Animatronics Design

Do you want a career which could take you all over the world? Gain skills and knowledge in puppetry, anatomy and mechatronics with our two year fast-track BSc Animatronics Design degree. You’ll be designing, building and creating realistic and lifelike props and objects, that bring stories to life.

This course could help you get your dream job as being part of the team that work endlessly behind-the-scenes in the film, TV and performance industries to solve problems. Upon graduation you could find yourself working in key areas such as; animatronics, elements involving mechanical or electronic engineering, animation, model-making, sculpture, product design, industrial design, and manufacturing.

Why study BSc (Hons) Animatronics Design at BNU?
Inspiring Facilities
Our industry standard facilities are here to help you produce your most creative ideas. We will build your confidence in using the latest postproduction software.

Our other specialist resources including;

• CNC and laser cutter technology

• highly equipped engineering & modelmaking workshops

• 3D design studios

• computer suites

• electronics/ control and plastic fabrication labs

• prosthetics lab

• 3D printing technology.

At every step you’ll be supported by a dedicated team of technicians who will provide you with advice, technical assistance and support to realise your assignment briefs and final project. The University also has a teaching base at the iconic Pinewood Studios, which means there could be opportunities to engage with the community there.

Taught by the industry
The BSc (Hons) Animatronics Design course is led by a dedicated and experienced course team. Benefit from their industry knowledge and the industry links they bring to the course. Many of our guest lecturers are industry-experts and alongside your lecturers, they’ll nurture your learning and professional development through lectures, workshops and demonstrations.

As part of the Art, Design and Performance School at BNU, you’ll benefit from a practiced-based course, supported by contextual studies. You’ll also have the opportunity to work collaboratively across the School with other courses, ensuring during your studies you are building a varied network, like you would in the real world.

Location
With London on our doorstep, you’ll be near the world’s best cultural centres, such as theatres, museums and galleries, where you can find a range of inspiration. It also means you may have the opportunity to visit working studios, such as Pinewood Studio.

What will I study?
The BSc (Hons) Animatronics Design course enables you to focus your studies towards the design and fabrication of animatronics models using engineering technology.

This taught practical-based course is industry-focused and will provide opportunities for you to engage with a broad range of skills and techniques required within animatronics production for special effects film and TV and associated creative industries. All modules are designed to develop the practical, theoretical/ critical approaches applied to individual specialism, and will facilitate the design, prototyping and production of polished functional animatronics models for inclusion to an essential portfolio of work.

The course embraces new and emerging techniques and technologies, maintaining currency and diversity through well-established links and communications with the creative industry.

What are my career prospects?
The multidisciplinary nature of the course will prepare you for a range of career possibilities. Including:

• Animatronics Designer

• Prosthetics fabricator

• SFX technician and/ or assistant

• Props & Modelmaker

• Structure Engineer

• Computer Programmer

• Control & Signal writer

• Sculptor

• Character Designer

• 3D Animator

• Pre-visualisation Artist

• Technical Director (TD)

• Animatronics Engineer

• Rig-builder

• Model maker.

Stage 1
Core Modules
2D Visualisation
Computer Aided Design
Introduction to Programming
Chemical Studies and Technological Applications
SFX Character Design 1
Introduction to Animatronics Engineering
3D Modelling & Simulation
Control and Signal Writing
SFX Character Design 2

Stage 2
Core Modules
SFX Rigging & Manufacturing
Animatronics Engineering System Design
Advanced Prosthetics Production
Creative and Professional Development
Pre-production
Professional Practice & Business Management
Dissertation
Final Major Project

Taught by industry-professionals, you’ll benefit by learning from lecturers with real sector experience and an insight into working-life. You could also benefit from access to our network of guest speakers, industry experts and successful alumni.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, from studio projects and workshop and media outcomes to group and individual case studies and written assignments.