Animation (MA)

Summary

• Northern Ireland’s vibrant animation industry and community make it a highly desirable destination for study, networking and career advancement. This programme focuses on the three core components of animated production: Narrative, Character and Performance. Students will develop their skills in narrative construction, character development, animation and advanced production techniques, allowing them to explore the unique opportunities and challenges computer animation brings to storytelling.

About
Please note this programme is currently undergoing revalidation.

• Building on the success of the BDes Hons Animation programme, which is already impacting local and global industry with graduates being honoured at the Prime Time Emmy Awards for their “Contribution to the Emmy Award winning achievement—Outstanding Special Visual Effects” on the HBO series “Game of Thrones”, the MA Animation programme aims to further establish Ulster University’s Belfast School of Art as the regional, national and international centre of excellence in CGI (Computer Generated Imagery), Animation for education, research and industry.

Semester One
Timing for Animation

• Students develop their core skills in animation, developing a deeper understanding of timing and animation principles in action.

Experimental Design

• This module considers the importance of the pre-visualisation stage of the pipeline and provide the students the opportunities and space to experiment, test, and develop the required skills and knowledge to build the foundations of their projects.

Semester Two
Design Research and Development

• Students investigate theoretical, practical, contemporary, and cultural issues in Animation, Visual Effects and creative industries.

Animation Production

• Students will develop a broader understanding of computer animation pipelines and their implementation in a commercial production environment. From concept through animation, compositing and editing, students will develop the skills needed to see their projects through to completion.

Semester Three
Portfolio Project

• Students will develop a body of work specific to their chosen area of animation production.

Attendance

• Attendance is available in part-time and full-time modes. Please contact us for more information.

Academic profile

• The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
• Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
• We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
• The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise.  The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff.  This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
• Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.

• Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.

Timing for Animation
Year: 1

• Since the MA Animation course will be accepting students both with and without prior animation experience, this first module will be flexible enough either to provide an initial framework from which an understanding of animation fundamentals will be developed, or to provide the space to revise, build and develop specialization. The content is therefore designed to contain a basic introduction to the essential elements of animated movement and studio production practices, which can be attempted either at a basic, intermediate or advanced level.

Animation Production
Year: 1

• This module will enable students to consolidate their animation skills in a semi-professional context. The presence of external agents creates a situation where students act as creative content providers for a client's brief. The students will experience and develop the ability to work in a team towards a creative goal. The students will also complete an individual development project demonstrating their understanding of animation practice, production and pipelines. This module gives students a targeted insight to the needs of the animation industry.

Portfolio Project
Year: 1

• The purpose of this module is to enable the student to consolidate and demonstrate the knowledge and skills that have been acquired through the master's programme. It is therefore an open brief which will allow each student to prepare for the world of work. There will be significant time dedicated to seminars and tutorials to allow the student to get targeted feedback and develop their practice. Students will present their work throughout the module and should demonstrate a professional understanding of the animation industry and employment requirements.

Design Research and Development
Year: 1

• Students complete this module having obtained a clear understanding of how to conduct a post-graduate level research. By introducing them different research methods relevant to their topic and research inquire, students will expand their knowledge in specialised areas through their self-directed research project.

Experimental Design
Year: 1

• This module considers the importance of the pre-visualisation stage of the pipeline and provide the students the opportunities and space to experiment, test, and develop the required skills and knowledge to build the foundations of their projects. Students will be encouraged to explore different possible pathways and design strategies to problem solve and translate abstract concepts into a visual medium that defines the feasibility of a project, its timeline, as well as its art style.

Career options

• This programme is designed to prepare students for a career in a range of animation related fields such as TV & Feature film animation and games animation. Recent graduates have found employment with animation studios such as Sixteen South, Paper Owl Films and Jam Media.

Sustainability at Ulster

• Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
• At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
• We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.