and current experience in the illustration and animation industries. Critical, historical and theoretical studies permeate the course and written work is presented in the form of a series of essays or assignments.

The course is divided into sections that enable you to gain credit towards your final qualification. Each level accounts for 120 credits and you need 360 credits to achieve a BA (Hons) degree, validated by the University of Chester. Timetables of study and assessment calendars can be found in the course handbooks, which are distributed to students following enrolment.

Level 4 takes you through an induction programme where you will be introduced to the range of available facilities. Emphasis is placed firstly on the acquisition of a visual vocabulary and exploration of creative methods in approaching image-making through a series of briefs. Through specialist guidance you will be required to develop and sustain your own professional approach to research and image-making.

Level 5 continues your personal development through experience in illustration and animation practice. Emphasis is increasingly placed on your growing sense of awareness within your craft. The course at this level allows you to develop your work, specialising within the area of either illustration or animation. During Level 5, in consultation with staff, students are expected to take part in live projects and enter national competitions relating to their specialism. As well as the building up of awareness through self-evaluation.

Level 6 is designed initially to consolidate and intensify personal directions of study. You are expected to demonstrate a higher level of creative independence by working on self-directed and live projects that relate to your chosen field. The Level concludes with a Private View and Public Degree Exhibition which will demonstrate a level of study and research skills capable of sustaining your own practice on completion of the course.

The degree show includes the production of a catalogue. The cost of this is shared within the graduating group (through contributions and fundraising approx. £50).