Animation and Visual Effects
About the Program
Bachelor of Science Degree: 185.0 quarter credits
The Animation & Visual Effects major provides students with the technological, story-telling and design skills to succeed as animators and visual effects artists in the highly competitive entertainment and design worlds.
Animation and visual effects are no longer used only when creating animation or big budget theatrical films. Today, these production techniques are widely used in feature films, medical research, engineering, television, web content, the performing arts, corporate communications and higher education. While an understanding of the multiple facets of digital media remains important to students' educational development, the depth and complexity of the field necessitates a rigorous course of study specifically focused on animation and visual effects.
To best prepare students for the demands of careers in these cutting-edge disciplines, they will pursue a foundation of design and technology, taking core courses in all aspects of digital media, completing a six month co-op and delving into rigorous coursework in many areas of specialization. Students will learn the underlying principles of animation, along with industry-standard software technology. The entire creative pipeline from storyboarding through modeling and animation is covered in-depth, allowing students to experience all aspects of production.
Additional Information
To find out more about this major, visit the Westphal College’s Animation & Visual Effects Major page.
Degree Requirements
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| PHYS 121 | Physical Science for Design I | 4.0 |
| PHYS 122 | Physical Science for Design II | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 2.0 |
| Arts and Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| History (HIST) elective | 3.0 | |
| Literature (ENGL) elective | 3.0 | |
| Social Science electives | 9.0 | |
| Free electives | 24.0 | |
| Art and Art History Requirements | ||
| ARTH 102 | History of Art II: High Renaissance to Modern | 3.0 |
| ARTH 103 | History of Art- Early to Late Modern | 3.0 |
| ARTH 300 [WI] | History of Modern Design | 3.0 |
| VSST 108 | Design I for Media | 3.0 |
| VSST 109 | Design II for Media | 3.0 |
| VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
| VSST 111 | Figure Drawing I | 3.0 |
| Media and Computer Science Requirements | ||
| FMVD 110 | Basic Shooting and Lighting | 3.0 |
| FMVD 206 | Audio Production and Post | 3.0 |
| VSCM 240 | Typography I | 3.0 |
| SCRP 270 [WI] | Screenwriting I | 3.0 |
| Select one of the following Computer Science sequences: | 6.0 | |
| Computer Programming Option I | ||
| Special Topics in Computer Science ( Introduction to Programming with Media: Python ) | ||
| Special Topics in Computer Science (Computer Programming Fundamentals) | ||
| Computer Programming Option II | ||
| Computer Programming I | ||
| Computer Programming II | ||
| Digital Media Core Requirements | ||
| ANIM 141 | Computer Graphic Imagery | 3.0 |
| ANIM 211 | Animation I | 3.0 |
| DIGM 100 | Digital Design Tools | 3.0 |
| DIGM 105 | Overview of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| DIGM 110 | Digital Spatial Visualization | 3.0 |
| DIGM 223 | Creative Concept Design | 3.0 |
| DIGM 250 | Professional Practices | 3.0 |
| DIGM 252 | Multimedia Timeline Design | 3.0 |
| DIGM 350 [WI] | Digital Storytelling | 3.0 |
| DIGM 451 [WI] | Explorations in New Media | 3.0 |
| DIGM 475 [WI] | Seminar: The Future of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| DIGM 492 | Senior Project in Digital Media I | 3.0 |
| DIGM 493 | Senior Project in Digital Media II | 3.0 |
| DIGM 494 | Digital Media Senior Project III | 3.0 |
| GMAP 260 | Overview of Computer Gaming | 3.0 |
| WBDV 240 | Web Authoring I | 3.0 |
| WBDV 241 | Vector Authoring I | 3.0 |
| Animation Requirements | ||
| ANIM 212 | Animation II | 3.0 |
| ANIM 215 | History of Animation | 3.0 |
| ANIM 219 | Digital Compositing | 3.0 |
| ANIM 247 | Organic Modeling | 3.0 |
| ANIM 314 | Character Animation I | 3.0 |
| ANIM 410 | Visual Effects | 3.0 |
| ANIM 411 | Advanced Animation | 3.0 |
| Animation Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6.0 | |
| Advanced Lighting | ||
| Character Animation II | ||
| Immersive Animation | ||
| Spatial Data Capture | ||
| Technical Directing for Animation | ||
| Total Credits | 185.0 | |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Center. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
Sample Plan of Study
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| DIGM 100 | Digital Design Tools | 3.0 |
| DIGM 105 | Overview of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| ENGL 101 | Expository Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| PHYS 121 | Physical Science for Design I | 4.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| VSST 110 | Introductory Drawing | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| DIGM 110 | Digital Spatial Visualization | 3.0 |
| ENGL 102 | Persuasive Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| FMVD 110 | Basic Shooting and Lighting | 3.0 |
| PHYS 122 | Physical Science for Design II | 4.0 |
| VSST 108 | Design I for Media | 3.0 |
| UNIV A101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| ANIM 141 | Computer Graphic Imagery | 3.0 |
| DIGM 252 | Multimedia Timeline Design | 3.0 |
| ENGL 103 | Analytical Writing and Reading | 3.0 |
| MATH 101 | Introduction to Analysis I | 4.0 |
| VSST 109 | Design II for Media | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| ANIM 211 | Animation I | 3.0 |
| DIGM 223 | Creative Concept Design | 3.0 |
| GMAP 260 | Overview of Computer Gaming | 3.0 |
| WBDV 240 | Web Authoring I | 3.0 |
| Computer Science (CS) sequence course* | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| ANIM 212 | Animation II | 3.0 |
| ANIM 215 | History of Animation | 3.0 |
| ARTH 102 | History of Art II: High Renaissance to Modern | 3.0 |
| COOP 101 | Career Management and Professional Development | 0.0 |
| WBDV 241 | Vector Authoring I | 3.0 |
| Computer Science (CS) sequence course* | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| ANIM 219 | Digital Compositing | 3.0 |
| ARTH 103 | History of Art- Early to Late Modern | 3.0 |
| FMVD 206 | Audio Production and Post | 3.0 |
| SCRP 270 [WI] | Screenwriting I | 3.0 |
| VSCM 240 | Typography I | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| ANIM 247 | Organic Modeling | 3.0 |
| COM 230 | Techniques of Speaking | 3.0 |
| DIGM 250 | Professional Practices | 3.0 |
| DIGM 350 [WI] | Digital Storytelling | 3.0 |
| VSST 111 | Figure Drawing I | 3.0 |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| ANIM 314 | Character Animation I | 3.0 |
| ARTH 300 [WI] | History of Modern Design | 3.0 |
| DIGM 451 [WI] | Explorations in New Media | 3.0 |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Animation elective* | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| ANIM 410 | Visual Effects | 3.0 |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Animation elective* | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| ANIM 411 | Advanced Animation | 3.0 |
| DIGM 492 | Senior Project in Digital Media I | 3.0 |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Arts and Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Free elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 11 | ||
| DIGM 493 | Senior Project in Digital Media II | 3.0 |
| Social Science elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 9.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 12 | ||
| DIGM 494 | Digital Media Senior Project III | 3.0 |
| DIGM 475 [WI] | Seminar: The Future of Digital Media | 3.0 |
| Arts and Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Free electives | 6.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Total Credit: 185.0 | ||
| * | See degree requirements. |
Courses
ANIM 141 Computer Graphic Imagery 3.0 Credits
This course will introduce students to the principles and techniques of 3D virtual scene building for animation, visualization and game development.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: DIGM 110 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 211 Animation I 3.0 Credits
Explores computer animation with an introduction to concepts of 3D animation. Includes narrative structure, storyboarding, and development. Emphasizes aesthetic, technical and conceptual issues. Requires students to create shorty animations in tiemline based software.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 141 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 141 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 212 Animation II 3.0 Credits
Builds on topics introduced in ANIM 211 Animation I, incorporating advanced animation techniques such as inverse kinematics and dynamics. Requires students to propose, design, and produce a short animation.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 211 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 211 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 215 History of Animation 3.0 Credits
Students learn the pre-cursors to modern animation and the evolution of the art since the beginning of the 20th century. Concepts in both 2D and 3D animation will be covered.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
ANIM 219 Digital Compositing 3.0 Credits
Examines digital compositing possibilities through the manipulation and recombination of acquired and produced digital imagery, including 3D models/animations, and video.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 212 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 212 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 247 Organic Modeling 3.0 Credits
This course will be an intensive exploration of organic modeling. Students will learn the best approaches to modeling organic forms and why these approaches are relevant. There will be considerable emphasis on anatomical forms.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 141 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 141 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 248 Advanced Lighting 3.0 Credits
Students will learn to integrate production-oriented lighting techniques into animation. Techniques utilizing both point-based and raytraced global illumination will be covered, and how to optimize pipelines for animation. Basic shader development will also be covered.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 141 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 141 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 314 Character Animation I 3.0 Credits
Examines issues and processed of 3D character development. Addresses various modes of 3D data wrangling for highly detailed, articulated character controls.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 212 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 212 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 315 Character Animation II 3.0 Credits
Covers advanced techniques of inverse and forward kinematics, full-character skeletal setup, development of animation, and puppeteer controls. Explores levels of reality, and world interatction within scope of character.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 314 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 314 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 321 Immersive Animation 3.0 Credits
Students will explore and experiment with non-planar multi-perspective projection to develop a unique and powerful immersive animation experience. Focus will be on the production of animations for both irregular architectural surfaces and conventional projection environments such as fulldome.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
Prerequisites: ANIM 212 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 212 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 388 Spatial Data Capture 3.0 Credits
Students learn about the tools available to integrate components from the physical environment into computer animations and games. Aspects covered will be 3D scanning, motion capture and imaging techniques.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: DIGM 212 [Min Grade: D] or ANIM 212 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 399 Independent Project in Animation 0.5-12.0 Credits
Supervised planning and execution of a project in the area of Animation.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
ANIM 410 Visual Effects 3.0 Credits
Students learn to create detailed visual effects, and the best methods to integrate them into live-action plates. Drawing on existing compositing and animation knowledge, students will work in groups to prodce short visual effects sequences.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Junior or Senior.
Prerequisites: (ANIM 219 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 302 [Min Grade: D]) and (ANIM 212 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 212 [Min Grade: D])
ANIM 411 Advanced Animation 3.0 Credits
This course explores a wide range of visual effects assets, both practical and synthetic. Projects focus on the creation of a comprehensive short animation.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Restrictions: Can enroll if classification is Junior or Senior.
Prerequisites: ANIM 410 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 302 [Min Grade: D] or ANIM 219 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 435 Technical Directing for Animation 3.0 Credits
Students learn the necessary toolsets for technical direction of animated films and visual effects. The topics covered include Pythos scripting, pipeline development and integration and creation of custom shaders to streamline production processes.
Repeat Status: Not repeatable for credit
Prerequisites: ANIM 219 [Min Grade: D] or DIGM 302 [Min Grade: D]
ANIM 465 Special Topics in Animation 3.0 Credits
Addresses current topics in Animation. May be repeated for credit if topics vary.
Repeat Status: Can be repeated multiple times for credit
Restrictions: Cannot enroll if classification is Freshman
