Program Overview

Animation (MA)

The MA in Animation provides a combination of artistic and technical training that prepares students for a future in traditional and 3D animation, computer game art, pre-production, motion graphics, and visual effects.

Concentrations

• 3D Animation: The 3D Animation Concentration is for students interested in 3D animated film making. Students will learn all the 3D tools necessary to realize their cinematic vision, including the most current approaches to 3D animation, modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, visual effects, compositing, and rendering.
• Motion Graphics: Motion Graphics, sometimes known as Motion Design, involves putting graphic forms, text, and photographic elements into motion using the principles of animation. These are almost always paired with sound and music for a specific purpose, such as in advertisements, educational and industrial videos, films and television titles, visual effects, and video games.
• Storyboarding and Character Design: Storyboard artists are in demand in the television and feature film animation industries. A storyboard artist can also find work storyboarding live action films, visual effects, and commercials. The skills of the storyboard artist can also be applied to graphic novels and comics. Character design is a much sought-after role in animation, game art, live action film, comics, and children's literature.
• Technical Artist: The Technical Artist Concentration prepares students for a range of technical roles, from the complex jobs of riggers, next generation modelers and motion capture artists to the hybrid specialization of the Technical Artist.
• Traditional Animation: The Traditional Animator Concentration is for students who are interested in deepening their knowledge of traditional animation, including hand-drawn, stop motion, and hybrid methods, with an eye towards a production career in animation.

Program Requirements

Degree Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 52 graduate credit hours in the designated program.
• Complete all graduate courses and requirements listed in the designated degree program.
• Earn a grade of C- or better in all graduate courses of the designated degree program.
• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.

Concentration Requirements

Students are required to choose one of the following concentrations:

• 3D Animation Concentration, Animation (MA)
• Motion Graphics Concentration, Animation (MA)
• Storyboarding and Character Design Concentration, Animation (MA)
• Technical Artist Concentration, Animation (MA)
• Traditional Animation Concentration, Animation (MA)

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Examine the historical foundations of animation, and analyze the relationships between animation and other arts.
• Utilize critical and historical analysis to inform their specific area of study.
• Apply essential concepts and utilize tools necessary for 3D production including modeling, lighting, texturing and rendering.
• Demonstrate a high level of competence in 2D or 3D animation technique.
• Implement the use of storyboarding, animatics, and essential pre-production techniques to develop a film concept.
• Produce animated films both collaboratively and as solo ventures.

Combined Bachelor's + Master's Degree

The combined Bachelor's + Master's degree programs allow students to complete 12 graduate credit hours while still undergraduates. These 12 graduate credit hours will count toward both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Animation (MA) combined degree program is open to all undergraduate majors across the university. For information on admission criteria and combined degree program structure, see the CDM Graduate Academics Page.