School of Animation and Motion

This course introduces students to the pathways of animation as they begin their journey toward a professional career. Immersed in the animation process, students gain an overview of both 2D and 3D animation skills while focusing on a structured production workflow, culminating in the creation of their first animated film.

This course introduces students to the pathways of animation as they begin their journey toward a professional career. Immersed in the animation process, students gain an overview of both 2D and 3D animation skills while focusing on a structured production workflow, culminating in the creation of their first animated film.

Emerging from the minds of animators, characters transform into moving pieces of art within a 2D world. Students explore the basic principles of animation, with an emphasis on analysis of actions, to develop an understanding of character performance. Combining fundamental drawing techniques with 2D animation methods, students create original moving sequences.

From the first cartoons to blockbuster films, students focus on the history and aesthetics of animation with references to related arts. In this course, students explore a wide range of commercial and experimental works produced throughout the world, such as live-action cinema, puppetry and comics.

To really bring 3D characters to life, animators must understand the way their creations should move. Students learn to establish this believability by exploring the 12 principles of 3D animation and humanoid body mechanics. Students then apply this study to the creation of character designs and basic rigs, generating a natural performance in a short animated film.

To compose a consistent and unique narrative, animators follow a step-by-step storytelling process. Students explore the industry-standard tools of 2D animation used for efficient solutions in today’s digital character animation pipeline. Students assess both the aesthetic and technical aspects of character animation with a major emphasis on streamlining the animation process for production.

Animators tell stories through engaging visuals and thematic conceptual design. Focusing on the development of mood boards, style frames and color scripts, students generate projects through visual story-building techniques. Incorporating concept development and screen design skills into the production process, students devise compelling visuals to accompany their stories.

The most memorable characters have unforgettable personalities and a rich inner dialogue. Through prop interaction, facial expressions and body posture, students learn to convey clear attitudes in animated performances. Students also explore shot composition, staging and more intricate body mechanics to create believability in their animated pieces.

In this introductory stop motion course, students learn how to build a simple biped character and animate it in a number of motion tests. Students become familiar with the use of camera, lights and capturing software and are exposed to a wide range of stop motion styles to encourage personal aesthetic exploration.

Professional animators must be able to work well in a team environment and stick to production schedules. Using the 3D animation pipeline, students explore necessary roles, build their collaboration skills and learn effective time-management methods. Through cooperative communication and efficient oversight, students guide their original animated short film to on-time completion.

Through laughter, tears or wonder, the narrative to any compelling story must move the audience. In this course, students compile key story elements into creative narratives that express mood, emotion and subtext. Incorporating the principles of story and character creation, students develop strategies to compose captivating themes using devices such as symbolism and visual metaphors.

Building on skills learned in Stop Motion I, students explore more advanced stop motion and clay animation production techniques. Topics include foam/latex build-up models, a survey of background construction techniques, basic casting, and further study in lighting and F/X. The course emphasizes art direction and project development.

Exceptional animated characters can convey rich emotional content and storytelling through performance alone. Continuing the exploration of body mechanics and acting, students utilize humanoid rigs to generate expressive, highly-polished character performances. Students also employ exaggerated animation techniques and the use of props to extend their animated performance opportunities.

Setting, environment and imagery are all important details when creating an animated world. Through extensive visual research and art direction, students invest meaning into immersive and believable worlds with emphasis on mood, tone and stylization.

Creating dynamic and engaging scenes, students generate expressive character performances using pantomime and dialogue-driven techniques. Building upon the principles of animation, students utilize creative tools to develop character movements, facial expressions and emotional subtext that lend depth to their performances.

Monsters and critters and creatures, oh my! Students apply the fundamental practices of visual development for character and creature design, utilizing shapes, color schemes and moods to produce expressive personalities. These original characters and creatures become an integral component in students’ unique animated narratives.

The art of storyboarding and staging, including emotion and movement, are key to the animation process. Expanding on their knowledge of cinematography, students break down ideas and scenes sequentially to promote effective visual storytelling and expand their film lexicon. Students learn effective timing and pacing, as well as staging elements and employing various camera techniques to enhance comedic or dramatic tension within the narrative.

From billowing smoke to flowing water, students explore the creation and use of 2D digital effects to enhance visual storytelling and heighten the production value of animated films. Through solid design and application of animation principles, students interpret the motion and properties of physical phenomena to add personality and emotional impact to animated effects.

Animating non-humanoid characters comes with unique challenges and opportunities. Students explore new concepts of body mechanics and performance utilizing a wide range of creature types and behaviors. Students conceptualize and create complex, believable animalistic performances for their animated pieces.

Ideas come to life as students combine lively characters, breathtaking worlds and engrossing narratives into animated stories. Focusing on timeless themes, students pull inspiration from a variety of genres. Students create written premises, outlines, treatments, fictional biographies and character histories, becoming the absolute authorities on their unique stories and the worlds in which they live.

From screenplay through post-production, students are immersed in the collaborative 2D animation pipeline. In this course, students utilize a variety of animation tools and techniques to tell a compelling story and experience the diverse roles within the animation industry through storyboarding, editing and completion of a short animated film.

Animators are masters in taking visual elements and transforming them into imaginative, animated scenes. Students advance their production skills and dive deeper into the methods of character setup and world building. Focus is placed on compositing techniques for seamlessly integrating characters into detailed environments.

The complex art of animating speech requires more than the movement of lips. Using their knowledge of character movement and mechanics, students learn the art of animating dialogue. Through nuanced facial animation and precise lip sync, students craft up-close, dialogue-driven performances that convey attitude, subtext and motivation.

Cultivating original ideas for the production of short animated films, students demonstrate their knowledge of storytelling, world building, character development and staging. Students develop a pitch-ready concept package, including mood boards, character and environment designs, color scripts, style frames and an industry-standard treatment. Students pitch specific elements from their concept package and explore strategies for preparing visual development for production.

Through topics such as studio hierarchy, production bidding, media distribution and professional growth, students explore important aspects of the animation business. Students prepare for professional situations through the creation of individual demo reels, résumés, websites and portfolios in relation to their career goals.

From 2D animation to revolutionary 3D films, every animated project requires large teams of artists to produce amazing visuals. Students experience the dynamic workflow of a collaborative project to produce an appealing and finished animated film.

Take a deep dive into the personalities and behaviors of animated characters. In this course, students add nuance to their characters through classic animation research and testing techniques. Students produce expressive character acting under professional work dynamics and deadlines.

From the creation of a production schedule to previsualization, students complete the preproduction phase of their animated films. Students establish milestones and deadlines, character posing and shot blocking to prepare for the production stage of a short film.

Creating realistic 3D characters requires the development of subtle gestures and strong poses that fit a character’s personality. Students generate believability in their animation through production-level shot work and nuanced performances. Students also learn to navigate the pressures associated with team-based productions and adhere to essential deadlines while progressing from blocking through final animation.

Students develop a unique sense of style and material as alternatives to formulated classical animation or digital graphics. Students employ imagery, objects and different media types to develop a method and use of media appropriate to the subject.

Location research and adaption lead to informed animation art direction and inspired storytelling. Through immersion in the visual culture of the course location, students develop concept art that informs the aesthetic of an animated film.

From final character animation to an assembly edit, animators synthesize technical and aesthetic skills to bring stories to life. Through an exploration of the production process, students continue to develop content delivery, story and technical mastery. Emphasis is placed on the identification and utilization of individual strengths in the context of a production environment.

Internships offer students valuable opportunities to work in a professional environment and gain firsthand experience to help them prepare for careers. In an approved internship setting, a student typically spends one quarter working with an on-site professional supervisor and a faculty internship supervisor to achieve specific goals and objectives related to the program of study.

That’s a wrap. Through the exploration of the postproduction process, students focus on their senior short including final edit and rendering, updating reel and self-promotional support items and researching self-promotional opportunities. This course represents the third phase of the senior project and the final phase of animation career preparation.

The selected topics of this course vary from quarter to quarter. Each seminar focuses on various issues in the field of animation and allows the advanced student an opportunity to pursue individual or collaborative projects related to the subject of the course.

This course focuses on the history and aesthetics of animation, with references to related arts such as live-action cinema, puppetry and comics. Screenings include a wide range of commercial and experimental work produced throughout the world. Students create small projects and written work pertaining to course topics.

Students explore the principles of animation to develop an understanding of the physics of character motion utilizing both traditional and CG techniques. Emphasis is placed on the analysis of action and demonstrating weight and timing appropriate to an introductory graduate level.

From the early days of animation history to the animated masterpieces of the present day, 2D animators bring hand-drawn characters to life on screen. In this course, students research and apply specialized animation tools and techniques to create 2D animated characters, including sequences, assets and rigs, suitable for professional production environments.

This course introduces students to the diversity of animation aesthetics, from industrial processes to individual personal expression. Through class screenings, students examine historical contexts and methods as well as contemporary trends and techniques. Oral and written critique is supported by practical investigation into personal aesthetic choice.

This course focuses on the issues of modeling surfaces appropriate for use in animation. In particular, students are expected to develop an understanding of modeling organic forms.

This course explores observational figurative motion through life drawing and animal study. Emphasis is placed on expressive gesture drawing to enhance fluid representation of the figure in motion.

This course explores alternative techniques for creating and animating 3D cartoon characters with emphasis on exaggerated action through timing and squash and stretch. Students are encouraged to push the technical limitations of the medium to achieve familiar cartoon motion. Emphasis is placed on advanced problem-solving in 3D animation. Students are encouraged to demonstrate character appeal through applied personal aesthetics.

Surface and context have an interdependent relationship to the production of 3D characters. This course explores advanced texturing techniques, including use of hair and fur, to create realistic and stylized surfaces appropriate for animated characters in context.

This course examines a number of approaches for adaptation of story content to cinematic form, examining the styles of many films and aesthetic problem-solving particular to animation. Students learn how to transpose ideas through 2D storyboards and animatics to 3D asset creation for previsualized story reels, emphasizing deadlines, techniques and alternative methods to communicate ideas.

This course explores the background of naturalistic character movement, advancing key-frame animation techniques and use of motion-capture technology. Observational animation is prioritized with special regard to subtle gesture. Emphasis is placed on advanced problem-solving in 3D animation.

This course emphasizes the application of industry-standard practices to create believable form and texture for animation environments. The course covers advanced topics in set creation, design and modeling with an emphasis on reference-based structures as applied to predetermined content requirements.

Through group inception, design and animation, students complete a short animated film. From preproduction to postproduction, students employ methods and practices of contemporary animation production management.

Students will gain exposure to industry professionals that range from high budget feature and game studios to smaller budget, independents. Students will establish networking contacts and understand what career opportunities exist to determine career objectives. The trip will be preceded by research and preparation of a portfolio package and followed with a paper summarizing the experience and listing contacts made.

Students lay the academic foundation for their areas of thesis investigation in this course. Under supervision, each student identifies their direction, conducts research for visual inspiration and begins drafting the thesis statement and paper. Work completed in this course is ultimately presented at the students’ candidacy reviews.

This course offers students advanced learning that combines the principles of character animation with observational techniques to create believable character performances. Students are encouraged to develop their own aesthetic. Pre-rigged models or puppets made in other courses can be used in this course.

In this course, students explore the possibilities for extreme short-form animated content such as the visual gag or animated conundrum of between 15 and 30 seconds in length. Students develop and complete content intended for portable media and interstitials.

Working closely with the professor, students define specific production goals to explore or complete an animation project of their choosing. Emphasis is on the director’s conceptual, aesthetic and technical decision-making processes. Students are encouraged to share their specific areas of expertise while producing individually directed projects.

This course exposes students to unorthodox approaches to animation production. Emphasis is placed on creating process driven work and exploring alternative narrative approaches.

This course provides additional structured production opportunities for students continuing independent project development. Emphasis is on realizing personal vision through exploration of the tools of animation and further refining of production management skills.

This studio course continues the animation thesis sequence. Students begin making the visual portion of their thesis. Animation tests, character designs, storyboards, animatics and a focused thesis statement are all vital elements of this stage in thesis completion.

Students in this course undertake a field assignment under the supervision of a faculty member.

Students in this course undertake a teaching assignment under the supervision of a faculty member.

In this final course in the animation M.F.A. thesis sequence, students complete the visual components of their major thesis work. They also finalize and polish their thesis papers, incorporating all of the research and professional development conducted throughout the process.

From advertising to entertainment to live performance, motion media is all around us; these days, if there’s a screen, there’s animation. In this course students explore the vast styles of design and animation inherit to motion media design through hands-on, project-based learning. Through creating short-form animations, students learn the basics of design principles and typography, animation principles and keyframe animation, and compositing principles and compositing techniques.

From advertising to entertainment, motion design plays a vital role in the appearance and experience of imagery in media. In this class, students explore key aspects of motion graphics, from concept to design to animation. Students apply typography and design principles, foundational compositing, and animation principles to create professional-grade work using industry-standard software.

The motion designers of today construct their design work using the aesthetic paradigms established by the rich history of motion design. Students research the evolution of motion graphics, from the non-narrative experimental films of the early 1900’s, to contemporary motion design in its many forms. Students develop a broad contextual knowledge of historical works and trace the influence of new technologies and key media artists, all of which define the contemporary motion design field and set the stage for future innovation.

A critical role of the professional motion designer is creating concepts that address specific communication challenges. In this class, students learn how to develop concepts, create storyboards, design pitches, and ultimately how to advocate for their creative decisions. Students practice compositional strategies, typographic principles, visual communication principles, and design presentations in industry-standard software through iteration and critique.

The success of professional motion graphics animation hinges on the quality of the movement, image polish, and transitional pacing. In this class, students expand their design skills and animation proficiency with a focus on strong core concepts and designs, refined animation pacing, effective motion transitions, and thoughtfully composited final work. Through the creation of motion design projects using industry-standard software, students examine the impact of their creative vision within the larger context of the motion design field in preparation for integrated motion design.

As multi-disciplinary professionals, motion designers integrate a range of professional skills and software together to produce effective graphic solutions. In this class, students extend their existing motion and compositing technical skills into more complex design problem solving and advanced motion techniques. Using industry-standard software, students strengthen their animation timing, transition pacing, and final image compositing through integration of multiple techniques together, preparing them for future upper-level coursework.

From live entertainment to architectural installations, motion graphics are used to transform environments using projection mapping and other screen-based systems. In this class, students explore diverse practices in spatial motion design, ranging from projection mapping on sculptures and architectural surfaces, to screen systems for installation contexts. Using industry-standard technology, students develop and deliver high quality motion designs for physical spaces.

Professional concept-driven designs lead to impactful motion graphics animations. In this class, students explore advanced conceptual approaches for motion design, including lateral thinking and divergent to convergent design processes. Students develop projects with multiple conceptual approaches, practice analyzing and pitching their ideas, and finally transform the optimal idea into a fully realized motion design project.

Students explore experimental animation and image-creation processes to expand the aesthetics of their professional work. By studying historical techniques used by avant-garde and experimental media artists in their time-based work, students create original animations that sharpen their critical and conceptual abilities. This approach ensures students achieve proficiency in both traditional methods and alternative production protocols.

The fusion of motion graphics with audio heightens visual perception and elevates emotional impact. In this class, students explore the dynamic and complex relationships of synchronization, elevating their visual approaches and motion techniques through strategic integration of sound and design. Students explore the approaches used by both historical visual music and contemporary music videos by making projects that apply their aesthetics to motion design through audio-visual fusion.

The development of professional motion graphic projects requires critical resources: human talent, computer technology, and financial assets. In this class, students explore the coordination of creative, technical, and logistical processes in motion design production. Students examine budgeting, scheduling, team management, and client communication across 2D, live-action, 3D, and hybrid pipelines. Through case studies and applied projects, students develop production plans and resource strategies, preparing them to manage motion design projects from concept to final delivery.

Art direction in motion design requires careful interpretation of client briefs and turning design challenges into opportunity. In this class, students simulate the professional workflow by developing design pitches across a variety of styles. By producing portfolio-quality work under realistic industry constraints, students broaden their technical expertise while emphasizing the collaboration and communication essential to professional production..

Scripting and procedural systems enable the creation of scalable, repeatable motion design solutions. In this course, students explore code-based methodologies to develop custom motion graphics toolsets and automated systems. By integrating these workflows across industry-standard software, students apply systems-based approaches to solve complex motion design challenges.

Throughout its history, motion design has been a hybrid practice, combining creative approaches from traditional animation, film, graphic design, and more. In this class, students integrate the use of stop-motion animation to produce commercial motion graphics. Students collaboratively produce motion design projects from concept to completion using stop-motion animation techniques while employing industry-standard techniques and technologies.

The parallel history of traditional animation has been of critical importance to aesthetic and technical approaches to the evolution of motion design. Students in this course explore the rich history of hand-drawn animation, from celluloid to digital approaches. Students collaboratively produce motion design projects from concept to completion using hand-drawn animation techniques while employing industry-standard software and characters.

Live-action production is one of the most utilized creative assets in professional motion design. In this course, students evaluate critical professional skills in camera operation, lenses, filters, lighting, and motion pacing through editing. Through hands-on creative production, students are introduced to the technology behind lighting and exposure, employing the aesthetics of cinematography and editing in live-action footage and digital animated production using industry-standard equipment and software.

Typographic design and animation skills are considered critical for any professional role within the motion design industry. In this class, students carefully examine and employ the historical and contemporary use of typography for design in motion graphics. Students create motion design projects that employ typography as a primary communication asset, thereby preparing students to use typography effectively in their upper-level coursework.

The use of 3D computer-generated imagery in motion design is industry-standard practice in the contemporary field. Through exercises and projects, students explore the foundations of 3D motion graphics production including modeling, texturing, lighting, animating, and procedural technology, which are covered in industry-standard software environments. Students use 3D CGI to produce motion graphics, exploring complexities of abstraction and realism for common professional deliverables.

The motion design industry thrives on collaboration and students benefit from a greater understanding of their role in the field. In this class, students are introduced to the multifaceted business of motion graphics including issues of professional communication and presentation, intellectual property, employment markets, work agreements, and financial compensation. While developing a strategic framework for their portfolio, students examine industry structures and requirements, discovering overlapping areas in media production.

In the development of their portfolio, students produce a capstone project that is completed throughout two terms. In this first class of the sequence, students develop their concept, create their storyboard, and design pitch for their senior project. Students execute the preproduction phase of the project within the careful framework of support of their professor and with regular critique and studio practice to support excellence in their previsualization.

Real-time technologies in motion design provide highly responsive solutions for live media environments. In this course, students examine the use of industry-standard, real-time technologies to produce professional-grade motion design projects. Through research and development exercises, students master these emerging tools to create collaborative, dynamic visuals that respond to the demands of live production.

Interactive technologies allow for the creation of motion graphics that respond to live input, such as cameras, spatial scanning, audio, sensors, real-time data, and emerging input systems. In this class, students explore the potentials of using live input for the creation of reactive and responsive interaction motion graphics. Through collaborative research, students develop technology solutions that manifest into interactive motion graphics, such as immersive and spatial media environments, as well as performance-based applications including theatrical productions and live events.

A motion designer’s ability to carry brand personality and visual language across multiple deliverables is essential. Utilizing case studies and analysis, students explore core branding and marketing strategies through the lens of motion design production. Working collaboratively, students create a motion branding system in which they employ their concept across multiple design and animation deliverables to demonstrate proficiency in branded motion systems.

From title sequences and music videos to games and apps, 3D motion design is ubiquitous. In this class, students integrate advanced motion design techniques to generate professional-grade, 3D content. Using industry-standard technology solutions, students create models, textures, lighting, and then animate and track 3D motion content for a range of communication applications such as infographic, advertisement, and entertainment.

Title sequences introduce films, television shows, and events, and are markers of prestige for the studio involved in their production. Using a variety of creative approaches, students explore historical and contemporary design concepts utilized in developing title sequences. Students create a portfolio-grade title sequence project that exemplifies their mastery of typography, visual layout, animation techniques, technical and legal requirements, and compositional prowess.

In the development of their final portfolio, students engage in the production of a capstone project, completed throughout two terms. In this second and final class of the sequence, students execute the production phase of a project, including animation production, postproduction, and final delivery. Students are supported through collaborative research and development, critique, organization, and production scheduling, ultimately creating a final project that showcases their artistic vision and exemplifies their professional skills.

Motion design internships offer students valuable opportunities to work in a professional environment and gain firsthand experience, preparing them for their career. In an approved internship setting, students typically spend one quarter working with a professional supervisor and a faculty internship supervisor to achieve specific goals and objectives related to professional motion design.

Professional motion design projects originate from effective design approaches that address the creative problem. In this class, students evaluate the role of visual design concepts and typography principles as applied in the field of motion design. Through a series of iterative practical class projects and critiques, students effectively utilize storyboarding and previsualization techniques to emphasize motion relationships, translating static design principles into motion design preproduction.

Quality of movement, image polish, and transitions frame the success of professional motion design projects. In this course, students analyze and apply animation techniques and methodologies within a motion design framework. Students create motion design projects using industry-standard software, animating and compositing a variety of visual assets, examining the impact of their creative vision with the larger context of professional motion design practice.

All aesthetics are historical products. In this course, students examine how contemporary motion design has emerged from the avant-garde's aesthetic and how technical innovations have become commonplace. The non-narrative experimental films of the early 1900s provide the foundation that has evolved through technological changes to define the conscious practices and awareness in the present. Students identify how designers employ aesthetics that derive from historical works by studying key artist/designers, technologies, and specific works that define motion design in film, television, video games, and new media.

Creating effective concepts and appropriate designs for creative challenges is a critical role for professional motion designers. In this class, students explore the development of concepts, creation of storyboards/design boards, previsualization workflows, exploratory spatial or sequence-based visualization, and ultimately how to advocate for creative decisions. Through creating design projects, students practice visual communication strategies, typographic principles, composition principles, and design presentations to support motion design, interactive media, and emerging digital experiences.

The historical relationship between traditional cinema and motion design frames the hybrid practice of contemporary motion graphics. In this class, students develop competencies in camera operation, lenses, filters, lighting, and motion pacing through editing. Through hands-on collaborative creative production, students examine the exposure triangle, learning how to employ the artistry of cinematography and editing in live-action footage and digital animation production using industry-standard equipment and software.

Professional motion designers integrate a range of professional skills and software into graphic solutions. In this class, students develop technical skills for animation and compositing to execute more complex design solutions. Using industry-standard software, students practice animation timing, image compositing, and transition choreography, preparing them for creating higher fidelity industry-standard work.

Innovative spatial design, when integrated with motion design, artfully manipulates perceptions of space in physical environments. In this class, students explore spatial motion design, including projection mapping on sculptural and architectural surfaces, and other screen-based systems for installations. Students collaborate on projects using industry-standard software and equipment to develop motion graphics that exist within physical space.

3D computer-generated imagery skills are industry standard in contemporary motion design. In this class, students explore foundational 3D production techniques including modeling, texturing, lighting, animation, and procedural systems. Students use industry-standard 3D CGI software to produce motion graphics, exploring abstraction and realism for common motion design challenges.

From music videos to advertisements, a synchronous relationship between visual kinesis and auditory design is paramount to the creation of compelling content. In this class, students explore the relationship between auditory and visual senses, advancing their motion techniques through fusing sound with kinetic graphic language. Using industry-standard techniques, students create a collection of works focused on audio-visual fusion.

Critical thinking and analysis are essential skills for creative leadership and teaching. In this course, students examine historical studies, contemporary art, and visual theory in a seminar concerned with media theory applications. Students analyze media and translate theory into practice through both their own studio work and classroom discussion, stimulating critical thinking.

Successful motion designers and art directors create design pitches in a range of styles to meet the parameters of creative briefs. In this class, students sharpen their creative and technical expertise through a focused application of advanced design strategies for producing compelling visual concepts. Students create multiple portfolio-grade design pitches under industry-standard constraints, practicing professional collaboration and communication.

Developing professional motion design projects requires unique perspectives of critical resources: human talent, computer technology, and financial assets. In this class, students investigate motion design production as a complex, interdisciplinary system shaped by the strategic integration of human, technological, and financial resources. Students examine budgeting, scheduling, team structures, and client dynamics across 2D, live-action, 3D, and hybrid pipelines. Through case studies and practice-based projects, students develop production frameworks that respond to shifting creative, technical, and logistical conditions. Decision-making, adaptability, and articulation of production strategies are emphasized throughout the course.

Professional motion design roles demand proficiency in typographic design, animation, and compositing. In this class, students examine the historical and contemporary use of typography in motion design, employing their learning in animated content. Students use industry-standard techniques to thoughtfully use typography as a primary communication method, preparing for typographic usage in future portfolio work.

From live concerts to virtual sets, modern media demands instantaneous production. In this course, students produce motion design projects utilizing industry-standard real-time technology, learning to balance visual complexity with the technical constraints of live, responsive media. Through research and development exercises, students collaborate on designs and animations within the high-performance, real-time technological frameworks.

Motion graphics that respond to live input such as cameras, spatial scanning, audio, sensors, real-time data, or emerging input systems allow for interactivity that engages audiences. In this course, students explore how to transform live data into generative visuals and responsive environments. Students research and develop technology solutions into collaborative interactive motion projects, such as professional live production, interactive installations, and immersive media.

During the three-class sequence for thesis, students develop a thoroughly written argumentative research paper about a specific topic related to the field of motion design and produce a visual project as a practice-based demonstration of that research. In this first class of the sequence, students develop their research project driven by a thesis statement through primary research, close readings, and secondary research, including a bibliographic survey. Students produce a preliminary draft of their thesis paper and complete their candidacy review during this class.

Repeatable design artifacts in motion graphics require scripting and procedural systems approaches. In this class, students explore programming logic and procedural techniques for creating motion design toolsets and systems. Through the creation of scripting-based motion design projects, students employ industry-standard workflows and code languages.

Motion design as a hybrid media practice, combines creative techniques from across industries, including traditional animation. In this class, students integrate stop-motion animation to produce commercial motion graphics. By combining traditional frame-by-frame techniques with industry-standard post-production technologies, students collaborate on projects that bridge the gap between physical craft and digital motion graphics.

The history of motion design parallels traditional animation, frequently drawing upon the foundational principles of traditional animation. In this class, students explore the technical approaches of hand-drawn animation, collaborating to produce motion design projects that champion this animation technique. From celluloid to industry-standard software, students use character animation for effective motion design messaging.

Title sequences are a prominent and prestigious aspect of the motion graphics industry. In this class, students utilize industry-standard technology to produce a single fully conceptualized, designed, animated, composited title design for an internal or external client. This project exemplifies professional-quality, portfolio-ready work.

Carrying brand personality and visual aesthetic across multiple deliverables is an essential professional skill for motion designers. In this class, students explore common branding strategies through the lens of motion graphics production. Utilizing collaboration and technical expertise, students create a professional quality motion branding system, employing their concept across multiple design and animation deliverables.

In this final class, master’s students produce professional-grade work that synthesizes their personal design aesthetic with advanced technical proficiency. Students manage the full production lifecycle, from initial concept and strategic planning to final delivery, positioning themselves for high-level industry employment. The course culminates in a formal presentation of a fully realized motion project that serves as a cornerstone of their professional portfolio.

By understanding their future role in the motion design industry, students strengthen the collaboration and communication skills essential for professional success. In this class, students assess the multifaceted business of motion design, including professional communication and presentation, intellectual property, employment markets, work agreements, and financial compensation. Students create a strategic framework for their portfolio, examining industry structures, and discovering overlapping verticals in media production..

Through experimentation with unusual and atypical production processes, students develop an aesthetic skillset for professional work that differentiates themselves. Students explore historical techniques used by avant-garde and experimental media artists, achieving mastery with those methods and protocols through iterative experimentation.

In this second class of the thesis process, students refine and narrow the scope of their research and begin pre-production, including schedule, storyboards, animatics, and references, for the completion of their research and project in Thesis Studio III. Students curate their thesis committee and must secure their committee before applying to complete their final thesis course.

The integration of 3D imagery, both photoreal and abstract, has become ubiquitous in contemporary motion design. In this class, students advance their motion design skills for the generation of professional-grade 3D content. Using the latest industry-standard technology, students create models, textures, lighting, and animations for a range of communication applications. Students are encouraged to integrate procedural systems and explore a variety of technical approaches.

Professional motion design internships create valuable opportunities for students to work in a processional setting and gain firsthand experience, optimal for career preparation. In an approved internship setting, students typically spend one quarter working with a professional supervisor and a faculty internship supervisor to meet specific learning objectives related to professional motion design.

In this final thesis class, students complete both their written component and their visual project developed in Thesis Studio I and II. Within their thesis, students illustrate a thorough mastery of the aesthetics, critical history, and technical production common to the motion design discipline. Thesis completion requires coordination with the student’s individual committee whose approval is required to publish their thesis.

Students from a variety of disciplines within the School of Animation and Motion work as a team to research, conceptualize, and develop creative solutions for current design challenges. Specific projects vary from quarter to quarter. [This course may be taken up to three times for credit.]

Upon completing the M.A. program, students in animation, motion media, and visual effects showcase their professional expertise through a comprehensive final project. This project involves the proposal, development, and execution of a body of work that is incorporated into a professional reel.

Recognizing the pivotal role of visual effects and animation in modern media, this course explores their history and development through lectures, readings, screenings of important work, and hands-on projects. Students examine the various ways in which artistic and technological tools have been used to create convincing visual effects and animations for film, television, and games. With this background, students will then be exposed to modern techniques and positions within the VFX industry.

This course introduces the essential concepts and hands-on techniques of the 3D CGI pipeline, from modeling and texturing to lighting, animation, and rendering. Students will gain valuable practical experience with industry-standard software while exploring the foundational principles that drive high-quality visual effects and computer-generated imagery in films, animation and interactive media. Through a series of progressive projects, students will develop a strong technical and artistic understanding of professional 3D workflows.

Compositing plays a crucial role in creating the final 3D image, combining multiple picture elements into a seamless, unified composition. Using a variety of digital techniques, including tracking, layering, color-correction and image manipulation, students produce dynamic compositions and environments. Using professional tools and software, students become fluent in the technical and artistic techniques used in the industry.

A strong cinematic knowledge is essential in all aspects of cinematic storytelling, both live and animated. Students delve into cinematic techniques used to elevate films and shows, such as shot definition, perspective, and framing. Focusing on camera use, lighting and color, students apply dramatic visual effects to enhance on-screen sequences. Students produce short film shots with a strong focus on the technical intricacies of cinematography.

In this course, students develop coding skills essential for the visual effects artist. Students write purpose-driven code that produces specific effects and develops practical production tools. By learning Python and Linux, students build a strong foundation in fundamental programming concepts while developing essential problem-solving skills. This ensures students are well-prepared for the technical demands of professional visual effects work.

Building from the skeleton to the skin, rigs bring animated characters to life through articulated movement. In this course, students explore the principles of modeling and rigging through the use of industry-standard tools to create believable character motion. Major emphasis is placed on proper identification of controls.

Students experienced in digital animation and character setup learn how to streamline workflow using industry-standard scripting methods to automate character model building, animate actions, and rig characters.

Digital matte painting explores the techniques of 2D image creation for use as backgrounds and set extensions. Students are introduced to the digital tool set and techniques for matte painting, as well as the history of the art. Projects and skills may complement courses dealing with related fields such as live action, 3D and compositing.

This course explores advanced concepts in materials and texturing as applied to the 3D character model. The course explores material and texture application based on age, size, mobility and species, as determined by character environment, health and social characteristics. The course integrates information gleaned from reference materials into the 3D world.

This course explores the use of MEL, Autodesk Maya's embedded scripting language, Python and other modes of shell scripting as tools for automating repetitive tasks, customizing the user experience, utilizing external data sources and extending the basic toolset with custom features.

Animated characters get much of their character from their faces. Design, style, texture and expressive articulation all contribute toward more memorable animated storytelling. In this course, students explore all aspects of facial design, modeling, texturing, rigging and animation.

Cinematic lighting can transform and enhance the emotional impact of animated scenes. In this course, students explore 3D lighting design and rendering methodologies, developing models and solutions for various scenes. Through the study of cinematography and lighting theory, students learn to create mood, atmosphere, and focal points that meet character and narrative needs. Students become familiar with lighting tools and shading techniques, enabling them to emulate believable lighting situations in the production of short animated and live-action films.

This course covers intermediate concepts in programming, with an emphasis on understanding the foundations of 3D modeling, lighting and shading, and the use of C/C++ and Pixar's RenderMan scene description languages. Students also learn Pixar's shading language for rendering special effects.

Students utilize motion capture hardware/software to collect data from a live actor and evaluate, edit and export the data to a 3D digital character. The course emphasizes motion capture technology from the point of view of a technical director through managing, analyzing, importing and applying data as a structured process.

The anatomical challenges of finding rigging solutions for the unique characteristics of non-human motion are explored in this course. Use of scripting languages to expedite workflow is also explored. Emphasis is placed on the problem-solving responsibilities of a creature technical director, to include integration of muscle, cloth and fur into the rig.

From haunted castles to futuristic temples, 3-D environment and prop modelers create complex and believable models that match the art direction of an animated movie. Students explore advanced topics in 3-D environment and prop modeling, with an emphasis on hard-surface modeling techniques and stylization that supports storytelling.

Procedural modeling and animation techniques allow for the creation of environments with limitless complexity. They form the basis of techniques to create everything from expansive cityscapes to forests and volcanoes. Scenes are defined by relationships rather than singularities. Students are expected to utilize programming and text editing skills to develop dynamic digital effects.

This course explores the basic principles of creating an animatable skeleton for a 3D puppet, as applied to a series of anatomically different biped and quadruped characters. Students are assigned a prebuilt model to rig, explore advanced tools and apply them to various anatomical problems to find modeling and rigging solutions for believable character motion, and finally test the rigs with basic motion assignments.

From hideous, giant trolls to adorable, little kittens, 3D character modelers create complex and believable animated surfaces. Students develop 3D character design and organic surface modeling skills, with an emphasis on anatomy as it applies to predetermined movement requirements.

A visual development artist is an essential part of an animated movie's creative team, designing and developing the look of a film. In this course, students use a variety of character-driven approaches to create illustrative-quality look development and bring an original aesthetic to their animation.

In this course, students learn programming techniques and skills using C++. They explore and apply computer science concepts, control structures, data structures, use of program-development environments, program logic, problem-solving and object-oriented programming methodologies as it is practiced in the professional field of visual effects.

The application of 3D lighting techniques allows industry professionals to create stories in real time.  In this course, students become familiar with real-time production and emulate believable lighting solutions "based in reality." Students explore the theory of lighting and visual storytelling with an emphasis on composition, color, and art direction. Students apply concept designs to environments using real-time 3D applications to establish mood.

Collaboration is key in visual effects, where teamwork and creativity come together to produce stunning results. Working in collaborative teams, students create a structured production pipeline, maintain effective communication, and propose creative solutions to technical problems, all while meeting project deadlines. Students produce an appealing and finished short project while experiencing the professional workflow of a collaborative project.

This course teaches efficient and creative use of visual effects for narrative film and television, through projects emphasizing technical problem-solving and creative planning and execution. Specific emphasis is given to on-set supervision and collaboration with directors and producers, camera, art and editorial departments. Students gain awareness of the capabilities of both digital and traditional techniques (practical effects, models and miniatures, prosthetics and animatronics, etc.).

In this course, students study and apply principles of film language, screen design, and concept development to create compelling visual effects for live-action film projects. Combining technical skills and research, students produce visual concept materials and compile comprehensive preproduction packages that communicate a specific visual style for a collaborative short film.

In this course, students develop the skills necessary for successful careers in the visual effects industry. By exploring current industry practices, students develop a strategic self-promotion plan and create professional-quality demo reels, résumés, and websites. The course emphasizes the creation of a cohesive and compelling portfolio that showcases technical and artistic capabilities, preparing students for their professional journey.

Exploring the challenges of integrating photorealistic creatures for film, television and games, students establish the look and style of 3D creatures through the definition of surface attributes. Students refine their skills and abilities for shading and texturing to create a final rendered look for a digital creature.

This course provides the foundation for students to produce complex composite images used in the animation, broadcast design, interactive, game and visual effects industries and equips students with the technical, theoretical and conceptual skills required to combine moving images.

This course explores concepts in 3D digital materials, lighting and rendering and developing techniques to create the illusion of a "real" world utilizing 3D computer graphics. Students gain understanding of and skills with lighting tools, including 3D and 2D applications, as well as a variety of rendering techniques.

This course investigates visual effects techniques including particle systems, rigid body dynamics and fluid simulations. Students explore aspects of particles and procedural effects. Professional workflows and presentation skills are also emphasized.

In this course students gain proficiency in complex and state-of-the-art digital compositing techniques and apply these skills to the creation of professional portfolio pieces that showcase technical and artistic mastery. Individual research and personal creative direction are encouraged and supported. Topics of study include advanced green screen techniques, 3D matchmoving and integration, depth compositing, stereoscopic compositing techniques and other developing techniques and areas of interest.

This course explores techniques for clothing creation, dynamic movement and animator control that support the overall aesthetic and tone of the animated story. Students bring animated characters to life and make their stories believable through digital clothing methods and techniques.

Students learn traditional hands-on techniques for the building of models, miniature environments and set extensions. Methodologies to combine these creations into believable visual effects scenes both with and without live action elements are explored. Through direct and hands-on exposure to miniature construction, finishing and photography, students develop the skills required to produce a visual effects shot utilizing models—rather than or in addition to computer graphics or optical effects techniques. The context of these types of practical effects is set through the use of film clips and examples, as well as discussion of the methodologies used throughout film history.

In this course, students are introduced to the production stage of a collaborative live-action short film including analysis and critique, organization and scheduling. The goal is to create a coherent body of work expressing students artistic visions through acquired skills. Emphasis is placed on the identification and utilization of individual strengths in the context of a production environment.

Internships offer students valuable opportunities to work in a professional environment and gain firsthand experience to help them prepare for careers. In an approved internship setting, a student typically spends one quarter working with an on-site professional supervisor and a faculty internship supervisor to achieve specific goals and objectives related to the program of study.

Students complete their short film projects while visually documenting their technical skills, showcasing their mastery of production-level techniques, tools, and software. Students adhere to industry standards of artistry and aesthetics, reflecting the latest trends and practices. In addition to technical skill, students demonstrate effective teamwork and collaboration by executing the post-production phase on a live-action or 3D animated short film.

This course covers many of the essential aspects of 3D modeling, texturing, lighting and effects animation for use in the visual effects industry. Professional workflows, techniques and presentation skills are emphasized throughout the course.

Students taking this course are introduced to the RenderMan Scene Description Language (RIB) and the RenderMan Shading Language (RSL). Pixar's RenderMan is a widely used rendering technology used for feature animated and special effects film production. The basics of Python and MEL scripting are also covered.

This course explores the art and technique of photography for films with visual effects. Students learn the technical and aesthetic aspects of practical camera work.  They also study camera composition and motion specific to a 3D digital space as part of the process to visualize scenes in a movie before filming begins. Other concepts, such as shot definition, framing and timing, are addressed.

This course explores simple principles of modeling and rigging as applied to a series of character technical direction challenges. Students explore digital tools and apply them to various anatomical problems to find modeling and rigging solutions to abet character motion. Emphasis is placed on proper identification of controls for the end user.

Students gain introductory knowledge of the LINUX/UNIX environment and how it relates to text editing and file management. In addition, the foundations of programming languages are covered utilizing LINUX/UNIX shell scripting, PERL, MEL, C++ or similar programming.

This course covers many of the essential aspects of 3D modeling, texturing, lighting and animation for use in the visual effects industry. Professional workflows, techniques and presentation skills are emphasized and encouraged throughout the course.

In this course, theoretical and practical study methods are used to inform and develop students' practices. By integrating historical studies, theory and practice, students address issues central to the visual effects industry and develop conceptual ideologies.

This course introduces high-end digital multilayering. Techniques and aesthetic issues are explored to produce time-based imagery. Students acquire and integrate aesthetically driven live-action imagery into broadcast or visual effects projects utilizing a wide range of media formats.

Students learn about the techniques of procedural modeling and animation used in visual effects film. Students use procedural modeling techniques and camera techniques and prepare documentation required in visual effects productions. The end result is a visual effects portfolio of professional quality.

This course explores advanced visual effects techniques including particle systems, rigid body dynamics and fluid simulations. Using industry standard software, students explore innovations in atmospheric effects, aspects of particles and procedural methodologies. Professional workflows and presentation skills are practiced and emphasized throughout the course.

Students define a personal vision creating visual effects for film. Concentrating on the design of visual effects sequences, specific attention is directed toward the development of scripts, storyboards, shot breakdowns, animatics, technical direction documents, estimates and schedules in the planning process. As preparation for thesis work, this course is flexible with a strong emphasis on critique.

This course focuses on production of visual effects for student demonstration DVDs and reels. Students choose sequences and software, while the professor oversees production and completion. Collaboration between students with complementary technical and creative specializations is stressed as a reflection of professional industry practice. Emphasis is placed on creative and technical problem-solving for image acquisition, image simulation, visual composition and element compositing.

Students focus on the integration of imagery, websites, video and various elements into a visual effects portfolio. Students are expected to learn and apply effective tools for self-promotion, including a reel, CD compilation, website, cover letter and résumé. Proper and effective marketing techniques, interviewing techniques, job search strategies and business practices are covered to provide an understanding of operations in the effects industry. M.A. students enroll in this course during their final quarter of the visual effects program.

Students develop believable lighting and rendering solutions for environments in both live-action integration and computer-generated scenes. Students understand the lighting tools available as well as a variety of rendering techniques to create believable lighting situations.

This course is an in-depth study of programming techniques used to develop the artistic vision of a 3D environment. Industry-standard shader language is used to create rendering effects for the production of still images and animations using the most prevalent software in the industry.

In this course, students learn advanced multi-layering techniques combining CGI, live action and graphics to resolve complex problems in motion design and visual effects technologies.

This course addresses the role of digital matte painting in augmenting the visual environment; students apply this technique to the re-creation of both realistic and fantasy scenes. Issues such as color, space, depth and perspective as painting techniques are explored. The elements created in the course may be used with 3D elements and composited for other projects.

Students analyze the possibilities and constraints of visual effects design as they refine an entire visual effects vision for visual effects sequences. The course is flexible with a strong emphasis on thought processes, aesthetics and research.

Students in this course undertake a field assignment under the supervision of a faculty member.

Students in this course undertake a teaching or field assignment under the supervision of a faculty member.

This elective course provides an opportunity for students to focus on particular issues in the field or to study advanced techniques and processes. Faculty course content and prerequisites vary each time the course is offered. The course may include lectures, discussions, individual projects and critiques, depending on the nature of the topic.

The visual effects M.F.A. degree program culminates with completion of a graduate-level thesis that presents a mature, resolved body of work, and demonstrates advanced professional competence through mastery of the technical, creative and aesthetic elements of the discipline. Based on original research, ideation and concept development, students earning a M.F.A. in visual effects create original cinematographic, photorealistic and stylized visual effects that demonstrate advanced professional standards in technical expertise, artistry and aesthetics, and contribute to the scholarly and creative advancement of the discipline.