Utbildningsutbud

Master's Programme in Animation

Would you like to deepen your knowledge of animation, create visually engaging worlds and breathe life into characters? Animation Major explores both the theory and practice of this most imaginative and joyous form of art. The demand for animated content has expanded rapidly and it is not anymore limited to any particular field in the entertainment industry. Thus, a considerable part of the multidisciplinary education will take place in projects where leading professionals teach workflows and various applications based on your personal study plan. We are looking for open-minded students with solid general and artistic knowledge from their previous Bachelor level studies. The course supports progression to research at Doctoral level as well as to advanced selfdirected practice.

Examen:

Konstmagister

Ansökningsperiod:

1.12.2020 – 4.1.2021

Undervisningsspråk:

engelska

Längd:

2 år, heltidsstudier

Behörighet:

Lämplig lägre högskoleexamen

Utbildningsområde:

Det konstnärliga utbildningsområdet

Studiepoäng:

120 studiepoäng

Högskola:

Högskolan för konst, design och arkitektur

Läsårsavgifter:

€15000/år (magister studier) för studeranden från länder utanför EU/EES

Läs mer

ANSÖKNINGSINFORMATION

Study objectives

MA Animation explores both the theory and practice of animation. The students will deepen their knowledge of animation and its various applications, and they become professionals who are able to work as experts and creative innovators in the animation field. They will be able to design, create and head animation productions and act as member of a team. The aim of the studies is to support the development of a student's own strengths and artistic vision, as well as critical thinking. Students will become familiar with the traditions and the current trends of animation and they are encouraged to experiment for new and fresh approaches. Ability to work in a team is central to the course, furthermore it is important to understand the different roles and disciplines in a filmmaking process (screenwriting cinematography, sound design, visual effects, production design etc.) We are looking for open minded students with solid general and artistic knowledge from their previous BA level studies. The course supports progression to research at PhD level as well as to advanced self-directed practice.

Content

The study program focuses on storytelling and visualization, character design, character animation and directing, covering almost any 2D and 3D animation techniques (from CGI to cartoon and stop frame). The students will explore a range of both technical and conceptual approaches to animation. They have the opportunity to produce short form animation across 2D & 3D to set briefs. They will also engage in theoretical seminars and analysis of animation art. The curriculum consists of workshops, masterclasses, projects and MA dissertation.

More information can be found in our Study Guide 2020-2022

Career opportunities

Today you see animation everywhere from the Internet and mobile phones to movies,
commercials, special effects, VR and games. Animation is a progressive career option with many opportunities to excel. You can produce animated films both collaboratively and as solo ventures. You can work as animator, animation director, supervisor, producer, layout artist, storyboard artist, concept artist etc. depending on your study choices. You may also be employed in applied professional tasks in the animation field such as festivals, financing and distribution.

Programme-specific Admission Procedure and Evaluation Criteria

Applicants meeting Aalto’s general eligibility criteria for Master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.

The applications to Master’s Programme in Animation will be evaluated based on the following criteria.

Phase I

Artistic and/or design practice
Assessed area	Demonstrations of artistic work or assignments
Admission requirements	Solid general and artistic knowledge and advanced skills in animation. High level of past achievement. Applicants are expected to demonstrate sufficient prior knowledge and experience of and/or potential in animation practice in form of personal portfolio/creative work. A portfolio should include a demo reel of creative animation work samples showcasing prior professional and artistic activities. In addition, it should demonstrate the understanding of storytelling through animated images.
Method of demonstrating competence	Portfolio

Relevance of previous studies
Assessed area	Content and quantity in relation to the applied study-option-specific requirements
Admission requirements	Previous Bachelor’s degree in either animation, film, visual communication, graphic design, illustration or equivalent. Or prior industrial experience deemed to be equivalent to Bachelor’s degree Or a combination of formal qualifications and experiential learning which, taken together, can be demonstrated to be equivalent to formal qualifications otherwise required.
Method of demonstrating competence	Transcript(s) of records, degree certificate(s) Or a degree-equivalent professional qualification

Suitability
Assessed area	Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills
Admission requirements	Motivation letter demonstrating Strong professional interest and capacity to achieve the Masters’ standard Motivation
Method of demonstrating competence	Motivation letter Motivation letter of maximum 4000 characters in length explaining your reasons for applying to this area of specialisation and telling of your particular interest(s) in the field as well as your goals and expectations for the studies to be completed at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. Describe your specific strengths and areas of interest, goals, artistic vision and other aspects of your work.

Other areas of competence
Assessed area	Work experience and other acquired knowledge/achievements e.g. screenings, exhibitions, festivals, competitions, non-formal education
Admission requirements	Applications must include the applicant’s CV indicating personal data, educational background, work experience, animation productions and applicant’s work in them, screenings, exhibitions, awards, grants, study trips and positions of trust
Method of demonstrating competence	Curriculum vitae

Phase II

Suitability
Assessed area	Applicant’s further suitability to the study option, motivation, and commitment for studies/communication skills/ assessment of second-phase assignments
Admission requirements	Interview and motivation letter demonstrating Strong professional interest and capacity to achieve the Masters’ standard Motivation Feasibility of the applicant’s aims as based on the portfolio and written application Communication skills
Method of demonstrating competence	Interview, second-phase assignments

Evaluation process

The applicants will be first evaluated based on Aalto’s general eligibility requirements. Applicants meeting the general eligibility criteria for Master's studies will be evaluated and ranked according to the evaluation criteria that has been decided in advance for each study option.

The selection process for applicants who meet the general eligibility criteria comprises of two phases.

Phase I

In Phase I, the applications are evaluated based on the following criteria

Artistic and/or design practice
Relevance of previous studies
Suitability/Motivation letter
Other area of competence

Only the applicants who fulfill the requirements/are ranked highest in the preliminary evaluation will be invited to phase II in the selection process.

Phase II

In Phase II, the evaluation is based on the following criteria

Suitability/interview, Portfolio pitch, second-phase assignments

Phase II consists of an interview, which includes a portfolio pitch. During the interview applicants are also asked to complete a set of assignments

After the evaluation conducted in Phase II, the best applicants will be selected based on the joint evaluation from Phases I and II.

Study-option-specific documents requested

The documents requested from all applicants are listed on the Aalto University website (https://www.aalto.fi/en/study-at-aalto/applying-to-masters-programmes). In addition, applicants to this study option are requested to provide the following study-option-specific documents:

Portfolio

Your portfolio should include a demoreel of creative animation work samples. The portfolio demonstrates your understanding of storytelling through animated images. It should contain work related to your artistic expression, and showcase your prior professional and/or artistic activity on a broad scale. Include a brief account of how the productions were carried out and specify your roles in them, the names of the production companies and/or commissioners, the production dates, the main artistic contributors and where the works have been publicly screened or published. Submit your demoreel either as a downloadable password protected Vimeo link or a QuickTime or MP4 file and ensure the video files work in the common Mac or PC user interfaces. Animation tests, storyboarding and concept artwork will also be approved as a part of the portfolio.

Maximum size of the Portfolio is 1.0 GB. Name the file Portfolio-lastname-firstname.pdf. If your portfolio contains password protected video links, include the password(s) in your portfolio. If a portfolio is not uploaded to the online application form by the deadline, the application will be rejected.

Motivation letter

Applicants must write up a motivation letter of a maximum of 4000 characters in length, explaining why they wish to apply to the degree programme in question, what their particular interests are in the field, and what their hopes and expectations are regarding studies at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. The plan should explain the applicant’s personal strengths, areas of interest, artistic and design visions and artistic objectives.

Applications must include the applicant’s CV (single PDF file) indicating personal data, educational background, work experience, animation productions and your work in them, screenings, exhibitions, awards, grants, study trips and positions of trust.

Language of the application documents

The application documents must be submitted in English.

Publicerat: 8.9.2018
Uppdaterad: 13.11.2020