Animation and Illustration - Level 3

More about the course

Are you a hands-on creative thinker who loves the idea of developing characters and bringing them to life? If this sounds like you then this studio-based Animation and Illustration course will develop your in-depth understanding of traditional and digital design techniques. 

You will create characters from concept to digital animation using traditional art skills, 2D and 3D techniques, storyboarding and stop-motion.

Taught by practising animators, children's book illustrators and experts in Adobe After Effects and Cinema 4D, you will be supported to develop your own creative style.

You will become skilled in the Adobe creative suite and have access to Mac suites and Wacom pens and tablets. 

Entry requirements

5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and maths and an art-based subject.

What will I achieve?

• This is a two-year programme. You will achieve a qualification after successful completion of each year.

• In year one you will receive a Level 3 BTEC 90 Credit Diploma Art and Design (Animation and Illustration).

• In year two you will receive a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma Art and Design (Animation and Illustration).

What will I learn?

• Visual recording

• Materials, techniques and processes

• Stop-motion

• Animated gifs

• Ideas and concepts

• Communication in art and design

• Computers in art and design

• Motion capture

• 2D animation

• 3D animation

• Print-making

• Risograph printing techniques

How is the course taught?

• Studio project work

• Research techniques

• Practical sessions

How am I assessed?

• Project-based assessment

Regular feedback is provided throughout your animation and illustration project to help you understand areas for further development and improvement.

Work experience opportunities

You are taught by tutors who still work within the animation and illustration industry. Therefore, the projects you undertake are adapted from real briefs to give you an understanding of the demands of the industry. 

English and Maths

You will continue to develop your English and maths skills throughout your Animation and Illustration course.

Animators and illustrators need good levels of English when annotating work, analysing concepts and writing scripts. Maths skills are required when working out frame rates, setting documents for print and calculating pixels. 

Where can I progress?

Once you successfully complete this course, you may decide to progress onto the BA (Hons) Illustration or BA (Hons) Animation degree courses at Newcastle College University Centre. Alternatively, you might decide to look for employment within the industry.