Entertainment Art/Animation Degrees: What Coursework is Included in a Typical Entertainment Art/Animation Program?

What Does Entertainment Art/Animation Mean?

Entertainment art/animation is a unique field that focuses mainly on character animation. The art of animation, entertainment, communications, and storytelling are also elements of entertainment art/animation. Professionals in this field work primarily in the film industry, but some may also work in gaming, advertising, or graphic design.

Coursework for Entertainment Art/Animation

The entertainment art/animation degree program offers a well-rounded curriculum consisting of everything from animation to art history. During the freshman and sophomore years, students will focus on foundations coursework in Art History, Color, Composition, Design, Drawing for Animation, Figure Anatomy, History of Animation, Perspective, and Storytelling. As students progress through the program, they will have the option to choose a number of elective courses depending on their chosen career path. Elective options may include 3D Digital Animation, Digital Painting, Life Drawing, Painting, Motion Graphics, Cartooning and Caricature, Storyboarding, Comic Book and Children’s Book Illustration and Background Painting.

During the senior year, students will have a number of opportunities to gear up for the inevitable job search. Most programs give students the opportunity to produce a professional demo-reel or portfolio. In addition, students may enroll in an internship program which will give them the opportunity to make contacts in the industry, gain hands-on experience, and jump-start their careers.

What Can I do with a Degree in Entertainment Art/Animation?

Entertainment art/animation artists have most of the same opportunities as animators. They work in feature films, gaming, TV series animation, commercials, documentaries, visual effects, graphic design, multimedia art, web design, architecture, aerospace, engineering, the medical field, forensics, and home building and design. In the gaming and entertainment industries, job titles include animator, 3D animator, 2D animator, environments designer, storyboard artist, storyboard supervisor, character designer, concept artist, visual effects artist, layout artist, art director, production designer, scriptwriter, producer, and director.