BA in Animation and Visual Effects

APU’s animation and visual effects major prepares students to make a difference as skilled animators and storytellers in an influential industry.

62 units

Learn more about the animation and visual effects major. 

Requirements

Animation and Visual Effects Core
ART 230Figurative Lab3
ANIM 111Digital Methods2
ANIM 117Color and Design3
ANIM 190Introduction to Animation Principles and Techniques3
ANIM 1922D Character Animation I3
ANIM 202Storyboarding for Animation I3
ANIM 203Introduction to Computer Animation3
ANIM 204Layout Fundamentals3
ANIM 205CG Character Animation I3
ANIM 207Action Analysis for Animation2
ANIM 212Character Design I3
CINE 274Story and Character3
WRIT 220Writing 2: Film Analysis and Criticism 13
Emphasis: Animation or Visual Effects (choose one below)25
Total Units62
Animation Emphasis
ANIM 305Visual Development3
ANIM 309Digital Concept Painting3
ANIM 345Advanced Story Concepts3
ANIM 3922D Character Animation II3
ANIM 395Animation Film Workshop3
ANIM 402Storyboarding for Animation II3
ANIM 445Portfolio Review and Career Preparation1
CINE 499Capstone Project in Cinematic Arts (course is taken twice) 26
Total Units25
Visual Effects Emphasis
ANIM 307CG Character Animation II3
ANIM 358Rigging for Animation3
ANIM 390CG Production Modeling3
ANIM 395Animation Film Workshop3
ANIM 404CG Layout and Previsualization3
ANIM 445Portfolio Review and Career Preparation1
CINE 391Visual Effects and Compositing3
CINE 499Capstone Project in Cinematic Arts (course is taken twice) 26
Total Units25
1

Meets the General Education Writing 2 requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

Suggested Study Plan: Years 1 and 2

Plan of Study Grid
Year I
FallUnits
GE 100 First-Year Seminar 3
ANIM 190 Introduction to Animation Principles and Techniques 3
ART 230 Figurative Lab 3
ANIM 117 Color and Design 3
GE Quantitative Literacy (MATH 110, MATH 115, or MATH 130) 3
 Units15
Spring
WRIT 110 Writing 1: The Art and Craft of Writing 3
ANIM 192 2D Character Animation I 3
CINE 274 Story and Character 3
ANIM 111 Digital Methods 2
MIN 108 Christian Life, Faith, and Ministry 3
GE Personal Wellness 1
 Units15
Year II
Fall
WRIT 220 Writing 2: Film Analysis and Criticism 3
ANIM 202 Storyboarding for Animation I 3
GE Oral Communication 3
ANIM 203 Introduction to Computer Animation 3
ANIM 207 Action Analysis for Animation 2
GE Humanities: Literature 3
 Units17
Spring
PSYC 290 Human Growth and Development 3
ANIM 205 CG Character Animation I 3
BIOL 101 Biology and Society 4
ANIM 212 Character Design I 3
ANIM 204 Layout Fundamentals 3
 Units16
 Total Units63

Suggested Study Plan: Years 3 and 4: Animation

Plan of Study Grid
Year III
FallUnits
ANIM 305 Visual Development 3
ANIM 392 2D Character Animation II 3
ANIM 309 Digital Concept Painting 3
UBBL 100 Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy 3
CINE 375 Writing 3: Screenwriting 3
 Units15
Spring
UBBL 230 Luke/Acts 3
ANIM 345 Advanced Story Concepts 3
GE Humanities: History 3
ANIM 395 Animation Film Workshop 3
ANIM 402 Storyboarding for Animation II 3
 Units15
Year IV
Fall
GE Theology 3
CINE 451 World Cinema 3
CINE 499 Capstone Project in Cinematic Arts 3
GE Foreign Language 1 3
GE Humanities: Fine Arts 3
 Units15
Spring
CINE 499 Capstone Project in Cinematic Arts 3
ANIM 445 Portfolio Review and Career Preparation 1
GE Upper-Division Bible 3
CINE 475 Civic Engagement Through Media 3
GE Foreign Language 2 3
GE Philosophy 3
 Units16
 Total Units61

Suggested Study Plan: Years 3 and 4: Visual Effects

Plan of Study Grid
Year III
FallUnits
ANIM 390 CG Production Modeling 3
CINE 375 Writing 3: Screenwriting 3
ANIM 307 CG Character Animation II 3
UBBL 100 Introduction to Biblical Literature: Exodus/Deuteronomy 3
GE Humanities: Fine Arts 3
 Units15
Spring
UBBL 230 Luke/Acts 3
ANIM 358 Rigging for Animation 3
ANIM 395 Animation Film Workshop 3
GE Humanities: History 3
ANIM 404 CG Layout and Previsualization 3
 Units15
Year IV
Fall
GE: Theology 3
CINE 451 World Cinema 3
CINE 499 Capstone Project in Cinematic Arts 3
CINE 391 Visual Effects and Compositing 3
GE Foreign Language 1 3
 Units15
Spring
CINE 499 Capstone Project in Cinematic Arts 3
ANIM 445 Portfolio Review and Career Preparation 1
GE Upper-Division Bible 3
CINE 475 Civic Engagement Through Media 3
GE Foreign Language 2 3
GE Philosophy 3
 Units16
 Total Units61

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Story – Describe an understanding of the integral structures of cinematic storytelling and implement these in criticism, scripts and productions.
    2.
  2. Technical Practice – Demonstrate proficiency in the aesthetic, practical, and technical aspects of writing, production, or criticism.
    3.
  3. Knowledge/Analysis – Articulate, critique, and apply the historic, social, and theoretical contexts of the cinematic arts.
    4.
  4. Professional Development – Implement the protocol, vocabulary, and work ethic necessary for professional careers.
    5.
  5. Collaboration – Serve as a member of a creative team in leadership and servanthood roles to meet project goals.
    6.
  6. Spiritual/Faith – Integrate an understanding of Christian faith through critical, creative, and collaborative endeavors.