The Animation/Illustration Major is an interdisciplinary program balancing traditional forms of creative storytelling with state-of-the-art technology. This approach prepares students for challenging careers in areas such as 2-D and 3-D animation, advertising, book and editorial illustration, and comic and children’s book art. The program is based in the Department of Art and Design. For further information, go to: Animation/Illustration (BFA)
Program Requirements Overview
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
A. New Student Seminar | ||
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course. | 1 | |
C. Communication | ||
1. Writing | 3 | |
2. Literature | 3 | |
3. Communication | 3 | |
F. Humanities | ||
1. Great Works and Their Influences | ||
Fulfilled in the major. | ||
Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture | ||
or VIST 106 | Modern Visions 1400-1945 | |
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 | |
G. Computer Science | ||
Digital Painting Methods (Fulfilled in the major.) | ||
K. Social Science | ||
1. American and European History | 3 | |
Total Credits | 16 |
Major Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Core | ||
ARFD 101 | Surface | 3 |
or PRDN 100 | Design Visualization I - Concept Sketching | |
ARFD 103 | Color and Light | 3 |
VIST 102 | Visual Culture | 3 |
VIST 105 | Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture | 3 |
or VIST 106 | Modern Visions 1400-1945 | |
VIST 109 | Special Topics in Global Art Cultures | 3 |
Core Elective | ||
Complete one course from the following: | 3 | |
Perceptual Drawing | ||
or ARFD 102 | Drawing as Research | |
or ARFD 104 | Space | |
or PRDN 102 | Anatomical Drawing for Product Designers | |
Major Requirements | ||
ARIL 101 | Introduction to Illustration | 3 |
ARIL 200 | Digital Painting Methods | 3 |
ARIL 202 | 3D Character Building | 3 |
ARIL 225 | Art of the Visual Narrative | 3 |
ARIL 261 | Character Design for Illustrators | 3 |
ARIL 262 | Illustration and Motion | 3 |
ARIL 310 | Motion Graphics-Compositing I | 3 |
ARIL 422 | Final Project I | 4 |
ARIL 423 | Animation/Illustration Thesis II | 4 |
VIST 282 | History of Animation and Illustration | 3 |
Track | ||
Complete the Animation Track or the Illustration Track. See requirements below. | 39 | |
Total Credits | 89 |
Animation Track
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
ARIL 301 | Industry Preparation | 3 |
ARIL 302 | Intermediate 3D Modeling | 3 |
ARIL 321 | 3D Character Rigging | 3 |
ARIL 325 | Interactive Game Development I | 3 |
ARIL 330 | Visual Effects/Compositing II | 3 |
ARIL 360 | VFX, Lighting, and Rendering | 3 |
ARIL 362 | Intermediate 2D Animation | 3 |
ARIL 421 | Advanced 3-D Computer Illustration and Animation Arts | 3 |
ARIL 425 | Animation: Game Development II | 3 |
ARIL 455 | Animation: Collaborative Production | 3 |
Electives | ||
Complete three courses from the following: | 9 | |
Intermediate Digital Painting Methods | ||
Products and Zines | ||
Type and Image | ||
Animated Illustration | ||
Concept Design for Gaming | ||
Professional Business Practice for Illustration | ||
Animated Development and Pitch Bible | ||
Cooperative Education Experience I | ||
Introduction to Innovation and 3D Printing | ||
Preparing to Pitch and Launch Your Startup | ||
Total Credits | 39 |
Illustration Track
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Courses | ||
ARIL 300 | Intermediate Digital Painting Methods | 3 |
ARIL 311 | Illustration Studio II: Cartooning | 3 |
ARIL 312 | Products and Zines | 3 |
ARIL 315 | Illustration Studio: Concepts | 3 |
ARIL 323 | Type and Image | 3 |
ARIL 335 | Animated Illustration | 3 |
ARIL 349 | Concept Design for Gaming | 3 |
ARIL 350 | Professional Business Practice for Illustration | 3 |
ARIL 401 | Illustration Studio III: Editorial | 3 |
ARIL 430 | Advanced Illustration | 3 |
Electives | ||
Complete three courses from the following: | 9 | |
Industry Preparation | ||
Intermediate 3D Modeling | ||
3D Character Rigging | ||
Interactive Game Development I | ||
Visual Effects/Compositing II | ||
Animated Development and Pitch Bible | ||
VFX, Lighting, and Rendering | ||
Intermediate 2D Animation | ||
Introduction to Innovation and 3D Printing | ||
Preparing to Pitch and Launch Your Startup | ||
Total Credits | 39 |
General Education Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill General Education categories.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
A. New Student Seminar | ||
Complete a 1 credit New Student Seminar course. | 1 | |
C. Communication | ||
1. Writing | 3 | |
2. Literature | 3 | |
3. Communication | 3 | |
F. Humanities | ||
1. Great Works and Their Influences | ||
Fulfilled in the major. | ||
Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture | ||
or VIST 106 | Modern Visions 1400-1945 | |
2. Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 | |
G. Computer Science | ||
Digital Painting Methods (Fulfilled in the major.) | ||
K. Social Science | ||
1. American and European History | 3 | |
Total Credits | 16 |
World Languages and Cultures Requirements
Click here for a list of courses that fulfill the World Languages and Cultures categories
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
World Languages | ||
Based on placement exam complete one or two sequential courses in one language. | 3-6 | |
World Cultures | ||
Special Topics in Global Art Cultures (Fulfilled in the major.) | ||
Total Credits | 3-6 |
Recommended Roadmap to Degree Completion
This recommended four-year plan is provided as an outline for students to follow in order to complete their degree requirements within four years. This plan is a recommendation and students should only use it in consultation with their academic advisor.
Animation Track
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar | 1 | |
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing | 3 | |
World Language I | 3 | |
ARFD 101 | Surface | 3 |
ARFD 103 | Color and Light | 3 |
VIST 102 | Visual Culture | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature | 3 | |
World Language II | 3 | |
ARIL 101 | Introduction to Illustration | 3 |
VIST 105 or VIST 106 |
Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture or Modern Visions 1400-1945 |
3 |
ARFD Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication | 3 | |
ARIL 200 | Digital Painting Methods | 3 |
ARIL 261 | Character Design for Illustrators | 3 |
VIST 282 | History of Animation and Illustration | 3 |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K1) Social Science – American and European History | 3 | |
ARIL 202 | 3D Character Building | 3 |
ARIL 225 | Art of the Visual Narrative | 3 |
ARIL 262 | Illustration and Motion | 3 |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 | |
ARIL 300 | Intermediate Digital Painting Methods | 3 |
ARIL 310 | Motion Graphics-Compositing I | 3 |
ARIL 315 | Illustration Studio: Concepts | 3 |
ARIL 323 | Type and Image | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ARIL 311 | Illustration Studio II: Cartooning | 3 |
ARIL 335 | Animated Illustration | 3 |
ARIL 349 | Concept Design for Gaming | 3 |
ARIL 350 | Professional Business Practice for Illustration | 3 |
VIST 109 | Special Topics in Global Art Cultures | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall | ||
ARIL 312 | Products and Zines | 3 |
ARIL 401 | Illustration Studio III: Editorial | 3 |
ARIL 422 | Final Project I | 4 |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
ARIL 423 | Animation/Illustration Thesis II | 4 |
ARIL 430 | Advanced Illustration | 3 |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 13 | |
Total Credits | 120 |
Illustration Track
First Year | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
GENERAL EDUCATION: (A) New Student Seminar | 1 | |
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C1) Writing | 3 | |
World Language I | 3 | |
ARFD 101 | Surface | 3 |
ARFD 103 | Color and Light | 3 |
VIST 102 | Visual Culture | 3 |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C2) Literature | 3 | |
World Language II | 3 | |
ARIL 101 | Introduction to Illustration | 3 |
VIST 105 or VIST 106 |
Global Foundations in Art and Visual Culture or Modern Visions 1400-1945 |
3 |
ARFD Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Second Year | ||
Fall | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (C3) Communication | 3 | |
ARIL 200 | Digital Painting Methods | 3 |
ARIL 261 | Character Design for Illustrators | 3 |
VIST 282 | History of Animation and Illustration | 3 |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (K1) Social Science – American and European History | 3 | |
ARIL 202 | 3D Character Building | 3 |
ARIL 225 | Art of the Visual Narrative | 3 |
ARIL 262 | Illustration and Motion | 3 |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Third Year | ||
Fall | ||
GENERAL EDUCATION: (F2) Humanities – Philosophical and Religious Perspectives | 3 | |
ARIL 300 | Intermediate Digital Painting Methods | 3 |
ARIL 310 | Motion Graphics-Compositing I | 3 |
ARIL 315 | Illustration Studio: Concepts | 3 |
ARIL 323 | Type and Image | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
ARIL 311 | Illustration Studio II: Cartooning | 3 |
ARIL 335 | Animated Illustration | 3 |
ARIL 349 | Concept Design for Gaming | 3 |
ARIL 350 | Professional Business Practice for Illustration | 3 |
VIST 109 | Special Topics in Global Art Cultures | 3 |
Credits | 15 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Fall | ||
ARIL 312 | Products and Zines | 3 |
ARIL 401 | Illustration Studio III: Editorial | 3 |
ARIL 422 | Final Project I | 4 |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Free Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 16 | |
Spring | ||
ARIL 423 | Animation/Illustration Thesis II | 4 |
ARIL 430 | Advanced Illustration | 3 |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Major Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 13 | |
Total Credits | 120 |