Specialist Animation equipment., CAD Labs, Digital Media centre
Sound equipment Pro tools
Post production equipment
Mini DV deck and Cameras

Please note: The department cannot support software not licensed by the university.
The Blackboard virtual learning environment will be available (where relevant) to support this module. Details will be supplied in the module handbook.

Subject specific Studio[s] - Access to design studio and appropriate seminar areas.
Subject specific Workshop[s] - Access to 3D modelling facilities (CAD or physical)
Specialist computing facilities - Access to 3D modelling software (such as Autodesk's MAYA), Autodesk's Combustion, Boujou, Adobe Photoshop, Compositing resources, MS Office, Tutorial Room

Specific Skills Modulettes as appropriate. A comprehensive listing of the modulettes is available from the Faculty Office, together with the current operational parameters (i.e. group size, time allocation etc) for the modulettes. Some module descriptors will have will have more than one modulette assigned and this information will be held by the Faculty Office initially.

Non-specialist computing facilities for email, internet access, word processing, database, spreadsheet and basic presentations will be available through Information Services facilities oncampus, not from within the Faculty itself - the exception being the Student Browsers based in studios/base rooms which will support mainly if not exclusively provide email and internet access.

This module is designed to enable you to attain professional levels of competence by analysing problems, researching information, developing strategies, generating ideas and developing tangible design specifications, all of which are intellectually challenging and demanding.

You will be expected to participate in the negotiation and execution of a major piece of design work, from design brief / initial specification, resource assessment (self / team / physical), through to project and asset management. This brief will be wholly negotiated with staff / peers, to consider personal and team skills (where appropriate) and opportunities offered via commercial or competition briefs.

You will negotiate a programme of study which demonstrates and exploits the knowledge and experience you have gained to date; being one which is approved following discussions between yourself, peers (team based) and your supervising tutors and / or external examiner.

You will be expected to undertake a secondary project that addresses shortfalls in your portfolio, as assessed by staff / observers. This secondary project will be set and conducted over the last 3 weeks of the module, to run concurrently with your major project.

You are expected to demonstrate high levels of project management and self-organisational skills, working harmoniously with internal staff teams, peers, team members and technical support staff where appropriate.

The programme will result in a substantial body of work representing a combined minimum of 450 hours of your input.

100% Course work comprised TWO distinct elements:

1. Major Project worth 75% of module total - this project to be negotiated with staff PRIOR to Semester Six start and will occupy 12 weeks of time, requiring a minimum of 337.5 hours effort on student behalf. Assessment comprises:

- Interim Review / presentation A worth 10% of module total - to include clearly defined brief, initial design ideas, work logs plotting time usage,storyboards, design development work, test modelling, self appraisal of team / individual progress, revised work schedule. Review to take place in
week 3 (Staff and Peers present)

- Interim Review / presentation B worth 15% of module total - to include work logs plotting time usage, design development work, test modelling,storyboard amendments, self appraisal of team / individual progress, final work schedule. Review to take place in week 6 (Staff and Peers present)

- Final Review / presentation worth 50% of module total - Formal presentation to staff only at module end, with primary focus upon work undertaken after Interim Review B.

2. Minor Project worth 25% of module total - this project to be set by staff and tailored to meet shortfalls in an individuals' portfolio of work (as produced to date). This project will be launched at end of Week 8 and will occupy 3 weeks of time, requiring a minimum of 112.5 hours effort on student behalf.

- Final Review / presentation worth 25% of module total - Formal presentation to staff only, to include ALL work undertaken for this project.

Students must attempt all elements to pass the module.

Dowlatabadi, Zahra, Winder, Catherine. Producing Animation. (2001) Focal Press Milic, Lea, McConville, Yasmin. The Animation Producer's Handbook (2006) Open University Press

Patmore, Chris, Cowan, Finlay. The Complete Animation Course,The Principles, Practice and Techniques of Successful Animation. (2003) Thames & Hudson Ltd

Discover the Game with Alias: An In-Depth Look at Game Art Creation in Maya and Alias MotionBuilder (Paperback) by Alias Learning Tools Sybex; Pap/DVD edition (November 7, 2005) ISBN-10: 1897177100 / ISBN-13: 978-1897177105

Creating the Art of the Game (New Riders Games) (Paperback) by Matthew Omernick Publisher: New Riders Games (April 2, 2004) ISBN-10: 0735714096 / ISBN-13: 978- 0735714090

Japanese Game Graphics: Behind the Scenes of Your Favorite Games (Paperback) by Works Corporation (Author) Publisher: Collins Design (June 29, 2004) ISBN-10: 0060567724 / ISBN- 13: 978-0060567729

The Art of the Storyboard, Second Edition: A filmmaker's introduction (Paperback) by John Hart (Author) Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (September 28, 2007) ISBN-10: 0240809602 / ISBN- 13: 978-0240809601

Special Effects: The History and Technique (Hardcover) by Richard Rickitt, Publisher: Billboard Books (April 3, 2007) ISBN-10: 0823084086 / ISBN-13: 978-0823084081

Industrial Light & Magic: Into the Digital Realm (Hardcover) by Mark Cotta Vaz, Publisher: Del Rey; 1st ed edition (October 1, 1996) ISBN-10: 0345381521 / ISBN-13: 978 - 0345381521

PERIODICALS
Squigley magazine
"Broadcast Campaign"
Imagine Magazine
Animation Handbook
EDGE magazine
3D World (http://www.3dworldmag.com/)