BA (Hons) Animation portfolio guide

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The course focuses on the artistic and creative process of animation production, in either 2D or 3D. A strong interest and ability in drawing, and visual research and storytelling skills are qualities you will need, as well as an ability to learn the technical and theoretical aspects of animation production.

What to expect

Your digital portfolio should showcase the depth and breadth of your creative ability, idea generation and development, while demonstrating an enthusiasm for the course and subject area.

To supplement the images you submit, we’d recommend either including a supporting statement or annotations alongside each of your images.

Our preference would be for your portfolio to be presented as a PDF. If you create this as a powerpoint presentation, it allows you to add text boxes to annotate your work. This can then be converted easily into a PDF to reduce file size.

What to include in your portfolio

The work contained within your portfolio can be produced as part of a formal course of study or evening class, or anything you have produced independently. Your drawing ability is important, so try to achieve a balance between freehand drawing, life drawing and painting that employs a range of different mediums (such as pastel, gouache, charcoal or pencil). Please include photographs of any 3D projects (such as sculpture, ceramics or model making).

It is extremely useful to have worked on storyboard ideas or anything that is sequence based and tells a story:

Observational drawings/paintings from life, including tone and colour studies are essential. This could include:
- Human Form
- Still life
- Landscape
Visual research and development of ideas

These should evidence visual experimentation, sketches, research into artists/designers and observations with accompanying notes reflecting on your development. Please add a short description with each image.

You should include notes on books, articles, relevant exhibitions or cultural visits that have influenced your work. We want to see images from your sketchbooks and sheets of developmental work.

The portfolio may also contain:

storyboards
examples of photography
examples of sculptural forms
animations (these should be no more than 30 seconds)

What we're looking for

We're looking for your portfolio to demonstrate your:

understanding of animation as a subject and its wider social and global context
ability to express your creative process and decision making
ability to reflect on what is, and is not, successful about your work
interest in historical and contemporary visual culture
enthusiasm and commitment to study animation at university

You will need experience of drawing, visual research and storytelling, as well as an ability to learn the technical and theoretical aspects of animation production. You will also need initiative, creative flair and an ability to learn in a creative environment.

Your portfolio should demonstrate evidence of:

original idea generation
conceptual development
experimental work
a good level of technical ability (both traditional and digital)
an ability to select and present a range of work to a high professional standard