Animation literally means injecting life into something lifeless. In practice, it is all about communicating with moving imagery. You will probably think of Disney classics or the cinema hits of Pixar, but these days we see animations around us all the time, ranging for example from the start-up screens on mobile telephones, to websites & television,  and computer games.

As an animator you could, for example, work in a studio for animation, games, multimedia design, or you might work as a freelancer. Larger studios tend to hire specialists who carry out their own specific tasks as part of a design team. Other specialists rather work work autonomously or in small teams and are responsible for the entire production process: from concept and scenario to storyboard and end product.

Ever since the first animated films were produced, animators have been heavily influenced by technological developments. During your course, you will search for the right balance between content and technique.

With the support provided by classes in idea development, scenario writing and animation history, you will develop your own vision of the subject area as well as your personal style and identity. You will also investigate the basic principles of motion and animation. This will initially involve traditional studies on paper, but at the same time you will start your training in the use of modern tools and software.

The first two years of the course focus mainly on developing basic skills. The second half of the course is devoted to creating professional animations on the basis of real-life assignments commissioned by external clients. This phase also includes your work placement and final project.

You can take part in the exchange programme and study at one of our partner institutions in, for example, London, Berlin, Boston or Tokyo.