Animation

Animation is the art of creating the illusion of motion through a sequence of images, and it is one of the most technically demanding and creatively rich fields in the visual arts. From the hand-drawn frames of traditional cel animation to the complex rigs and physics simulations of contemporary 3D computer graphics, animation encompasses a remarkably wide range of techniques and styles, all serving the same fundamental purpose: bringing characters, stories, and worlds to life. The animation industry serves film, television, games, advertising, medical visualisation, architectural rendering, and many other sectors, and demand for skilled animators continues to grow.

Middlesex University offers this Animation degree on a part-time basis, with a foundation year to build the creative and technical foundations you need before progressing into the main programme. As the course describes, it enables you to develop your creative and technical skills through experimentation with a broad range of styles and processes, including traditional and digital 2D animation, stop motion, and 3D computer graphics. You will study the software and skills needed across these different forms of animation alongside their underlying technical principles and artistic applications.

The part-time format gives you flexibility to manage other commitments while developing the portfolio of work that employers in this competitive and exciting industry expect.

Animation graduates work in film and television production companies, games studios, advertising agencies, visual effects houses, post-production facilities, and as freelance animators. Specialist roles include character animator, motion graphics designer, visual effects artist, 3D modeller, and stop motion animator. Many graduates also work in related creative fields such as illustration, graphic design, and interactive media.

The industry rewards those with a strong portfolio and demonstrated technical versatility, and many graduates develop their practice further through postgraduate study or by building experience across different commercial and artistic contexts.