Art Degrees Online

Total Credits Required: 120

The three-dimensional animation major merges the creative process with technology driven skills. You will first gain mastery in life drawing, concept drawing, composition, and character design.

Then you’ll deal more extensively with modeling, texturing and lighting in a 3-D environment with the use of advanced software like PhotoShop, SoftImage, Alias/Wavefront, Maya, and others.

You may then want to push the boundaries of your creativity by exploring the field of game design. Or perhaps you’ll choose to dig deeper into the ideas of compositing and scripting.
Core Animation Classes: 54 credits
History of International Animation 3 Credits
Fundamentals of Animation 3 Credits
Creative Visualization 3 Credits
Tools + Techniques of Contemporary Animation 3 Credits
3-D Computer Animation Modeling 3 Credits
Animation Sound Design + Video Production 3 Credits
Animation Sophomore/ Junior Portfolio Review 0 Credits
Animation Media Delivery Techniques 3 Credits
3-D Animation Thesis 1 3 Credits
3-D Computer Animation Concepts + Techniques 3 Credits
3-D Computer Animation Lighting + Materials 3 Credits
3-D Computer Animation Motion Studies 3 Credits
2-D/3-D Animation Thesis 2 3 Credits
Animation Senior Portfolio Review Credits
Business, Ethics + Copyright for Animation 3 Credits
Animation Collective 1 3 Credits
3-D Advanced Dynamics + SFX 3 Credits
3-D Advanced Character Creation Methods 3 Credits
Animation Collective 2 3 Credits
2-D/3-D Advanced Compositing 3 Credits
AN 3-D Elective Classes
Animation Electives: 6 credits

We recommend any two of the following:
Scriptwriting for Animation 3 Credits
Animation Layout + Production Design 3 Credits
Design + Animation for Games 3 Credits
Experimental Computer Animation 3 Credits
Advanced Scripting 3 Credits
Foundation Studies: 21 credits
Digital Image Making 3 Credits
Visual Design 1 3 Credits
Drawing 1 3 Credits
Drawing 2 3 Credits
Life Drawing 1 3 Credits
Life Drawing 2 3 Credits
Freshman Portfolio Review 0 Credits
Visual Design 2 3 Credits
Communication and Critical Thought: 6 credits
Written + Oral Communication 3 Credits
Written + Oral Communication Lab 0 Credits
Philosophy of Art + Design 3 Credits
History of Art + Design: 12 credits
Art + Design History 1: Ancient to Medieval 3 Credits
Art + Design History 2: Renaissance to Contemporary 3 Credits
History of Art + Design in the Nonwestern World 3 Credits
Advanced Studies in the History of Art + Design 3 Credits
Humanities + Contemporary Thought: 9 credits
Seminar 1, Seminar 2 and one other course.

Humanities Seminar 1 3 Credits
Humanities Seminar 2 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: History and Theory of the Body 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: Theatre Studies 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: Identity and Power 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: The Cultural Politics of Consumption 3 Credits
Mathematics: 3 credits

Choose one of the following:
Basic Mathematics 3 Credits
Applied Mathematics 3 Credits
Financial Principles + Practices 3 Credits
Physical + Natural Science: 3 credits

Choose any one of the following:
Climate Change 3 Credits
Earth Science 3 Credits
Life Science 3 Credits
Human Ecology 3 Credits
Social + Behavioral Sciences: 6 credits

Choose two of the following:
Anthropology 3 Credits
Social Psychology 3 Credits
World Belief Systems 3 Credits
Biological Anthropology 3 Credits

Total Credits Required: 120

2-D animation continues to be an expanding and popular medium.

If you select the two-dimensional major you’ll use traditional drawing skills to create perspective and character, with the computer playing a secondary production role. You’ll develop your technical skills through life drawing, composition, and perspective courses — studying proportion, line of action, structure, and basic anatomy.

Then you’ll move on to skills specific to animation – areas such as character design, clean-up, doping, modeling, slugging, and storyboarding.
Core 2-D Animation Classes: 54 credits
History of International Animation 3 Credits
Fundamentals of Animation 3 Credits
Creative Visualization 3 Credits
Experimental Animation 3 Credits
Tools + Techniques of Contemporary Animation 3 Credits
Drawing + Acting for Animation 3 Credits
Animation Sound Design + Video Production 3 Credits
Animation Sophomore/ Junior Portfolio Review 0 Credits
Animation Media Delivery Techniques 3 Credits
Character Animation + Motion Studies 3 Credits
2-D Computer Animation 3 Credits
2-D Animation Thesis 1 3 Credits
Stop Motion Animation 3 Credits
2-D/3-D Animation Thesis 2 3 Credits
Animation Senior Portfolio Review Credits
Animation Layout + Production Design 3 Credits
Business, Ethics + Copyright for Animation 3 Credits
Animation Collective 1 3 Credits
Experimental Computer Animation 3 Credits
Animation Collective 2 3 Credits
2-D/3-D Advanced Compositing 3 Credits
Animation Electives: 6 credits

We recommend any two of the following:
Scriptwriting for Animation 3 Credits
Design + Animation for Games 3 Credits
Advanced Scripting 3 Credits
Foundation Studies: 21 credits
Digital Image Making 3 Credits
Visual Design 1 3 Credits
Drawing 1 3 Credits
Drawing 2 3 Credits
Life Drawing 1 3 Credits
Life Drawing 2 3 Credits
Freshman Portfolio Review 0 Credits
Visual Design 2 3 Credits
Communication and Critical Thought: 6 credits
Written + Oral Communication 3 Credits
Written + Oral Communication Lab 0 Credits
Philosophy of Art + Design 3 Credits
History of Art + Design: 12 credits
Art + Design History 1: Ancient to Medieval 3 Credits
Art + Design History 2: Renaissance to Contemporary 3 Credits
History of Art + Design in the Nonwestern World 3 Credits
Advanced Studies in the History of Art + Design 3 Credits
Humanities + Contemporary Thought: 9 credits
Seminar 1, Seminar 2 and one other course.

Humanities Seminar 1 3 Credits
Humanities Seminar 2 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: History and Theory of the Body 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: Theatre Studies 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: Identity and Power 3 Credits
Seminar in Contemporary Thought: The Cultural Politics of Consumption 3 Credits
Mathematics: 3 credits

Choose one of the following:
Basic Mathematics 3 Credits
Applied Mathematics 3 Credits
Financial Principles + Practices 3 Credits
Physical + Natural Science: 3 credits

Choose any one of the following:
Climate Change 3 Credits
Earth Science 3 Credits
Life Science 3 Credits
Human Ecology 3 Credits
Social + Behavioral Sciences: 6 credits

Choose two of the following:
Anthropology 3 Credits
Social Psychology 3 Credits
World Belief Systems 3 Credits
Biological Anthropology 3 Credits

What is Animation?
Animation is a discipline that includes everything from traditional, character-based narrative to experimental work. It is an increasingly malleable and sophisticated art form that is well-positioned to take full advantage of ongoing technological development.

Why study Animation at UArts?
The University of the Arts offers a broad base in traditional hand-drawn animation, computer animation, and under-the-camera animation (clay, puppet, cut-out, paint-on-glass, etc). The UArts Animation degree program encourages the development of well-rounded artists in possession of a strong sense of personal vision and solid, technical competencies in all aspects of content creation.

What’s the Animation degree program like?
• Sophomore year: an introduction to the techniques of drawn and under-the-camera animation, 2D and 3D computer animation, and live-action film via a series of exercises and two final projects.
• Junior year: creation of a short personal piece, as well as client-based and interdisciplinary group projects.
• Senior year: studies culminate in a thesis project that demonstrates the ability to successfully complete a longer, festival-worthy piece.

What Animation facilities are available?
You will have access to excellent facilities for 2D, 3D, stop-motion, and other animation techniques, including:
• State-of-the-art 2D/3D computer animation lab
• Animation classrooms equipped with iMac workstations
• Digital audio sound studios
• Multi-format dub room
• Digital imaging lab
• AVID digital video editing systems
• Master Series Oxberry animation stand

Are the faculty practicing animators?
Yes. They include award-winning artists whose animation work has screened both nationally and abroad, notably at the Philadelphia Museum of Art; New York’s Museum of Modern Art; the Philadelphia, Ottawa, and Hiroshima International Animation Festivals; and many others. Our instructors come from a diverse mix of fine-art and commercial backgrounds, combining technical expertise with a strong sense of personal vision.

What is Animation?
Animation is a discipline that includes everything from traditional, character-based narrative to experimental work. It is an increasingly malleable and sophisticated art form that is well-positioned to take full advantage of ongoing technological development.

Why study Animation at UArts?
The University of the Arts offers a broad base in traditional hand-drawn animation, computer animation, and under-the-camera animation (clay, puppet, cut-out, paint-on-glass, etc). The UArts Animation degree program encourages the development of well-rounded artists in possession of a strong sense of personal vision and solid, technical competencies in all aspects of content creation.

What’s the Animation degree program like?
• Sophomore year: an introduction to the techniques of drawn and under-the-camera animation, 2D and 3D computer animation, and live-action film via a series of exercises and two final projects.
• Junior year: creation of a short personal piece, as well as client-based and interdisciplinary group projects.
• Senior year: studies culminate in a thesis project that demonstrates the ability to successfully complete a longer, festival-worthy piece.

What Animation facilities are available?
You will have access to excellent facilities for 2D, 3D, stop-motion, and other animation techniques, including:
• State-of-the-art 2D/3D computer animation lab
• Animation classrooms equipped with iMac workstations
• Digital audio sound studios
• Multi-format dub room
• Digital imaging lab
• AVID digital video editing systems
• Master Series Oxberry animation stand

Are the faculty practicing animators?
Yes. They include award-winning artists whose animation work has screened both nationally and abroad, notably at the Philadelphia Museum of Art; New York’s Museum of Modern Art; the Philadelphia, Ottawa, and Hiroshima International Animation Festivals; and many others. Our instructors come from a diverse mix of fine-art and commercial backgrounds, combining technical expertise with a strong sense of personal vision