FX2S04 - Critical Studies: Visual Effects and Motion Graphics 14 Mar 2018 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: FX2S04
Module Title: Critical Studies: Visual Effects and Motion Graphics
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Games
Module Leader: Peter Hodges, Geraint Thomas
Module Team: Emma Davies, Christopher Thomas, Emma Marshman
First Intended Intake: SEP 2018 Final Year of Intake: 2023
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100632 - visual communication
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 14 Mar 2018
Valid To 31 Aug 2026

Module Aims

Familiarise students with selected work of the significant visual effects and motion graphic artists, designers, and companies.

Further students’ knowledge of the subject through a dedicated lecture programme.

Develop the students' ability to research, analyse and articulate key ideas underpinning contemporary visual effects and motion graphic design practice with reference to specific influential works.

Content Summary

A series of key lectures in: creating believability in visual effects design and application, specifically with characters and creatures, movement, environments, and simulations; the role of adaption in short motion graphic, animated, visual effects film; animated infographics and data visualisation; and visualising music.

Studies are complemented through academic writing sessions that cover:

Select, analyse and structure information gathered by your research.Understand how to use research methodologies to produce effective written work.Make judgments and observations that question, compare, appraise and measure findings from research.Draw conclusions using comparative study, critical analysis, interpretation and quotations.Use of the University Harvard referencing system to produce accurate and properly referenced essays.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 32
Tutorial 1
Independent Study 80
Directed Study 87
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Investigate the interdisciplinary nature of contemporary visual effects and motion graphic design practice.
LO2 Apply appropriate research methods and engage with the subject through analysis.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Literature/book/paper review 1 Dissertation proposal and Literature Search 0 1500 30 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Essay 1 Critical Analysis of VFX & MG practice 0 3500 70 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Literature/book/paper review 1
Essay 1

Reading List

Brinkmann, R. (2008), The Art and Science of Digital Compositing: Techniques for Visual Effects, Animation and Motion Graphics – 2nd edition, Morgan Kaufmann

Crow, D.,

(2003) Visible signs: an introduction to semiotics, Crans-pres-Caligny, Switzerland:, .

AVA Pub.SA

Denscombe, M., (2014), The Good Research Guide: For small-scale research projects, OUP.

Gage, J, (2000), Colour and Meaning: Art, Science and Symbolism, Thames and Hudson.

Greetham, B (2014), How to write your undergraduate dissertation, Palgrave Macmillan

Lankow, J., Ritchie, J. and Crooks, R., (2012), Infographics: The Power of Visual Storytelling, John
Wiley & Sons

Rose, G. (2012), Visual Methodologies: An introduction to researching with visual materials – 3rd edition, Sage Publications

Wells, P. & Hardstaff, J. (2008), Re-imagining Animation: The Changing face of the Moving Image, AVA Publishing