Higher National Diploma In The Animation Industry

Course description

BTEC Higher National Diploma in The Animation Industry

From Cartoon Saloon to Brown Bag Films, from Boulder Media to Giant Animation, Irish studios have made Ireland a go-to destination for animation on an international stage. Irish animators not only boast box-office success, but also multiple nominations and wins at the Academy Awards.

According to Screen Ireland, the animation sector has nearly quadrupled in size in the past decade and accounts for a significant proportion of the many millions spent in the Irish screen industry. If there is one thing that is certain, this sector is calling for new home-grown talent to help support Irelands continuing success on the global stage.

This qualification has been designed for the Irish and global animation sector. Through guest lectures and masterclasses, you will have a unique opportunity to learn from the leading Irish animation studios that have produced award-winning TV shows, films, games and visual effects for millions of viewers worldwide. You will gain hands-on experience with the latest tools and techniques, work on real projects with industry mentors, and network with the best talent in the Irish animation sector.

Whether you want to create your own stories, characters and worlds, or work on existing franchises and properties, this course will prepare you for a successful career in animation.

Why Study This Course?

• Gain the skills, knowledge and understanding you need to excel in the international animation environment, whether you want to work for an established studio or start your own business.
• Develop your critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills and learn how to work effectively across different animation functions and manage change and complexity.
• Acquire the core skills required for a range of animation careers, such as, management, operations, production and design.
• Balance your employability skills with the academic knowledge that will enable you to pursue further studies or entrepreneurial ventures in animation.
• Understand the impact of new digital technologies on the animation industry and how to leverage them for innovation and competitive advantage.
• Gain insight into the global animation market and the opportunities and challenges it presents, as well as, the cultural diversity and values of different animation organisations and audiences.
• Choose from various flexible study options that suit your local and specialist needs and interests.

Course Content

In the first year of the course, you will learn the principles of 2D animation, such as, timing, spacing, squash and stretch, anticipation and exaggeration. You will practice character animation, using both digital and traditional tools and develop your own style and personality. You will also improve your drawing skills, with a focus on life drawing for animation and learn how to use anatomy, gesture and expression to convey emotion and movement. You will also learn how to design and model your own characters and environments for animation, using industry standard software. You will learn how to create layouts and storyboards that communicate your vision and narrative effectively.

You will also learn how to write scripts for animation, using dialogue, action and structure to craft compelling stories. Finally, you will learn about the history and styles of animation, from the pioneers of the medium to the current industry leaders and discover how animation has evolved over time and across cultures. By the end of the first year of our course, you will have a solid foundation in 2D animation, a portfolio of your own work and a passion for the art form. You will be ready to take on more advanced modules in the second year of our course, where you will explore 3D animation, visual effects, game design and more.

Year 1 Modules

The following modules will be offered subject to availability or demand and are subject to change:

• Principles of 2D Animation
• Character Animation
• Life Drawing for Animation
• Design and Modelling for Animation
• Layout and Storyboarding
• Script Writing for Animation
• History and Styles of Animation

In the second year of the course, you will build on the foundation you acquired in the first year and learn advanced skills and techniques in 2D and 3D animation. You will enhance your character animation skills, using industry standard software and learn how to create realistic and expressive movements and emotions. You will also improve your life drawing skills, with a focus on anatomy, perspective and composition and learn how to apply them to your animation work. You will also learn how to create advanced 2D and 3D models for animation. You will learn how to create detailed and realistic textures, lighting and shading for your models. You will also learn how to create advanced layouts and designs for animation. You will learn how to edit, composite and render your animation projects. You will also gain production practice in animation, working on group projects that simulate real-world scenarios.

You will learn how to plan, manage and execute your animation projects, from pre-production to postproduction. You will also learn how to pitch, present and market your animation work. Finally, you will learn how to develop your own concept design for animation using industry-standard software. You will learn how to generate ideas, research and develop your own style and vision for animation. By the end of the second year of our course, you will have advanced skills in 2D and 3D animation, a portfolio of professional-quality work and a creative identity as an animator. You will be ready to take on more challenging modules in the third year of our course, where you will specialise in your chosen area of animation.

Year 2 Modules

The following modules will be offered subject to availability or demand and are subject to change:

• Advanced character Animation
• Advanced Life Drawing for Animation
• Advanced 2D and 3D Modelling for Animation
• Advanced Layout and Design
• Production Practice
• Concept Design for Animation
• Storyboarding and Editing for Animation

Career Opportunities

The Higher National Diploma’s more extensive coursework and advanced skillset make its graduates more competitive in the job market and better prepared for various creative media roles. The two-year duration and deep focus of the Higher National Diploma at DCFE often leads to stronger connections with industry professionals and organisations, providing students with valuable networking opportunities and a better understanding of the media production landscape. In addition, students will build an extensive portfolio of work to secure employment. Such is the practical nature of our course, it can lead directly to a range of job opportunities in the animation and creative media industry. Possible career paths include animator, script writer, technical artist, art director, layout artist and media engineer.

Progression Options:

• CDCFE: BA in Animation
  (Level 8, 1-year top-up from HND)
• BCFE: BA in Animation
  (Level 8, 1-year top-up from HND)
• IADT: DL832 Animation
  (Level 8, 4 Years, advanced entry possible)
• IADT: DL847 3D Animation
  (Level 8, 4 Years, advanced entry possible)
• TUS Athlone: US802 Animation and Illustration
  layout artist and media engineer.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
At least one of the following:

• Leaving Certificate or Leaving Certificate Applied or;
• QQI level 5 major award;
• Mature Students or;
  Other equivalent qualifications
• Additional entry requirements may apply.

All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.

Apply directly at www.dunboynecollege.ie