CU5062 - Motion Graphics Design (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26 | ||||||||||
| Module title | Motion Graphics Design | ||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||
| School | School of Computing and Digital Media | ||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||
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| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) |
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Module summary
This module provides students with the opportunity to explore the burgeoning field of Motion Graphics that exists at the intersection between photography, graphics, design, animation, and visual communication.
Students will further develop their foundational visual design skills by exploring camera work: optics and movements, lens-based versus software-based techniques. Utilising industry-standard software students will develop narrative solutions to client briefs
Prior learning requirements
Digital Design for Motion
Syllabus
Visual language and grammar
Visual and Information literacy
Gestalt
Motion design processes, principles, and methods
Designing for an audience
Kinetic typography
Title Sequences
Storyboarding and cinematics
Advanced motion graphics transitions, effects and edits
Layer modes and blends
Masks, holdouts, and mattes
Track mattes
Lighting
Visual and written treatments
Style Frames and sequences of images
Sound
Camera work and movements, optics and lens
Parallax
3D effects
Rendering and compression for output
Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity
Teaching and learning will be carried out through seminars (1 hour) and workshops (2 hour). During seminars students are introduced to specific principles and techniques. These principles and techniques will be explored further through practical workshops.
In addition to this contact time students are expected to spend a significant number of hours carrying out research connected with the subject, reading bibliographic and course materials, practising their software skills and working on assignments.
Appropriate blended learning approaches and technologies, such as, the University’s VLE and online tools, will be used to facilitate and support student learning, specifically to:
• Deliver content;
• Encourage active learning;
• Provide formative and summative assessments, and prompt feedback;
• Enhance student engagement and learning experience.
Effective digital image making requires the proficient practitioner to be both self-reflective and constructively critical. The digital image maker needs to be able to apply this understanding to their own work and the work of others. The development of these skills is embedded into the module.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
LO1 - Respond appropriately and creatively to client briefs, to carry out research and to plan and schedule project work
LO2 – Understand how to make use of principles of Motion Graphics to develop a narrative and relate a visual story chronologically.
LO3- Develop skills in Motion Graphics design and use of software to include the use of: animation techniques, blends mattes and masks, parallax movements, transitions, lens-based and camera movements
LO4 - Apply a critical awareness of Motion Graphics principles in constructing time-based motion graphics projects and an understanding of visual signification and communication in image production.