Our degree is a mixture of animation and illustration. When we created the course, we spoke to our contacts in the industry and asked them what the course should cover. As well as both 2D and 3D animation, the industry wants people who can draw and they are in short supply.
- 2D Animation
- Illustration
- Pre-production
- 3D Animation
- 3D Modelling
- Post-production
- Motion Graphics
- Portfolio Development
- Motion Capture
Year 1
Fundamentals of 2D Animation (20 credits) – Working in 2D (both traditional and digital) you will put together a portfolio of very short, animated clips demonstrating the 12 principles in action
Year 1 Animation Project (20 credits) – Combine the lessons learned in Fundamentals of 2D and create your first original short film, animated in 2D and roughly 30 seconds in length
Pre-Production (20 credits) – Scriptwriting, character design, expression sheets, turnarounds, backgrounds, and layouts, storyboarding and animatics: everything needed for animation minus the animation, in other words
History of Animation and Illustration (20 credits) – Lectures focusing on the history of animation and illustration, giving context to the skills learned in other modules and how these emerged historically
Fundamentals of Illustration (40 credits) – The first semester focuses on technical drawing skills (anatomy, proportion, line of action, perspective, colour theory, etc) and the second on creating a portfolio of creative works
Year 2
Fundamentals of 3D Animation (20 credits) – An introduction to Maya, focusing on how to utilise the 12 principles within a 3D animation environment
Year 2 Animation Project (20 credits) – Draw on the lessons learned in Fundamentals of 3D to create a movement-oriented short film; an obstacle course animated in 3D, roughly 30 seconds in length
3D Modelling (20 credits) – Learn the fundamentals of 3D modelling in Maya, allowing you to build basic 3D environments in which to set your 3D animations
Motion Graphics (20 credits) – You will work on a client-set brief, learning motion graphics techniques using After Effects and Premier Pro, within a commercial environment.
Rigging Fundamentals (20 credits) – Take your 3D models and make them animatable. This module will lead you step by step through the rigging process, introducing all the tools you’ll need to make your own custom rigs.
Applied Illustration (20 credits) – Construct a portfolio of illustrations in response to weekly briefs in semester 1, with a storybook/comic project in semester 2 introducing long-form illustration
Year 3
Final Year Project (40 credits) – Your chance to develop your specialism, working on a project you design in collaboration with the module tutor.
Year 3 Animation Project (40 credits) – Your final year film is based around a piece of audio found by you, of roughly 30 seconds length, that can be animated in either 2D or 3D
Research Project (20 credits) – Engage with high level media and cultural theory, conducting a research project in an area of your choosing and producing a piece of creative work responding to what you’ve learned.
Professional Development (20 credits) – A module focusing on getting you a job: everything from CVs, websites, showreels and portfolios, to how and where to network, interview practice and how to find work as a freelancer.
Ready to apply? No need to wait for UCAS – you can apply directly to Futureworks now!
Why Choose The Animation and Illustration Degree at Futureworks?
Our Animation with Illustration degree is a practical skills-based course tailored directly to the needs of the animation and illustration industries. All our staff are active within the industry and teach you the skills that you’ll need to gain employment after graduating. The course utilises a mix of lectures, hands-on workshops, tutorial classes, and practical exercises such as life drawing, to give you a rounded education in the animated and illustrative arts.
We fuse cutting-edge industry-standard software skills with lessons learned from over a hundred years of animated tradition: lessons summed up in the core 12 principles. The course is designed to take you from a solid grounding in fundamentals through to developing your own personal specialism and getting you ready for the industry.
This course is validated by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
Your Animation and Illustration Degree Opportunities
In your final year, we will be focusing on your future career. We will develop your online portfolio and look at ways of marketing yourselves effectively in this predominantly freelance industry. During your time at Futureworks, you will have many opportunities to make career contacts and we will explore ways of exploiting those contacts, finding jobs and interviews and even work on interview technique.
Students who complete this course can expect to find roles as Illustrators, storyboard artists, 2D or 3D animators and other roles within the animation industry. You could end up working freelance, within animation companies, post-production facilities or other sectors of the creative industries.
Location & Teaching
Your primary location of study will be at our Riverside Campus, which is located on New Bailey Street in Manchester.
Everyone who teaches on this degree is active in the industry. Whether that’s animating, storyboarding, illustrating, designing, or writing for animation or illustration; when your tutors aren’t busy teaching you, they’re busy honing their craft. As a result, we are always working and teaching the most current industry workflows. We practice what we teach. We also have an extensive network of industry contacts that we can draw on for guest lectures and workshops, industry-set briefs, and as guests for our degree shows.
Applying to this Course
To be considered for this course, you will require 104-120 UCAS points. This could be gained via a number of qualifications, for example:
- BCC or above at A2 Level
- DMM or above at Extended Diploma Level
- M or above at UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma Level
- A proven interest in this area
You can apply for this course by applying directly to Futureworks. Alternatively, you can apply via the UCAS system. The UCAS codes for this course are as follows:-
UCAS Code: W216
Institution Code: F98
If you have any questions about applying for a degree course please call us on 0161 214 4602, email [email protected] or look at our Admissions page.
Successful applicants will be invited to an interview where you will have the opportunity to talk about your work, influences and interests. A guide will be sent with your interview details to help you prepare for your interview. Ideal applicants will have a keen interest in animation, illustration, and production. You will be asked to bring any relevant examples of work with you, in the form of a portfolio. The portfolio is required for this course and applications will not be considered without the provision of a portfolio.
For your portfolio we recommend including some observational drawing, ideally life drawings. Experience in digital working and animation is not necessary prior to starting the degree, but if you have explored any of these avenues already then we’d love to see them. Other than that, bring in any work you are particularly proud of, between 8 and 10 pieces in total, and be prepared to talk through your working process in the interview.
All of our courses start in September and are full time, 3 year courses. More information on relevant dates can be found on the Term Dates page.
International Students
Futureworks is able to accept any applications from applicants who require a Student Visa (formerly called Tier 4 Visa) to study in the UK. Entry criteria for International students will vary. Please see International Students for full details.
“Futureworks has taught me a lot about the key skills of animation and how to creative a unique portfolio ready for a creative career. The tutors are really helpful too!”
BA (Hons) Animation with Illustration
“Since leaving Futureworks, I have been freelancing and doing illustration commissions as well as started my own Etsy shop, selling stickers and charms. Futureworks has taught me a vast variety of skills which has improved my illustration work over the years. I am thankful for the hard-working tutors that pushed us to our best. They have been insightful and I’ve become more open-minded as a person. My confidence as an artist has grown and now I am able to share and sell my art!”
Futureworks Animation with Illustration BA (Hons) Student
Validated By
