Where would be the best place to study animation or illustration?

6

Hi, I'm looking to take a course in either illustration or animation at University. I was wondering if anyone had any university recommendations. Right now im looking at Falmouth (for illu or ani) and Central St Martins (for foundation).

I'm about to start my second year on a btec extended diploma in art and design, and am projected an overall grade of D*s.

Reply 1

froggiee

6

My current uni, Leeds Art University, is pretty good for illustration and animation, I'm on animation and a lot of my friends are illustration students and have had a great time on their course.
Herts seemed to have a nice animation course as well!

Reply 2

PQ

Universities Forum Helper, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post

by OliveHH

Hi, I'm looking to take a course in either illustration or animation at University. I was wondering if anyone had any university recommendations. Right now im looking at Falmouth (for illu or ani) and Central St Martins (for foundation).

I'm about to start my second year on a btec extended diploma in art and design, and am projected an overall grade of D*s.

Do you have any thoughts on the type of animation that you are interested in?
AUB, South Wales and Herts are some of the best options for a broad ranging animation degree.

if you want a combined course then ARU or man met are good options (but might not give you the required skillset to get into specific animation roles)

Reply 3

OliveHH

OP

6

Original post

by froggiee

My current uni, Leeds Art University, is pretty good for illustration and animation, I'm on animation and a lot of my friends are illustration students and have had a great time on their course.
Herts seemed to have a nice animation course as well!

I know a couple of people who are planning on going to Leeds, although I will say it never really appealed to me, but I'll definitely do some further research into the uni. Doesn't help that I'm torn between illustration and animation 😂😭

Also, I had never heard of Herts before, so thank you!

Reply 4

OliveHH

OP

6

Original post

by PQ

Do you have any thoughts on the type of animation that you are interested in?
AUB, South Wales and Herts are some of the best options for a broad ranging animation degree.

if you want a combined course then ARU or man met are good options (but might not give you the required skillset to get into specific animation roles)

Honestly, I don't know. I've never really done much animation, and, whilst I've planned out my final project next year to include it, I still don't know if I will like doing animation. In my head though, I would prefer 2d animation and/or stop-motion.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have to find out more about them.

A combined course sounds like a good idea, but it also doesn't sound worth it. I would rather make a choice and get a thorough education than sit on the fence and not get everything I need to do either specialist.

Reply 5

insidedesigner

7

Firstly, there is no 'best'. It's like asking what the best pair of trainers is. The only question is "where's best for you?"

If you're considering animation, try some now. The only way to see if you like it is to try it, and you don't need to wait for someone to set you a project. It's easy to do with a phone and something to hold it steady. Invent your own stories and techniques. It's something that requires huge amounts of time and patience - some people love it, some don't.

Most illustration degrees will have projects or whole modules exploring animation, so it's not necessarily one or the other.

Where would you prefer to live? Big city or somewhere quiter? North, south, east or west? Cheaper or more expensive?

Reply 6

ArtsUniPlymouth

Official Rep

15

Original post

by OliveHH

Hi, I'm looking to take a course in either illustration or animation at University. I was wondering if anyone had any university recommendations. Right now im looking at Falmouth (for illu or ani) and Central St Martins (for foundation).

I'm about to start my second year on a btec extended diploma in art and design, and am projected an overall grade of D*s.

Hi there,

There are some really good points on this thread already and I definitely would recommend working out what is most important to you and why.

We also run an Animation course (https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-animation-games) right by the sea, so if you're interested in a University in the South West I am happy to answer any questions you may have! However, Falmouth is also a brilliant choice and is a lovely city to be in.

Whatever you decide, go with your gut and I am sure you will love your uni experience!

Best of luck

Jenny - a rep from Arts University Plymouth.

Reply 7

OliveHH

OP

6

Original post

by insidedesigner

Firstly, there is no 'best'. It's like asking what the best pair of trainers is. The only question is "where's best for you?"

If you're considering animation, try some now. The only way to see if you like it is to try it, and you don't need to wait for someone to set you a project. It's easy to do with a phone and something to hold it steady. Invent your own stories and techniques. It's something that requires huge amounts of time and patience - some people love it, some don't.

Most illustration degrees will have projects or whole modules exploring animation, so it's not necessarily one or the other.

Where would you prefer to live? Big city or somewhere quiter? North, south, east or west? Cheaper or more expensive?

Thank you! And yes, you are entirely correct!

I've tried it before and have already started planning my final project to incorporate different kinds. I have a feeling though that I might not love it as much as I want to.

An illustration degree with modules in animation sounds like a dream though, I'll keep a lookout for some and ask about it on my open days, thank you.

Reply 8

OliveHH

OP

6

Original post

by ArtsUniPlymouth

Hi there,

There are some really good points on this thread already and I definitely would recommend working out what is most important to you and why.

We also run an Animation course (https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-animation-games) right by the sea, so if you're interested in a University in the South West I am happy to answer any questions you may have! However, Falmouth is also a brilliant choice and is a lovely city to be in.

Whatever you decide, go with your gut and I am sure you will love your uni experience!

Best of luck

Jenny - a rep from Arts University Plymouth.

Thank you!!

Reply 9

Bolognacoffee

9

Original post

by froggiee

My current uni, Leeds Art University, is pretty good for illustration and animation, I'm on animation and a lot of my friends are illustration students and have had a great time on their course.
Herts seemed to have a nice animation course as well!

Oooh, Leeds! How have you been finding it there? Been looking at the concept art course and visited, but still feel unsure. Would you feel comfortable sharing some of your experience there?

Reply 10

moid

9

Original post

by froggiee

Herts seemed to have a nice animation course as well!

Thanks very much :smile:

If it helps you I recently made a film explaining the art requirements for a portfolio for Hertfordshire (it covers all the animation degrees, including 2D Animation and Comics and Concept Art, which seem to be the ones you are most drawn to, if you'll pardon the pun).
https://vimeo.com/841286222

I would really recommend you start animating though; you need to discover if you like it or not and then you can focus your direction on what you do like. I would recommend a focussed course rather than a general one if getting a job is important at the end of the degree (the animation industry is very hard to get a job in). Work out what area is most interesting to you first and then study that, rather than take a course which might have a lot of modules in areas you ahve no interest in but you've still had to pay for. Good luck, get drawing and animating!

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 11

OliveHH

OP

6

Hey! Just as an update, I ended up applying for illustration degrees at Falmouth, Kingston (illustration animation), Brighton, Plymouth and UAL, and I'll be heading down to Falmouth in August!!!!!!!!

Reply 12

student9099

3

Original post

by OliveHH

Hey! Just as an update, I ended up applying for illustration degrees at Falmouth, Kingston (illustration animation), Brighton, Plymouth and UAL, and I'll be heading down to Falmouth in August!!!!!!!!

How are you finding Falmouth? Considering that as one of my choices

Where would be the best place to study animation or illustration?

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