Program Overview

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Introduction to the 3D Animation Program

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) degree program in 3D Animation provides students with comprehensive experience in all aspects of 3D animation production. This includes modeling, lighting, rendering, animation, simulations, and visualizations, rigging, and compositing for visual effects.

Program Overview

The program focuses on the core principles of 3D animation, which are then applied to industry-standard applications. Acknowledging the broad and diverse field of 3D animation, students gain comprehensive knowledge of the 3D animation process and have the ability to customize their education to focus on their personal area of interest.

Admission and Portfolio Requirements

• The 3D Animation major is only available on the Storrs campus.
• Admission requirements include a portfolio review.

Faculty

• Dan Pejril
• Dennis Recchia

Career Paths

• 3D generalist / 3D specialist
• Medical / scientific animation and visualization
• Visual effects technical director / artist
• Entertainment industry
• Product development / designer
• Video games artist
• Advertising / information designer

Course Sequence and Skills Learned

The B.F.A. 3D Animation Plan of Study includes:

• DMD 1001 / 1002 Foundations of Digital Media
• DMD 1101 / 1102 Design 1 & 2
• ART 1030 Drawing 1
• DMD 2300 3D Animation I
• DMD 2310 3D Modeling I
• DMD 2320 3D Lighting & Rendering I
• DMD 3310 3D Modeling, Lighting & Rendering II
• DMD 2200 Motion Graphics I Upper-level 3D Animation electives include:
  • DMD 3300 3D Animation II
  • DMD 3305 History of Computer Graphics
  • DMD 3350 3D Simulations
  • DMD 4310 3D Rigging
  • DMD 4340 Advanced Compositing for Visual Effects
  • DMD 4350 Advanced 3D Research and Production

Facilities

Students have access to state-of-the-art facilities in Bishop Center, including:

• A 688 ft Motion Capture studio
• A speedy render farm
• A high-powered Cintiq computer lab for high-end 3D work

Student Clubs and Extracurricular Activities

Many 3D Animation students are active in:

• Computer Graphics Club
• UCTV (University of Connecticut’s Student-Led Media Organization)

Alumni Success

Some of our 3D Animation alumni have gone on to work at:

• Epic Games
• NBC
• SharkNinja
• Creative studios, non-profits, and startups, large and small. Examples of successful alumni include:
  • Joel Torres (BFA ‘17): 3D Artist at BitFry Studios LLC
  • Noah Bernard (BA ‘20): Cinematic Lighting Artist at Epic Games
  • Shane Deptula (BA ‘19): Junior 3D Artist at MAK Technologies
  • Jared Fischler (BFA ‘17): Scene Assembler at Blur Studio
  • Tyler Shuster: 3D Designer/Animator at Octagon
  • Bridget Smith (BFA ‘19): Animator at NBC Sports Group
  • Carly Wanner Hyder (BFA ‘20): Animator at Greenhouse Studios UConn
  • Kyle Faneuff (BFA ‘19): Junior Motion Graphics Designer at Matter Communications
  • Shawn Chen: Junior CGI Artist at SharkNinja
  • Robin Simon (BA ‘17): Associate Content Producer at Twitter

Student Work

Examples of student work include:

• Cartoon Physics by Lauren Platt
• Cartoon Physics by Miles Waterbury
• Infinite by Bernardi Noah
• Sign by Shay Albert
• 3D Animation I Final Project by Alisia Gruendel
• 3D Simulation by Morgan Rossi

The Major

• Degrees
• Concentrations
• Courses
• Faculty
• Campuses
• Internships

Student Experience

• Facilities
• Graduate Students
• Visiting Artists & Student Exhibitions
• The DMD Family

Apply

• First Year
• Transfer
• Current UConn Students
• Graduate