All undergraduate students study common modules in their first year. This will give you the all-round skills needed to become a professional, and a chance to choose a different specialism between VFX, animation and game art if you change your mind before your second year.
First year (level 4)
Creative Foundations - Craft (30 credits)
This module is the chance for students to develop a hands-on understanding of different industry-relevant styles of visual representation. There is a learning focus within three key areas: communicating ideas and concepts in visual forms, the meaning behind an image in context and the way light behaves and interacts with surfaces.By the end of the module, successful students will benefit from an essential knowledge of key concepts of working in the creative sector, including the study of visual conventions and narratives, the development of traditional creative skills, such as drawing and photography, and the analysis of visual material of aesthetic value and communication content.
Creative Foundations - Project (30 credits)
This module presents students with a studio-relevant challenge in their first year of studying at Escape Studios, providing a real understanding of team collaboration throughout the creative process. The module requires students to respond to creative project briefs as part of a small team - imitating the professional set-up found in industry.
The success of the team is dependent on realising a shared vision whilst making the most of the individual strengths of each member. Each team will work towards a controlled approach in their planning and resourcing, to ensure that they effectively deliver the project, whilst still being on time and on budget. Teams will be required to pitch their concepts before moving to the development stage - which eventually leads to the team's final product that is ready to be showcased to the client. This module demonstrates how each individual student can make a genuine contribution to a professional team in a creative environment.
Computer Animation - Core (15 credits)
This module reveals a modern understanding behind the Twelve Principles of Animation - providing students with an overview of theory and practice relating to the creation of animation in a wide range of digital media. Students get hands-on with the latest software and techniques surrounding animation principles, movement and cinematography.The main purpose of this module is to provide an excellent range of transferable skills for use in a professional animation environment. A range of industry-standard 3D and 2D animation techniques will be covered, alongside animation mechanics that include locomotion, flexibility and weight. Students who start with a limited understanding of animation will finish with the ability to engage with the challenges of contemporary animation.
Video Game Art - Core (15 credits)
This module allows students to get to grips with the fundamentals of developing assets for use in video games - boosting students from zero experience to a core foundation where artistic talents can be used to create video game content. Students will be given intensive projects which will test teach and improve their ability to use the latest 3D software and techniques, including: modelling, texturing and lighting basic assets for a modern game engine.
The two main outcomes that students can expect from this studying module is a developed understanding of producing game assets for the mobile platform and a grounding in the basics of game art, for students to make informed decisions in directing their career journeys.
Compositing for VFX - Core (15 credits)
This module introduces the theory and role of Compositing in VFX production and where it sits within the overall creative industries. The content of the module provides students with the opportunity to realise the fundamentals of layering multiple image elements in an efficient workflow. The industry-aligned projects give the students a chance to learn compositing, colour correction and keying with the latest software and techniques.
Successful students will begin to understand Compositing in the same light as studio professionals. Moving forward, students will be able to place the role of Compositing alongside their wider understanding of visual effects.
3D for VFX - Core (15 credits)
This module provides students with a core understanding of the role of 3D in VFX production. Students will evaluate 3D tools, techniques and approaches used by the modern day production of a final rendered image.
Successful students will have the ability to place the appropriate 3D tools and techniques to a specific creative objective. Innovative projects within this module provide students with a challenge, as well as an opportunity to showcase their newly developed techniques in modelling, texturing, lighting and rendering. Explore contemporary 3D theory and concepts with a truly unique studio learning experience.
Second year (level 5)
From your second year, you’ll start to specialise in 3D computer animation and work in teams on industry-style projects.
Computer Animation (3D) - Pro (30 credits)
Take your animation skills to proficient level with this exciting second year module. Bringing a digital object or character to life is the fundamental purpose of computer animation, this module sets the challenge of turning pixels into personality. Students will learn how to combine the elements of animation, including lip movements, body and gestures, through constant trial error and feedback.
The aim of this module is to boost students’ understanding and technical know-how of character animations. By the end of the course, successful students will be able to use techniques required in a professional animation environment. Students will also benefit from a new comprehension of animation industry pipelines including creative development, character development and technical processes.
Computer Animation (3D) - Advanced (30 credits)
This advanced module in computer animation approaches the theory and practice in creating creature animation for the visual effects industry. As the scale and complexity of the demands for creature animation continues to expand, students will acquire the skill to create animal effects that are both engaging and realistic.
The priority of this module is to develop students’ niche understanding and expertise surrounding animation techniques and the creation of animals and creatures for professional use in a visual effects environment. From discovering this specialist area within animation, students will get a better understanding of the challenges that professional computer animators face on a daily basis. Successful students will not only be observant of the techniques involved in creature creation, but will also demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of visual effects industry pipelines - including the use of the green screen and the ability to work with live action plates.
Specialism (15 credits)
This module complements the Industry Studio Project and gives the students a chance to delve into the craft that they have developed over the duration of their course, relating to the contemporary context of the theory and techniques surrounding their specialism. Tutors will aid students to propose what their specialism will be and industry professionals will support students with critical feedback. Through this module, students will be in a stronger position to realise their own personal development and what they can offer to their allocated team in the Industry Studio Project.
Industry Studio Project (45 credits)
This module prepares and challenges students to complete a studio project collaboratively, to the same standard as found in a practising studio environment. This is a chance for students to work together to showcase the pinnacle of their talents and techniques. Students are expected to direct their project with good project management and task allocation to create, acquire and select top material content. Students are required to demonstrate their ability to evaluate the outcome with a 20-minute presentation to a panel of industry professionals.
Third year (level 6)
By your third year, you’ll be working in a team just like a fully-functioning independent studio, alongside developing an in-depth knowledge of your chosen specialisation.
Advanced Specialism (30 credits)
This module offers the opportunity for students to engage with the advanced theories, principles and tools at the forefront of 3D computer animation. On successful completion of the module, students will have developed an impressive mix of transferable skills, including: the ability to communicate in-depth the technical and creative issues within their community of practice and a matured awareness to self reflect on their own professional development.
Students will be refined in their professionalism by the support of both tutors and industry professionals. This module will benefit students in their ability to employ a high level of expertise in their personal and studio practice. The final project will be assessed by an incorporation of both tutors and industry.
Professional Practice (30 credits)
This module allows students to showcase what they do best and is largely focused on creating an individual work on a personal development portfolio. Students have the chance to showcase their specialist area within their field, as well as providing and receiving support from fellow students to move forward in their development from the lessons they have learned at Escape Studios over the last two years.
Students will be challenged to create personal audits and plans, including a series of mock interviews mid-way through. Tutors and industry professionals will provide valuable and formative feedback to direct students' progress. Successful students will finish this module to efficiently work in a team and fluently communicate their skills and ability in a professional setting, including interviews and assessment meetings.
Professional Studio Project (60 credits)
This module combines the three-year efforts of the student, bringing together preparation, training and experimentation of the previous two stages. The course is the pinnacle of the students' learning experience, which ensures that graduates are ready to advance to either a career within industry or the demands of the final MArt year.
There are two core assignments within this module: individual retrospective, where the student is required to create an enquiry into their own work, and the team project, where students are required to work to the standard of a professional studio team and give a presentation providing a concise retrospective of their project. Successful completion of this module is dependent on the student's ability to thrive in a studio environment in order to advance their knowledge, skills and understanding through practice-based learning, experimentation and reflection.
Fourth year (level 7 - integrated masters students only)
If you’re doing the four-year MArt programme, in this final year you’ll develop entrepreneurship and the skills needed to manage your fledgling studio as a real business, taking it to the next level of professionalism. Students will be asked to organise themselves to work as a digital studio, working on projects that will be viable and to a commercial standard. The four modules of this final year will cover the crucial aspects that will define your studio's success.
Art and Design (30 credits)
The primary focus of this module is to create products and services that have exceptional aesthetic and a strong brand identity. It investigates the visual language used within the contemporary world and looks into the way that society interacts with products, services and with each other through digital interfaces that have been crafted by experts with industry-standard tools. There is an expectation within this course that a student's output must retain an audience with a seamless usability and engage them with their work's beauty. Students will also learn that functionality is no longer enough in today’s world.
At the end of the module, successful students will be able to present aesthetically pleasing, intuitively designed, well branded products and services that meet their business goals.
Craft (30 credits)
The outline of this module’s syllabus covers industry-standard software and hardware, SaaS development, technical innovation for the creative industries and distribution platform innovation. The overall objective of this module is for students to strive for technical excellence in all that they do, including creating products, services and everyday user experiences.
The challenge of this module is to work within realistic technical constraints to create something that is feasible and viable within animation. This module will challenge students to expand their technical skills beyond what they currently know and is accepted practice and to learn new skills and collaborate with fellow students. Through a series of lectures, seminars and the failures and success of work, students will learn how to make technically and visionary excellent animations.
Process (30 credits)
This module challenges students to engage, understand and begin to redefine the development process at an advanced level. This course looks at the evolution of digital products, services and experiences that are created on the course. Furthermore, you will look into how to adapt the working process to accommodate this evolution, as well as how it shapes the business that you run.
The module has wide-reaching lessons that can benefit most professionals within the creative industries, focusing on essential qualities of agile production and understanding this within a global context. Students will be expected to present their working methodology surrounding the creation of animations with their final outcome, including a demonstrated reflection on the benefits and drawbacks of the process they have created. Students will learn independently and within their teams how to structure and implement an innovative production process within the animation industry and the wider creative industries.
Business (30 credits)
This module covers business modelling, start-up basics, a financial and legal outlook, how to create a purpose-driven business and the art of pitching to investors. Through inspiring lectures, seminars and weeks of experimentation in the studios, students will get to grips with how to establish a business that supports their visions and innovations.
This module is all about empowering students with the ability to make their company sustainable and profitable. Successful students engage with the world-dominating digital technologies, and business models that are constantly adapting to the creative industries. The lessons learned on this course give students the education to use business expertise to push their talents in the creative industries.
For more details about modules, see the full module specifications.
