Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics and Special Effects

Animation is the combination of computer science and art. You'll find countless examples of animation among the many popular TV shows and movies in pop culture history, including The Simpsons, Family Guy, Toy Story, and Spirited Away. You will enjoy this major if you are interested in computer science and drawing, have a creative mind, and are observant.As an animation major, you will learn the basic skills and techniques involved in making a drawing come to life. During their first year, students learn about the basic principles of animation, creating a foundation for the rest of their education. From there, students learn how to create and animate by exploring more advanced means beyond pencil and paper, such as 3-D, character modeling, visual effects, and stop-motion. Knowledge in computer science and information technology will be beneficial when studying animation as some animation projects depend heavily on technology usage. Be prepared to use illustration programs such as Adobe Illustrator, Autodesk 3DS Max, Autodesk Maya, Vector Designer, and Ability Photopaint.Animation students can also take advantage of internships to further boost their credentials and have a greater chance of getting a job after graduation. Depending on your college or university, an internship or two may even be required. The field is competitive, so having an internship on your resume will give you a leg up in the applicant pool.Graduates go on to pursue careers in film and TV as story artists, visual developers, and animators. Some choose to go into game design and development, producing visually appealing video games.