Bachelor of Art (Hons) in Animation

at Falmouth University - Penryn Campus United Kingdom

As a game artist, you'll be joining one of the fastest growing sectors of the games industry, and be in higher demand than ever before. On this course, you'll work within game development teams and graduate as a skilled, industry-ready game artist.

You will:

• Learn about concept art, character art and environment art as well as the pipelines and processes used to make games.
• Work in an industry-standard environment with access to Cintiqs.
• Make complete games by working in multidisciplinary teams and collaborating in engines like Unreal and Unity.
• Acquire the skills you need to make a successful career from your artistic talent.
• Be surrounded by people who live and breathe games.
• Master a range of industry-standard tools used to produce game art including ZBrush, Maya, Substance Painter and Marmoset.

During this unique business degree you'll get the chance to collaborate with creatives from across the University, including students from our Launchpad business incubation programme, to proactively build your network.

You'll be able to immerse yourself in new ideas while learning theory and applying it to your own practice. You'll explore the social and environmental contexts of business, learn the art and science of building brands and collaborate with peers and professionals. You will be supported to take micro placements, engage with student-run businesses and potentially start your own enterprise.

You will:

• Be encouraged to hone your entrepreneurial skills in a live project environment
• Respond to business challenges informed by the 4th industrial revolution
• Build your business network through collaborative work with other students and external organisations

You will:

• Raise your awareness through learning that’s driven by the environmental, ethical and moral challenges of our time.
• Take your place at the forefront of the industry, with access to resources from industrial, specialist sewing and knit machines, screen printing and a natural dye garden, to ultrasonic welding machines.
• Learn to use the latest digital design technologies, including CLO 3D.
• Thrive by working together on collaborative, challenge-based projects.
• Work on live briefs with leading brands like Fred Perry, Lou Dalton, O'Neill and New York-based Ryan Roche.

While you learn, you’ll be able to put these skills to the test on live projects with industry partners, creating technology with a purpose. By the time you graduate, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to bring new and exciting technologies to a range of different industries.

You will:

• Develop immersive experiences that have the power to fundamentally change the way we interact with technology.
• Collaborate in multi-disciplinary teams designed to simulate working in a way that connects to live research and industry partnerships.
• Graduate with a varied portfolio of VR and XR experiences.
• Work alongside a community of game artists, animators, designers and writers.
• Have the chance to be the first to market with new, interesting and disruptive technology.

This course is underpinned by intensive practical and collaborative work. You’ll explore every aspect of the creative process, from devising individual performances to directing and producing work with others. As a reflective practitioner, you’ll test the theories you learn in lectures through your own work, research and performances. 

You will:

• Benefit from AMATA’s year-round performance programme, which attracts top artists and performers.
• Build industry links through workshops, guest lectures and visits led by world-class companies such as Gecko Theatre, Kneehigh, Prodigal Theatre and The Young Vic .
• Learn to use our extensive range of technical sound, lighting and recording equipment. 
• Work with highly skilled and experienced practitioners, artists, academic staff and creative technicians. 
• Create and take part in a range of projects, including a major production at the AMATA Festival. 

You'll be taught by experts from the Games Academy and the School of Entrepreneurship, to help you become a daring computer scientist capable of leveraging scientific principles and cutting-edge technology to create new and compelling products and services.

You will:

• Get practical hands-on experience, doing a lot of computer programming and software engineering to build your own software
• Work on complex real-world problems set in partnership with industry and explore a range of market-led incubation opportunities identified by our RealWORKS employability team
• Advance your knowledge of computer science and computing technologies in a way that enables you to incorporate cutting-edge advances into the digital products and services you create
• Leverage user-centred design thinking in your system development lifecycles, taking advantage of our research strengths in this area
• Collaborate in multidisciplinary agile teams that span the Games Academy and the School of Entrepreneurship to realise projects with real commercial potential using approaches that mirror industry

Studying in Cornwall, home to several of the UK’s most exciting festivals, you’ll get hands-on industry experience, both here and further afield. Alongside tuition from experienced professionals, you’ll benefit from the expertise within our School of Entrepreneurship – including finance, marketing and project management. 

You will:

• Develop a sustainable approach to management in the globally expanding festival industry. 
• Study on one of the first courses in the world accredited by A Greener Festival.
• Organise live events and engage with industry experts. 
• Be industry-ready with a full degree in just two years. 
• Benefit from the expertise and knowledge of specialist staff with music, events, hospitality, technical and entrepreneurial backgrounds. 
• Undertake multiple micro-placements, at the Eden Sessions and other locations.
• Be part of a course in the hospitality, event management and tourism sector where
  Falmouth holds a top ten ranking in the Guardian University Guide 2021.

Falmouth is one of only a few UK universities to offer a bespoke drawing degree and is the ideal location to grow your skills and critical and contextual understanding of this exciting field of practice.

You will:

• Work in our purpose-built, dedicated suite of studios with like-minded peers where you can engage in critical discussions and student-led debates
• Engage with Cornwall's unique landscape and heritage
• Study a variety of approaches and processes to the discipline, including life drawing, printmaking, etching, digital methods and the moving image
• Have the opportunity to take part in a range of informative study visits
• Have opportunities to go on a work placement in your second year and make industry connections while exploring the practical applications of drawing in professional contexts
• Have the chance to exhibit your work throughout your degree. Previous spaces have included Trelissick House, Wheal Martyn Clay Works, Gallery Tresco, R.K. Burt Paper Gallery and ShelterBox Truro

Guided by a team of industry professionals, expert academics and technical tutors, you'll learn about music composition, performance, recording, editing, mixing and mastering. You'll also hone skills in creating sound and music for a wide range of media, including game engines and interactive installations.

You will:

• Develop as an industry-ready artist with the creative, technical, academic and professional attributes needed to succeed
• Work in high-spec studio facilities with a range of digital and analogue hardware, software instruments and plug-ins and surround sound monitoring
• Access a wide range of industry-standard equipment including microphones, portable recorders, amps, synths, drum machines and controllers
• Collaborate with musicians, filmmakers, game designers, dancers, animators and designers on other Falmouth courses
• Work in a vibrant community of research-active lecturers with industry connections. Recent visitors include Ed O'Brien (Radiohead), James Young (Darkstar) and Professor Jonty Harrison (Electroacoustic composer)
• Grow in experience and skills through optional modules, industry placements, overseas study and/or starting your own company

Through this highly practical two-year course, you’ll be equipped with the technical know-how to succeed in many diverse areas of the industry. Led by practicing experts, you’ll be empowered to take a creative, collaborative and proactive approach to your work. 

You will:

• Work in AMATA’s purpose-built professional studios and performance spaces. 
• Benefit from a year-round performance programme, which features respected artists from all over the world. 
• Learn from practicing technical and academic staff and work with skilled technicians. 
• Gain nationally recognised qualifications in equipment use, processes and health and safety. 
• Have the opportunity to interact with professional theatre and production companies, such as Kneehigh and WildWorks, as well as music festivals and producers, theatre venues and tourism events throughout Devon, Cornwall and beyond.