This course introduces the fundamentals of storytelling through animation. It is designed for anyone interested in how stories are communicated visually using movement, timing, characters, and sound.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
Through guided exercises and project-based learning, learners explore how ideas are developed into an animated story. Over the course, participants will work towards creating an animatic (rough, timed-out, animated version of a storyboard) of their own short story, which includes two or more polished animated clips depicting their chosen style.
What will we cover?
The course covers the key building blocks of animated storytelling, beginning with how stories function and how ideas can be generated and developed. Learners explore character design, expression, and world-building, and how visual tone and setting influence narrative. The course then introduces story structure, storyboarding, and the principles of timing and movement used in animation. Later sessions focus on the animation workflow, sound and emotion, and basic editing and finishing, leading towards the completion and presentation of a short animatic telling their full story.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
By the end of the course, learners will have developed a clear understanding of how to tell a short story through animation. They will be able to plan a story visually using storyboards, create a rough animatic that communicates narrative and timing, and apply basic animation principles to movement. Learners will also produce two polished animations that are part of the story that focus on character motion, rhythm, and storytelling clarity, and will gain confidence in using sound and simple editing to enhance emotional impact.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a beginner-level course and no previous animation experience is required. Some basic drawing ability can be helpful, but the focus is on storytelling, ideas, and movement rather than technical drawing skill. The course is suitable for anyone curious about animation, visual storytelling or creative experimentation. Learners are encouraged to work at their own pace and level.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Teaching is delivered through a combination of short tutor-led explanations, demonstrations, group discussion, and hands-on practical exercises. Animation work is supported during class time, with regular feedback from the tutor and peers. Students will be encouraged to work between sessions on developing their story ideas, sketching characters, refining their storyboards, recording/editing their sound and animating.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Learners need to have an iPad or Android Tablet that has as a stylus and be willing to purchase the app Rough Animator Animation (approximatively 7 GBP).
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
After completing the course, learners will have a rough animatic of their own short story and several short animated exercises that demonstrate key storytelling and animation principles. These can be used as a foundation for further development or as portfolio.
Leo Metcalf is an animator, filmmaker and VR artist working across animation and immersive storytelling. His latest project, The Time Before (2025), has won awards at Raindance Film Festival, Bolton Film Festival, ART*VR, and was presented at the Venice Biennale Immersive. His previous work includes a documentary, DisAstro (Jihlava IDFF, Whitechapel Gallery) and the 360° animation The Everything Move (Aesthetica, 2020) created during a Masters in Animation at the RCA. Before moving into film, he spent a decade producing radio projects on health, education, and the environment in Madagascar and Afghanistan. Leo has taught animation at Bath Spa University and loves supporting students to develop their storytelling through animation.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/telling-stories-in-animation3037171Telling stories in animationhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/animation-film-thumb.jpg499499GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Animation & Filmmaking/Courses/Art & design/Animation & Filmmaking/Animation22851132115919701228511321159<p>This course introduces the fundamentals of storytelling through animation. It is designed for anyone interested in how stories are communicated visually using movement, timing, characters, and sound.</p>003066811Telling stories in animation499499https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/animation-film-thumb.jpgInStockDaytimeSunKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekend2027-05-09T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experienceMay 2027Art & designVK307499499Telling stories in animation399324499Leo Metcalftelling-stories-in-animation/vk307-2627<p>This course introduces the fundamentals of storytelling through animation. It is designed for anyone interested in how stories are communicated visually using movement, timing, characters, and sound.</p>0000-Available|2027-05-09 00:00:00<p>Through guided exercises and project-based learning, learners explore how ideas are developed into an animated story. Over the course, participants will work towards creating an animatic (rough, timed-out, animated version of a storyboard) of their own short story, which includes two or more polished animated clips depicting their chosen style.</p><p>This course introduces the fundamentals of storytelling through animation. It is designed for anyone interested in how stories are communicated visually using movement, timing, characters, and sound.</p><p>The course covers the key building blocks of animated storytelling, beginning with how stories function and how ideas can be generated and developed. Learners explore character design, expression, and world-building, and how visual tone and setting influence narrative. The course then introduces story structure, storyboarding, and the principles of timing and movement used in animation. Later sessions focus on the animation workflow, sound and emotion, and basic editing and finishing, leading towards the completion and presentation of a short animatic telling their full story.</p><p>By the end of the course, learners will have developed a clear understanding of how to tell a short story through animation. They will be able to plan a story visually using storyboards, create a rough animatic that communicates narrative and timing, and apply basic animation principles to movement. Learners will also produce two polished animations that are part of the story that focus on character motion, rhythm, and storytelling clarity, and will gain confidence in using sound and simple editing to enhance emotional impact.</p><p>This is a beginner-level course and no previous animation experience is required. Some basic drawing ability can be helpful, but the focus is on storytelling, ideas, and movement rather than technical drawing skill. The course is suitable for anyone curious about animation, visual storytelling or creative experimentation. Learners are encouraged to work at their own pace and level.</p><p>Teaching is delivered through a combination of short tutor-led explanations, demonstrations, group discussion, and hands-on practical exercises. Animation work is supported during class time, with regular feedback from the tutor and peers. Students will be encouraged to work between sessions on developing their story ideas, sketching characters, refining their storyboards, recording/editing their sound and animating.</p><p>Learners need to have an iPad or Android Tablet that has as a stylus and be willing to purchase the app Rough Animator Animation (approximatively 7 GBP).</p><p>After completing the course, learners will have a rough animatic of their own short story and several short animated exercises that demonstrate key storytelling and animation principles. These can be used as a foundation for further development or as portfolio.</p>Animation & FilmmakingAnimationvirtual399499324VK307NONESun09/05/27 - 13/06/2710:30 - 16:3010:3016:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetLeo MetcalfBeginners, Some experienceAvailable courses2027-05-09T00:00:00+00:00May 2027Art & design499499Telling stories in animationtelling-stories-in-animation/vk307-2627<p>This course introduces the fundamentals of storytelling through animation. It is designed for anyone interested in how stories are communicated visually using movement, timing, characters, and sound.</p>0000-Available|2027-05-09 00:00:00<p>Through guided exercises and project-based learning, learners explore how ideas are developed into an animated story. Over the course, participants will work towards creating an animatic (rough, timed-out, animated version of a storyboard) of their own short story, which includes two or more polished animated clips depicting their chosen style.</p><p>This course introduces the fundamentals of storytelling through animation. It is designed for anyone interested in how stories are communicated visually using movement, timing, characters, and sound.</p><p>The course covers the key building blocks of animated storytelling, beginning with how stories function and how ideas can be generated and developed. Learners explore character design, expression, and world-building, and how visual tone and setting influence narrative. The course then introduces story structure, storyboarding, and the principles of timing and movement used in animation. Later sessions focus on the animation workflow, sound and emotion, and basic editing and finishing, leading towards the completion and presentation of a short animatic telling their full story.</p><p>By the end of the course, learners will have developed a clear understanding of how to tell a short story through animation. They will be able to plan a story visually using storyboards, create a rough animatic that communicates narrative and timing, and apply basic animation principles to movement. Learners will also produce two polished animations that are part of the story that focus on character motion, rhythm, and storytelling clarity, and will gain confidence in using sound and simple editing to enhance emotional impact.</p><p>This is a beginner-level course and no previous animation experience is required. Some basic drawing ability can be helpful, but the focus is on storytelling, ideas, and movement rather than technical drawing skill. The course is suitable for anyone curious about animation, visual storytelling or creative experimentation. Learners are encouraged to work at their own pace and level.</p><p>Teaching is delivered through a combination of short tutor-led explanations, demonstrations, group discussion, and hands-on practical exercises. Animation work is supported during class time, with regular feedback from the tutor and peers. Students will be encouraged to work between sessions on developing their story ideas, sketching characters, refining their storyboards, recording/editing their sound and animating.</p><p>Learners need to have an iPad or Android Tablet that has as a stylus and be willing to purchase the app Rough Animator Animation (approximatively 7 GBP).</p><p>After completing the course, learners will have a rough animatic of their own short story and several short animated exercises that demonstrate key storytelling and animation principles. These can be used as a foundation for further development or as portfolio.</p>Animation & FilmmakingAnimationconfigurable
