Explore Animation (FutureLearn)

Step into stop motion animation

Take your first step into the fascinating world of stop motion, the animation technique used by the creators of animations such as Wallace and Gromit, Coraline and Isle of Dogs.

A glimpse into Aardman Animations studio will give you an introduction to stop motion techniques, and you’ll finish the topic by watching a short stop motion film.

Try 2D animation and pixilation

Cel animation, otherwise known as 2D animation, will be your next topic. You’ll learn different cel animation techniques, tackle character development and discuss how to create a series.

You’ll get the opportunity to brush up on your drawing skills and hear from animators at Collingwood & Co studio.

Pixilation is another animation technique that you’ll be exploring during this course. The technique involves filming and editing the movements of real people so they appear to move like artificial animations.

Discover 3D animation and pick up CGI techniques

Prepare to delve into the world of 3D animation and CGI in your final week, where you’ll learn CGI techniques and 3D principles.

You’ll discuss how to build a 3D environment for a character and think about 3D spaces in animation. Then you’ll evaluate what the future of animation might look like.

At the end of the course, you’ll receive insight into animation careers and witness a discussion of graduate projects by NFTS animation directors.

Syllabus

Week 1: Stop Motion or Stop Frame Animation

Week 2: 2D or cel animation

Week 3: Big scale animation in the real world

Week 4: CGI or 3D computer animation

Learning on this course

You can take this self-guided course and learn at your own pace. On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.
What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Experiment with a variety of animation techniques

- Explore ideas about how animation works

- Produce short animations and share them with others

- Reflect upon own work and that of others
Who is the course for?

This course is for anyone interested in animation or learning animation techniques and does not require any existing specialist animation skills or equipment.

If you want to enhance your learning experience, there will be opportunities to try out animation techniques using everyday tools and free applications.