by Amanda Bautista, BFA '14
Animation (BFA)
On This Page
Animation Major
In the University of the Arts’ Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in Animation, you’ll be pushed past your comfort zone by participating in projects in which you’ll collaborate with musicians, dancers, actors and other artists. Whether you create traditional, stop-motion or computer-generated animation, you will work in a dynamic medium to tell the stories you feel passionate about and express your personal vision.
Learning from Exceptional Faculty
Working closely with an accomplished faculty of professional filmmakers and animators—whose work has aired on networks and channels such as Cartoon Network, HBO, Netflix and Nickelodeon—you’ll take animation classes that are a mixture of hands-on instruction, lectures, screenings and critiques. You can also take advantage of internships and opportunities to study away. When you graduate, you’ll do so with the skills to confidently pursue a career in animation.
Varied Animation Techniques
Students will explore the variety of techniques available to the current animator, hone traditional skills, learn how to tell engaging stories, create memorable characters and bring ideas to life that have never existed before. As an undergraduate student, you’ll get to make both a junior animated film and a senior animated thesis. The skills learned as an Animation major will help you adapt and create quality content as ideas become even more valuable to audiences than the techniques needed to present them.
Awards and Accolades
UArts programs measure up. In 2021, the Animation program at UArts was named in the top five animation schools in Pennsylvania, the top animation schools on the East Coast and the top animation schools in the U.S. by Animation Career Review.
Resources Available to Animation Students
Collaborative by design, our Animation program allows you to work with peers from different programs. You’ll get instruction across disciplines by taking courses in film and illustration alongside your major courses. You’ll also be able to use UArts’ production and technology spaces, like the 5,600-square-foot Center for Immersive Media (CIM), animation and film studios, computer labs, and two stop-motion studios, among other cutting-edge spaces. Media Resources provides students with cameras, tripods, lights and other technology needed to succeed in coursework and beyond.
Animation Student Works
2-D Animation Student Works /
Explore 2-D Animation Student Works
by Robert Bahn, BFA '19
by Nick Fulfaro, BFA '19
by Bethie Kazanjian, BFA '19
by Maya Pirulli, BFA '19
by Steph Skrot, BFA '19
by Colton Barto, BFA '18
by Erin Duggins, BFA '18
by Lana Gerace, BFA 18
by Nina Marie Hartman, BFA '18
by Angel Kawash, BFA '18
by Frank Gidlewski, BFA '13
3-D Animation Student Works /
Explore 3-D Animation Student Works
by Sam Roe, BFA '11
by James Massa, BFA '17
by Greg Wasdyke, BFA '16
by Geoffrey Ciccarelli, BFA '11
by Andrea Sorrentino, BFA '05
Stop-Motion & Experimental Animation Student Works /
Explore Stop-Motion & Experimental Animation Student Works
by Steven Murphy, BFA '04
by Maya Pirulli, BFA '19
by Nora Szigeti, BFA '19
by Dani Aloi, BFA '17
by Jessica Marcus, BFA '15
by Shannon Brice, BFA '15
by Nate Hannon, BFA '13
by Chris De Pew, BFA '13
by Rusty Eveland, BFA '09
by Emily O'Keefe, BFA '05
Student Experience /
Working in a collaborative environment with professors, professionals and peers, you’ll learn how to bring your story and characters to life. From hands-on instruction to screenings and critiques, you’ll graduate with the skills to launch your career in animation.
About the Curriculum
Sample Courses in the Animation Major
UArts’ Animation degree program supports traditional hand-drawn, 3-D computer, stop-motion and any animation techniques you can imagine.
After completing the Animation program, students will be able to
- Develop the ability to verbalize and bring to life a strong personal artistic vision, combining informed meaningful content creation with unique visual approaches to produce engaging sound/image work.
- Master both traditional and digital animation skills and concepts; using motion and time understanding with drawn, stop-motion and computer-generated creative practices.
- Demonstrate critical and analytical thought based in art history, and be able to communicate this using written, visual, oral, web or hybrid means.
- Learn to collaborate with artists, peers and professionals to effectively manage time in a working relationship.
The Animation degree now offers emphases in
● traditional 2-D drawn/digital animation,
● 3-D computer animation and
● stop-motion or experimental animation.
Collapse all
First Year
Fall: 15 credits
Image/Time (3 credits)
Puppet/Stop-Motion Animation (1.5 credits)
Drawing: Objects & Space (3 credits)
Principles of Animation (1.5 credits)
Art History Survey I or II (3 credits)
Written Composition I or Written Composition II (3 credits)
Spring: 15 credits
Introduction to 2D Animation (3 credits)
Color (3 credits)
Thinking Through Science (3 credits)
General Elective (3 credits)
Second Year
Fall: 15 credits
Visual Development for Animation (3 credits)
Video Production (3 credits)
Drawing for Animators (3 credits)
Critical Studies (6 credits)
Spring: 15 credits
Course in 2-D, 3-D or stop-motion animation (3 credits)
Sound Design (3 credits)
Sophomore Animation Piece (1.5 credits)
General Elective (3 credits)
Critical Studies (4.5 credits)
Third Year
Fall: 15 credits
Intro to 3-D Computer Animation (3 credits)
Storyboarding (3 credits)
Writing for Film (3 credits)
Critical Studies (3 credits)
General Elective (3 credits)
Spring: 15 credits
Junior Animation Piece (3 credits)
Course in 2-D, 3-D, or stop-motion animation (3 credits)
Critical Studies (3 credits)
General Elective (3 credits)
History of Narrative Cinema (3 credits)
Fourth Year
Fall: 15 credits
Animation Thesis I (3 credits)
Client Animation Project or Internship (1.5 credits)
Critical Studies (6 credits)
General Elective (3 credits)
Spring: 15 credits
Animation Thesis II (1.5 credits)
Special Effects Compositing (3 credits)
Critical Studies (7.5 credits)
Discipline History (3 credits)
Explore the Full Curriculum
“I took Introduction to Computers for Object Makers with Rod McCormick. As an animation student, I found the class uniquely useful, as 3-D printing and laser cutting become more readily available for stop motion in the industry. Learning how to take a 2-D computer animation and convert each frame to physical objects in one day versus several was incredible. All of the techniques and skills I learned in that class changed my way of attacking future projects.”
— Neil Andruski ’20
Student Spotlight
Jamir Smith
'22
Animation (BFA)
Animator who has danced for the Philadelphia 76ers
Neil Andruski
'20
Animation (BFA)
Animator who studied abroad in Angoulême, France
Nia Veal
'20
Animation (BFA)
Animator who's exploring animation for TV and game sprites
Faculty Spotlight
Chris McDonnell
Animation (BFA)
Animator, director and author/designer whose work has aired on Comedy Central, HBO, and Netflix
Lowell Boston
BFA '88
Animator, filmmaker and college professor whose work has aired on ABC, ESPN and Fox
Erik Van Horn
Game Art (BFA)
Artist, animator and writer whose clients include Wizards of the Coast and Disney Animation Studios
Alumni Spotlight
Our alumni work on blockbuster special-effects films, animated TV series, commercials, video games and more in a variety of roles, from director to storyboard artist.
Nichola Latzgo
BFA '18
Animation (BFA)
Freelance animator who has worked on project for Netflix, Pitchfork and TEd ED
Drew Applegate
BFA '15
Animation (BFA)
Storyboard artist for Walt Disney Animation Studios
Jacqueline Bauwens
BFA '15
Animation (BFA)
Animator who has worked with companies like Nike and Callaway Golf
Tracey LaGuerre
BFA '14
Animation (BFA)
Animator who has worked for companies like Buzzfeed, DreamWorks and Google
Edmond Hawkins
BFA '05
Animation (BFA)
Comedy writer, director and animator who has worked on projects for HBO and SNL
Jonathan Skabla
BFA '05
Animation (BFA)
Digital compositor who has worked on TV shows such as The Americans and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
Mike Mayfield
BFA '03
Animation (BFA)
Director for the Netflix original series Big Mouth
Mehdi Yssef
BFA '00
Animation (BFA)
Game animator for Sony Computer Entertainment America
Suzanne Twining
BFA '97
Animation (BFA)
Stop-motion animator who worked on Coraline, ParaNorman and The Boxtrolls
Adam Maxwell Burton "Maxwell Atoms"
BFA '96
Animation (BFA)
Creator of the Emmy Award winning series “The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy”
Careers
Animation students put together their initial portfolio reel at the end of the fall semester of their freshman year and then add to that reel throughout their academic career. As a part of the Professional Practices class in the spring of their senior year, Animation students post their final portfolio reels online.
Professional Practices also visits studios in New York City and Philadelphia to give students the opportunity to meet professionals and tour facilities. Guest speakers and alumni visit on a regular basis to give lectures, advice, and mock interviews give students the confidence to enter the workforce after graduation. Also covered are personal branding, social media/website strategies, business card design and resume optimization.
Students will also have the opportunity to intern at a professional studio. Organizations that have hosted interns include Augenblick Studios, Sesame Workshop and Stretch Films Inc.
Companies in and around Philadelphia that have hired BFA in Animation alumni include Alkemy X, Center City Film & Video and unPOP.
As the industry continues to grow, graduates find themselves in a variety of roles. Common career options for Animation majors include:
Animator
Art Director
Assistant Animator
Background Artist
Broadcast Graphics
Character Designer
Clay/Puppet Animation
Compositor
Computer Animator
Director
Editor
Effects Animation
Forensic Animator
Graphics/Title Animation
Inbetweener
Layout Artist
Lights
Model and Set Builder
Modeler
Production Assistant
Rigger
Scientific Animator
Storyboard Artist
Texturer
Center for Immersive Media
UArts’ Center for Immersive Media (CIM) is a 5,600-square-foot facility dedicated to exploring the fields of virtual and mixed reality, performance motion-capture, and human-computer interaction.
The space includes
-
Optical motion capture system for full body performance capture and location-based VR applications;
-
A four-channel audio system, multiple video projectors and lighting, as well as a control station;
-
16-station computing classroom with PCs optimized for real-time graphics rendering; and
-
Two large project rooms with ceiling grids for development of installations and virtual environments.
How to Apply
Admissions Deadline: There is no set deadline for applications. UArts operates on a rolling admissions basis, which means we will receive and process applications throughout the year as space remains available in each program.
The following materials are required for your application.
Collapse all
A completed application for admission
Our admissions team will help you throughout the process. Visit the Admissions section or start your application now.
A nonrefundable $60 application fee
A nonrefundable $60 application fee
Official high school transcripts
- Official transcripts from the high school(s) you have attended are required. For transfer students, transcripts from each college you have attended are required. They must be mailed directly by your school in a sealed envelope to the Office of Admissions, emailed directly from your school, or sent through a secure electronic transcript delivery service. Transcripts sent or emailed by students are not considered official. They should be sent to the Office of Admissions, University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 or via email to undergradcredentials@uarts.edu.
- For transcripts from outside the U.S., refer to the instructions for international undergraduate students.
A personal statement
-
Your individual voice and personal insights play an equally important and valued role in an admissions review. Your personal statement allows you to share your story, express yourself and place a spotlight on your creative journey—past, present or future. It helps us get to know you and your dreams, ideas, challenges, opportunities and/or goals in a way your transcripts and other application materials can’t.
-
Here are some questions to help you shape your personal statement. Interpret them as you wish. There are no right or wrong answers—there’s only your story.
-
When and how did you realize you wanted to be an artist?
-
How will University of the Arts help you achieve your creative and professional goals?
-
How do you want your creativity to affect the future?
-
-
There is no word count requirement, but we recommend you share your story in 250 to 500 words. Upload your personal statement with your application for admission or email it to undergradcredentials@uarts.edu.
Your portfolio
All students applying to visual arts programs—those in the schools of Art, Film and Design—are required to submit 15–20 examples of original artwork. You may choose to include work from a variety of media or select one area of focus you want to highlight. Your portfolio should demonstrate your creativity, showcase your skills, represent the art forms you have studied and highlight your ability to communicate ideas. Get more tips about submitting your portfolio.
International applicants must submit proof of English proficiency.
International applicants must submit proof of English proficiency.
Optional Materials
You can also submit SAT scores, a resume and/or letters of recommendation. None of these materials are required. Learn more about submitting optional materials.
Apply Now
Scholarships & Financial Aid
UArts recognizes the extraordinary talent of our students through a range of merit-based scholarships. All applicants are automatically considered for such scholarships—no special application is necessary.
Nearly 80 percent of UArts’ undergraduate students enrolled on a full-time basis are eligible for some type of need-based aid. Additionally, some scholarship opportunities take need-based criteria into account. All students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and are enrolled in a degree program are encouraged to apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Get Started
Apply to UArts
Begin your application today. Our admissions team will help you throughout the process.
See UArts for yourself
The best way to get to know UArts is by visiting our campus in person. Come see a show, visit a gallery, and get to know the neighborhood.
Not sure where to start?
We're glad you want to learn more. Our admissions team is happy to send additional information about our school.