Animation

Animation students work in both traditional cel animation and computer animation. Additionally there is opportunity to concentrate in either the 2D or 3D form. 2D students take a sequence of drawing for animation classes while 3D students must first learn how to model and rig their elements. There is also opportunity to explore stop motion puppet animation and various forms of pixelation.

The 2D Concentration begins with character design and progresses through dynamics to a sequences class where student function as a pseudo-animation studio, conceptualizing a project and working as a group on every scene to be produced.

The 3D Concentration teaches students all aspects of computer animation. Modeling in Polygons, NURBs and Subdivision surfaces is taught with an emphasis placed on the need to strike a balance between heavy detail and economy of animation. Other areas covered include, character rigging, set construction, dynamics, character animation compositting and editing.

The Stop Motion concentration takes student through all aspects involved in creating stop motion films. Students are taught animating technique, wire armature construction and set construction.

Students are expected to produce three major finished films during their course of study: a one-quarter film during their sophomore year, a two-quarter film during the junior year, and a senior thesis.