Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design

Bachelor of Arts (Honours)

Two Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design students at computer desk
Two Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design students at computer desk
Type of Programme
Full-time
Number of Places
24
Duration
4 Years
Course Code
MT 811
Entry Requirements
Portfolio required + CAO Points (925 CAO points and portfolio combined in 2023). See the minimum entry requirements for CAO listed below.
Application Deadline
See CAO for details
Location(s)
MTU Kerry North Campus, Kerry
Course NFQ Level
Level 8

Department of Creative Media and Information Technology

T: +353 (0)66 719 1659

Email: (email)

Overview

This course gives you up-to-the minute skills and industry relevant training in the animation and visual effects sector. It will introduce you to the core principles of creative film making, animation and visual storytelling.

Ireland has one of the fastest growing animation sectors in the world and some of the largest animation companies are based here. This degree gives you the necessary practical and technical skills for employment in this rapidly expanding sector. There are modules on drawing/character development, illustration, design, character modelling, animation principles, puppet/set design, stop motion, digital graphics, visual effects, motion graphics, compositing, 2D/3D modelling, rigging, texturing, lighting, photography and digital cinematography.

The course also provides training in video, audio recording, research and design skills. As you progress through the programme, you develop particular specialisations based on your interests and skills.

This degree gives you the core skills to launch a career in Ireland’s vibrant animation, games and visual effects industry. The content has been designed with extensive input from industry animators, in order to make sure our graduates have the skills that employers need. The degree is designed to foster creative talent in a technology-driven environment, enabling our students to design and develop animation content while working with the latest industry standard software. You get hands-on, practical, applied training, and an appreciation of relevant theories underpinning the evolution of animation, visual effects and motion design

Check out our Showcase site to see what our students have created:

https://cmitmtukerry.com

What will I study?

First year at a glance

  • Social Media Tools and Enterprise Studies: fosters digital media and entrepreneurial skills as well as promoting communication, innovation and creativity
  • 2D Animation: introduces the student to the principles of animation
  • Sound and Digital Audio: develops recording, editing and mixing skills to a basic level
  • New Media Concepts: history, development and uses of media (radio/ film/games/tv/multimedia)
  • Drawing and Modelling 1: a grounding in hand drawn/modelling skills, with a view to creating analytical and imaginative compositions that are technically and aesthetically accomplished
  • Principles of Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design: a grounding in the interrelated programme strands

Modules

What is a Module?

A module is a standalone unit of learning and assessment and is completed within one semester. A full-time student will normally study six modules in each semester; part-time and ACCS (Accumulation of Credits and Certification of Subjects) students will have flexibility as to the number of modules taken.

The button below provides a link to all of the University's approved modules for this programme.

View Modules

Entry Requirements

Entry 2024

For admission to a programme, standard applicants must

  • score the necessary CAO points and
  • meet the minimum entry requirements

Leaving Certificate in six subjects i.e. H5 in two subjects and O6/H7 in four other subjects. The six subjects must include Mathematics and either English or Irish grade O6/H7.

PORTFOLIO IS REQUIRED

Note: Applications will be assessed based on a combination of Leaving Certificate points and points awarded for portfolio.

 

Digital Portfolio Requirements

A Digital Portfolio, is similar to an ordinary portfolio, only the content is presented in digital format. A Digital Portfolio is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your suitability for engaging in a creative programme. There is no standard digital portfolio but the portfolio can include digital images/videos of any of the following original works

  • Traditional art work, drawings, painting, printmaking, collage, mixed media, photography and 3D work.
  • Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) for the Leaving Certificate. Any 3D works completed for (DCG)
  • Sketchbook/ visual diaries including observational drawings, such as life drawing, drawings of people, animals, landscapes, objects. Include a mix of poses and medias, showcasing line, tone and texture.
  • Photography – showcase your creative abilities behind the lens.
  • Any short animations, motion design, visual effects, modelling or game art, storyboards, showcasing the idea for a short animation/film/ advertisement etc.
  • Illustrations/ graphic design artworks.
  • Large scale or 3D work or paintings,
  • Unfinished work or work-in-progress.

Remember…

  • Your digital portfolio should include minimum 10 and a maximum of 15 example pieces of work. These can be individual files or you can also create a documental representation, such as a .pdf file, of your digital portfolio.
  • Note: Files can be large in size and be blocked by email servers so be careful if submitting file attachments by email. Keep the file size under 5MB or submit multiple files. Do not sent Zip files as these will be blocked.
  • There are many ways you can store and share your documents, photographs and videos. The following are some examples, Google Drive, One Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, Vimeo, Behance, etc. All allow the creation of a sharing link that allows you share your work with others.
  • Please submit your portfolio (which can contain links to other resources or individual files) to the email address: creativemediakerry@mtu.ie
  • Please indicate your name and your CAO number clearly when you are making your digital portfolio submission to the email address.

If you have any queries about submitting your digital portfolio, please contact us at creativemediakerry@mtu.ie

 

Marking Scheme & Points Awarded for your Digital Portfolio

A maximum of 600 points may be awarded for the digital portfolio. The points are equivalent to the normal CAO points system, and will be added to your Leaving Certificate/QQI/Mature OR Non- standard results when offers are being made via CAO.

The digital portfolio will be assessed based on creativity, presentation and range of work, skills and ability.

 

The Closing Date for submitting your digital portfolio will be 18th February 2024.
Late submissions will not be accepted.

Note: you must include MT811 Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design in your CAO preferences, if you are presenting a digital portfolio.

The University reserves the right to call applicants to interview, if successful applicant numbers exceed the number of places available. Applicants will be written to within five weeks of the submission closing date, advising them of their results.

 

For Non-EU International Entry Requirements please visit https://www.mtu.ie/international/non-eu/.

Career options

Employment Opportunities

Our graduates pursue careers in

  • Animation
  • Film
  • Games
  • TV
  • Web animation
  • Mobile and online content
  • Advertising

Progression

Further Studies

Suitably qualified Level 8 graduates are eligible to progress to taught master programmes or to research at either master or PhD level.

Screenshot of student Animation of character sitting in a chair

Core skills to launch a career in Ireland’s vibrant animation industry

MT811/MT711 - Animation, Visual Effects and Motion Design

Watch the video

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