Animation

Animators create and design the animation, graphics, and special effects for a media. They bring characters to life and enhance the worlds we see in films, television, and video games. As animation majors, students will learn about the fundamentals of drawing techniques, storyboard creation, and character design. They study human perception, visual aesthetics, and sound, and how these elements can be used to create realistic images. Education typically begins with introductory classes in art exploring the use of observation, figure, dynamics, and context in animation. Majors continue on to classes that explore the creative aspects of animation, such as the use of color, texture, and light, along with the technical aspects, such as video production, computer graphics and modeling, and how to use 3D animation software programs. Animation majors may also take courses concentrating specifically on special effects for film and video, and historical and contemporary issues in electronic art.

A degree in illustration can prepare individuals for careers in art, film, video design, and television. They can be storyboard artists, motion capture directors, Web animation designers, and video game animation artists. Employment opportunities are typically available at film and entertainment studios, game development companies, internet media companies and computer programming companies. Many animators are also self-employed and do freelance work for small businesses or private individuals. Visual thinkers who are highly imaginative and creative might want to major in animation. A degree in this field might also interest those who enjoy storytelling, have an eye for detail, and work well with technology.