In this module you will develop an original animation project concept and prepare it for professional presentation. You will explore story, character, world-building and visual style through industry-standard pre-production and pre-visualisation (Previz) methods.

You will design and develop an audience-specific idea, producing a range of planning and concept materials that may include:

- Character design (model sheets, turnarounds, expression tests)
- Environment and world designs
- Animatics and storyboards
- Style tests and visual experiments
- Colour scripts and mood development
- Physical models and mock-ups

You will use a range of contemporary digital and physical tools to explore ideas, test visual approaches and develop transferable industry skills.

The module supports both narrative and experimental approaches, allowing you to develop linear, non-linear, abstract or unconventional outcomes that reflect the diversity of contemporary animation practice.

You will also develop presentation and pitching skills, learning how to communicate your ideas clearly and confidently in preparation for professional environments, portfolio reviews and project pitches.

Assessment 1: Extended Practical Project

You will develop an original animation project concept and produce a comprehensive set of pre-production and pre-visualisation materials suitable for professional presentation.

Your project should demonstrate:
Clear concept development
Strong visual thinking
Consideration of audience and context
Understanding of industry pre-production processes

Your Extended Practical Project will include a curated selection of development work, which may include:
Character design (model sheets, turnarounds, expression tests)
Environment and world designs
Storyboards and animatics
Style tests and visual experiments
Colour scripts and mood development
Physical models or mock-ups (where appropriate)

You are not expected to produce a finished animated film. The focus is on planning, development, visualisation and concept communication.

Assessment 2: Professional Development Statement

You will produce a Professional Development Statement reflecting on your learning, development and professional direction in relation to your Extended Practical Project.

This is a focused reflection on:
Your skills development
Your creative and technical decision-making
Your professional ambitions and readiness

Your statement should discuss:
What you developed for your project and why you made those choices
What skills and understanding you have developed during the module
How you responded to challenges, feedback and limitations
What you learned about industry practice and expectations
How this project supports your future career direction
What you would aim to develop further at Level 6

Your Professional Development Statement may be submitted as:

Option 1: Written statement – 1800 words
Option 2: Audio statement – 6-8 mins
Option 3: Video statement – 6-8 mins

Formative Assessment:

Midway formative feedback will be embedded within practical sessions, providing structured opportunities for feedback on work-in-progress to support student development and progression.

- Lectures
- Specialist workshops
- Seminar discussions
- Tutorials
- Drop-in support sessions
- Group work
- Independent study
- Practical development in response to a brief
- Reflective practice

1. Produce an extended practical project that demonstrates growing independence and professional awareness.

Knowledge & Understanding

2. Apply critical reasoning to address a complex challenge by demonstrating how you have used academic, technical, or professional feedback to enhance your project within Animation.

Critical Reasoning & Collaboration

3. Communicate project intentions, process, and outcomes using appropriate disciplinary formats.

Communication

4. Reflect critically on your professional identity and aspirations within creative industries Animation.

Personal Development & Entrepreneurship

- Contemporary Software
- Student Life https://www.youtube.com/@uniofstaffsstudentlife/videos
- University Careers https://staffs.careercentre.me/Members
- University Library https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/library
- Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment will support this module where relevant
- Specialist Spaces
- Media Stores
- Smart Zone
- CAD Labs
- Print Bureau
- Betty Smithers Design collection

Bruckner, F. et al. (2019) Global animation theory: International perspectives at Animafest Zagreb. 1st edn. New York: Bloomsbury Academic.

Dowlatabadi, Z. and Winder, C. (2020) Producing animation. 3rd edn. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Glebas, F. (2026) Directing the story: Professional storytelling and storyboarding techniques for live action and animation. 1st edn. Burlington, MA: Focal Press.

Smith, V. and Hamlyn, N. (2018) Experimental and expanded animation: New perspectives and practices. 1st edn. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan.

Winder, C. and Dowlatabadi, Z. (2019) Producing animation. 3rd edn. Edited by T. Miller-Zarneke. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Where older texts are included, they are retained as foundational texts within the discipline, remaining relevant where no more recent equivalent texts are available.

Dreaming of being a showrunner on your own animated series in the future? This module gives you the skills and knowledge to start that journey by teaching you how to professionally develop and present original animation concepts. You’ll explore story, character, world-building, and visual style through industry-standard pre-production and previs methods, using digital and physical tools to test ideas and communicate them clearly. The module supports your creative progression across the course and prepares you for professional pitching, portfolio, and industry-facing practice.