3D Animation and Character Creation

Monday to Friday 10 am - 4 pm, two weeks

Indicative maximum class size: 12

This course is aimed at people wishing to be animators of the future.

It combines an introduction to the creative and technical aspects of 3D animation with information about today’s animation industry.

Course Description

Following an introduction to the history of 3D animation, you'll be set a project to develop an animated character and accompanying narrative.

Your time will be split between working in the animation studio on your project, and hearing from guest speakers or visiting places of interest that inspire professional animators.

On this course you will: 

• design a character for 3D animation
• experiment with Maya animation software
• work on top-of-the-range equipment including High end workstations with Nvidia Quadro graphics cards and Wacom Cintiq HD Touch tablets
• use TVPaint to create a simple storyboard
• add sound and music to an animation
• learn about directing your character for the screen.

What will you gain?

You'll combine new idea generation and research skills with your knowledge of Maya software so that, by the end of the two weeks, you'll have a character to present to your fellow students.

You'll also have:

• an understanding of the different types of jobs available to you in the animation, gaming and visual effects industries
• knowledge of what a company like Pixar looks for in a CV
• the confidence to present yourself and your showreel to potential employers.

This course is ideal if you are new to animation and are considering future studies or looking to enhance your CV and portfolio.

In addition to these sessions on campus, there'll also be an online after-care session with your tutor and the group to discuss any technical questions you have.

Here's what our previous attendees said:

'Many thanks to our tutor and their thoroughness and dedication - a brilliant course.' CA

'The teacher was a brilliant and very patient.' CH

'This course was to help me decide whether or not I was going to follow animation at uni. I fell in love with the subject, and will pursue it at NTU.' SN

'A big thanks to the tutor. The course was a brilliant blend of theory, practice and technique. Complicated software was broken down with panache!' DH

'Our tutor was a really supportive and instructive tutor for the course, had such an infectious enthusiasm for the course'. JD

Level: Beginner

Entry requirement: No previous animation or drawing skills are required. You should know your way around a computer in terms of file saving and other basic functions.

Where you'll learn: You will be based in the School of Art and Design on the City Campus.

You’ll find collaborative working spaces where you'll develop your sketches and concepts, and Mac suites equipped with industry standard software and hardware including Adobe Creative Cloud, Maya, Wacom Cintiq Touch Tablets and Pro Creative Pens, TVPaint and work on high end workstations with Nvidia Quadro graphics cards.

You’ll also have access to our library to use outside of your short course; whilst you can’t reserve or take away books, you are welcome to use them as a resource for research and referencing.

Need accommodation?

You can book a self-catered, single room with private bathroom on our city campus, right next door to our studios and classrooms.

Find out more at: www.ntu.ac.uk/summeraccommodation

Any questions?

Contact the short course team:

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813