Animation and Visual Effects (Certificate)

The four year certificate program provides students with a disciplined approach to the study of Animation & Visual Effects. Student portfolios will demonstrate the variety of skills and creativity developed. Graduates enter the field prepared for professional opportunities in Animation & Visual Effects. Students take electives and art history courses to round out their experience. Unlike the BFA program, students pursuing the Certificate program do not take liberal arts coursework.

Certificate
Core Classes

This program is available on campus

School of Animation & Visual Effects

ANM 101

Introduction to Computer Graphics for Animation Core/3

Explore the different disciplines that collectively contribute to computer graphics production. You'll learn the basic concepts and terminology of computer graphics used in film, visual effects, games, and animation.

ANM 105

Introduction to 3D Production A (Unreal) Core/3

In part one of this two-part course, you'll learn to navigate the complex 3D software and its many tools and workflows as they are used in major animation and VFX studios, preparing you for specialized study in the track of your choice.

ANM 108

Cinematics for Animation & VFX Core/3

Cinematics is the language and techniques of filmmaking. To learn Cinematics Animation and VFX, you'll board, shoot, and edit a film, critically analyzing examples of film content and production to understand why choices in filmmaking are made.

ANM 180

Introduction to Animation Principles & Techniques Core/3

Gain technical skills practicing experimental and stop motion animation. Building a firm foundation for future animation work, you'll gain hands-on experience with media of clay, paper cutouts, found objects, pixilation, and stop motion puppets.

ANM 205

Careers in Animation and VFX Core/3

Step back and survey your body of work. Working with faculty, you'll identify strengths, weaknesses, and interests to determine your emphasis and begin developing your portfolio to meet industry standards.

ANM 241

Fundamentals of Motion Design Core/3

Motion design is essential across media, industries, and visual arts. You will be introduced to basic tools, software, and creative concepts to incorporate motion design into future projects. Topics include opening titles, lower-thirds, moving logos, and 3D motion graphics.

ANM 277

Motion Quick Sketching Core/3

Speak the language of animators, story artists, and game developers. You'll learn the standard professional note taking techniques they use to communicate ideas to coworkers.

ANM 405

Senior Portfolio for Animation and VFX Core/3

Create a reel of your best work to showcase your skills. To professionally market your abilities, you'll hone client/artist relationships, practice presentation techniques, and develop consistent identity, resume, reel packaging, and stationary systems.

FND 110

Analysis of Form Core/3

In-depth study of classical drawing principles on achieving heightened realism in imagery. Learn how to incorporate accurate geometrical construction and use the five-value system to analyze light and shadow on forms. Gaining skills in perspective, composition, and rendering of various textures and materials.

FND 122

Color Fundamentals Core/3

Color is a powerful tool. Discover how color psychology, simultaneous contrast, proportion, desaturation, atmospheric depth, light temperature, composition, and harmony can greatly enhance imagery. You will utilize various color schemes to explore color harmony using digital media.

Degree Requirements

Unit Requirements	Units
Core	24
Sophomore Portfolio	3
Senior Portfolio	3
Major	48
Art History	6
Art by Advisement	24
Electives	12
Total	120

ANIMATION & VISUAL EFFECTS CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum 2.0 GPA
Minimum grade of C- in all core courses and major courses

Program Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Visual Communication and Problem Solving

Make effective design choices to support narrative, character, and/or mood
Demonstrate the ability to research for inspiration, reference, accuracy, and incorporate findings into design solutions
Create digital elements/effects appropriate to assignment parameters
Demonstrate an understanding of cinematic continuity through sequential imagery
Demonstrate proficient drawing and/or modeling skills: composition, perspective, proportion, and anatomy
Successfully convey motion and interaction of character and/or object kinesis

Technical Skills

Demonstrate facility and flexibility with animation and/or VFX technology and software
Demonstrate facility with digital media

Professional Readiness

Assemble a professional digital or portfolio demonstrating an understanding of the target market
Demonstrate an understanding of the production pipeline through successful participation in the collaborative / pipeline process

Specialty Skills: Storyboarding

Create and pitch stories and concepts through the use of sequential imagery
Demonstrate an understanding of cinematic continuity by creating sequential imagery that supports narrative, character, and/or mood
Demonstrate proficient drawing skills: composition, perspective, proportion, and anatomy

Specialty Skills: 2D Animation

Apply the principles of animation to effectively communicate character action, emotion, and mood
Convey motion (biped and quadruped) and the interaction of moving objects
Demonstrate proficient drawing skills: composition, perspective, proportion, and anatomy
Demonstrate facility and flexibility with both relevant character and asset creation tools

Specialty Skills: Modeling

Model with appropriate use of form, proportion, and anatomy
Create and apply texture and lighting consistent with the overall look of the project

Specialty Skills: 3D Animation

Apply principles of animation to effectively communicate character action, emotion, and mood
Convey motion (biped and quadruped) and interaction of moving objects

Specialty Skills: Visual Effects Compositing

Design and generate digital elements and effects that meet the needs of the imagery
Combine digital effects and elements from diverse sources to create a fine degree of visual believability and consistency

Specialty Skills: VFX Producing

Exhibit an understanding of how VFX pipeline skills and tools support animation by clearly and effectively presenting project management work samples

Specialty Skills: Rigging

Create efficient and effective integration of rigs into original or collaborative projects

Specialty Skills: Stop Motion Animation & Fabrication

Apply the principles of animation to effectively communicate character action, emotion, and mood
Convey motion (biped and quadruped) and interaction of moving objects

Specialty Skills: Dynamics

Apply appropriate integration dynamics into professional-quality shots or sequences

Specialty Skills: Texture & Lighting

Create and apply texture and lighting consistent with the overall look of the project
Apply appropriate integration of lighting and texturing skills into professional-quality shots or sequences