Animation & Visual Effects (BFA)

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
• Design and generate digital elements or effects that meet the needs of imagery
• Demonstrate an understanding of cinematic continuity through sequential imagery
• Demonstrate proficient drawing and/or modeling skills and concepts appropriate to project parameters
• Successfully convey motion and interaction of character and/or object kinesis

Technical Skills

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

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 and/or modeling skills and concepts appropriate to project parameters

Specialty Skills: Traditional Animation and Stop Motion

• Successfully convey motion and interaction of character and/or object kinesis
• Demonstrate proficient drawing and/or modeling skills and concepts appropriate to project parameters

Specialty Skills: Modeling

• Model with appropriate use of form, proportion, and anatomy
• Create and apply look development consistent with the overall style of the project

Specialty Skills: 3D Animation

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

Specialty Skills: Visual Effects

• Exhibit an understanding of how VFX pipeline skills and tools support all the different departments from pre through post-production
• Create shots or assets appropriate to the project aesthetic

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
2. Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
3. Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
4. Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
5. Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
6. Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
7. Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
8. Engage with a variety of communities beyond the classroom through internship opportunities, study abroad programs, athletics, student interest clubs as well as collaborative, civic and pro bono projects.