The Rovira i Virgili University (URV) and the Diputación de Tarragona are set to launch a new postgraduate diploma in 2D and Experimental Animation Techniques in January 2027. This programme aims to provide specialised university studies in the increasingly diverse field of audiovisual media.
Animation has expanded beyond traditional cinema and television, now playing a significant role in video games, advertising, music, virtual reality, and educational applications. This diversification has led to a rising demand for professionals equipped with advanced creative and technical skills to adapt to the sector's evolving landscape.
The diploma, which is worth 18 ECTS credits, will train professionals to conceive and produce innovative animations with both technical independence and artistic sensitivity. It offers a comprehensive education that combines aesthetic trends, audiovisual narrative, technical fundamentals, and creative practice through real-world production projects.
Programme structure
The programme is divided into two main components. The first part, delivered by faculty from the URV's Department of Communication Studies, introduces students to key aesthetic trends, techniques, and historical applications of animation, from pre-cinema to digital practices and generative AI. This segment aims to cultivate a critical perspective on animation while providing essential skills for scriptwriting, including idea conceptualisation, rewriting processes, and final project presentation.
The second part, taught by the faculty at the Diputación's School of Art and Design in Tarragona (EADT), focuses on the practical development of animation projects. Over three modules, students will define the visual universe of their work—covering aspects such as colours, typography, textures, characters, and settings—and experiment with expressive animation techniques like stop motion, cut-out, pixilation, and rotoscoping to develop a unique style that aligns with their project.
The diploma concludes with a module dedicated to post-production and composition.
Eligibility and application
This diploma is aimed at graduates in Communication, Arts, and Humanities, as well as those with higher vocational training in plastic arts and design. Additionally, professionals without a university degree may apply if they can demonstrate relevant experience and a strong interest in updating their skills in 2D animation.
Classes will be held at the URV's Faculty of Letters and the EADT starting in January 2027, with enrolment now open. This collaboration between the URV and the Diputación de Tarragona underscores their shared commitment to culture, creativity, and the development of local talent.
