1. Free / Open Source Resources

Below is a curated list of open-source resources related to Animation, VFX, and Games.

*If you have a recommendation you’d like to see added, please feel free to reach out via the contact page and email your suggestions.

• Axis Studios Education outreach Booklet (2024);
  • *permission sought from Axis Studio’s founders.
  • https://drive.google.com/file/d/14NvJMOB4W9TTjTYoRRYwXAUTbNwwg0sa/view?usp=drive_link
• ScreenSkills – Career maps (several available for download);
  • https://www.screenskills.com/starting-your-career/career-maps/
    • Quick link: Games career map
    • Quick link: Animation career map
    • Quick link: VFX career map
• Pilot #1: Animation tutorial for deaf students (Lip synching);
  • Author: Jonathan Mortimer
  • https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kI7sSHUAq2Iqk2bYpd2p96ypyxyvyu3r9uw68HztHEM/edit?usp=sharing

2. Academic journals and links

*A collection of scholarly journals and curated resources related to Animation, VFX, and Games, providing valuable insights and research for professionals and students alike.

2.1 Scotland

• Mortimer, J. (2020, February). ANIMATION IN SCOTLAND 2020: A snapshot into the Animation industry within Scotland, with recommendations for future developments. Presented at Animation Skillnet, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Available at: https://napier-repository.worktribe.com/output/3043055/animation-in-scotland-2020-a-snapshot-into-the-animation-industry-within-scotland-with-recommendations-for-future-developments
• Mortimer, J. (2018). How universities can better engage with the animation/VFX sector in Scotland. Animation Practice, Process & Production, 7(1), 157-173. https://doi.org/10.1386/ap3.7.1.157_1
  • Available at: https://napier-repository.worktribe.com/output/2836257/how-universities-can-better-engage-with-the-animationvfx-sector-in-scotland
• Mortimer, J., Pilcher, N., & Richards, K. (2021). Scotland’s History of Animation: An Exploratory Account of the Key Figures and Influential Events. Animation, 16(3), 190-206. https://doi.org/10.1177/17468477211052598
  • Available at: https://napier-repository.worktribe.com/output/2823713/scotlands-history-of-animation-an-exploratory-account-of-the-key-figures-and-influential-events
• Mortimer, J., Richards, K., & Pilcher, N. (2024). The ‘Skills Gap’ in the Animation/VFX industry in Scotland. Animation, 19(2-3), 161-176. https://doi.org/10.1177/17468477241281629
  • Available at: https://napier-repository.worktribe.com/output/3743335/the-skills-gap-in-the-animationvfx-industry-in-scotland

2.2 Animation academic journals

• SAGE, Animation: an interdisciplinary journal.
  • Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/anm
• Intellect, Animation Practice, Process & Production (Journal).
  
  • Available at: https://www.intellectbooks.com/animation-practice-process-production
• Animation Studies
  • Available at: https://oldjournal.animationstudies.org/

3. Reading list

• 3.1 Animation

*Animation is an incredibly vast and multifaceted field. No single book can comprehensively cover all aspects of animation and its evolving trends. Each title on the recommended reading list offers a unique focus, whether it’s character animation, layout, or movement, providing valuable insights into specific areas of the craft.

• Williams, R. (2012). The animator’s survival kit. Faber And Faber.
  • ISBN-13: 9780865478978 / ISBN-10: 086547897X
    • Via The Internet Archive.org; https://archive.org/details/TheAnimatorsSurvivalKitRichardWilliams
• Blair, P. (1994). Cartoon animation. Walter Foster Publishing, Inc.
  • ISBN-13: 9781633228900 / ISBN-10: 1633228908
    • Via The Internet Archive.org; https://archive.org/details/prestonblaircartoonanimationtext
• ‌Thomas, F., & Johnston, O. (1995). The Illusion of Life. Disney Press.
  • ISBN-13: 9780786860708 / ISBN-10: 0786860707
    • Via The Internet Archive.org; https://archive.org/details/disneyanimationi0000fran
• ‌Canemaker, J. (1996). Before the Animation Begins.
  • ISBN-13: 9780786861521 / ISBN-10: 0786861525
• ‌Maclean, F. (2011). Setting the scene : the art & evolution of animation layout. Chronicle Books.
  • ISBN-13: 9780811869874 / ISBN-10: 0811869873
    • Via The Internet Archive.org; https://archive.org/details/setting-the-scene-images

4. Useful links

*Useful links include trade bodies, networks and organisations.

• Scottish Games Network – https://scottishgames.net/
• Animated Women UK – https://www.animatedwomenuk.com/
• Access:VFX – https://www.accessvfx.org/
• Animation Uk – https://www.animationuk.org/
• The MOVE Summit – https://www.movesummit.co.uk/