Animation and Motion Graphics

Alexandra Jackson Tutor Profile

A multi skilled creative with a passion for design and moving image and an eye for detail.

Never happier then when unlocking the creative potential of the students in front of me.

During my ten years as a tutor in the creative media department at The Manchester College/UCEN I have worked across a variety of courses such as Graphic Design, Animation, Film and TV and New Media, teaching fundamental design skills, contextual studies and also assisting learners as they bridge the gap between academic and vocational practice.

Ideas Generation, visual communication, mark-making, character design and storytelling are pivotal to my teaching practice and I ensure I develop learning material that keeps my learners engaged, challenged and on point as they begin to make creative waves in the world of design and animation.

Academic requirements:

• We strongly recommend that all applicants have GCSE English Language and Mathematics grades A*-C or level 9-4.

• 48 UCAS points in a related subject area.

• Full level 3 qualification.

Creative Media Industry (15 credits)
In this unit, students will explore both the creative industries and the specific areas of creative media production. By developing a broad contextual understanding of the industry, business practices, and specific skills, students will be able to situate their own work and skills within the specific industries and the wider sector.

Individual Project (Pearson-set) (15 credits)
This unit is designed to apply creative practice in response to a theme and topics set by Pearson. Students will carry out and apply the knowledge and skills developed through other areas of their studies to complete and present an individual project. Wherever possible the unit will simulate working studio conditions, which will enhance and develop professional industry skills and practice.

Motion Graphics Practices (15 credits)
This unit enables students to explore the production of motion graphics within a vocational scenario, providing an opportunity to define the specific needs of a brief through a proposal and develop motion graphic solutions using professional equipment and methods.

Principles of Animation (15 credits)
On successful completion of this unit, students will be aware of different types of animation and how to apply them in a production. They will create animations for use within a production, presenting them in a suitable format for a client.

Professional Practice (15 credits)
The aim of this unit is to support students in developing their reflective practice and defining areas for personal professional development; in the context of a growing awareness of the broad scope of creative media production. Students will define and implement personal professional development plans; through an investigation of the skills necessary to successfully pursue a career in the creative industries.

Storyboarding (15 credits)
In this unit, students will explore the different uses of storyboards across a range of media sectors and learn how to select the appropriate style and format of documentation to produce work. Students will develop and utilise design skills and create completed storyboards for use in a production context. Finally, they will also review and critically evaluate planning work to ensure that it is fit for purpose within a chosen context.

Typography (15 credits)
The aim of this unit is to raise awareness of techniques and processes of typography in both print and digital forms, to understand the current terminology and to creatively explore skills within media production, which are then applied within a typography brief.

Visual Effects & Motion Graphics Culture (15 credits)
This unit introduces research skills and aims to develop visual intelligence and understanding within screen media. It explores the historical development of VFX/Motion Graphics to provide a framework for understanding visual culture in relation to screen experiences, and encourages students to recognise the value of theory-informed practice. Students will further be challenged to recognise and identify technical-creative dependencies, team roles and project structures, which will enable them to learn and experience how ideas are communicated visually and how key cultural contexts have defined visual language and viewers’ perspectives.

Assessment will be through ongoing coursework against each of the modules.

There will be varying assessment methods which will include presentations, formal written reports, portfolios that will showcase a variety of creative products.

On successful completion of the programme the pathway would be:

For level 5, students would progress onto:
• Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production (Animation and Motion Graphics)

For level 6, students would progress onto:
BA (Hons) Creative Media and Visual Communication

Upon completion of this course, you will possess a Higher National Certificate in Creative Media Production (Motion Graphics). You will be able to showcase your skills and abilities and advance your career in Media.

You will also be able to progress to the Higher National Diploma in Creative Media Production which would be a full year

Possible careers for this programme would lead to jobs such as;
• Animator
• Storyboard artist
• Model maker
• Inbetweener
• Character designer
and many more.

Learn more

There will be material costs relating to the creative requirements of the course for the development of your unique products and animations.

You will need sketchbooks and resources to develop portfolios in physical and digital formats to showcase work.

Depending on your creative ideas the costs of producing the work necessary for the course can range from £50-£100.