Animation

Course information

With the HKU Animation programme, you explore various narrative forms and techniques, drawing on your powers of imagination. We offer a 4 year Bachelor of Design in Animation degree. The first two years of the course are based on exploring and researching theory, animation skills, design and animation software. We encourage learning through making and our students develop practise-based research skills.

The curriculum

Year 1 offers an array of skills forming the base of knowledge in the field of animation, while year 2 enables the students to explore different ways of communicating individual ideas. During these first two years students also work on self-initiated projects, developing the ability to create effective solutions to set briefs and personal scripts.

Within the animation course we offer two pathways, one for traditional animation such as 2D and stop-motion and one for computer generated 3D animation (CGI). The specialist focus on CGI animation, one unique to The Netherlands, allows students to explore the technique through storytelling, character animation, objects, spaces and environments, but also through virtual reality.

The exchange semester

As an exchange student Animation you are welcome to join us in the Autumn semester of year 2 (start September).

You choose one of the two offered pathways: 2D or 3D (please see module desciptions below).

The exchange programme consists of the following subjects:

• Animation: principles and experimentation, analog and digital techniques, conceptualisation and storyboarding.
• Design: Drawing skills, photography, graphic design
• Theory: History of Art and Animation, Research, Visual Analysis,
• Software:, TVPaint, MAYA/Cinema4d, Adobe Premiere, After Effects, and more.

Medialabs

Next to these Animation courses, you will participate in the Medialabs:

The Medialabs module has been developed for all first and second-year Media students.

The aim of the skillslabs is to give you the opportunity to develop skills in the professional field of another Media pathway and to get to know the students on other pathways.

By skills, we mean not only artisanal or technical skills, but also research, conceptual and professional skills.

The skillslabs focus on doing, making and acting: discovery and experiment. You will meet one another through designing, making and activities. Based on your own interests, you get the opportunity to explore other professional fields in your own way and thus discover new interests.

Seminar

In week 9 and week 10 of the exchange semester you participate in an intensive seminar program (SEM-MED-..-23). There are no regular classes during those weeks.

In the seminars you

• Look beyond the walls of your own professional field, traditions and working processes.
• Gain new experiences and discover new interests.
• Experience different materials, experiments, disciplines, working methods, insights.

Programme for exchange students Animation 2D

Programme for exchange students Animation 3D

Click on code in schedule above to download course description (pdf).

Competencies

• You have a critical, investigative attitude and broad cultural and social interests;
• You take initiative and work well independently, in a group and in interaction with your teachers;
• You are curious and pro-active in your creative process;
• You are able to develop concepts and work on a personal vision;
• You are capable of shaping, and communicating your concepts in an authentic and personal way;
• You possess sufficient technical skills to develop and visualize your ideas.

Place in the curriculum and related courses

This course is an obligatory regular part of year 2 of the Bachelor of Design in Animation (2D or 3D).

Language

Please note that the Bachelor programme is mainly taught in Dutch and it is helpful for exchange students to be able to understand some Dutch. It is quite common that exchange students don't understand Dutch on a high level when they start an exchange at HKU Media and you will of course be supervised in English.

Contact

Should you wish to receive further information, do not hesitate to send your specific questions to the HKU Service Desk Student Affairs.