Animation (2D and Stop Motion)

Year one

• Introduction To Animation
• Further Adventures In Animation
• Narrative Strategies
• Animation and Design
• Drawing and Visual Language
• Contextual Studies: Animation

Year two

• Technical Practice for 2D and Stop Motion
• Applied Animation
• Animation Pipeline
• Critical Studies
• Business and Employability

Year three

• Major Project Pre-Production
• Specialist Advanced Animation Project
• Industry and Employability
• Major Project Production
• Critical Research: Animation

Introduction to Animation

Master animation foundations by creating convincing motion with simple shapes. From realistic movement to playful exaggeration, apply core principles that continue to shape the industry today.

Further Adventures in Animation

Advance your skills by studying how people and animals move. Analyse and translate real-world motion into sequences that demonstrate essential skills including capturing weight, timing and personality.

Narrative Strategies

Explore the art of storytelling through semiotics, film language and visual narrative design. Translate your ideas into dynamic visuals through an industry-standard storyboard and animatic with sound.

Animation and Design

Design and develop an original character, refining personality and style, then bring it to life with acting, facial animation, and lip sync to create expressive, believable performances.

Drawing and Visual Language

Sharpen your observational skills through life drawing, anatomy studies and quick sketches. Transform these insights into dynamic characters, expressive movement and compelling animated scenes for your portfolio.

Contextual Studies: Animation

Explore animation as an art form and storytelling medium by studying historical and contemporary practitioners, understanding how ideas are communicated and applying these insights to your own creative work.

Technical Practice for 2D and Stop Motion

Develop your skills in concept work through idea creation and design by exploring character, background and prop design, leading to a completed pitch deck for presentation.

Applied Animation

Further your exciting pitch to the next stages of pre-production through storyboarding, animatics and resolved design processes for realisation in multiple platforms for audience engagement and their demands.

Animation Pipeline

Experience the full production process individually and in groups, developing teamwork and skills through live client briefs, preparing you for the creative challenges of your critical third year.

Critical Studies

Study animation’s history and evolution, linking past techniques to today’s industry practices, then research, analyse and apply your findings to create a guiding proposal for final-year projects.

Business and Employability

Explore animation historically, contemporarily and personally, shaping career paths and professional attitudes, while developing industry-ready skills and creating a CV, portfolio, showreel and website under expert guidance.

Major Project Pre-Production

Whether focusing on a short film, showreel, trailer or specialised portfolio, this module lays the foundation for your final-year project, balancing creative vision with practical execution.

Specialist Advanced Animation Project

This module supports your third-year specialisation, whether individual or team-based, and includes industry projects and placements, providing tailored training and hands-on crew experience.

Industry and Employability

This module connects you with the industry through festivals, networking, specialist workshops and expert guidance, all preparing you to showcase your work at the Animation Graduation Showcase.

Major Project Production

Bring your final project to life with full academic and technical support, presenting it at the USW Animation Graduation Showcase in our state-of-the-art spaces for industry guests.

Critical Research: Animation

Develop research and critical thinking skills through in-depth study of a chosen topic, evaluating animation practices, trends and history to inform your creative work and professional approach.