Animation Industry

Start Date: September 2024

MATURE STUDENTS SUPPORT
The college welcomes adults over 23 who wish to return to education and who wish to retrain in new skills and technologies. Our mature learners enjoy the following supports in addition to the overall supports provided to all students:

• Mature student meet and greet before the college year begins.
• A dedicated mature student room where mature students can meet and work with fellow mature students.
• Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the Mature Student room daily.
• A mature student officer available for guidance and support.
• Academic support tailored to ensuring the smooth transition to DCFE.
• Coffee Mornings in the mature student room.
• Guest speakers from past mature learners.
• Career guidance talks tailored to mature links.
• A dedicated induction process for mature entry.
• Workshops in exam study, time management, presentation skills, IT skills, referring and research techniques, etc.
• Basic computer skills workshops.
• Organised social events for mature learners.
• We look forward to welcoming our future mature learners to Dunboyne College.

For all courses in 2024/25, course fees are now a non-refundable €30 administration fee. The course fee must be paid to secure your place, you can pay this fee through our website. More information can be found here.

You can access your application details via the Dunboyne College website (click Login/Pay Fees in the menu at the top of the page) using your ID number and password.

No cash will be accepted at the office. Payments can be made online or by cheque (payable to Dunboyne College of Further Education), by bank draft or by postal order only.

https://ams.enrol.ie/DunboyneCollege/2024/ApplicationForm.aspx

https://dunboynecollege.ie/about-us/fees/

SUSI Grant
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. SUSI offers funding to eligible students for level 5 and level 6 courses in Dunboyne College of Further Education. For more information visit www.susi.ie

Application Procedure

1. Applications can be made online at www.dunboynecollege.ie. from November 2023 to September 2024.

2. After registering online, students will receive a text and email to notify them they have pre-registered and can log in to view and track their application.

Applications now open
Apply online www.dunboynecollege.ie
Once we receive your application we will email you requesting:
Photograph Reference Interviews
Recent academic results Personal Statement
Interview
All applicants will be interviewed. Some additional requirements may apply depending on your course choice.
When you receive an offer please confirm it by the deadline.

3. Applicants will be notifi ed by text and email of a request to upload further information for their application:
(i). Copy of most recent school report or examination results
(ii). Reference from teacher, employer or coach.
(iii). 100-word personal statement on
“Why this course is right for me,” which should outline reasons for choosing the course.
(iv) Photograph

4. Interviews will take place for all courses.

5. Successful applicants will then be able to complete the registration process.

6. Late applicants can apply online for vacant places at any time until the end of September 2024.

7. A grant can be applied for from www.susi.ie.

8. A separate process for applicants to the Early Learning and Care courses (formerly Childcare courses) applies. Other courses may have additional entry requirements including auditions etc, please refer to the entry requirements for the courses of your choice.

9. Applicants for the Apprenticeships in Hairdressing and Accounting Technician should note that there is a difference system for applying. Please refer to the information listed for these apprenticeships.

10. Applications will be processed in line with DCFE Admission Policy.

WHAT ARE THE HIGHER NATIONALS IN ANIMATION?
From Cartoon Saloon to Brown Bag Films, from Boulder Media to Giant Animation to name but a few, Irish studios have made Ireland a go-to destination for animation on an international stage. Irish animators not only boast box-office success, but also multiple nominations and wins at the Academy Awards.

According to Screen Ireland, the animation sector has nearly quadrupled in size in the past decade and accounts for a significant proportion of the €500 million spent in the Irish screen industry in 2021.

If there is one thing that is certain, the sector is calling for new home-grown talent to help support Ireland’s continuing success on the global stage.

Recognising this, Dunboyne College of Further Education is proud to have worked with local and international animation sector leaders and Pearson to develop the brand new Higher National Diploma in The Animation Industry. This qualification, co-developed by our own animation subject-lead, has been designed for the Irish and global animation sector.

Through guest lectures and masterclasses, Dunboyne College of Further Education offers a unique opportunity to learn from the leading Irish animation studios that have produced award-winning TV shows, films, games and visual effects for millions of viewers worldwide. You will gain hands-on experience with the latest tools and techniques, work on real projects with industry mentors, and network with the best talent in the Irish animation sector.

Whether you want to create your own stories, characters and worlds, or work on existing franchises and properties, this course will prepare you for a successful career in animation.

Don’t miss this chance to join the fastest-growing screen sector in Ireland and become part of a world-class animation community.

Course Aims
The first year of our course will introduce you to animation fundamentals. You will learn animation’s core skills and concepts through practical projects, research, independent and directed study, and workplace scenarios. You will also develop transferable skills, such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, essential for higher education and employment. By completing the year, you will have a solid foundation in animation and be ready to progress to more advanced and specialised subjects in year two.

The second year of the course will allow you to specialise in animation production. You can apply your ideas and creativity to your studies and deal with complex and uncertain situations. You will explore solutions, demonstrate critical evaluation and use theory and practice in various animation contexts. By completing this year, you will have a sound understanding of the principles and practices of your chosen animation area and be able to perform effectively in your specialist role. You can also progress to further studies at Level 8 or enter the animation industry with personal responsibility and decision-making skills.

Our Higher National in the Animation Industry is designed to help you become a professional animator who can reflect on your own practice and adapt to the industry’s and employers’ changing needs. These qualifications will also enable you to access higher education and boost your career opportunities in the animation sector.

If you are passionate about animation and want to pursue a rewarding career in this creative and dynamic industry, then the DCFE Higher Nationals in the Animation Industry are for you.

These qualifications will help you to:

Gain the skills, knowledge and understanding you need to excel in the international animation environment, whether you want to work for an established studio or start your own business
Develop your critical thinking, problem-solving and leadership skills, and learn how to work effectively across different animation functions and manage change and complexity
Acquire the core skills required for a range of animation careers, such as management, operations, production and design
Balance your employability skills with the academic knowledge that will enable you to pursue further studies or entrepreneurial ventures in animation
Understand the impact of new digital technologies on the animation industry and how to leverage them for innovation and competitive advantage
Gain insight into the global animation market and the opportunities and challenges it presents, as well as the cultural diversity and values of different animation organisations and audiences
Choose from various flexible study options that suit your local and specialist needs and interests.

Year One (September 2024)
In the first year of our course, you will learn the principles of 2D animation, such as timing, spacing, squash and stretch, anticipation and exaggeration. You will practice character animation, using both digital and traditional tools, and develop your own style and personality. You will also improve your drawing skills, with a focus on life drawing for animation, and learn how to use anatomy, gesture and expression to convey emotion and movement.

You will also learn how to design and model your own characters and environments for animation, using industry standard software. You will learn how to create layouts and storyboards that communicate your vision and narrative effectively. You will also learn how to write scripts for animation, using dialogue, action and structure to craft compelling stories. Finally, you will learn about the history and styles of animation, from the pioneers of the medium to the current industry leaders, and discover how animation has evolved over time and across cultures.

By the end of the first year of our course, you will have a solid foundation in 2D animation, a portfolio of your own work, and a passion for the art form. You will be ready to take on more advanced modules in the second year of our course, where you will explore 3D animation, visual effects, game design and more.

Year Two
In the second year of our course, you will build on the foundation you acquired in the first year and learn advanced skills and techniques in 2D and 3D animation. You will enhance your character animation skills, using industry standard software, and learn how to create realistic and expressive movements and emotions. You will also improve your life drawing skills, with a focus on anatomy, perspective and composition, and learn how to apply them to your animation work.

You will also learn how to create advanced 2D and 3D models for animation. You will learn how to create detailed and realistic textures, lighting and shading for your models. You will also learn how to create advanced layouts and designs for animation. You will learn how to edit, composite and render your animation projects.

You will also gain production practice in animation, working on group projects that simulate real-world scenarios. You will learn how to plan, manage and execute your animation projects, from pre-production to post-production. You will also learn how to pitch, present and market your animation work. Finally, you will learn how to develop your own concept design for animation using industry-standard software. You will learn how to generate ideas, research, and develop your own style and vision for animation.

By the end of the second year of our course, you will have advanced skills in 2D and 3D animation, a portfolio of professional-quality work, and a creative identity as an animator. You will be ready to take on more challenging modules in the third year of our course, where you will specialize in your chosen area of animation.

Assessment
Most courses will be assessed through continuous assessment. This means that modules are assessed with a combination of exams and assignments. Assignments can take various forms, including written projects, reports, essays, skills demonstrations, oral presentations or electronic work. Results for exams and assignments are combined to give the overall result for the module.

Certification: BTEC Higher National Diploma in The Animation Industry, with optional Higher National Certificate after year one.

Level: Level 6 Higher Certificate (HNC/D)

CERTIFICATION
Being a two-year course, we know how important flexibility is. This is why we offer our students the option of an exit award after successfully completing the first year. This can suit those who wish to take a break from study or progress onto a different course in DCFE or elsewhere.

Year One
– Pearson BTEC Higher National Certificate in The Animation Industry

Year Two
– Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma in The Animation Industry

Dunboyne Business Park, Dunboyne, Co. Meath, A86 FH01

Phone: (01) 8026577
Email: DunboyneCollege@LMETB.ie
www.dunboynecollege.ie