5B071E - Concept Development and Visualisation 01 Sep 2027 - 31 Aug 2033 | Version 0

Associated Module Information

Module Code: 5B071E
Module Title: Concept Development and Visualisation
Faculty: Faculty of Business and Creative Industries
Faculty Group: Games and Design
Faculty Sub Group: Design
Module Leader: Jonathan Edwards
Module Team: Gustavo Arteaga
First Intended Intake: SEP 2027 Final Year of Intake: 2032
Date Closed:
Credit Value: 30 Credit Level: 5
Language: English
Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh:
Equivalent Module:
HECOS codes: 100057 - animation
HECOS Code Weighting: 100

Document Version Information

Version 0
Valid From 01 Sep 2027
Valid To 31 Aug 2033

Module Aims

  • To support students in generating and developing original visual concepts for animation projects within 2D and Stop Motion practice. 

  • To develop students’ understanding of character, environment and asset design, exploring how visual elements communicate tone, narrative potential and audience engagement. 

  • To encourage experimentation, iterative development and professional approaches to concept presentation and visual communication. 

Content Summary

This module develops your ability to generate, explore and realise original concepts for animation projects within 2D and Stop Motion practice. Through the creation of characters, environments, props and visual development materials, you will investigate how ideas can be communicated through design, visual language and worldbuilding. The module encourages experimentation and iterative development, supporting you in translating initial concepts into coherent visual outcomes. 

You will explore concept creation and visualisation through research, sketch development and production-focused asset design. Emphasis is placed on understanding how visual elements contribute to tone, narrative potential and audience engagement, while also considering practical production requirements within 2D and Stop Motion production workflows. You will have substantial creative choice in the selection of project themes, narrative concepts, visual styles, characters, environments and development approaches, enabling you to tailor work towards individual interests, specialist strengths and future career aspirations. 

As you progress through the module, you will develop confidence in presenting, discussing and evaluating your creative ideas through critique, feedback and reflective practice. By the end of the module, you will have produced a portfolio of concept development work and a professional concept presentation that communicates the creative direction and feasibility of an animation project. 

As a Level 5 module, Concept Development and Visualisation supports the transition from foundational Level 4 study towards more independent and specialist practice, preparing you for later modules focused on narrative development, animatics and collaborative production. 

Learning and Teaching Methods

Activity Type Hours
Lecture 2
Tutorial 10
Project Supervision and Mentoring 10
Formative Assessment (scheduled) 12
Practical Classes and Workshops 18
Demonstration 4
Guided Learning 10.5
Summative Assessment and Preparation 60
Independent Learning (including self-directed study and support) 173.5
Total Hours Selected 300

Learning Outcomes

# Learning Outcome
LO1 Develop and present a coherent visual concept for a 2D or Stop Motion animation project through the creation of characters, environments, props and related development work.
LO2 Apply appropriate visual development processes and design approaches to communicate narrative potential, tone and audience engagement within 2D or Stop Motion practice.

Module Requisites

N/A

Assessment Criteria

Assessment Category Assessment Type Description Duration Word Count Weight (%) Best of? Pass Mark
Asynchronous Assessment Creative Portfolio Concept development portfolio demonstrating idea generation, visual exploration, thematic research, progressive design development and audience-aware creative investigation for animation production. Submission to include integrated development commentary reflecting on concept evolution, research processes and creative decision-making. ONLINE. INDIVIDUAL. 0 750 50 No 40
Asynchronous Assessment Individual Presentation (Asynchronous) Concept visualisation and pitch presentation communicating creative direction, narrative intention, visual strategy and project feasibility through appropriate visual development materials and presentation methods. ONLINE. INDIVIDUAL. 8 N/A 50 No 40

Assessment Matrix

Assessment Type Learning Outcomes
LO1 LO2
Creative Portfolio
Individual Presentation (Asynchronous)

Reading List

Weeks 1–2: Idea Generation, Character and World Development 

 

Essential Reading 

Silver, S. (2017) The Silver Way: Techniques, Tips, and Tutorials for Effective Character Design. San Diego: Design Studio Press. 

 

Supplementary Reading 

Bancroft, T, (2006) Creating Characters with Personality: For Film, TV, Animation, Video Games, and Graphic Novels. New York: Watson-Guptill Publications. 

 

Week 3: Character Personality and Performance Planning 

 

Essential Reading 

3dtotal Publishing. (2019) Creating Characters for the Entertainment Industry: Develop Spectacular Designs from Basic Concepts. Worcester: 3dtotal Publishing. 

 

Supplementary Reading 

3dtotal Publishing. (2020) Fundamentals of Character Design: How to Create Engaging Characters for Illustration, Animation & Visual Development. Worcester: 3dtotal Publishing. 

  

Week 4–5: Body Mechanics and Character Movement 

 

Essential Reading 

Lord, P. and Sibley, B. (2015) Cracking Animation: The Aardman Book of 3-D Animation. 3rd edn. London: Thames & Hudson. 

 

Supplementary Reading 

Wells, P. (1998) Understanding Animation. London: Routledge. 

 

Week 5–6: Facial Animation and Lip Synchronisation 

 

Essential Reading 

Simon, M. (2005) Facial Expressions: A Visual Reference for Artists. New York: Watson-Guptill. 

 

Supplementary Reading 

Sin, O. (2025) Facial Expressions for Artists: Techniques for Capturing Emotion and Mood in Portrait and Character Drawings. Beverly: Rockport Publishers. 

 

Online Resources: 

Animation Industry Database: http://www.aidb.com 

Animation Magazine: https://www.animationmagazine.net 

Animation World Network: http://www.awn.com 

Cartoon Brew: http://www.cartoonbrew.com 

National Film Board of Canada: https://www.nfb.ca 

Short of the Week: http://www.shortoftheweek.com 

Show Me The Animation: http://www.showmetheanimation.com 

Skwigly: http://www.skwigly.co.uk