Animation
Whether you’re a new student starting your first assignment or delving into a research project, this subject guide is designed to assist Animation students in finding the best information. On this page you'll find key resources, as well as guides to help you develop your academic, study, and digital skills. If you can’t find what you need, you contact the Academic Support Team: library-SAM@salford.ac.uk.
Popular pages on the Library website
Three key actions for getting started
Finding information for your assessments
Developing strong information searching skills saves time and yields relevant results. The Finding Information Skills page covers everything you need for academic searching. Take the Finding Information Skills assessment for a personalised action plan.
- Reading Lists
These are set up by your tutors to guide you to good quality, relevant and useful materials to help you with your studies. They are a great starting point before doing your own research - find out more about your Reading Lists.
- Library Search
Library Search can make your academic life easier by helping you find a range of reliable and trustworthy sources for your work. It contains a wealth of information to help you make the most of your studies, including books/eBooks, journals/eJournals, articles, databases, and more.
Using Library Search may feel daunting at first, but don't worry, we have a range of guides on how to find relevant resources.
Key resources for Animation students
Books & Journals
The first place you should look is your reading list – you will find a link to this in your Blackboard modules. It lists all the core texts for your subject as recommended by your lecturers. All our other books and journals can be found in Library Search.
Databases
Whilst Library Search is your starting point when researching a topic, sometimes it's helpful to restrict your search to one of our specialist sources.
- Box of Broadcasts - thousands of TV and radio programmes, including lots of current (and older) programmes on cultural topics. Also a great source for films that have been broadcast on TV.
- Kanopy - another good source for films, but also includes some video on the history or animation/animators.
- Arts & Humanities Database - lots of articles on all kinds of cultural topics.
- JSTOR - a great range of books and articles on all kind of topics including Animation.
- Performing Arts Periodicals Database - articles from journals covering all aspects of the art and entertainment industry.
- Taylor & Francis Journals - provides articles on all sorts of subjects, but includes quite a lot of material on animation.
- Science Direct - A huge database covering a wide array of topics including broadcasting, media and communications technology.
- Wiley Online Library - another big database, but it includes articles and book chapters from sources that include visualisation and computer animation.
- Google Scholar - always worth checking for academic books and journals. To get the most from it, make sure you’ve added Lean Library to your browser.
Useful links
There is wealth of information on the internet, just remember to evaluate what you find carefully. These are just a few of examples.
- BBC Research & Development Reports - a useful source for the latest developments in broadcasting technology
- Screenskills.com – invaluable for information on jobs, industry-based events, online workshops, training, and networking opportunities.
- BBC Sound Effects Library – over 16, 000 sound effects available for non-commercial projects.
- BBC Writers Room Script Library. - a wonderful resource for up-to-date TV scripts and there is lots of other useful scriptwriting guidance on the site as well.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning offers thousands of professionally produced online courses covering technical, creative and professional skills and including lots on creating video and on using specific media software.
Always use our institutional login to log in – you will need your University email address and password.
The first time you log in, you will be taken through a setup process to discover courses tailored to your interests.
Find out more in our video: Using LinkedIn Learning at Salford.
Newspapers
These are a great source for reviews and comment on film, television and other communication media.
Sources to try include Gale OneFile News and Newsstream. Check our Newspapers web page to see which papers we have access to.
Study better
- University Assessments
Whilst studying at Salford you will need to complete a range of assessments. We provide a range of guidance on how to approach the different assessment types you may come across.
- Referencing
We provide eLearning, written guides, and an extensive list of referencing examples.
- Skills A-Z
We have developed eLearning over a wide range of subjects for you to develop your academic skills at home and in your own time.
Workshops
We offer online and face-to-face workshops to help you develop your academic skills. These engaging, interactive sessions cover a wide range of topics which take place throughout the year, so check up on the list regularly.
Click on a workshop title to book onto the session via Advantage. If a session has no remaining spaces, sign up to the waiting list in case a space becomes free!
One to one appointments
You can book a one to one appointment with your Academic Support Team to discuss finding information, academic and writing skills, or digital support.
Follow the link below, choose your school and what you'd like support with, then select your chosen time slot and book on through Advantage.