UAL Level 3 Applied General Diploma and Extended Diploma in Art and Design (Animation and Illustration)

Course content

During your study programme you will be given the opportunity to explore your chosen pathway, specialising in a variety of creative practices, here in Animation & illustration we cover practices such as digital and traditional 2D animation techniques, 3D modelling and animating, concept art development, comic design, and much more.

Whilst on this programme you will also be given opportunities to work for real companies and clients through live briefs, we have recently worked with: Lister Hospital, Eagle Bookshop, and Black Cat Games Studio. You will also hear from a variety of guest speakers, this year we heard from a previous student who has gone on to work at Framestore, a leading London VFX studio.

An example of a recent brief:

“This project is split into two core parts: a creature designing outcome, and an asset designing and modelling outcome based upon the previously designed creature.

The creature designing section will cover how to take observational drawings and appropriate photographs, which will then feed into a series of workshops based around photobashing together a set of creature bases. You will then engage in using a process of silhouetting and sketches to design and develop a range of creature concepts. After a process of peer and self evaluation, you will develop a creature design through inking and adding colour/texture.

The asset designing section starts with breaking down your designed creature using reference to help justify the sketching aspect of weapon design. Through a process of iterating on sketches, a more finalised concept will be outputted. Using Blender, you’ll block out and develop a 3D model of your concept. After being introduced to the techniques through workshops, you will UV unwrap and then texture your model. The final model will be lit and rendered, before being self evaluated.”

Study programme and Required Engagement

Study programme

As this is a study programme you will be covering more than just your chosen pathway, you will be required to engage with tutorial sessions that will cover a wide range of life skills, the university application process, college values and culture.

There will be a work experience project for every pathway that requires you to complete a set number of hours working with a client or company that are external to the College. Students who have not gained a grade 4 GCSE in English and Maths will be required as part of their study programme to attend weekly Maths and English sessions.

Required Engagement:

• Main Programme Pathway (your subject) Work Experience Tutorial
• Maths* English* * If you have not already achieved a GCSE pass at grade 4 (C in the old grading structure) or above in English and maths you will study maths and/ or English as an integral part of your college programme

Next steps

Course progression:

On successful completion you could progress on to the Creative Media Production (VFX) HNC program at Bedford College or go on to an Art & Design related degree at a university.

Career progression:

This course can lead into the following career paths:

• 2D Animator
• 3D Animator
• 3D Modeller
• Comic Artist
• Character Designer
• Environment Designer
• Concept Artist

Additional information

You will need:

• Approximately £60 to cover a minimum of 2 trips to relevant exhibitions and museum spaces e.g Tate, V&A, Natural History museum
• A sketchbook to create notes in and engage in thumbnailing, character designs, or environment sketches
• A basic set of drawing pencils, pen, ruler, and an eraser
• Approximately £15 to cover printing costs for the end of year exhibition

Any questions?

If you would like to find out more about this or other courses, please use our Livechat below, or  contact info@bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk.

If you are aged 19 or over you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan to help you pay the tuition fees for this course. You can also pay by instalments to help make the cost of this course more affordable.

If you live in any of the following areas and wish to apply for or enrol onto one of our courses, please contact our Customer Contact team on 0345 658 8990 to check if your course is funded or not (Please note that if your course is not funded then you will pay a higher fee than what is listed, please contact our Customer Contact team for more information):

• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
• Greater Manchester
• Greater London
• Liverpool City Region
• Tees Valley
• West of England
• West Midlands
• Sheffield
• Newcastle Upon Tyne
• Barnsley and Doncaster
• West Yorkshire