Centre of Excellence

The Creative Media Institute at New Mexico State University offers the Bachelor of Creative Media, available in either Digital Film Making or Animation and Visual Effects. The curriculum focuses on the art, craft, and business of storytelling. Students choose an area of emphasis, but they study all aspects of digital filmmaking and digital arts, whether they are aspiring writers, animators, directors, editors, or cinematographers. Theory and practice are integrated at every step as students manipulate text, sound, and images using industry-standard technology. CMI houses a state-of-the-art digital projection screening room, post-production lab, animation lab, and production space.

Vermont State University’s Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation & Illustration provides motivated, talented visual artists the training in drawing and visual storytelling to develop a unique “visual voice” that prepares them for a myriad of careers in the animation and illustrator field, including picture book illustration, storyboarding, animation (2D and 3D), editorial illustration, character design, visual game design, rigging, 3D modeling, and illustrating graphic novels. Through hands-on coursework that demands original thought, and use of industry standard software, the program stimulates critical thinking and instills a passion for visual storytelling in animation and illustration.  Students in the Animation & Illustration program come away with a strong, diverse portfolio of relevant workplace experience. During junior and senior years of study, students participate in Animation Illustration Workshop, a series of practicum-based courses in which they provide animation and illustration services for local and regional businesses and develop personal projects. Classroom work is oriented towards authentic application; solutions designed to go into the real world and serve true purpose.