BA (Hons) Motion Design

• Short form narrative
• Software skills
• Animation and design principles
• Visual communication and typography
• Video production
• Information design
• Branding
• Experiential design
• Industry context and design history

If you are studying the BA (Hons) Motion Design with Integrated Foundation Year version of this course, key topics of your integrated foundation year will include:

• Fundamental design principles: typography, colour, hierarchy, layout, and imagery
• Developing clear visual narratives, identities, and design systems
• Crafting effective visual storytelling through sequencing, pace, and tone
• Conducting research with cultural, social, and ethical awareness
• Mastery of industry-standard software (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Animate, After Effects, Acrobat, Premiere Pro)
• Managing production workflows from pre-production to post-production
• Critically evaluating design work using relevant criteria
• Creating professional portfolios, slide decks, and pitch presentations.

If you choose to add an Integrated Foundation Year on this course, you will be first introduced to the fundamental principles of design. Your foundation year gives you the time, space and support to explore your strengths, build confidence and prepare for the demands of project-based, industry-focused learning. Modules are as follows*:

• Module 1: Diagnostic exploration - making informed choices
• Module 2: Technical - Technical knowledge in practice
• Module 3: Specialist - Innovating specialist practice
• Module 4: Integration - Integrated practice for progression to Higher Education

Please note: Students starting this course with the Integrated Foundation Year in September 2026/27 will study the 2027/28 approved modules in Years 1, 2 and 3.

Year 1

Master core motion design and animation principles - including typography, video production and visual storytelling - using industry-standard software like After Effects, Premiere Pro and Cinema 4D.

Modules may include:

• Rave Beginnings
• Image Creation
• Image & Industry: Visual Narratives
• Contemporary Visual Cultures: Images & Motion
• Motion Design for Social Media
• Employability & Professionalism

Year 2

Combine your first-year skills through long-form, industry-style projects, interdisciplinary collaborations, immersive media explorations and live client briefs.

Modules may include:

• Immersive Worlds
• Art Narrative & Industry
• Preparing for Industry
• Design Studio
• Immersive Media
• Live & Work-based Learning

Students also get the opportunity to collaborate with students from other courses through the elective units and with industry professionals on live briefs.

Year 3

Refine your professional creative identity by tackling industry competition briefs, receiving expert mentoring and creating an ambitious, self-directed portfolio.

Modules may include:

• Situating Practice
• Industry Partner
• Rave Futures
• Major Project Production

All modules are subject to revalidation.

A variety of learning and teaching methods are employed in this course. 

These include but are not limited to;

Briefings, lectures, seminars, practical workshops, studio-based project work, demonstrations, collaborative activities, group discussions, individual and group tutorials, critiques, presentations, industry guest lectures, studio visits, industry-informed briefs, field trips, gallery visits and self-directed independent study.

The course is assessed entirely by coursework.

Study hours

BA (Hons) Motion Design with Integrated Foundation Year

• 1152 hours of face-to-face taught
• 3648 hours independent study learning

BA (Hons) Motion Design

• 864 hours of face-to-face taught
• 2736 hours independent study learning

Basic drawing / image-making tools, sketchbooks, course specific and subject specific books: £100 to £250.

Course specific computer software £15 to £75 a year - depending on desired skillsets and professional direction.

Note on laptop costs: Students are strongly recommended to have a personal laptop suitable for design software. If a new purchase is needed, budget approximately £600–£3,200 as a one-off cost, depending on brand and desired skillsets, ideally timed for the start of Year 1. Shared studio computers are available on campus for students who do not yet have their own device.

Our campus 

You'll study in a building designed to encourage collaboration between the different disciplines and practices within Ravensbourne, and to stimulate the work of innovative professionals and creative collaboration.

It features a variety of workspaces, including social and quiet areas, high-tech creative suites, technology hubs, design studios and more. 

Want to see where you'd be studying up close? When you book a guided building tour, you can see our fantastic facilities for yourself and find out more from one of our helpful student ambassadors.

Our local area

Ravensbourne is ideally connected - North Greenwich station is just a 2-minute walk away from our campus and offers amazing views from the Greenwich Peninsula.

These transport links offer an easy route to some of London's major business hubs, perfect for reaching possible placements or networking events with employers in the worlds of business or technology.  

We accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade CC or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade MPP
• UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma
• T Level (pass or above)
• Access to Higher Education Diploma
• International Baccalaureate at grade 24 or above
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 64 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. We still think exams are important and look forward to hearing about your successes, but we place just as much importance on the work you will share with us as part of our portfolio process.

Selection criteria:

Students should ideally have a background in art, creative media or design. Admission onto this course is also subject to successful completion of a portfolio (or showreel). 

We may also consider a combination of portfolio and academic qualifications and take into consideration progress made during studies and/or relevant work experience.

If you wish to study our BA (Hons) Motion Graphics degree, we will need to see examples of previous work that showcases your suitability for the course. 

We don't require you to necessarily have any motion graphics or moving image work in your portfolio, although this is desirable, we do expect you to demonstrate an interest in and knowledge of the subject.

You should also include development work, sketch books and project logs.

Your portfolio should include work covered at GCSE, A Levels and / or Art & Design Foundation or BTEC, plus any work you consider relevant that you have produced independently.

This page offers great tips for completing your portfolio/showreel.

At Ravensbourne we accept a wide range of qualifications for entry onto our courses, whilst also considering the context in which they were achieved. For this course, we would usually require a GCSE Grade 4 or above in English in addition to any of the below;

• Two A Levels at grade DD or above
• BTEC Extended Diploma at grade PPP
• Other/Mixed qualifications equivalent to 48 UCAS Tariff points

At Ravensbourne we take a flexible approach to admissions, as we want you to know exactly what you need to achieve in your exams to guarantee a place on the course. 

Selection criteria:

Students should ideally have a background in art, creative media or design.

There are no interview or portfolio requirements for this course.