Month: June 2026

This week we focused on academic writing and referencing conventions for thesis research. The sessions covered the requirements of Harvard referencing, the importance of using peer-reviewed academic sources, and the correct methods for citing books, journal articles, films, images, and other research materials.

During the week, I gained a better understanding of academic writing standards and the importance of maintaining accurate and consistent referencing throughout a research project. I also reviewed the requirements for the thesis proposal submission and reflected on how these guidelines could be applied to my own research. This helped me prepare for the next stage of writing and ensure that my work follows appropriate academic conventions.

This week I finalised a preliminary chapter structure for my dissertation. After spending several weeks developing my research topic and considering how different sections of the study connect with one another, I began organising the dissertation into a clearer and more coherent framework.

Developing the outline encouraged me to think about how the research question could be addressed across multiple chapters and how the discussion could progress logically throughout the dissertation. This process also helped me identify the key themes that would become the focus of each chapter and provided a clearer direction for the next stage of writing.

Dissertation Outline:

Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduces the research background, research questions, aims, and objectives. It also explains the significance of studying generative AI in digital animation and outlines the overall structure of the dissertation.

Chapter 2: Literature Review
Reviews existing research on generative AI, creative authorship, originality, creative autonomy, and environmental sustainability. This chapter establishes the theoretical foundation of the study.

Chapter 3: Case Studies and Analysis
Examines AI tools such as Midjourney, DALL·E, and Stable Diffusion. It analyses how these tools are applied in concept design and visual development within digital animation.

Chapter 4: Generative AI and Creative Authorship
Discusses how generative AI influences creative authorship, originality, and creative decision-making. The chapter explores whether AI changes the creator’s role within the production process.

Chapter 5: Generative AI and Environmental Sustainability
Investigates the environmental impact of AI systems, including energy consumption and carbon emissions, and considers sustainability challenges within digital creative industries.

Chapter 6: Conclusion
Summarises the key findings of the research and reflects on the future relationship between generative AI, creators, and sustainable creative practice.