Animation

In our Bachelor of Fine Arts programs in Animation or Film + Animation, you'll be pushed beyond your comfort zone by participating in projects where you will collaborate with musicians, dancers, actors and other artists.

Whether you create a narrative, documentary or experimental film, or a traditional, stop-motion or computer-generated animation, you will work in a dynamic medium to tell the stories you feel passionate about and to express your unique, personal vision.

Working closely with award-winning professional filmmakers and animators, and in collaboration with your peers, Animation classes are a mixture of hands-on instruction, lectures, screenings and critiques. You can also take advantage of internship and study abroad opportunities, and you'll graduate with the skills to confidently pursue a creative career.

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Alumni & Careers

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Nichola Latzgo

'18

Animation

Hometown: Philadelphia

Tyler Davis

'18

Animation

Hometown: Rising Sun, Maryland

Matt Renzulli

'18

Animation

Hometown: York, PA

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Chris McDonnell

Animation

Animation for Brody Stevens: Enjoy It!, Kroll Show, Comedy Bang Bang!, Eagleheart, Portlandia, Yo Gabba Gabba, Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job!

Elliot Cowan

Animation

Animation, storyboarding, writing and story consultation for Sesame Workshop, Elizabeth Arden, PBS

Lowell Boston

BFA '88

Personal and professional work has been shown nationally on ABC, Fox and ESPN.

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Sample Courses in the Animation Major

First Year
Drawing: Objects & Space
Drawing: Natural Forms & the Human Figure
Image/Time
Color
Object/Environment
Video Production

Second Year
Sophomore Animation Piece
Drawn Character Animation
Puppet/Stop Motion Animation
Introduction to Computer Animation
Drawing for Animators
Screenwriting
Experimental Animation

Third Year
Junior Animation Piece
Client Animation Project
3D I: Introduction
Storyboarding
Sound Design
2D Computer Character Animation
Special Effects Compositing

Fourth Year
Animation Thesis
Animation Professional Practices
Internship

About the Curriculum

The Animation program supports traditional hand-drawn, 3D computer, stop motion and any animation techniques that can be imagined or explored.

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 things to life that have never existed before. Our alums work on blockbuster special effects films, animated television series, commercials, and video games in a variety of roles - from director to storyboard artist. As an undergraduate you’ll get to make both a junior animated film and a senior animated thesis. The skills learned as an Animation major will allow you to adapt and create quality content as ideas become even more valuable than the techniques needed to present them.

Students completing the Animation program will:

Develop the ability to articulate and realize 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; utilizing motion and time understanding with drawn, stop motion, and computer generated creative practices.
Demonstrate critical and analytical thought couched within a historical context; and be able to communicate this using written, visual, oral, web or hybrid means.
Learn to collaborate with artists, peers, and professionals; effectively managing time, planning, and work relationships.

To earn the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Animation, students will complete a total of 126 credits as follows: