Animation (2D and Stop Motion)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.