Media Arts & Animation (BFA)
The course of studies at The Art Institute develops students' skills in design, illustration, compositing, 3D computer modeling, and other areas needed to enter the animation field. Students begin the media arts & animation program with a foundation in drawing, color, writing, and character design along with introductory computer applications. Under the guidance of industry-experienced faculty, students begin to learn advanced 2D and 3D animation principles as well as story development, background design, scenic layout, and special effects. In increasingly more advanced courses, students learn and become experienced with program-specific software, such as Adobe Flash, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, 3D Studio Maxx, and Autodesk Maya. At the end of the program, students take a sequence of portfolio courses in which they design and execute specialized projects that form a part of their digital portfolios to showcase their conceptual and creative skills and abilities in both traditional and digital 2D and 3D techniques. All students develop a Web site in order to present this portfolio to a wide audience of potential employers upon graduation. During their studies at The Art Institute, students are encouraged to apply for internships, participate in active student and professional organizations, enter national contests and film festivals, and attend conferences, such as SIGGRAPH, all of which enable them to become familiar with a developing industry and with the people who make the industry such a vibrant one in today's world of communications and entertainment.