Animation
Bringing images to life through movement, timing, and story.
Animation trains you to create moving images, through 2D drawing, 3D modeling and rigging, or stop-motion, combining art fundamentals (drawing, timing, composition) with technical software skills. Programs vary in their balance between traditional 2D and digital 3D animation.
Most programs are project-based, building short animated pieces individually or in teams, and often culminate in a demo reel, a short compilation of your best work, which functions like a portfolio for the field.
Typical courses you might take
- ✓Drawing Fundamentals
- ✓Principles of Animation
- ✓2D Animation
- ✓3D Modeling & Animation
- ✓Character Design
- ✓Storyboarding
- ✓Rigging & Motion (for 3D tracks)
- ✓Senior Demo Reel / Capstone
Sample four-year plan
Illustrative, not a registration planOne possible way these courses could be sequenced alongside general education and elective credit. Real programs vary in order, pacing, and prerequisites by school, use this to get a rough sense of the arc, not to plan actual registration.
- ✓Drawing Fundamentals
- +General education requirement
- ✓Principles of Animation
- +General education requirement
- ✓2D Animation
- +General education requirement
- ✓3D Modeling & Animation
- +Free elective
- ✓Character Design
- +Free elective
- ✓Storyboarding
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Rigging & Motion (for 3D tracks)
- +Elective in the major (or minor coursework)
- ✓Senior Demo Reel / Capstone
- +Capstone, thesis, or culminating project (common in many programs)
Skills you'll build
This major might be a good fit if you...
- ★Strong visual storyteller with solid drawing fundamentals
- ★Patient with detailed, technical, iterative work
- ★Enjoys both artistic and software-based technical skills
- ★Interested in film, games, or visual storytelling broadly
Common minors & double-major pairings
Computer Science · Film Studies · Fine Arts
Roles this major could lead to
Factual, day-to-day descriptions from our Career Role Encyclopedia, not a guarantee this major leads to any specific job.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Animation major?
Bringing images to life through movement, timing, and story.
What courses do Animation majors take?
Typical coursework includes classes like Drawing Fundamentals, Principles of Animation, 2D Animation, among others, see the full course list above for this major's typical lineup.
What skills do you build in a Animation program?
Animation coursework typically builds skills like Drawing and visual storytelling, Timing, motion, and animation principles, 3D modeling and rigging (or 2D technique), Character and storyboard design.
Is Animation a good major for me?
It tends to be a good fit if signals like "Strong visual storyteller with solid drawing fundamentals" or "Patient with detailed, technical, iterative work" describe you. See the full "good fit if you..." list above for more.
What can you do with a Animation degree?
Majors in this field often go on to roles like Illustrator / Animator. See our Career Role Encyclopedia for more, a major shapes what you study, not a guarantee of any specific job.
What other majors pair well with Animation?
Common minor or double-major pairings include Computer Science, Film Studies, Fine Arts.
How is Animation different from Game Design & Development?
They're related but distinct. Animation: Bringing images to life through movement, timing, and story. Game Design & Development: Building interactive games: code, art, and design working together. Use the compare tool to see courses and skills side by side.
How long does it take to earn a Animation degree?
Most bachelor's degrees, including this one, are designed to be completed in about four years of full-time study. Exact timing depends on your school, course load, transfer credit, and any changes of major along the way.
Printed from majoratlas.com/majors/animation