Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation/Illustration)

Visual storytelling starts here. Fredonia’s animation and illustration program offers a unique blend of rigorous artistic training, cutting-edge technology, and creative freedom. 

Whether you focus on animation, illustration, or both, you’ll build strong drawing skills, explore narrative storytelling, and develop your own artistic voice in our state-of-the-art facilities. Prepare for a career in the visual arts with hands-on experience and expert mentorship from faculty.

What You'll Gain:

• Creative Development: Hone your drawing and storytelling skills through experimentation with mixed media and narrative techniques.
• Cutting-Edge Facilities: Access 24/7 studios in the renovated Rockefeller Arts Center and work with advanced tools in our state-of-the-art visual arts spaces.
• Individual Artistic Voice: Build a unique artistic identity through intensive studio work, supported by personalized faculty mentorship and guidance.
• Hybrid Skill Set: Gain interdisciplinary skills in both traditional and emerging media, making you versatile and competitive in the evolving art marketplace.
• Professional Preparation: Develop a portfolio that showcases your technical, conceptual, and creative talents, positioning you for success in various art and design fields.
• Career Opportunities: Graduates excel as art directors, working artists, designers, and creative freelancers, with many entering fields like special effects, web design, and gallery management.

Career Opportunities for Animation/Illustration

• Animator
• Compositing Artist
• Creative Director
• Motion Graphics Designer
• Storyboard Artist
• Art Director
• Concept Artist
• Illustrator
• Multimedia Artist
• Visual Development Artist

Animation and Illustration, B.F.A. Sample Degree Map

• The Animation and Illustration, B.F.A. degree integrates both disciplines in a unified curriculum where students participate in introduction and intermediate courses for each area utilizing analog and digital media, a combined 3D modeling and animation class, advanced directed projects and a capstone illustrated series or senior independent animation. The program focuses on drawing skills, concept development, experimentation, mixed media processes, narrative storytelling, historical research, and critical thinking.
• The State University of New York at Fredonia is committed to doing our part to provide each student a clear path to graduation. This four-year degree plan is a sample map for fulfilling requirements in the major, the Fredonia Foundations (FF), and other supporting courses. The pathway that you take to your degree may differ somewhat from this illustration, depending on where you start and the detours and side trips you may take along the way. If you are committed to completing your degree in four years, we encourage you to consider signing up for the Fredonia in 4 program.

It's Different Here

• 2 Media Labs- With Mac Pros and iMacs equipped with Intuos Wacom tablets, the Adobe production suite, Cinema 4D, Final Cut Pro, Zbrush, Dragonframe, and ToonBoom Harmony Advanced.
• Serious Tech- Our studios also include animation stands, a dedicated illustration drawing room, and a shooting studio for stop motion work.
• Connections- MoCCA and the SUNY-wide Film Festival, and other special events, provide opportunities for film screenings and career development.