Animation

Snapshot

Why Study at Dundee?

Media Arts and Imaging is a research-led unit cutting across art and design, reflecting and leading significant changes in the way artists and designers use and interact with contemporary media as a means of cultural expression.

The convergence of communication and audio-visual technologies is shaping how we understand the world around us. It is this ethos of convergence that continues to focus the development and grouping of research, production and courses within the department.

The department offers degrees in Animation, Illustration, and Time Based Art & Digital Film. We aim to encourage innovation, visual creativity, experimentation, intellectual enquiry and the acquisition of professional production values and strive to maintain our position at the forefront of the field of Media Arts and Imaging. Within the staff and student body there is a lively debate on the future of technology, its relationship to society, and the opportunities to develop the new visual language of contemporary art.

BA Animation

Embracing both 3D digital and 2D traditional approaches, Animation offers unbounded opportunities for the contemporary animator from narrative storytelling to visual effects and visualisation. Creativity and professional practice are the driving forces behind this dynamic course.

The Animation course is a fusion of art and technology, designed to help students develop a good understanding of the aesthetic, perceptual and technical factors involved in the development of animation productions. By creating a foundation for a strong working methodology and using cutting-edge technology as employed by the international animation industry, our students have excellent employment opportunities in one of the most rapidly expanding areas within the creative industries.

Employability

New challenges and opportunities for creative artists, animators and illustrators exist in broadcasting, publishing, print media and advertising. There is a massive growth in areas such as communication design, multimedia, the web, computer games, 3D visualisation, virtual environments, digital film-making and visual effects. The creative industries are rapidly expanding providing relevant and exciting career opportunities for graduates, not only for now but for the foreseeable future. In addition many of the students continue their lifelong learning with the variety of higher degrees offered at the University.

Teaching and Assessment

The programme of study initially involves projects and workshops designed to help you, through experiential learning, to understand the fundamental discipline of your chosen subject. Many different approaches to teaching and learning are used including regular seminars, practical lectures, studio demonstrations, individual tutorials and group critiques.

Level 2 of the programme is structured to provide a broad foundation of knowledge and experience. You will be introduced to relevant equipment and varied media used in the production process for your choice of specialism. Projects and assignments help you develop the relevant learning, research and technical skills, exploring creativity and individual aptitude through each process.

Level 3 is designed to encourage experimentation, cross course projects, exploring ideas and making use of appropriate technical methods. All students prepare and present a programme of personal project work that reflects the research and development of ideas. During this year you will undertake a series of assignments designed to develop good professional practice necessary to succeed in your chosen career.

In the final year - Level 4 - you will organise and present a personal programme of study that will form the major part of your submission for the Honours degree examination. You will be encouraged to integrate all aspects of your research with a written thesis and the production of your final outcomes. You will produce a body of work that will demonstrate a mature visual understanding of materials, methods and processes required to transform ideas into reality.

Throughout the degree programme you will undertake a series of modules in contemporary media that engage and support your creative practice. Their purpose is to provide you with the necessary intellectual context in order to broaden your understanding of media issues. The intention is to develop your individual skills and competency towards time management, enabling self-reflective critique and practice, artistic expression and an individual philosophy that can be demonstrated through self-initiated and managed projects.

Your progress is monitored with structured formal reviews and assessments. At Level 4 a team of internal and external examiners conduct the final degree examination.

Special Features

• Media Arts and Imaging offers one of the only green screen visual effects studios based in Scotland.
• The facility is supported by high definition technologies for both live action and 3D animation techniques.
• Newly-refurbished Illustration studios reflect a creative, commercial environment with state-of-the-art digital technologies that are carefully blended with traditional techniques and professional printmaking workshops.
• The academic perspective is enhanced by opportunities for you to study abroad through exchange schemes that operate with centres of excellence in many European and transatlantic countries.
• In addition, the department normally organises an overseas study visit for all Level 3 students.

Programme Content

Typical Degree Programme Example
BA Animation Honours Degree
Level 2 Fundamental Animation Skills Project-led Teaching and Learning Introduction to 2D and 3D Animation Contemporary Media Theory Studies Introduction to Production Equipment Creative Research Methodology	Level 3 Personal Programme of Study Research and Development Studio Production Roles Contemporary Media Theory Studies Enterprise Management Cultural Experience - Study Visit	Level 4 Personal Programme of Study Dissertation National Competitions Degree Show Exposition

Entry Requirements

BA/BDes General Foundation in Art & Design (1 year leading to 3 year specialism)

Typical Entry Requirements
Higher	3 (minimum)
A-Level	2 or equivalent (A-L and AS)
Essential Subjects	Art and Design, Craft and Design or Art-related technical subject (H, A-L or AS); English (H or GCSE)
Alternative Qualifications
BTEC	Two year Art and Design course plus an acceptable qualification in English considered on an individual basis
SQA	HNC in relevant Art and/or Design discipline considered on an individual basis
ILC	CCC at Higher including Art and Design (or equivalent) and, normally, English
IB	At least 24 points including Art and Design (or equivalent) and, normally, English at Higher Level
Applicants with alternative overseas qualifications should visit the relevant country page on our International website.
Advanced Entry
Applicants who have successfully completed a recognised Foundation Course or equivalent may apply for advanced entry to second year (Level 2) of the programme.

Portfolios

All applicants must submit a comprehensive portfolio of art and design work. The qualifications listed above may be modified for an applicant presenting an exceptional portfolio. For visual examples of students' work visit our Student Gallery webpage.

Contact

Karen Simpson
Admissions & Student Recruitment
University of Dundee
Nethergate
Dundee
DD1 4HN
Scotland

Telephone: 01382 384 028 (from the UK)
Telephone: +44 1382 384 028 (from outside the UK)

Email: ContactUs@dundee.ac.uk