In this digital age, Animation and Graphic Design go hand in hand. From film and advertising to websites and social media, these disciplines co-exist across different media channels including digital, print and moving image.

On this course you will:

• Explore a range of processes including: film editing, photography, 3D modelling, motion graphics, creative coding, typography, branding and user-experience design.
• Be part of our unique studio culture that encourages you to collaborate with students from other disciplines including artists, photographers and designers across the school; we call this transdisciplinary teaching.
• Experiment to see what’s possible, so we encourage you to try new things and take risks. You’ll also use industry standard software and build your knowledge of professional design processes, including an opportunity to attain Adobe Accreditation.

Our approach closely aligns itself with creative industry practices, it also encourages innovation through collaboration, which will enhance your prospects when applying for an optional industry placement. The ambitions and ethos of this course are championed by our students, staff, graduates and industry partners. It’s vital that you understand how Graphic Design, both static and animated, works in the wider world, so we work with a range of communication theories and diverse guest speakers, giving you the chance to understand the factors shaping the future of Graphic Design.

Placements

The course offers an optional one-year (36 weeks minimum) work placement after the second year, in the UK or abroad. This will give you the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience, insight into your chosen career and open up your graduate employment prospects. Our Placement Unit and academic staff have excellent industry links and can support you in applying for and finding your placement(s), as well as during your placement year.

Students within the area of Graphic Design and Animation have previously taken up placement opportunities with companies including: Fantastic Media – Leeds; UYR Group – Pontefract; Territory Studio – London and Banter Media – Ashton under Lyne.

Alternatively, if you are a student from within the UK or the EU, you could consider starting your own small business by applying for the Enterprise Placement Year in conjunction with the University’s Enterprise Team. You’ll have the opportunity to benefit from business advice, mentoring and networking sessions. You can find out more information on the Enterprise Placement Year here.

Your Career

This course aims to help you develop the skills needed in the growing convergence of graphic design and animation. This could enable you to take up roles in new media design, motion graphics, visual effects, brand awareness, digital strategy, user interaction and concept art, for roles such as design director, digital producer, art director, storyboard artist, social strategist, motion designer, digital designer, interaction designer, interface developer, editor or production co-ordinator.Previous students have been on placements and gained employment with Territory Studio (London), Studio NinetyOne (London) and The Mill (USA)**.