• » Bachelor of Arts in Animation

    Programme Title  Bachelor of Arts in Animation
    CAO Code  LY437
    LYIT internal code  LY_DANIM 
    Duration  3 Years ab initio
    Standard Code Places:  20
    National Framework Level  7
    Award Type  Major
    Awarding Body  LYIT, under Delegated Authority from QQI
    Is this Programme for Me?
    Animation appears everywhere - as children’s cartoons, advertisements, music videos, computer games, title sequences, special effects and as experimental and short films. There is no limit to the variety of materials and methods that can be used to make animated films.  The creative possibilities in producing animation make it the ideal media for anyone who wants to see their ideas come vividly to life.
    This is a creative animation course offering a broad range of skills designed to enable you to operate independently within the commercial environment after graduation. The contemporary animation industry requires creative thinkers who can operate flexibly within different aspects of animation production
    Animation appears everywhere - as children’s cartoons, advertisements, music videos, computer games, title sequences, special effects and as experimental and short films. There is no limit to the variety of materials and methods that can be used to make animated films.  The creative possibilities in producing animation make it the ideal media for anyone who wants to see their ideas come vividly to life.
    This is a creative animation course offering a broad range of skills designed to enable you to operate independently within the commercial environment after graduation. The contemporary animation industry requires creative thinkers who can operate flexibly within different aspects of animation production.
    Minimum Academic Entry Requirements
    • Min. Five O6/H7
    • English or Irish O6/H7
    • LC Art or Portfolio
    Maths is not required.
    Applicants must have either Leaving Certificate Art or Design Communication Graphics or equivalent or will be required to submit a portfolio of design related work.
    For NI applicants, A level Art or Moving Image Arts are acceptable.
    For information on submitting a portfolio for those applicants who do not have Leaving certificate Art or Design Communication Graphics or equivalent, please click here
    • FETAC applicants click FETAC
    • Applicants presenting non-Irish exams as a basis for entry, please check the IOTCEF listing to search for the entry relevant to your country
    • Applicants who are interested in taking selected modules only from this programme and/or those interested in studying this programme in a part-time mode, click Part-time Study
    Mature applicants
    Should apply via the CAO, making sure they tick the relevant boxes on pages 2 and 3 of the CAO application form.
    What will I study?
    Year 1 introduces the student to the principles of animation as well as the basics of drawing, observation, photography, scriptwriting, storyboarding and cinematography. The emphasis in Year 1 is on developing creativity and understanding of the animation process.
    Year 2 concentrates on the development of digital skills and processes including 2D and 3D digital animation as well as continuing development of animation and storytelling. Drawing and Design continue with an emphasis on drawing and observational skills while Animation History traces the development of the medium through the 20th Century.
    In Year 3, the first semester develops their interdisciplinary skills integrating 2D and 3D skills with live action as well as group projects and industry engagement. In the final semester, Professional Animation Practice prepares the student for life after college while the Animation Project allows the student to produce a short animated film or a number of key animated sequences showcasing their animation skills and specialism. Contemporary animation theory supports and contextualises the studio practice throughout the programme.
    Year/SemesterProposed ModulesMandatory/
    Elective    		No of creditsClass hours per week
     1/1  Visual Enquiry Mandatory  10  7
     Communication & Creative Process Mandatory  5  4
     Photography Basics Mandatory  5  3
     Art & Design History 1 Mandatory  5  4
     Animation Basics Mandatory  5  4
     1/2  Narrative & Visual Storytelling Mandatory  10  7
     Animation Principles Mandatory  10  7
     Drawing Studies Mandatory  5  4
     Art & Design History 2 Mandatory  5  4
     2/3  Animation Production Skills 1 Mandatory  15  9
     Drawing & Design 1 Mandatory  5  4
     Animation History 1 Mandatory  5  3
     Personal Film Project Mandatory  5  4
     2/4  Animation Production Skills 2 Mandatory  15  9
     Drawing and Design 2 Mandatory  5  4
     Animation History 2 Mandatory  5  3
     Animation Practice Mandatory  5  4
     3/5  Animation Production Mandatory  10  5
     Animation & Visual Effects Mandatory  10  5
     Animation & Contemporary Culture Mandatory  5  4
     The Animation Business Mandatory  5  3
     3/6  Animation Project  Mandatory  15  7
     Professional Animation Practice Mandatory  10  4
     Contemporary Animation Theory Mandatory  5  4
    Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this programme the graduate will be able to:
    • Demonstrate a specialised knowledge of the skills, tools, and professional practices related to the field of animation.
    • Recognise the on-going development of animation, covering theory, practice and technology and understand the intersections between traditional skills and new developments in animation.
    • Utilise a range of tools and media appropriate to production of animation, gradually focusing on an area of specialism while sourcing relevant research, visual and textual, which will broaden and support production 
    • Demonstrate the capacity for planning, scheduling, resourcing and managing a project  from concept to finished artefact, exercising judgement in choosing appropriate material and media
    • Demonstrate an awareness of transferable skills which may be used in a variety of contexts in the field of Animation, in order to increase flexibility as a practitioner
    • Demonstrate an ability to perform with competency and confidence in engaging with external stakeholders, contributing from a range of skill sets and working effectively both in group and personal projects,
    • Construct responses to situations and contexts through research, problem-solving and critical thinking in both personal and group projects.
    • Demonstrate the ability to bring professional practice, personal engagement and critical thinking together in their approach to creative work.
    Are there follow-up Programmes Available?
    Graduates may apply to progress to the level 8 BA (Hons) in Animation at LYIT.
    Graduates from this programme may also apply to pursue further studies to relevant level 8 programmes at other Institutes and Universities in Ireland and abroad.
    Career Opportunities
    Employment prospects are currently very good for animation graduates with the correct skill sets and portfolio.  There is growing demand for animation content and for highly skilled graduates, which shows no sign of slowing. Many of the larger Irish Animation companies are producing large volumes of content for broadcasters such as the BBC and Disney, meaning that employment prospects appear good for graduates of dedicated animation programmes.
    This course begins in September each year. How to Apply
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

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