BA (Hons) Animation

Introduction

The portfolio review is an essential part of the selection process for this course. Here, you will find all the information you need to prepare you for the review.

It is also your opportunity to learn more about us, meet the teaching staff, see our facilities and ask questions that help inform your decision.

There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer to the question of what to include in your portfolio. All of our applicants and students are wonderfully different, but what is important, is that you give us a sense of who you are and what current skills you have.

Your portfolio might include examples including:

• Observational / Life Drawing – traditional or digital
• Animation tests or sequences – in any chosen form (these do not need to be ‘finished’ – work-in-progress is great to see too).
• Visual storytelling and character designs.
• A sense of ‘you’ – sketchbook work demonstrating the ability that you are able to think for yourself (some of your time will be untutored at the University and it is important that you show evidence that you are able to work independently).
• Basically – a ‘snap-shot’ of who you are right now – what interests you and what creative / technical skills do you currently have.

The BA(Hons)Animation course at Staffordshire University is a practical course, so as part of the selection process we would like to see some of the work that you have already made, either during your studies and/or in your own time.

Your portfolio will be used as a point of discussion, and for you to be able to promote your skills and interests. Be prepared to express your thoughts and feelings around your ideas and tell us your career aspirations.

We are looking for potential, not the finished article.

Your personality and passion for the subject is vital–so don’t be afraid to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm in the subject area –and try to be yourself. We promise to try to find the real you behind any nerves you may have at interview!

Choosing a Course is an important step –so try to do a little prep work before hand. Take a look at our Website and Social Media channels and ask yourself -“How does this course differ from other similar courses?”, “What attracts me to Staffordshire University?” –and be ready to ask any questions you might have! No question is too ‘silly’ or ‘odd’ –so ask away!

It is important to remember that we are looking for your potential, not the finished article.

We would like you to send us a selection of the work in advance of your interview.

If your work is physical, you are very welcome to bring it with you to the interview. Ideally if the work is digital, it would be really useful to see this in advance. Your portfolio can comprise of just JPEG images of your work, a PDF of examples, videos of your work or a PowerPoint presentation. You could also provide a link an online website like Artstation or your Youtube Channel where you have uploaded examples of your work. (Please check it works without a login and is not private!)

.If you are sending in several different files, please number the files and add an index/contents page so that we know which piece is which.

• Please upload your portfolio to your applicant portal which you can access here.
• When you log in to the portal, click the ‘My Applications & Course’ tab at the top of the screen.
• On the next page, in the ‘Actions’ box, you will see the name of your course with a hyperlink asking you to upload your portfolio evidence, click that and it will take you to an upload page
• Select the file that you are uploading from your computer.
• You will be asked to name the file before you upload it; a simple file name such as ‘My Portfolio’ is fine.

If you are not able to attend a Portfolio Review in person, staff are happy to conduct this on-line.

Please arrive at the Flaxman Foyer 15 minutes before your session time to register.

A member of staff will collect and escort you to the subject area where you will have a group course presentation followed by your individual portfolio review with an academic. You will discuss your portfolio, your interests and have an opportunity to ask any questions about the course and studying at Staffordshire University.

Your Portfolio Review is potentially the first step in your Student Journey with us on our 3-year Animation Course.

As such - we want to start to get to know you! 

This is an opportunity for you to also get to know us –so please ask questions, to learn more about the Course, understand the course ethos, to meet some of our brilliant staff and students – and for us to informally discuss your work, your experience and your future career goals.