Art Degrees Online

Accreditation Information :
Pre Requisite Courses :
Qualifying Exams :

Tution Fees :
Financial Aid / Scholarship Offered :
Courses :

DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS
Code
Credit
Course Name
Semester 1
ANM110
5
Life Drawing I
ANM115
3
Intro. to Animation Fund.
ANM125
3
Experimental Animation
ANM130
3
Animation History
ANM140
4
Intro. to Digital Media
ENG100G
3
Literature: Short Exposition

Semester 2
ANM200
4
Animation I
ANM210
4
Life Drawing II
ANM220
4
Computer Animation I
ANM230
4

Character & Background
Design
ANM240
3
Film Theory
ELEC1030
3
Choose an Elective

Semester 3
ANM300
4
Animation II
ANM310
4
Life Drawing III
ANM320
4
Computer Animation II
ANM330
4
Layout
ANM340
3
Concept Development
ELEC1030
3
Choose an Elective
Code
Credit
Course Name
Semester 4
ANM400
5
Animation III
ANM410
3
Life Drawing IV
ANM420
5
Computer Animation III
ANM435
3
Modelling I
ANM445
3
Lighting & Rendering I
ELEC1030
3
Choose an Elective

Semester 5
ANM500
5
Animation IV
ANM510
3
Life Drawing V
ANM520
5
Computer Animation IV
ANM535
3
Modelling II
ANM545
3
Lighting & Rendering II
ELEC1030
3
Choose an Elective

Semester 6
ANM600
5
Animation V
ANM610
3
Life Drawing VI
ANM620
5
Computer Animation V
ANM635
3
Modelling III
ANM645
3
Lighting & Rendering III
ELEC1030
3
Choose an Elective

Program Total Credits: 123

The Animation program in the Media Arts Department prepares students to work in computer, traditional, stopmotion, and experimental animation. The basic principles of animation can be applied to all forms of image and object manipulation. The program gives its graduates a strong understanding of timing and motion, and a grounding in the wide variety of techniques available to the animator. Animation majors get a solid background in life drawing and traditional modes of animation, as well as 2D and 3D computer animation. Animation majors choose the area(s) on which to focus as they construct their junior and senior thesis films.
Foundation Year Credits: 33

Foundation students are eligible to select any College of Art and Design major program regardless of the Foundation sequence they attend.
FOUNDATION
Fall Credits: 16.5

Students entering the Foundation program through midyear admission (spring semester) will enroll in these courses for the spring semester, and then take their second Foundation semester during the Summer Foundation semester, May/June.
Elective Credits: 1.5 cr, 3 hrs
FNDP 111 – Drawing Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
FNDP 151 – Two-Dimensional Design Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
FNDP 161 – Three-Dimensional Design/Time Motion Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
LAAH 111 – Art History Survey I Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 101 – First-Year Writing I Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
Spring Credits: 16.5
Elective Credits: 1.5 cr

Select three courses from the following four:
FNDP 112 – Drawing Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
FNDP 152 – Two-Dimensional Design Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
FNDP 162 – Three-Dimensional Design Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
FNDP 171 – Time and Motion Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs

LAAH 112 – Art History Survey II Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 102 – First-Year Writing II Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
Sophomore Year Credits: 30
Fall Credits: 15
WRIT 251 and WRIT 252 Narrative Cinema I and II are required of all Animation majors. WRIT 252 Narrative Cinema II can be counted as a studio elective, or liberal arts course.
MAAN 201 – Introduction to Animation I Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
MAFL 201 – Introduction to Film I Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
WRIT 251 – Narrative Cinema I Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
Select one course from the following two:
ILUS 285 – Drawing for Animators Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
MAAN 231 – Introduction to Computer Animation Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
Select one course from the following two:
LACR 210 – Texts & Contexts: Perspectives on the Humanities Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 22X – Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (SIFT) Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
Spring Credits: 15
WRIT 251 and WRIT 252 Narrative Cinema I and II are required of all Animation majors. WRIT 252 Narrative Cinema II can be counted as a studio elective, or liberal arts course.
MAAN 202 – Introduction to Animation II Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
MAFL 202 – Introduction to Film/Digital Video Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
WRIT 252 – Narrative Cinema II Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
Select one course from the following two:
ILUS 285 – Drawing for Animators Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
MAAN 231 – Introduction to Computer Animation Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
Select one course from the following two:
LACR 210 – Texts & Contexts: Perspectives on the Humanities Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 22X – Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (SIFT) Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
Junior Year Credits: 30
Fall Credits: 15
Liberal Arts Credits: 6 cr
MAAN 301 – Junior Animation Workshop I Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
MAAN 325 – Storyboarding Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
Select one course from the following two:
MAAN 232 – 2-D Computer Animation Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
MAAN 331 – 3-D Computer Animation Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
Spring Credits: 15
Electives Credits: 3 cr
Liberal Arts Credits: 3 cr
MAAN 302 – Junior Animation Workshop II Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
MAAN 341 – Moving Art: Animation Theory and Production Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
Select one course from the following two:
MAAN 232 – 2-D Computer Animation Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
MAAN 331 – 3-D Computer Animation Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
Senior Year Credits: 30
Fall Credits: 15
Electives Credits: 6 cr
Liberal Arts Credits: 6 cr
MAAN 401 – Senior Animation Workshop I Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
Spring Credits: 15
Electives Credits: 3 cr
Liberal Arts Credits: 6 cr
MAAN 402 – Senior Animation Workshop II Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
MAFL 320 – Film Forum: Selected Topics Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
Liberal Arts Distribution

Note all Liberal Arts courses are 3 credits.
Liberal Arts Electives Credits: 15 cr
WRIT 251 – Narrative Cinema I Credits: 3 cr, 6 hrs
LAAH 111 – Art History Survey I Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LAAH 112 – Art History Survey II Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 101 – First-Year Writing I Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 102 – First-Year Writing II Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 210 – Texts & Contexts: Perspectives on the Humanities Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LACR 22X – Scientific Inquiry Foundation Track (SIFT) Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LAPI 8XX – Liberal Arts Period Interpretation – Pre-20th Century Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs
LAPI 9XX – Liberal Arts Period Interpretation – 20th Century Credits: 3 cr, 3 hrs

Fine art principles and practices are the essential forces guiding the mission of the Program in Experimental Animation—a course of study designed for independent and adventurous artists who are interested in personal expression and who regard animation as a highly dynamic, ever-evolving art form. This program offers a framework in which students explore, develop and refine intellectually demanding, aesthetically progressive concepts and professional practices in their personal cinematic artmaking.

The curriculum begins by building a foundation understanding of a variety of animation techniques and concepts. Courses in 2-D drawn and direct animation, stop-motion, and 2-D and 3-D computer animation blend practical knowledge with creative stimulation, while animation history courses provide a detailed examination of all forms of animation art—with a special emphasis on the history of experimental forms. Once foundation studies are completed, students work closely with their mentors and other members of the program’s accomplished faculty as they experiment with and extend their own unique artistic visions. At the advanced levels of the curriculum, students chart a more individualized course of study in consultation with their mentors, who help to custom-tailor coursework according to each student’s particular interests.

The Program in Experimental Animation enjoys a long-standing international reputation for excellence in innovative animation production. Its faculty, students and alumni have consistently won top awards at film festivals in the United States, Europe and Asia, and are widely credited with helping to define the art of animation as we know it today.

MICA attracts some of the most talented, passionate and serious individuals in the world as faculty and students. The College is a universe of artists, designers, and scholars who celebrate the creative process, the majesty of the arts, and the mind-expanding pursuit of knowledge. To maintain this community of artists, admission to Maryland Institute College of Art is highly competitive. In selecting from among the many outstanding applications we receive for a limited number of spaces, MICA’s Admission Committee considers a comprehensive set of factors. Central to our evaluations are the artistic and academic qualifications of our candidates, but we also consider extracurricular activities and achievements, art experience beyond classroom instruction, and personal qualities.

Follow the links in the menu above for more information on visiting the campus or meeting a MICA representative off campus, undergraduate admission procedures and deadlines, preparing your portfolio, tution and fees, and financial aid and scholarships.

MICA approaches experimental animation as an art form, empowering you to create eloquent and original contemporary work through an understanding not only of the technology for production, but also of the historical sources and contemporary social and artistic context for your work. You’ll begin with the foundation for all compelling animation the essence of character creation and the narrative. You’ll sample both digital and traditional 2D and 3D tools and processes, and then select from a range of upper-division courses that allow you to dive in depth into the approaches that best suit your creative vision. You will be encouraged to pursue original research, experimentation, and production using state-of-the-art processes and industry-standard computer hardware and software systems, and to explore multiple distribution opportunities for your work.

The essence of animation is to give life to images and objects. These moving images then “live” to communicate a culture’s stories or to convey the fundamental rhythms and patterns of being. Animation draws from rich global and historical sources—from the masks and trappings of prehistoric ritual to the kinetic mechanisms and illustrations of the 19th century to the narrative formulas and pictorial techniques of 20th century filmmaking. Animation’s sources retain their vitality even as the field expands to integrate new forms and concepts, and adapts to new cultural conditions.

The interest in animation is greater than ever. A recent Museum of Modern Art exhibition of Pixar cartoon animation drew huge crowds to the museum in New York. Groundbreaking work in animation is in demand for a wide array of uses—computer games, entertainment, courtroom reconstructions, documentation of scientific advances. Computer technologies also enable artists to animate entirely new forms of “synthetic” space, “artificial” life forms, virtual realities, “smart” environments, and lifelike animatronics. These new processes and forms promise to take artists into an unknown and exciting future.

Animation has been energized and transformed by computerized systems that let individual artists create moving images, dynamic objects, and global artworks that once could have been produced only through the efforts of large teams with significant resources. At the same time, the meticulous processes of hand-drawn animation, claymation, and other non-digital forms of animation are experiencing a renaissance around the world. At MICA, you can explore both directions and find your own voice as an artist.
From Character to Narrative

MICA’s animation program builds on the traditional and digital skills you gained in foundation to focus on creating characters that your audience will care about. You’ll learn to use digital tools to animate your character in both 3D and 2D, and in the junior year you’ll focus on using your traditional and computer-based techniques to create a story. Your senior year is spent turning your work into professional-quality finished product in post production.
Hands-on Workshops

One-credit technical workshops in animation let you explore a variety of techniques— from acting to stop motion to creating bones and rigging—that will improve the effectiveness of your characters and animations.
Cutting Edge Experience

Research-focused classes at MICA let animation explore new technologies and work at the cutting edge of the field. Recent classes have partnered the animation department with Big Huge Games and the technology firm Direct Dimensions, where students explored the latest technology in 3D scanning. Internships have put student in a range of industries—a recent sampling: Seoul Movie Company, Ltd, Korea; Sesame Street, New York; Firaxis Games, Baltimore; Smithsonian Institutions, National Museum of the American Indian; Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital Microsurgery Advanced Design Lab, Baltimore; Big Huge Games, Baltimore; Eyemaginations, Baltimore; MTV Networks, New York.
Facilities

Animation majors at MICA have access to a full array of tools for digital and traditional animation. Three animation labs in Brown Center, where the department is based, feature powerful PC hardware and state-of-the-art software for 3D animation, as well as projection and sound equipment for critiques of student work. In addition, students have access to outstanding equipment for sound and video recording and editing.

Key features
The countries only purely Stop Motion Animation course

Strong industry ties at every stage of the animation process

At the front of the development of new technologies for the Stop Motion industry

What our students say

“Just to keep you informed as of the start of April i will be a full time paid member of the Cosgrove Hall costume dept……..got told today i was being offered a 3 month contract! i know its mad, working on Fifi and the Flower Tots.”

Lucy sturley Graduated 2005 Currently employed at Cosgrove Hall Manchester

What it’s about

The course aims to develop you as a creative Stop Motion animator or articulated puppet maker. This animation route offers the opportunity for you to specialise in modelling, animation and composite based applications in the creation of stop motion character film-making.

What you do

We offer a series of specialist lectures, demonstrations and seminars, introducing students to professional stop-frame animation, puppetry, camera, lighting and editing. Built on core animation principles you will develop a series of pilots and shorts for television.

Level 1 provides a structure for learning the major principles of animation. You will explore a range of techniques developing how to create puppets, armatures and sets for physical animation. Core visual skills such as sculpture, life drawing and materials development are integral to your practice and development.

Level 2 involves the development of Stop Motion Characters in greater depth. This includes advanced replacement puppet parts to enhance audio dialogue and body gesture, introduction to professional level blue screen composite and effects for live action integration and advanced lighting and camera work for greater shot composition. There are also options to study CGI or experimental animation as well as fine metal fabrication.

In Level 3 you will be expected to produce a series of short films which display excellent performance based animation. Personal tutorials support you through a negotiated programme of study, culminating in the exhibition of your work in the graduate presentation. Emphasis is placed on professional practice in preparation for graduation and greater employment prospects through Stop Motion Futures module and Stop Motion External brief.

Where next

Our animation graduates have gone onto internships at Aardman and a wide range of other companies within the animation industry in the UK and Europe.