Profile

Michael Smith

Staff

BA (Hons) Animation - Course Leader

As BA (Hons) Animation Course Leader Michael Smith brings his years of knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm for Animation to the course. With a focus on 2d animation and animated performance, Mike is particularly interested in applied animation and creative problem solving through animation. He also has detailed knowledge of pre-production practices for animation, model making and professional practice.

Mike has in depth knowledge when it comes to curriculum development, having written and implemented degrees in Design for Digital Media and Digital Film, Games and Animation and more recently co-authored the current BA (Hons) Animation for Leeds Arts University. His MA in Online and Distance Education helped shape the development of eStudio, the institution's Virtual Learning Environment. Mike currently holds external examining roles at UCA Farnham and University of Westminster.

His current practice based research practice revolves around the investigation of sound through animation, producing animated visualisations of everyday spaces and objects.

He is a member a number of professional bodies that support Animation including the Society for Animation Studies, NAMIHE (National Association of the Moving Image in Higher Education and D&AD. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Articles

Smith, M. (2020) ‘Educating risk: How fear of failure is stifling creative practice within Higher Education’. EDUCATING ANIMATORS Academic Conference 2019 Teaching the World’s most expressive Art Form.

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