DL931 - MA Animation

What will I do?

This MA in Animation programme is a broad and imaginatively inclusive offering featuring four distinct options or opportunities for study pathways. The pathways include Practice-based; Practice-led; Scholarly; and Animation Teaching options. The programme will be flexible, capable of adaptation and will be much less prescriptive than the existing offerings.

What modules will I study?

Research Methods for Visual Media and Creative Arts (10 credits)

Research methodologies appropriate to Level 9 practice, scholarship and pedagogy. An opportunity to integrate research skills and associated knowledge and apply them to the student’s chosen project.

Early Project module (20 credits)

The student’s applicant project proposal is refined (with Masters programme team) to become the Learning Agreement. Early preparatory work is done on the student’s project.

Collaborative Project module (10 credits)

Collaborative project challenges learners to collaborate within Animation creative teams, or to critically analyse group working in order to properly understand the creative power of jointness.

Major Project module (20 credits)

The student embarks on the main creative work for their chosen Project. Their Learning Agreement refined and revised at end of module.

Project Completion module (20 credits)

The student brings their chosen project to successful completion.

Capstone and Exhibition module (10 credits)

Students demonstrate their competencies in the Programme Learning Outcomes, by integrating a wide array of skills and knowledge in Animation in order to answer research questions directly related to their chosen field. Students are also asked to map their learning, plan for the future and exhibit and/or present their Major Project work.

Who can apply?

Level 8 or RPL (to include completed postgraduate study in related Art and Design areas or postgraduate experience working in the animation industry). We also envisage learners coming from other discipline areas, with a strong interest in relating their expertise to animation-related practice.

What should my portfolio include?

Applicants will present a portfolio of art or animation work, relevant showreel, film or animation-related work, scholarly work, digital or web-based work or other relevant work. Any work submitted as part of the application process, whether creative or scholarly (film, art, or text-based), should support the specific project proposals of applicants. Any presented work will be assessed by the programme team as part of the application or RPL process. The team will interview applicants.

Future careers

The Masters in Animation programme will keep pace with what is a rapidly evolving medium and with a constantly changing industrial and technological context, future proofing graduates to accommodate challenges and opportunities that emerge within the field, in terms of practice, scholarship and pedagogical methodologies. Successful candidates, whether working independently, in specific studio-based contexts, or in research and academia, will have the opportunity to develop and enhance specific areas of their professional and/or creative practice.

The Masters in Animation programme and our Masters students will play a particular role in coalescing and consolidating the field of Animation practice, research and scholarship, marking IADT’s leadership (nationally and internationally).

IADT animation graduates are employed in leading Irish animation studios such as Cartoon Saloon, Boulder Media, ELK Studios, Kavaleer, Lighthouse and Brown Bag Films. In addition, IADT recent graduates have established independent animation studios and enterprises including Paper Panther Productions, and maps and plans, Algorithm and Matchbox Mountain.