Degree students from Animation, Illustration, Production Design, Model Making & Visual FX and our MA courses headed to Aardman’s studios in Bristol this month, as Aardman Academy partners our students benefit from trips like this to gain important industry insights. On November 1st students and staff piled on to a coach and made the long journey down to the South West. During this exciting trip students took part in an exclusive tour and workshop visit including meeting a CG Supervisor, Art Director and an animator from Chicken Run 2 (and their puppets) as well as an exciting talk with ‘I Am Your Mother’ Aardman Director Magda Osinska!

Speaking of the experience first year illustration student Karol Wrzesinska said, “I found this trip to Aardman educational, it was exciting and interesting speaking to the people in Aardman, it was also inspiring and very helpful getting feedback from some of the artists and directors there as well as tips for going into the art industry. I had a chance to speak to Magdalena Osinska about my work and how to get and apply into the industry, which she said to keep trying and not giving up when you at first don’t get an offer. I also loved doing the group workshop we got to do with Zoë Hutber, it was fun drawing a character you didn’t know how was going to come out.”

This exclusive behind the scenes opportunity allowed students to gain vital insight into working in the industry and all of the work that goes into making a full-scale production, student Corey commented, “I absolutely loved the Aardman trip, seeing all the behind the scenes work put into their productions, being able to interact with some of the staff there and experience unique presentations from industry professionals had me completely captivated from start to finish, I particularly enjoyed Zoe’s talk at the end as she felt the most close to us in age and experience”.

Illustration course leader Matthew Burton commented on the value of having students take trips like this, “the Aardman studios and workshops were an incredible treat to tour and visit, the students had the chance to see Chicken Run puppets up close and personal as well as get a better understanding of the character design, cocnept art, development, model making and animation processes for animated features, shorts and commercial applications.”

If you are interested in a career in animation, illustration, model making, production design or visual arts makes sure you check out our degree pages here.