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Overview
You will study the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Animation and Motion Graphics and this will equip you with the skills you need to bring your ideas and your creativity to life. If you want to make your artwork move, this is the course for you!
Through a series of challenging practical briefs, workshops and seminars, you will master the skills needed to make a big splash in the exciting and rewarding world of Animation and Motion Graphics.
To meet increased industry demand for multidisciplinary practitioners this course has been developed to provide emerging designers with the range of skills and experience needed to continue in Higher Education and ultimately build a successful career.
Students on the course have the opportunity to study both traditional and digital animation techniques and will be encouraged to develop their skills in drawing and illustration, creative writing and storytelling, storyboarding, character design, model-making, 2d motion and timing and compositing.
During the year long programme of study, you are introduced to the basic principles of animation and motion graphics tapping into the three main building blocks of the creative process, thinking – where ideas generation occurs, visual communication – where a variety of mixed media approaches are used to evolve ideas, progressing to screen-based issues where you will use a variety of industry standard software applications to give original concepts the final polish.
The ideal candidate should have an eye for visual communication and be enthusiastic about art & design with examples of work that demonstrate creativity. You may like sketching, drawing, painting, collage or be interested in branding, advertising, model making, typography or have created storyboards, characters and narratives with a view to making your work move. You do not need to be able to use any software as industry standard applications are taught from the ground up.
- Location
- Fielden Campus
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Duration
- 1 year
- Start
- September 2021
Staff profile
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.
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 Entry requirements
• Students that have passed a recognised Access programme will also be considered
• GCSE English Language and Mathematics A* to C or 9 to 4 where numeric grades are being awarded
• 64 UCAS Tariff Points
Non-academic entry Requirements
Mature applicants (aged 21 or over) who are able to demonstrate relevant skills or knowledge gained in employment or vocational activity will be considered and may be invited to interview.
An interview is required for those applying who do not meet the entry requirement.
You will be asked to write a 500 word academic report to gain an understanding of your writing skills prior to the course.
An interview is required for those applying who do not meet the entry requirement.
You will be asked to write a 500 word academic report to gain an understanding of your writing skills prior to the course.
What will I be studying?
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.
Reading List
Textbooks
BASSOT, B. (2017) The Reflective Journal. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan.
DAVIES, R. (2013) Introducing the Creative Industries: From Theory to Practice.
London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
ESS, C. (2015) Digital Media Ethics. 2nd ed. Cambridge, UK: Polity.
HANSEN, A. (2013) Media and Communication Research Methods. Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.
GAUNTLETT, D. (2015) Making Media Studies: The Creativity Turn in Media and
Communications Studies. New York: Peter Lang.
BROUGHTON, P. (2013) Life's a Pitch. London: Portfolio Penguin.
ROBERTS-BRESLIN, J. (2012) Making Media: Foundations of Sound and Image
Production. New York: Focal Press.
BASSOT, B. (2017) The Reflective Journal. 2nd ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave
Macmillan.
DAVIES, R. (2013) Introducing the Creative Industries: From Theory to Practice.
London: SAGE Publications Ltd.
ESS, C. (2015) Digital Media Ethics. 2nd ed. Cambridge, UK: Polity.
HANSEN, A. (2013) Media and Communication Research Methods. Basingstoke:
Palgrave Macmillan.
GAUNTLETT, D. (2015) Making Media Studies: The Creativity Turn in Media and
Communications Studies. New York: Peter Lang.
BROUGHTON, P. (2013) Life's a Pitch. London: Portfolio Penguin.
ROBERTS-BRESLIN, J. (2012) Making Media: Foundations of Sound and Image
Production. New York: Focal Press.
How will I be assessed?
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.
Modules
• Creative Media Industry
• Motion Graphics Practices
• Storyboarding
• Principles of Animation
• Individual Project (Pearson-set)
• Professional Practice
• Visual Effects & Motion Graphics Culture
• Typography
There will be varying assessment methods which will include presentations, formal written reports, portfolios that will showcase a variety of creative products.
Modules
• Creative Media Industry
• Motion Graphics Practices
• Storyboarding
• Principles of Animation
• Individual Project (Pearson-set)
• Professional Practice
• Visual Effects & Motion Graphics Culture
• Typography
What are the careers that this will lead to?
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.
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.
Fees, Finance and Funding
There are two main costs you will have whilst studying and if you are a home student studying on a full-time course, you can apply for student finance to cover both of these:
Your tuition fees for each year of your course.
Help with your living costs e.g. rent, food, clothing, course materials, entertainment.
You can find more details, including the actual tuition fee charged on our Fees, Funding and Finance Page.
Learn more
Your tuition fees for each year of your course.
Help with your living costs e.g. rent, food, clothing, course materials, entertainment.
You can find more details, including the actual tuition fee charged on our Fees, Funding and Finance Page.
Course Associated Costs
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.
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.
All students are subject to UCEN Manchester’s Terms and Conditions from the date they accept an offer to study here, full details of which can be found here. The UCEN Manchester Admissions Policy and Procedure can be found here.
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