Mode of Study

Full-time

Start Date

28th Aug 2023, 2 years

Location

City Campus

Applications from International Students Welcome

Overview

This exciting course is an opportunity to explore a range of computer-based art disciplines and provides a foundation for you to develop your creative potential within the context of emerging technologies   You will have the opportunity to develop generic art and design skills through a range of, art, animation, 3D modelling, digital video, digital sound and computer art projects.   

The primary focus of the course is to give you the knowledge and skills to move onto further study at university.  This will include an understanding of the role that research plays in art and design and is reflective of your own creative practice.  On the course, we continually underpin the importance of developing an individual art process rather than copying existing styles and ideas.

You can view student work on our Instagram page.

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

• Higher Art and Design at Grade C or above AND National 5 English at Grade C or above; OR
• NC Art and Design, Graphic Arts Portfolio, Graphic Design or Illustration; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications or experience

Year 2 Entry

• An HNC in Computer Arts and Design or an equivalent level qualification.

Additional selection requirements

• You'll be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you can find out more about the course and tell us why you're interested in this subject area or we'll make an offer based on your application form.
• You'll be asked to provide examples of your art and design work.

ESOL entry requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have minimum ESOL Intermediate level 2 or equivalent for NC/NQ courses and ESOL Higher for HNC/D courses.

What you study

Year one:

• Introduction to Animation.
• Scriptwriting.
• Developmental Drawing.
• Life Drawing.
• Mixed Media.
• Digital Imaging.
• Art and Design Context.
• Theory and Practice.
• Professional Studies.

Year two:

• Advanced Projects.
• Compositing and Motion Graphics.
• 3D Computer Visualisation.
• 3D Animation Motion Studies.
• Art and Design Presentation.
• Drawing.
• Professional Studies.

After the course

Careers

Students who complete their HND can progress to a career in motion graphics as an animator, storyboard artist, layout artist, character developer, compositor, VFX designer and other-related specialist.

There are opportunities for employment in-house or as a self-employed freelancer working for animation studios, VFX companies, BBC, STV, TV production companies, web design studios, advertising agencies, and other clients requiring animation or motion graphics sequences.

Continuing Study

Due to the ongoing success of the course many of our graduates move onto a diverse range of art school courses, including: -  

• Interaction Design, Environmental Art, Product Design and Fine Art Photography, Games and Virtual Reality at the Glasgow School of Art.   
• Animation, Fine Art, Art & Philosophy, and Interior & Environmental Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.  
• Animation, Graphic Design at Edinburgh College of Art. 

In addition, students have moved on to Film Making at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, New Media at UWS and because of the interdisciplinary nature of the course many graduates have gone on to study Computer Games and Computer Art at Abertay University. 

Teaching

How the course is taught

Assessment methods