BA 2D Animation and Stop Motion

About this course

Animation as an art form and craft has evolved dramatically since its origins in hand-drawn cel techniques, expanding into a vast array of digital and physical media: 2D digital animation, 3D computer-generated imagery, stop motion, claymation, puppetry, mixed media and experimental forms. The discipline demands a combination of artistic vision, technical skill and an understanding of the principles of movement, timing and storytelling that make animation work. It is a field with applications across film, television, advertising, video games, educational media and emerging interactive platforms. At Teesside University, this part-time programme covers both 2D animation and stop motion, grounding you in the core principles that Disney established and that have been used by generations of animators since. You will learn the fundamentals of 2D animation using hand-drawn techniques and the principles of 3D animation using industry-standard methods and software, including the layered method and pose-to-pose approaches. You will also engage with animation in its broader cultural and historical context, from the earliest forms of motion design to today's diverse styles and applications across film, television, gaming and advertising. The programme develops both the craft skills and the conceptual understanding that professional animation practice requires. Graduates from animation programmes work as 2D and 3D animators, stop motion artists, motion graphics designers, visual effects artists, storyboard artists and character designers. Many find roles in animation studios, post-production companies, advertising agencies, gaming companies and broadcast organisations. The creative and technical skills developed through animation are also valued in interactive media, virtual reality, user interface design and educational technology. Postgraduate study in animation, visual effects or digital arts is an option for those who want to develop their practice further or move into animation research and education.

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