DG2S002 - Motion Graphics 01 Sep 2023 - 31 Aug 2028 | Version 1

Associated Module Information

Module Code: DG2S002
Module Title: Motion Graphics
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Design
Module Leader: Stephen Leadbetter
Module Team: Sarah Down, Emma Marshman, Rachel Grainger, Ryan Preece
First Intended Intake: SEP 2023 Final Year of Intake:
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 20 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: 0
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100061 - graphic design
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 1
Valid From 01 Sep 2023
Valid To 31 Aug 2028

Module Aims

Develop a commercial awareness and understanding of motion graphics and its potential applications within 21st century design practice.

Prepare and develop your knowledge of core motion design principles, skills, and techniques by applying them to appropriate design challenges.

Build and develop self-confidence and independence by refining communication skills and realising desired outcomes.

Recognise and apply communication frameworks to design challenges to better communicate complex ideas to an audience.

Content Summary

This module introduces you to the broad-ranging field of motion design, a specialism which has grown exponentially and is ever-changing within the digital world we now inhabit. It is a crucial tool within the skillset of a designer in the 21st century and allows designers to develop solutions beyond still image.

You will explore how commercial designers harness the power of motion graphics to build positive pieces of communication that have a long-lasting impact on society, culture, and people’s daily lives.

This module develops your understanding of 21st century design practice by exposing you to core principles, skills and techniques used by practitioners to solve a variety of motion-based challenges. From moving brands to interactive campaigns, from user interactions to cinematic titles, you will explore how designers engage, inform, and persuade audiences using motion graphics.

As well as developing your knowledge of motion design principles and its role within 21st century design practice, you will also be encouraged to explore communication frameworks such as visual storytelling to better recognise and understand how commercial designers use sequential narratives to communicate complex ideas to audiences.

The module develops digital literacy, project management and communication skills that are utilised throughout the rest of the course as you gain a commercial understanding of motion graphics and its potential applications.

The module programme provides a series of taught workshops, methods and tutorials that explore traditional and digital production techniques such as storyboarding, stop-motion and key-frame animation as well as providing you with opportunities to use on-campus facilities such as the green screen capture studio, encouraging you to apply these to an exciting motion-based design challenge

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 8
Practical classes and workshops 8
Supervised time in studio/workshop 20
Independent Study 100
Directed Study 64
Total Hours Selected 200

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Analyse and apply appropriate visual research to form narratives and assist the communication of concepts.
LO2 Demonstrate core principles, skills, and techniques of motion graphics, evidencing knowledge through practical application.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Creative Designs / Art 1 A digital sketchbook that evidences your design process and response to a design challenge 0 N/A 100 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Creative Designs / Art 1 ✔ ✔

Reading List

Crook, I. and Beare, P. (2016) Motion graphics: principles and practices from the ground up. London: Fairchild Books.

Kirkham, P., Bass, J. and Bass, S. (2011) Saul Bass: a life in film & design. London: Laurence King.

Paez, S. and Jew, A. (2013) Professional storyboarding: rules of thumb. New York: Focal Press.

Shaw, A. and Shaw, D. (2020) Design for motion: fundamentals and techniques of motion design. Second edition. New York, NY: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Shaw, A. and Colette, J. (2022) Motion Design Toolkit. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Stone, R.B. and Wahlin, L. (eds) (2018) The theory and practice of motion design: critical perspectives and professional practice. New York, NY: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

Wang, S. (2020) Typography for Screen: Type in Motion. Barcelona: Hoaki Books S.L.