Workshop: Stop Motion Animation with Clay

In this practical one day workshop, explore the creative process of stop motion animation using clay. The session will guide you through the full journey from idea to finished scene, beginning with simple story planning and character design.

You will learn how to build a basic armature and sculpt your own clay model, gaining an understanding of structure, balance and movement. Through guided exercises, you will explore key animation principles including timing, spacing and anticipation, learning how small changes create believable motion.

The workshop will also introduce the fundamentals of lip synching and performance, helping you bring personality and expression to your characters. Using iPads and stop motion software, you will animate short sequences and experiment with framing, camera movement and lighting.

By the end of the day, you will have created a short animated test and a handmade model to take home, along with new creative skills and insight into the craft of animation.

Learning outcomes:
- Story planning and visual storytelling
- Character design with clay
- Constructing an armature to support movement
- Basic animation principles such as timing, spacing and anticipation
- Stop motion software, camera framing and lighting
- Introductory lip-synching techniques
- Basic understanding of professional stop motion workflows

Please note:
- The session includes a short visit to Wes Anderson: The Archives.
- All materials and equipment will be provided, but you can bring a notebook and pen to take notes to refer to after the course.
- Capacity is limited, we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
- This workshop is suitable for adults 18+.

• This workshop is for participants aged 18 and over, and the content has been designed with adult learners in mind.

• If there’s anything we can do to help you take part, whether it’s around mobility, sensory access, mental health, communication preferences, or anything else, you’re welcome to share this with us at ticket checkout. This is entirely optional, and you can share as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.

• You're also welcome to bring a companion if you'd benefit from 1:1 support during the workshop. Companion places are free - please email DMAcademy@designmuseum.org with your booking information so we can reserve your spot.

• This session is led by 1 facilitator and will accomodate up to 10 participants.

• If you have any questions, or would prefer to chat to someone directly, get in touch with us at DMAcademy@designmuseum.org. We’ll do all we can to support you.