The 3-D Modeling/Animation area incorporates traditional skills, such as sculpture and drawing, with 3-D digital skills to create 3-D models and animations in a digital environment. Students apply concepts such as lighting effects, camera angles, motion studies, digital video, and sound to create scenes. Part of the training in 3-D Modeling/Animation prepares students for the work environment as they learn to create project concepts, plan production schedules and work in a team environment to meet project deadlines. The successful animator can compose, develop and direct a scene that conveys a specific idea. Students apply their traditional art skills and 3-D composite and photo editing skills to create animations that demonstrate competence within an industry specialization.

3-D Modeling/Animation Outcomes

Upon completion, students will be able to:

  • Compose, develop and direct a scene to convey an idea.
  • Create a project concept and plan a production schedule.
  • Synthesize traditional art with 3-D composite and photo-editing skills.
  • Produce a demo reel focused on industry specialization.
  • Visually and verbally articulate a familiarity with current and historic industry examples.
  • Work within a team environment on a deadline-driven project.

Career Opportunities

  • Visual Developer
  • Background Artist
  • 2-D and 3-D Animator
  • Art Director
  • Game Designer
  • 3D Printing Specialist
  • Product Designer
  • Film/Video Editor
  • Visual FX Artist
  • Motion Graphics Designer

Curriculum

122 Total Credits Required for the BFA Degree in 3D Modeling & Animation

Semester 1
Fundamentals of Art I5 Semester Credit Hours
Beginning Life Drawing I5 Semester Credit Hours
College Composition I3 Semester Credit Hours
College Success Seminar1 Semester Credit Hour
Semester 2
Fundamentals of Art II5 Semester Credit Hours
Beginning Life Drawing II5 Semester Credit Hours
Anatomy3 Semester Credit Hours
Semester 3
Introduction to 3-D Modeling/Animation5 Semester Credit Hours
(One of three) Intermediate Life Drawing I; Figurative Sculpture I; Drawing for Illustrators5 Semester Credit Hours
Art History I3 Semester Credit Hours
Oral Communication3 Semester Credit Hours
Semester 4
Electronic Imaging5 Semester Credit Hours
Materials and Lighting for the 3-D Artist5 Semester Credit Hours
Art History II3 Semester Credit Hours
(One of two) Film and Society or Introduction to Psychology3 Semester Credit Hours
Semester 5
Character and Hard Surface Modeling5 Semester Credit Hours
(One of seven) Web Design I; Storyboarding; Concept Art; Drawing for Illustrators; Intermediate Life Drawing I; Figurative Sculpture I; or Introduction to Photographic Imaging5 Semester Credit Hours
Quantitative Literacy3 Semester Credit Hours
(One of four) Film and Society; Film and Society: World Cultures; Introduction to Psychology; or Adulthood: Relationships, Wellness, Stress and Longevity3 Semester Credit Hours
Semester 6
Character Animation for 3-D Artists5 Semester Credit Hours
(One of seven) Web Design I; Storyboarding; Concept Art; Drawing for Illustrators; Intermediate Life Drawing I; Figurative Sculpture I; or Introduction to Photographic Imaging5 Semester Credit Hours
(One of three) Advanced Anatomy; Introduction to Science Labs; Vision, or Light and Color3 Semester Credit Hours
(One of four) Film and Society; Film and Society: World Cultures; Psychology; Adulthood: Relationships, Wellness, or Stress and Longevity3 Semester Credit Hours
Semester 7
(One of four) Introduction to Environmental Modeling; Advanced Character Animation; Advanced Character and Hard Surface Modeling; or 2-D Computer Animation and Digital Video I5 Semester Credit Hours
(One of seven) Web Design I; Storyboarding; Concept Art; Drawing for Illustrators; Intermediate Life Drawing I; Figurative Sculpture I; or Introduction to Photographic Imaging5 Semester Credit Hours
Advanced Projects in 3-D Modeling/Animation5 Semester Credit Hours
Semester 8
Portfolio: Visual Communications5 Semester Credit Hours
(One of eleven) Introduction to Environmental Modeling; Advanced Character and Hard Surface Modeling; Advanced Character Animation; Advanced Environmental Modeling; 2-D Computer Animation and Digital Video I; Web Design I; Drawing for Illustrators; Concept Art; Introduction to Photographic Imaging; Studio Lighting and Techniques; or Figurative Sculpture I5 Semester Credit Hours
College Composition II3 Semester Credit Hours
(One of five) Survey of American Illustration; History of Graphic Design; 20th Century and Contemporary Art History; Art History: Renaissance and Baroque; World Art3 Semester Credit Hours

3D and 2D Student Reels

Portfolios