Animation portfolio guidance

What are we looking for?

We believe that the quality of work in a portfolio is more important than the quantity, so we are keen to see the work that demonstrates your full potential as an artist.

It must include a full range of personal artwork, coursework and sketchbooks, enabling us to fully assess your capabilities. Do not miss out other personal creative activities you have developed that might be important to support your application.

Essential

• Any relevant coursework at A Level / BTEC level showing development through to the final artwork.
• Sketchbook demonstrating imagination and developmental skill. Both technical and playful submissions are welcomed - we want to see your creative world! This can include; comics, character designs, illustrations, life drawing.
• Observational sketches, this can include; life drawing, environmental sketches, still life, paintings.

Desirable

• Use of digital software such as Photoshop, Illustrator, ProCreate and any other creative app.
• Experimental animation in digital and/or manual. Any work demonstrating an active, foundational interest in animation production.
• Concept design of characters and/or props.
• Storyboards evidencing composition, a coherent narrative and drawing skill.
• Script-writing and short stories.

Demonstrating your imagination and willingness to be involved in creative practice is the main criteria we identify. We encourage you not to include work that is fan art or copies of photographs, film stills and other artists’ work. We want to get a sense of who YOU are as an artist, so show us!

Your application

Once you have made an application for the programme, you will be required to submit an online portfolio of high-quality, scanned work via www.mailbigfile.com/dmuac with your full name and programme title. The contents of your online portfolio should reflect your strongest work, and contain a full range of personal artwork, coursework and include sketchbooks.

Your portfolio will then be reviewed by our experienced programme academics, and we may contact you for further work if necessary. Upon review of your portfolio, a decision will be made about whether you will be accepted onto the course.

Include examples of observational human figures, still life and both rural and urban landscapes. Please include images of any artistic work you may also have such as paintings, sculptures, etc

This shows us your ability to interpret visual information, and communicate physical form in 2D, a vital skill for Animation.

Digital pieces related to character design, comics, environments and concepts are an advised addition to your portfolio. Work should communicate an interest in creative practice, willingness to experiment with different styles and demonstrate developmental skill.

We are looking for enthusiastic artists, so we would recommend that you include examples of your own work in addition to school or college projects. This gives us insight into your motivation and passion - which we love to see. It is recommended that you allow us to see your full capabilities as an illustrator and animator. 

The sketchbook should be the place and time to explore your own ideas and be playful. We expect to see ideas generation, concepts, rough sketches and a diverse range of creativity. These sketchbooks can support coursework, and also demonstrate a self-directed creative output.