Master of Arts Animation

The ma in animation provides a combination of artistic and technical training that prepares students for a future in 3d character animation, traditional animation, storyboarding, computer game art, motion graphics, or visual effects animation. 

• Animation MA students have an opportunity to explore a wide and deep range of animation courses in traditional animation (hand-drawn, stop motion, and hybrid), 3D animation and modeling, character design, storyboarding, game art, motion graphics, VFX animation, as well as courses in screenwriting, editing, sound, directing, and game development. Students have access to the latest in animation software, tools, and technologies including professional-level animation and effects software, Cintiq labs, 3D printing, stop motion stages and fabrication studios, 3D motion capture, motion control, and sophisticated sound studios.
• Alumni of our program have been hired in animation roles at a wide variety of companies, including DreamWorks Animation, LAIKA Studios, Warner Bros. Animation, Blizzard Entertainment, Bioware, Iron Galaxy Studios, The Mill, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, ShadowMachine, Walt Disney Animation Studios, Electronic Arts, and Cartoon Network, to name just a few.

Concentrations

• Motion Graphics- Motion Graphics, sometimes known as Motion Design, involves putting graphic forms, text, and photographic elements into motion using the principles of animation. These are almost always paired with sound and music for a specific purpose, such as in advertisements, educational and industrial videos, films and television titles, visual effects, and video games. Chicago is a major center for commercial advertising production, and Motion Graphics is a significant part of the commercial production and post-production process.
• Storyboarding and Character Design- Storyboard artists are in demand in the television and feature film animation industries. A storyboard artist can also find work storyboarding live action films, visual effects, and commercials. The skills of the storyboard artist can also be applied to graphic novels and comics. Character design is a much sought-after role in animation, game art, live action film, comics, and children’s literature. Both disciplines share a requirement for strong traditional drawing skills.
• Technical Artist- The Technical Artist Concentration prepares students for a range of technical roles, from the complex jobs of riggers, next generation modelers and motion capture artists to the hybrid specialization of the Technical Artist. A game industry Technical Artist is an art department member who serves as a bridge between art and engineering. The TA needs to understand the language of both fields and act as a translator between the areas. In the film and television CGI animation and VFX industries the Technical Artist is more commonly referred to as a Technical Director or Technical Animator. The TA in these fields shares many of the core responsibilities (pipeline, troubleshooting) and animation technical skills as the game TA.
• Traditional Animation- The Traditional Animator Concentration is for students who are interested in deepening their knowledge of traditional animation, including hand-drawn, stop motion, and hybrid methods, with an eye towards a production career in animation. Students in this concentration will train in the history, critical artistic issues, and fundamental principles that are necessary for animation artists. MA in Animation graduates will be prepared for many varied career options available to animators, including storyboard artists, visual development artists, layout artists, character animators, and commercial animators.
• 3D Animation- The 3D Animation concentration is for students interested in 3D animated filmmaking. Students will learn all the 3D tools necessary to realize their cinematic vision, including the most current approaches to 3D animation, modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, visual effects, compositing, and rendering. Students will complement their 3D studies with a solid foundation in studio art, visual design, art history, and traditional approaches to cinematic filmmaking.