During your three years of study you will learn the fundamentals of illustration, animation and storytelling as well as art direction and post-production.
You will develop real-world technical skills including:
• Character animation
• Narrative production
• Illustration
• World building & character development
• Storyboarding
• Motion graphics
• Analogue & digital development
• Post-production
• Creative direction
Year One - Animation Foundation and Orientation
In your first year (Level 4), you will be introduced to the core concepts, skills, and techniques that form the foundation of animation practice. You will be introduced to the core animation skills, software, and approaches to help you understand the wide possibilities within the animation industry. This year focuses on developing your creative thinking, technical ability, and awareness of the professional contexts in which animators work in the sector.
• Illustration for Animation
• Core Skills in 2D
• Storyboarding & Animatics
• Narrative, Advanced
• Creative Thinking
Year Two - Development and Exploration
Your second year (Level 5) builds on this foundation, allowing you to develop more advanced, industry-standard skills and a deeper understanding of animation, including rigging, alternative software opportunities and working collaboratively with others, from voice over actors, to animations specialists. You will begin to define your personal direction through live briefs and self-directed projects, while building a professional portfolio that reflects your developing specialism. During this stage, you are also encouraged to seek relevant work experience or external collaborations where suitable opportunities arise.
• Advanced Production
• Storytelling and Performance
• Collaborative Response
• Creative Discussion
Year Three - Consolidation and Expertise
In your final year (Level 6), you will consolidate your skills, experience, and creative identity as an animator. Working on self-initiated projects, you will refine your practice and explore your future professional direction. This year provides the opportunity to realise your creative ambitions, demonstrate independence and originality, and prepare for a successful transition into professional practice or further study.
• Specialist Practice 1
• Specialist Practice 2
• Professional Futures and Final Show
• Dissertation and Report
Year Four (Optional)
Optional Master of Arts. Develop your creativity even further with a postgraduate study year -
https://northernart.ac.uk/masters-degrees/ "We are so pleased to be partnered with Illustrators and Animators at the Northern School of Art.
We love bringing the students together to meet Aardman's creatives from across the storytelling platforms, we share processes, experiences and passions, hopefully informing and inspiring as we go. It's always very special to welcome NOSA staff and students to the studios - they have a chance to meet teams from across the company, hearing about our latest ideas and projects. Their residential visit means that we have time to meet and chat with students and staff - to eat biscuits in the canteen with world class directors and animators, brilliant!"
- Rachel Plant, Aardman Academy
Our school engages with a wide range of partners working across each creative sub-sector to ensure that teaching and learning are in line with the latest developments in and requirements of industry, including:
Industry Partners
• Aardman Academy Member
• Danger Mouse – Tim Searle
• Bob’s Burger – Simon Chong
• Writer – Dean Wilkinson
• Atomhawk – Darren Yeomans
• Arcus Animation – Marc De Launay
• Golden Wolf
Guest Speakers
• Pann Lim, Singapore
• Raissa Pardini, London
• NoBrow/ Flying Eye Books, London/New York
• Sam Arthur, London
• Mike Lemanski, Leeds
• Marynka Dovhanych, Ukraine
• Jonny Hannah, Southampton
• Jason Sturgill, Portland
• Peony Gent, London
• Counterpoint Magazine, Edinburgh
• Atomhawk, Newcastle
• Jimmy Turrell, Newcastle
• Charlotte Ager, London
• Edward Kinsella, St. Louis
• Tado, Sheffield
• Aardman Animated Insights (4 sessions per year)
Students recently undertook a work placement at Aardman studios, involving experience on the animated film Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (2024).
We exhibit in places such as:
• Moth X Human – Capitol of Culture Bradford 2025
• Moth X Human – Southbank Centre
• Nowt Special - Newcastle
Students have the opportunity to work with a range of companies on live briefs throughout the programme, including:
• Ell Hockney, Cleveland Police Knife Crime Prevention Campaign
• Moth X Human – Ellie Willson
The Northern School of Art is the home of the award-winning bi-annual The Northern Festival of Illustration and The Northern Illustration Prize. This festival offers our students a chance for you to mix with, and be inspired by, some of the best-known illustrators and animators from across the globe with the newly established animation category.
Visit the festival website for more information:
www.thefestivalofillustration.com Your portfolio is a visual statement it says a lot about an applicant and their practice. The advice below is not meant to be restrictive but rather offers some simple advice to help you prepare for your interview.
Examples can include:
1. Knowledge of the subject you are applying for
2. Drawing and painting skills
• Observational drawing
• Experimenting with different media
• Design sketches and illustrations
• Paintings using different media
• Photography
• Poster Art
• Comic Art
3. Evidence of a variety of techniques and processes
• Traditional and/or digital
4. Multimedia and/or 3D work
• Sculpture work/models (can be photographed)
• Animations or moving image
5. Online presence (design and visual arts related) e.g. Instagram, Behance, Facebook, Flickr, Vimeo, Wordpress etc.
6. Sketchbooks
• Evidence your ideas generation, development and research
• References to artists and designers that have inspired/influenced your work
• You may have references to contemporary and historical practices
7. Experimental approaches to your projects
8. Examples of written work
Please ensure any work you bring is easily viewable, especially digital files. Feel free to bring work on your own tablet or laptop. We also want to know about you, so we’ll ask you about what artists, films, games or stories inspire you and your work.
