The animation industry needs skilled animators in both 2D and 3D computer animation. This intensive course offers hands-on training in the core skills that this challenging field requires. We cover motion analysis and performance based animation, from the simplest bouncing ball techniques to movement in animals, acting in humans and the representation of speech.

Located in central London, we can provide a unique industry-based mentoring programme that gives students continuous external input and ensures that they graduate fully-equipped for work and familiar with industry practices. There are also regular visits from practitioners in all aspects of production.

Pathway details

The course has two pathways: 2D Animation and 3D Animation.

While students follow only one pathway, the course ensures that everyone learns the same core skills. Each student completes traditionally drawn animation exercises and follows the same curriculum. All students have access to a dedicated Windows workstation and a light box. The 2D students also use Flash, Animo, Photoshop and After Effects. The 3D students use Maya.

Although we teach animation with computers, it should be noted that this is not a training course in software. Consequently we do not cover all aspects of the software, only the main animation tools. The focus is on the skills of character animation and creating personalities that can move convincingly and perform engagingly.

Skillset Media Academy

Central Saint Martins has been awarded Skillset Media Academy status, one of only 17 institutions across the UK, granted in recognition of the outstanding achievements of the college in relation to their Media Courses. This course is part of the programme that contributed to the successful application. Skillset is the industry body which supports skills and training for people and businesses to ensure the UK audio visual and publishing industries maintain their world class position. For more information about the academies please visit the Skillset website: http://www.skillset.org/training/san/sma/

At the start of the week all students do paper and pencil exercises. For the rest of the week the 2D Animation students will elaborate this exercise through either digital or drawn techniques and the 3D Animation students will apply what they have learnt on the computer. The 2D students spend 100% of their time drawing, the 3D students at least 30%. Most weeks end with a communal critique of the current topic. Students are expected to attend for at least 40 hours a week.

The curriculum includes:
. An introduction to the crucial tools of the trade
. Dope sheets, line testing, graticules, disc and pegs
. Blue pencil, clean up of characters
. Animating key frames
. Weight, balance, squash and stretch
. Principles of follow through
. Human construction and anatomy
. Walking without foot-slip
. Technical detailing, lighting and shadows
. Preparing work for trace and paint, or the digital equivalent
. Facial construction and expressions
. Complex actions, jumping, tripping, throwing and lifting
. Lip-synching
. Adding body language and acting
. Exploration of water, explosions, smoke and steam
. Life drawing
. Production planning with storyboards and animatics.

By the end of the course you will have a portfolio of work and a presentation showreel.

While the industry has many illustrators (for backgrounds and character design) and computer operators (who can model, texturise, or animate camera moves) there is a shortage of skilled junior animators. The course builds these core skills and currently over eighty percent of our students find junior or first job positions within the industry.

Former students have gone on to work at companies such as Hibbert Ralph (Frosties adverts), Mill Film (SFX for Gladiator),The Frame Store ('Walking with Dinosaurs'), The Moving Picture Company, and Richard Purdum Productions (Polo and Inland Revenue adverts). Two former students went on to be part of Oscar winning SFX teams and another two recently won Channel 4 Mesh awards.

Industry links

The course grew to meet top UK animation houses' demand for skilled animators. Leading industry practitioners helped to design the curriculum. Student mentors from within the animation industry provide valuable professional insights and useful second opinions; they also advise on practice, introduce other working animators and production techniques, and help establish useful contacts. The course has two animators in residence.

Honours degree; evidence of experiential learning equivalent to a degree; or 3 years relevant professional experience.

Suitable candidates

The course is suitable for graduates seeking to gain the skills to move into the animation industry as well as for practising artists, designers and creatives who want to retrain for a career in animation. Applications are also made by animation companies to place trainees who need to learn new skills.

English language requirements

All classes are conducted in English, so you will be required to have a fluent understanding of the language. If English is not your first language you will be asked to provide evidence of your English language ability. We strongly advise international applicants to take an IELTS test as soon as they consider studying in the UK. Minimum scores for entry on to a postgraduate course are as follows:

• IELTS (International English Language Testing System): 6.5
• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): hand written test: 548, computer based test: 211, internet based test: 79.

You can now study English online at the British Council website - please visit http://www.learnenglish.org.uk

We provide free tuition in English for international students and regular workshops in the language of art and design. We also offer a number of short courses that enable students from overseas to improve their portfolios and English skills before applying to their chosen course.

Portfolio advice

In the portfolio we want to see that you can observe and draw especially human beings and animals from life, that you have some awareness of a time-based medium (storyboards, character design showing a variety of poses and facial expressions, print outs or production stills of animations or films you have completed). Additionally, if you are interested in the 3D pathway, we need to see evidence of spatial awareness. This could take the form of architectural or technical drawings, photographs of sculptures or stage design or work produced on a 3D computer programme. We also want to see that you have a basic knowledge of a 3D computer programme. This could be shown through prints.

Graphic design, typography, interactive CDs, abstract paintings, rocket ships, aliens and writing do not give us sufficient information to judge your potential for animation.

If you are sending animation, please put it on a VHS (PAL format) or a DVD (PAL format), rather than compact disks, zips, floppies, or SyQuests. If you must send your work on CDRom, please ensure it is formatted to be read on a PC. Images/scans of drawing should be JPEG format. Any movies should be in QuickTime or AVI format with a popular, non-specialist compression type used. We will not accept the URL of a web-based portfolio instead of a more traditional portfolio.

How to apply

You can download an application pack and course information leaflet from the 'At a Glance' tab or request an application form from our iInformation Office: +44 (0)20 7514 7022, info@csm.arts.ac.uk. The application form contains detailed information on the application process .Please return your completed application to:

The Registrar, School of Graphic and Industrial Design, Central Saint Martins, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AP.

If you are an International applicant please send your completed application to:

International Office, Central Saint Martins, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AP.

Your application must include:

• A completed application form
• Two references from your tutor or someone who knows your work
• Copies of your latest examination results where applicable
• A portfolio of your work

Please ensure that you send all these items at the same time, because we need all this information to consider your application. We recommend that you send your application by recorded mail. Due to the large number of applications, we are unable to send confirmation that your application has been received.

When to apply

Our next course starts in October 2010. If you are interested in applying to this course, we will need to see a completed application form and a portfolio from you by the following deadlines:

• Early - 8 February 2010: We advise that students apply as early as possible as places are limited. Home/EU applicants who wish to apply for the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) bursary should apply to the college by the early deadline to be considered for the AHRC funding.

• Late - 17 May 2010: Applicants for the late deadline will be considered only if and when vacancies are available following the early deadline. Applications made after 18 May are unlikely to be considered and priority will be given to those who applied before the deadline.