Visual Arts, Animation Concentration, B.A.

Animation calls upon the theories and artistic practices of animation, cinema, motion graphics, games and technology. Students in this concentration study animation and interactive media through a combination of traditional media and digital tools. In-class critiques of personal work and investigation of the history of animation and interactive art are emphasized for the development of a framework from which students can begin their path as animators and interactive artists. Advanced level courses in animation incorporate technically intensive experiences in 3-D computer animation and digital compositing, as well as explorations of emerging practices including real-time applications and interactive animation.

Throughout the Animation program of study, students are encouraged and expected to develop their own artistic voice through exploration of the media and critical review of their work. Students completing the concentration have the opportunity to produce a fully developed work at the culmination of the program, either individually or as part of a team.

Foundation Program

The Foundation Program provides a unified and dynamic experience designed to build a durable framework for all areas of study in Visual Arts. This program is founded upon intensive lecture, studio, and lab investigation of techniques, methods, and concepts.

The curriculum broadens and expands a student’s formal creative design vocabulary, while introducing new ways of thinking about images, time, space, and audience. This program encourages students to think analytically and to use their imagination to develop an awareness of the role of artists in our culture.

Students with a major in Visual Arts and a studio concentration (Animation, Cinematic Arts, Graphic Design, Photography, Print Media) are required to take the following courses:

Visual Arts Core (24 credits)

Plus ONE of the following:

ART 318 - Visual Culture of City and Cinema in South Asia (3.00)
ART 319 - Space and Place in Public Art and Urbanism (3.00)
ART 321 - From the Enlightenment to the Birth of Modernism (1750-1880) (3.00)
ART 323 - Modernism (1880-1960) (3.00)
ART 328 - Postmodernism (1960 - present) (3.00)
ART 329 - Topics in Art History and Visual Culture (3.00) May be taken twice as long as topics vary
ART 349 - Black, Queer, and Feminist Film (3.00) May be taken twice as long as topics vary
ART 424 - Topics in Contemporary Art (3.00)
ART 425 - Writing By and For Artists, Curators & Critics Critics (3.00)
ART 427 - Museum Practice (3.00)
ART 428 - History & Theory of the Art Museum (3.00)
ART 429 - Seminar in Art History & Visual Culture (3.00)

Animation Courses

Animation Courses (24 Credits)

ART 341 - Introduction to Animation (3.00)
ART 343 - History of Animation (3.00)
ART 384 - Introduction to 3D Animation (3.00)
ART 387 - Animation in the Physical World (3.00)
ART 447 - Motion Graphics and Compositing (3.00)
ART 486 - Real Time Animation (3.00)
ART 489 - Senior Projects (3.00)

Select from one of the following

Select from one of the following (3 Credits)

ART 347 - Writing for Media Arts (3.00)
ART 383 - Sound Design (3.00)

Animation Electives

Select one from the following (3 Credits)

ART 314 - Drawing II (3.00)
ART 380 - History and Theory of Games (3.00)
ART 389 - Topics in Animation and Interactive Media (3.00)
ART 484 - Advanced 3D Animation (3.00)
ART 485 - Team-based Game Development (3.00)
ART 487 - Pre-production for Animation Senior Projects (3.00)
ART 488 - Advanced Topics in Animation (3.00)
(3 credits in addition to required/non-elective 488)
ART 494 - Internship (1.00 - 6.00)
or ART 496 - Imaging Research Center Internship
(3 credits)
ART 495 - Independent Studio Research (1.00 - 6.00)
(3 credits)