Center of Excellence

The Minneapolis College of Art and Design offers a range of degree programs for students that utilize a variety of teaching techniques and programs to give students the experience and knowledge they need to succeed in their passions post-graduation. MCAD offers industry standard equipment, Animation, Film and Lighting studios and educational opportunities to give learners the opportunity to experiment with and develop their artistic processes while working alongside professionals in the industry and faculty equipped with a variety of tools and support to provide a well-rounded education. Animation students at MCAD gain experience in a wide range of roles, including storyboarding, character development, background animation and more. Our courses prepare creators to develop their skills and articulate their ideas in new ways and strive to keep students informed, interested and knowledgeable about an exciting and expanding field.

The Animation Department at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design places a strong emphasis on developing creative, visual storytelling skills in our students, whether expressed through hand- drawn animation, computer animation, experimental and stop-motion animation, or a combination of these. Our curriculum is designed to balance the aesthetic and technical aspects of visual communication with the realities of the professional production environment. Graduates of RMCAD’s Animation Department are ready to become independent artists, animators, and producers, and are well prepared to imagine and create the complex and ever-changing future of animation.

At Rochester Institute of Technology’s (RIT) School of Film and Animation, there are no limitations to bringing your creative vision to life on the big screen. Nowhere else will you find a professional film school within a university of technology. Our student filmmakers begin making films on day one. At RIT, you’ll learn and work with award-winning faculty working in the industry, with access to a production studio that rivals those found in Hollywood and New York City. Whether you want to pursue live-action production, 2D, 3D, or stop-motion animation, we have it all here. RIT offers both a BFA and an MFA in Film and Animation. If you love filmmaking and want to combine it with your interests in science and engineering, then our one-of-a-kind Bachelor of Science degree in Motion Picture Science, a STEM certified program, may be the perfect fit. Our graduates go on to work at top entertainment and technical powerhouses such as Disney, DreamWorks, Dolby, and Technicolor. RIT’s close-knit filmmaking community extends well beyond the students’ time here as our graduates collaborate together in industry around the world.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) is an independent public college that prepares artists, designers, and educators to shape communities, economies, and cultures for the common good. The Animation Department, with a curriculum as diverse as its students, encourages a visionary and pragmatic approach that prepares students for a variety of careers as animators, designers, and artists. Students are encouraged to learn production efficiency and gain hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and software such as ToonBoom Harmony, Storyboard Pro, the Adobe Suite, Dragonframe, and various motion control systems including a Dragonframe VOLO while developing their point-of-view as artists in a learning environment that fosters risk-taking and growth through inventive, experimental work across media.

Utah Valley University has been designated an Engaged-Learning Institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. This means that as a teaching university, UVU’s hands-on pedagogical philosophy combines career and technical education alongside traditional academic degree programs in an effort to assist students to reach their greatest potential as scholars and as practical, contributing members of a global community. The Animation and Game Development program at UVU is housed in the Department of Digital Media, in the College of Engineering and Technology. Two tracks are available, allowing students to choose a field of study in 3D Animation and Games, or in 2D Animation. A Bachelor of Science degree, as well as certifications are offered within these disciplines. The curriculum in this degree program has been designed to give students a comprehensive learning experience, based on contemporary studio practices and procedures.

Entertainment Arts at CCS prepares students to join the next generation of storytellers by observing and absorbing the real world as thinkers and creators, identifying technical elements to propel story, design, and innovation. Students can choose from the animation, concept design, or game design paths and customize the curriculum to suit their individual talents and goals. They learn from Hollywood insiders, using the latest software and equipment, including editing suites, a gaming lab, and full virtual reality capability with Vive goggles and sensors. The facilities, paired with acclaimed faculty, prepare students for a career in whichever path they have chosen. All of the Entertainment Arts emphases are currently STEM-designated programs, and International students completing this program qualify to apply for the STEM OPT (optional practical training) Extension.

Ball State’s bachelor’s degree in visual arts/animation provides a comprehensive digital animation experience that explores 3-D animation, stop-motion, and traditional 2-D animation. Our nationally ranked program will prepare you for careers in industries such as film, television, video games, medical animation, architectural rendering, advertising, and product visualization. You’ll learn up-to-date animation techniques and how to use industry-standard animation software. The animation curriculum leads students through a classic arts foundation and then into a strong technical foundation guided by industry demands. You’ll study character design, storyboarding, traditional animation, and a wide range of other topics. In our 3-D classes, you’ll get into modeling, texturing, lighting, character animation, and visual effects. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to participate in hands-on, collaborative projects with students and faculty in other courses of study. In every animation course, you will gain valuable experience with leading animation industry software. Toon Boom, Toon Boom Harmony, Maya, Photoshop, and Adobe Illustrator are just a few of the programs you’ll learn before heading into the real world. You’ll also prepare for your first job by learning professional skills, such as using fine art and design principles in creative problem-solving, learning and apply professional terminology, creating a demo reel or portfolio, and learning how to market yourself in relation to today’s jobs.

An animator is both a storyteller and an artist. Exercise your skills making images move, not just on the screen, but in the hearts and minds of your audience. Webster’s animation programs give you a strong foundation in the techniques of hand-drawn and computer animation, the technology that powers today’s cutting-edge animated content, and the theoretical knowledge that will grow your artistic perspective. Our students synthesize theory and practice to create vibrant animated content with a global viewpoint. You will gain insight and mentorship from our practitioner faculty. The BA in Animation prepares you for a career in independent and commercial animation. You will develop a broad range of expertise in animation arts including 2D and 3D character animation, game art, comics, concept art, and character design.