Coursework (100%).

For submission you will be expected to complete all components of the module, that include:

A digital portfolio containing evidence of research, design and execution of:
Production of 3 three dimensional wire and clay life model studies which describe both volume, weight and anatomy. (Learning Outcomes 2, 3)
Show evidence of sculpture which demonstrates close observation of volume, pose and character [Learning Outcome 1, 2, 3]
Show clear evidence of modelling skills and design development and your ability to express animated gesture in physical materials [Learning Outcomes 2,3]

A set of original design drawings for production of several sculptures of self-designed characters, that may include (but not limited to) - a dynamic clothed human, an anthropomorphized figure, a quadruped animal and a caricatured celebrity head and images of all final sculpts.
(Learning Outcomes 3,4)

This module directly builds upon your learning from the Semester 1 module – Animation Fundamentals and acts as the first step towards your subject specialism within stop motion and animation sculpture practises.

The module explores 3-dimensional awareness in representing the figure with an understanding of form, gesture and pose – in physical and digital media.
There will be a series of practical classes and workshops exploring the relationship of character, creature and human forms in space, volumetric structure and how this may be applied in practice to animation production and where relevant, emerging technologies.
There will be a set of contextual lectures on Sculpting, Anthropomorphism in relationship to sculpture and animation, Character design, Caricaturing, the Role of Sculpting and Digitising in the Animation Industry today.
You will receive Health and Safety training for the necessary 3D workshops.
You will be introduced to a range of sculpture and character modelling methods to support your development as an animator and sculptor primarily in the field of stop motion animation.
You will undertake exercises in character, creature and human modelling that may include life sculpture and anatomical studies of human and animal muscle structure and skeleton.
You will explore character, creature and human volume in a variety of 3D physical media and demonstrate an understanding of form and weight in a range of dynamic actions.
Using the principles learned from observational study you will create standing characters in modelling clay and a character head. One piece will be chosen for computer digitising.
You will create a caricature head using computer based sculpting programs.

Studio learning takes place in timetabled sessions with academic staff who introduce key contextual and practice based lectures focused on the development of sculpture for animation in a range of materials.
Through these initial lectures you will gain an understanding of the core concepts and theory regarding the importance of the character, creature and human figure in animation production.
Independent study will form the majority of time spent "answering the brief" through evidence of character research, preparation drawings, studio strategy and application of methods and processes necessary for completion of an appropriate response to the assignments.
Specific studio sessions will involve digitising sculpted models in industry relevant 3D software for further development.

Seminars and group Critiques support your studio practice through formative evaluation and will take place at critical points of the semester to review working progress.
Summative assessment takes place at the end of the module where portfolios will be presented for final assessment.
There will be two timetabled tutorial sessions to enable students to discuss their work individually with key members of delivery staff.

Some classes and workshops of this module are shared with students on the BA (Hons) Animation course – after a period of teaching you will divide into your specialism area to allow you to focus on Stop Motion related practises.
There are anticipated opportunities for cross-course collaboration within the module structure to assist you further achieve your creative goals.

Animation Department resources & studio spaces
3D Workshops – Plastics / Plaster / Metal / Wood etc.
The Drawing Studio
Blackboard
Library

Essential reading
Stop-Motion Armature Machining: A Construction Manual / by Tom Brierton. McFarland & Company (March 5, 2002)
Force: Character Design from Life Drawing. Mattesi, Michael D. Focal, 2008.
Creating characters with personality / introduction by Glen Keane. Bancroft, Tom. Watson-Guptill,, 2006.
Figure sculpture in wax and plaster / by Richard McDermott Miller, edited by Gloria Bley Miller.
Miller, Richard McDermott, Miller, Gloria Bley. (Series Ed.) Dover Publications, 1987.
Modeling the head in clay: creative techniques for the sculptor / sculpture by Bruno Lucchesi ; text and photographs by Margit Malstrom. Lucchesi, Bruno, Malmstrom, Margit. (Series Ed.) Watson-Guptill,, c1996.
The Winston effect : the art and history of Stan Winston Studio / foreword by James Cameron. Duncan, Jody. Titan Books,, 2006.
Autodesk Maya 2014 Essentials Autodesk Official Press Naas, Paul John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2013
Autodesk Maya 2014 Essentials [electronic resource] : Autodesk Official Press. Naas, Paul John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2013
Mudbox 2013 cookbook : over 60 recipes to sculpt digital masterpieces like a modern Michelangelo / contributions by Sagar Patel.
Roland, Jeremy. Patel, Sagar. (Series Ed.) Packt,, 2012.
3D printing for dummies / by Kalani Kirk Hausman and Richard Horne. Hausman, Kalani Kirk. Horne, Richard. (Series Ed.) John Wiley & Sons, 2014.

Including:
A range of books, subject-specific periodicals and journals, newspaper and other related articles, as well as texts relating to your course of study should be employed as negotiated with the module leader - together with any subject-specific visual, audio or audio-visual evidence to support your work.

Recommended:
Mastering Autodesk Maya 2014 Autodesk Official Press Palamar, Todd John Wiley & Sons Inc, 2013
Action anatomy : for gamers, animators, and digital artists. Iijima, Takashi. Harper Design,, 2005.
Force: Dynamic Life Drawing for Animators Mattesi, Michael D. Focal, 2008.
Digital sculpting with Mudbox : essential tools and techniques for artists / by Mike de la Flor and Bridgette Mongeon.
De la Flor, Mike. Mongeon, Bridgette. (Series Ed.) Focal,, 2010.

You will be expected to take advantage of the extensive library facilities available within the University, keeping abreast of current developments through appropriate periodicals and being aware of the work of major practitioners in your subject.

1. SHOW HOW ANTHROPOMORPHISM HAS BEEN DEVELOPED IN THE CREATIVE AND VISUAL ARTS
[Knowledge & Understanding]

2. SHOW INVESTIGATION OF THE HUMAN AND ANIMAL FORM THROUGH OBSERVATIONAL STUDY WITH A RANGE OF CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL – AND DEMONSTRATE HOW THESE APPLY TO THE PRACTISE OF CHARACTER DESIGN.
[Learning]

3. EXPLORE HOW SCULPTURE ENABLES A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROPERTIES OF WEIGHT AND STRUCTURE IN ANIMATION PRODUCTION
[Application]

4. DEMONSTRATE HOW THE 3D PIPELINE IS ENHANCED THROUGH SCULPTURE AND ITS APPLICATION IN ANIMATION
[Problem Solving]