Art Degrees Online

Media Arts & Animation — Bachelor of Fine Arts
Location-based entertainment, film and video, architecture, virtual reality, broadcast television, advertising, education, gaming, medical sciences, and forensics are among the industries that benefit from the techniques of traditional and digital animation. The course of studies at The Art Institute develops students’ skills in design, illustration, compositing, 3D computer modeling, and other areas needed to enter the animation field. Students begin the media arts & animation program with a foundation in drawing, color, writing, and character design along with introductory computer applications. Under the guidance of industry-experienced faculty, students begin to learn advanced 2D and 3D animation principles as well as story development, background design, scenic layout, and special effects. In increasingly more advanced courses, students learn and become experienced with program-specific software, such as Macromedia Flash, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, and Autodesk Maya. At the end of the program, students take a sequence of portfolio courses in which they design and execute specialized projects that form a part of their digital portfolios to showcase their conceptual and creative skills and abilities in both traditional and digital 2D and 3D techniques. All students develop a Web site in order to present this portfolio to a wide audience of potential employers upon graduation.

During their studies at The Art Institute, students are encouraged to apply for internships, participate in active student and professional organizations, enter national contests and film festivals, and attend conferences, such as SIGGRAPH, all of which enable them to become familiar with a developing industry and with the people who make the industry such a vibrant one in today’s world of communications and entertainment.

Media arts & animation graduates enter various aspects of the animation industry, specializing in fields such as computer-generated lighting, compositing and rendering, storyboarding, texturing, special effects, motion graphics, and others. In addition, the need for 2D and Flash animators continues to grow in order to support Web-based corporate communications, e-commerce, and marketing.
Total Credit Hours: 192
12 Quarters

Course No. Course Name Teacher Name Semester Time Credits
fourth year
75410 Advanced Sound Design Ady. Cohen 2 Mon 14:00-17:00 4.0
75410 Advanced Sound Design Ady. Cohen 2 Mon 10:00-13:00 4.0
75400 Final Project Tutorial Yossi. Abolafia Y Tue 10:00-13:00 2.0
75400 Final Project Tutorial Eyal. Soreq Y Mon 14:00-17:00 2.0
75400 Final Project Tutorial Kaminski Hanan Y Mon 17:00-20:00 2.0
75328 Manipulating and directing puppets Ran. Bogin 1 Wed 17:00-20:00 .0
75326 script writing Tutorial Amit. Leor 1 Wed 10:00-13:00 .0
75327 script writing Tutorial Noa. Berman-Herzberg 1 Wed 17:00-20:00 .0
elective
75380 Digital Animation – Flash & Mirage Yoni. Goodman Y Wed 10:00-13:00 4.0
75421 Drawing Miriam. Gamburd 1 Thu 10:00-13:00 2.0
75370 Drawing Alexander. Okon Y Thu 10:00-13:00 4.0

Grad Employment Outcomes

The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2005-2007 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2004-2006 Graduates.
Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
This program is part of the Digital Arts department.

It is designed to provide students with the basic training necessary to apply for work as a junior animator in the entertainment industry. The program covers the technical and creative aspects as well as the main elements of design, planning and implementation.

The role of the illustrator has expanded beyond its once narrowly proscribed function into a profession that influences contemporary culture in profound and exciting ways. Today’s illustrators are crossover artists and entrepreneurs who leverage their technical and conceptual expertise in the increasingly global visual marketplace. Art Center’s Illustration Department prepares students to combine their talents with creative thinking in order to generate meaningful visual solutions across all media—including print, fashion, entertainment, music, motion graphics, gallery installations and toy design.

The Department’s “New Illustration” curriculum begins with a foundation in traditional figure drawing and painting, compositional structure and perspective, and continues with courses that introduce concept and problem-solving skills while challenging students to develop their personal voice. In the fourth term, students choose one of four tracks of study:
Entertainment Illustration emphasizes visual storytelling and prepares students for a career in feature animation, design characters, background painting and matte painting;
Fine Art Painting further develops traditional drawing and painting skills in conjunction with the study of fine art conceptual principles;
Illustration Design applies illustration and graphic concepts to fashion, publishing, children’s books, graphic novels, advertising and surface design;
Motion Illustration integrates storyboarding and production skills with illustrated key frames for motion and digital animation.

Classes are taught by an award-winning faculty of working professionals, as well as notable guest artists. Students have access to a wide range of artists and illustrators who provide practical and up-to-date insights into the art, craft and business of illustration. Mindful that today’s illustrator is connected to the world and actively involved in redefining visual culture, Art Center offers the unique opportunity to study with working illustrators in London. Students can experience a week-long immersion into both the traditional and modern aspects of the field through studio meetings with illustrators and designers, lectures with curators at the National Portrait Gallery, and drawing with faculty from the renown Prince’s Drawing School.

Students also have numerous opportunities to collaborate with students from other Art Center disciplines—whether it is through Transdisciplinary Studios, Designmatters projects, or by contributing to our award-winning magazine, Wrap.

This three-year program provides students with training in both traditional and digital animation. Following the first year of study in traditional animation techniques, students have the option of pursuing either traditional or digital animation. They learn the skills necessary to work effectively as animators in a variety of settings. Graduates acquire the skills necessary to work independently, collaboratively, and in studio settings.

The Animation Program curriculum explores time-based motion and form, combining traditional character animation with a more experimental, interdisciplinary approach. Students begin the program by studying shifting weight, locomotion, characterization, timing, and emotional expression through traditional drawing and filmmaking courses. They later apply their skills to a wide variety of individual and collaborative cinematic projects, including in-depth character studies, film production, interactive media, motion graphics, narrative storytelling, and video.

The program’s framework is centered on the idea of multiple iterations—designing and creating films frequently and with variety—as opposed to focusing on a single finished piece.

Students benefit from the college’s 20 undergraduate programs in architecture, design, fine arts, and the humanities, which provide an unlimited depth of resources, as well as from collaborative relationships between the Animation Program and several venerable Bay Area institutions. Faculty members are drawn from local animation studios, digital graphics firms, film studios, and advertising firms. Graduates will have completed a wide variety of projects upon graduating from CCA, with a reel of work that will help them succeed in either commercial or noncommercial venues.

Animation Program students have a dedicated lab that includes storyboard, pencil test, and MacPro digital animation stations, as well as access to all Media Arts Program facilities and equipment, including film and digital cameras for still and motion photography alike , digital and analog audio recorders, lighting equipment, and pre- and postproduction facilities equipped with industry-standard software packages.

Course Overview

The first half of the course leads you progressively through the basics of drawn and digital creative approaches to animation and illustration. The second half offers increasing levels of module choice in both subjects so that if you wish to specialise, perhaps in pursuit of a specific career destination such as digital animation or children’s book illustration, you can do so. Most modules involve simulated live briefs taken from the professional experience of staff, and there are opportunities to work on paid commissions for clients.

Duration

3 years full-time.
4 to 6 years part-time.
Pathways available

Single/Joint Honours.
This discipline can be combined with other subjects – see Combined Honours page.
Start dates

September

About the course

The University of Bolton’s Animation & Illustration degree programme encourages you to explore the potential of moving and still image-making within the creative industries including TV and film, the web, publishing and advertising.

BA (Hons) Animation & Illustration is one of a group of art and design based degrees within the School of Arts, Media and Education at the university. The course is built around a diverse series of challenging practical assignments which will provide you with the wide range of skills and knowledge you’ll need to pursue your chosen career.
What you will learn

You will learn about character design, storyboarding and narrative techniques, traditional and digital animation, and traditional and digital illustration for screen and print.

The course introduces you to the basics of both disciplines from a technical and creative perspective, and progressively allows you the freedom to pursue one area in depth or to continue to explore a wide range of outcomes.

Much of the coursework involves the creative use of graphics software, but we’re also strongly committed to ideas generation and visual problem solving using traditional media and techniques.
What you will study

1 General graphics, aesthetics and computer use.
2 Basics of both disciplines.
3 Advanced study of both or either specialism.

The creative possibilities of commercial image making dominate our teaching. However, you will also explore theory and history, and to develop your ability to organise and evaluate information. By the end of your degree you’ll be able to demonstrate a high level of practical knowledge, skills and creativity in your portfolio as well as an in-depth knowledge of specialist areas of illustration and animation, and a critical understanding of the principles involved. You’ll also have an understanding of contemporary illustration and animation, and the social, economic and ethical factors which influence these art forms.

After completing this course you will have developed a valuable range of transferable skills such as visual problem solving, working with others, planning and time management, oral and written presentation, and computer skills. In addition, you will have learned how to research, evaluate and apply information and ideas in your work, and take a high level of responsibility for your own learning.
Special features
Live and simulated live briefs, teaching by active professionals, competition work and degree show.
The ability to select modules from related degrees such as Graphic Design.
Vocational flavour of the degree.
High levels of contact time with staff.
Access to computers and facilities.
Staff professional experience.
In addition to the modules, most of which consist of simulated live briefs, there are opportunities to work on live projects for clients from inside and outside the university.
We encourage our students to enter national competitions to showcase their work.
The university offers well-equipped teaching and learning spaces as well as excellent library facilities, 24/7 IT suites and campus-wide WiFi.
Careers and professional development

This course will help you to progress in your career by providing you with the industry standard qualification and specialised education to develop your skills and knowledge to a professional level.

You can go on to work as an illustrator, an animator or a combination of both in a studio environment or as a freelance artist in areas such as TV, film, multimedia, all forms of print and games.

On completion of your degree you will also become a member of the university’s Alumni Association. You can be a lifelong member of the university community, able to access careers information and guidance, as well as the university library, and other facilities.

Masters: One year full-time

This programme focuses on the creation of imaginative, well crafted digital animation. The aim is to develop imaginative animators who are distinctive in the market place. You will work alongside current research developments in 3D visualisation technologies and interface design

Animation plays an important role in a range of media including film, TV, entertainment software and the Internet. It is a widely used advertising tool and the media industry is always looking for new content to capture the imagination of viewers. You develop your skills in • concept art • designing • modelling • texturing • rigging • animating • post-production. We have a strong history of media production, ranging from fine art and graphic design to film making and interactive media. Our state-of-the-art workshops have specialist equipment, which include the latest industry software and hardware, film production equipment and modelling facilities. You gain experience in animation techniques, which includes • traditional methods such as stop frame animation – used in films such as Wallace and Gromit • Flash animation – used on the web and in interactive gaming • 3D computer animation – used by companies such as Dreamworks and Pixar, and games software companies such as Codemasters and Sony You learn to use digital animation software packages such as • 3D Studio Max • Maya • Zbrush • Houdini • MotionBuilder and digital compositing. Our editing software includes • After-effects • Shake • FinalCut Pro • AVID • Pro Tools. We also have a facility for standard and super 16mm origination on film. You play an important role in producing at least three short animations. Applying via route A or B Route A is normally for students coming direct from A levels. Route B is normally for art and design students coming from foundation, vocational or access courses. You can apply through route A or B with UCAS, but not both. All students attend a selection event with a portfolio of work to demonstrate their ability. Provided you meet our minimum entry requirements, we base our offer on your application, interview and work portfolio. If you are not sure what sort of work we are looking for we are happy to offer advice. We normally hold interviews between January and the end of May.

The animation certificates are designed to provide academic and hands-on learning experiences for individuals planning on a career in the field of animation. This program offers two options, classical animation and digital animation.
Students interested in pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, should meet with an academic and/or transfer counselor to discuss transfer requirements.
To explore major-related career information, click on the Career Profile link to find out what you can REALLY do with your degree.

PREREQUISITE COURSES
REQUIRED COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE
UNITS
CLASSICAL ANIMATION

ART 101or
ART 102
Art History: Prehistory-Gothic or
Art History: Renaissance-Modern
3 or
3

ART 130
Design I
3

ART 201 or equivalent
ART 146 or
ART 210
Visual Literacy
Animation Storyboards
3 or
3

ART 150
Drawing I
3

ART 150 (may be taken concurrently)
ART 152
Life Drawing I
3

ART 152
ART 153
Life Drawing II
3

ART 152 or equivalent
ART 201 Drawing for Animation
3
ART 201 or equivalent
ART 205 Fundamentals of Animation I
3
ART 205 or equivalent
ART 206 Fundamentals of Animation II
3

Corequisite: DANCE 140
Corequisite: T ART 103
T ART 108 or
T ART 103 and
DANCE 140 Introduction to Acting
Fundamentals of Acting (Vocal Interpretation)
Movement for Theatre I
3 or
3 and
1

TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED
30 – 31

PREREQUISITE COURSES REQUIRED COURSES FOR CERTIFICATE
UNITS
DIGITAL ANIMATION

ART 101or
ART 102 Art History: Prehistory-Gothic or
Art History: Renaissance-Modern
3 or
3

ART 146 Visual Literacy
3
ART 150 (may be taken concurrently)
ART 152 Life Drawing I
3
PHOTO 121 or equivalent
ART 220 Introduction to Motion Graphics
3

ART 230 Introduction to 3-D Computer Graphics
3
ART 230 or equivalent ART 231 Inorganic Modeling 3
ART 231 or equivalent
ART 232 Organic Modeling
3
ART 230 or equivalent ART 233 Character Set-up – Kinematics 3
ART 130 or PHOTO 101 or equivalent
PHOTO 121 Imaging with Photoshop I
3
PHOTO 121 or equivalent
PHOTO 122 Imaging with Photoshop II
3
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED
30