Art: Animation
Major
Animation degree at CMU
At CMU, we're all about helping you become a skilled animator, concept designer, story artist, or all of the above! Our program teaches you how to create interesting characters and tell compelling stories using advanced technology. You'll learn everything from designing your own characters, to creating visual effects, to completing a short game or a finished film. We cover all sorts of animated media, from classic hand-drawn animation, to stop-motion, to the latest 3D computer techniques. If you're passionate about bringing your ideas to life through animation, our program is the perfect fit for you!
AT A GLANCE
Why choose our animation degree?
In our close community, you'll find the support and friendship to pursue your artistic vision and collaborate on projects with fellow students. Our experienced faculty and staff, skilled in both artistry and technology, are here to guide you every step of the way.
You will have access to our modern facilities, which is a highlight of our program, blending traditional animation tools with digital technology.
- The Animation Computer Lab is equipped with advanced workstations, iMacs and digital drawing displays, providing students with resources for digital drawing, sculpting, storyboarding and animation. Each station is fully loaded for motion graphics, 3D animation, 2D tradigital animation and post-production.
- Our Traditional Media and Stop Motion animation labs offer opportunities for creative exploration with clay, puppets, paper cut-outs and even sand animation. Each workstation here has a professional DSLR camera, iMac and industry-grade software for frame-by-frame animation.
Explore motion, design and visual storytelling to craft engaging narratives. A major in art with a concentration in animation opens doors to various career paths, just as our alumni have found.
You'll find opportunities in fields like entertainment, advertising, illustration, prototyping, manufacturing design or the ever-evolving medical media industry. Your creative journey starts here, and the possibilities are endless as you pursue your animation degree.
What will you learn while pursuing an animation degree?
As an animation student, you can:
- Customize your education: Explore courses tailored to your interests, including options like: Digital Sculpting for Animation, Alternative Strategies in Animation and Character Performance for Animators.
- Explore scholarship opportunities: Discover scholarships specifically designed for art students to support your pursuit of an animation degree.
- Showcase your work: Participate in regular gallery exhibitions and semester screenings to share your artistic creations.
- Engage with the community: Join student organizations like Animation Super Station, which hosts film screenings, invites speakers and provides support for individual animation projects, enhancing your experience as you work towards your animation degree.
Careers with an animation degree
A CMU animation degree leads to diverse careers in entertainment, illustration, advertising, prototyping, manufacturing design and medical media. Specializing in 2D animation hones skills in 2D character animation, storyboarding, character design, motion graphics, animated effects for film, comics, and games. A focus on 3D animation prepares you for roles in 3D character animation, toy design and 3D prototyping.
| Career | Projected Salary |
|---|---|
| Art Director | $106,500 |
| Multimedia Designer/Animator | $99,060 |
| Illustrator | $52,910 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $98,950 |
| Film and Video Editors | $63,520 |
Take a behind-the-scenes look at our animation program
At CMU, our animation program helps you develop both your artistic skills and technical knowledge. You'll learn to create engaging visual stories in a supportive and creative environment. Whether you love hand-drawn animation, stop-motion or cutting-edge 3D, we offer a variety of techniques for you to explore and express yourself.
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