First Year Reflection

When I first applied and was accepted into this course after finishing my Alevels, I had only attempted animating once before on Procreate just for fun. Hence, I chose to do a foundation year instead so I could get a better idea of what I might be getting myself into.

During my foundation I found animation to be one of, if not the most rewarding medium as I really enjoyed the feeling of learning something new that was challenging as well as familiar enough to how I draw for enjoyment so as to not drive me insane.

At times during this year, however, I did feel driven somewhat insane and even considered leaving the course.

This was mainly due to the 3D modules as I grossly underestimated how much of my time would be spent on them considering I was a complete beginner and found I picked up the basics much slower than I usually learn things. I felt the most discouraged during the Animated Narratives module when I struggled to keep up with my group at times as I found the class content slow to pick up while also having to go back to previous modules’ class content to refresh what I had forgotten between semesters.

One important skill I’ve improved upon during this year is knowing when to ask for help. From the start of the year I was foolishly working too many part time hours on top of managing chronic illness without informing student wellbeing.

Fortunately, during the last few weeks of the year I got my hours reduced to the suggested maximum of 16 a week and I finally reached out to student wellbeing just in time to get an extension for the Animated Narratives module. On the other hand, having the confidence to ask for help with learning 3D from both staff and peers was a more gradual progression throughout the year as I am a generally shy person. Overall I found the 3D side of the course very humbling as it has put into perspective how much hard work and skill goes into the professionally produced 3D media I enjoy.

Unsurprisingly I really enjoyed the 2D element of this year. Animation Studio was my first time animating as part of a group project and I found it really rewarding to do productive work while simultaneously getting to know my peers. As the class content for 2D animation this year was almost identical to what I learnt in my foundation year, it was pretty much stress free even if I don’t feel I was challenged enough to really improve on my 2D skills.

Art history has long been one of my main interests so I was excited for The World of Animation since none of the books I had read nor the course I took alongside Alevels touched on animation. At first I wasn’t sure if the module was as academic as described when introduced as I found it hard to take ‘Flyworm’ seriously for my group presentation. However I really enjoyed working on my group poster on Soviet animation as I learnt a lot from independent research as well as from my teammates. I look forward to future modules like this so I can research and write more about animation that interests me and that I can use to inspire and inform my own creative work.

Overall I have enjoyed my first year studying animation and have learnt a lot. Have a happy summer! :]