The programme consists of four years, during which you will increasingly shape your own path. You start broad, with plenty of room for experimentation and exploration. As you follow your identity and interests, you will deepen and specialise in your own way of creating.
The programme consists of four years, during which you will increasingly shape your own path. You will start broadly, with experimenting and exploring. From your identity and interests, you will develop your unique way of animating and telling stories.
The first year is all about discovery and learning to see things differently. By watching many films, you will develop an aware and critical eye for film. You will experiment with different film and animation techniques and learn the basic principles of animation: creating the ‘illusion of life’. You will develop an investigative attitude through observation, reflection and working from imagination and perception. In the autumn, you will join students from other ArtEZ Academy of Art & Design Zwolle programmes on a study trip to Berlin.
In the second year, you will deepen your understanding of yourself as a creator while also exploring the world around you. You will study your personal fascinations and learn how to collaborate and communicate with others as a creator. You will strengthen your command of the medium, and through individual artistic research and collaborative projects you will develop your own unique signature style as an animation creator. The study trip to Annecy – the largest animation film festival in the world – will bring you into contact with the international animation world and broaden your perspective.
In the third year, you will make the step towards professional practice. You will combine all your acquired skills and your vision in creating your own short films. You will work increasingly independently and discover how you want to operate as a creator in the field. By completing a minor, an exchange or an internship with an animator, studio, festival or producer, you will strengthen your personal working methods and expand your network. These experiences will help you shape your artistic vision further in preparation for your final project.
You will complete your studies with your graduation project: a short, animated film that showcases your talent, vision and craftsmanship. Through personal research into philosophy, literature and art, you will sharpen your artistic vision and record it in an essay. This exploration will give your graduation film both personal and artistic urgency. Guided by experienced filmmakers from the lecturer team and the professional field, you will realise your author’s film. You will present it during the Finals Expo and the premiere night at Fraterhuis. You will also develop a distribution plan so that your film remains visible after graduation – from festivals to online platforms or galleries.
The first year is all about discovery and learning how to see. You will experiment with various animation techniques and develop a curious and exploratory attitude. You will learn to observe, reflect and create from both imagination and observation. Technical workshops include observational drawing, animation technique and audiovisual design. In the autumn, you will join students from other ArtEZ Zwolle programmes on a study trip to Berlin.
In the second year, you will explore your personal style and artistic fascinations in more depth. You will investigate the stories you want to tell and how to visualise them. You will work on artistic research projects and develop your own visual signature. During the study trip to Annecy – home to the world’s largest animation film festival – you will gather inspiration and expand your network.
You will work more independently and prepare for professional practice. You will take part in an internship with an animator, studio, festival or producer and develop your own voice as a storyteller. Afterwards, you will work on assignments that help you refine your artistic vision. In the final semester, you will work on a professional project such as an internship, minor or research project.
You will complete your studies with your graduation project: a short, animated film that showcases your talent, vision and craftsmanship. You will also write an essay and develop an artistic statement, which you will present in a professional manner. Throughout the year, you will be supported by lecturers and guest lecturers from the field. Your final work will be shown at the ArtEZ Finals in Zwolle: the moment to present yourself as an animation filmmaker.