Master 3D modeling for film and video games in under 2 years with CG Spectrum. Get personalized career training online from leading 3D artists from major studios, plus career support and access to a vibrant community. Learn more.
What is the top animation school program in Connecticut for 2023?
| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Connecticut | Multiple |
Our 2023 ranking -our twelfth annual- of the top animation school program in Connecticut. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
1. University of Connecticut, Storrs, Stamford, Connecticut
The School of Fine Arts at University of Connecticut (UConn) houses the Digital Media & Design (DMD) Department and the Art and Art History Department. Both provide several pathways to study animation. The Art & Art History Department has an Art BFA Program with an Illustration/Animation Concentration. The DMD Department has a 3D Animation BFA and Digital Media & Design BA Program, which provides the opportunity to take 15 credit hours of electives in 3D Animation. The DMD also has a Motion Design & Animation (MDA) BFA Program.
Across programs, students enjoy collaborative and project based-learning, and access to state-of-the-art facilities in the UConn Bishop Center. Facilities include a high-powered Cintiq computer lab for high-end 3D work, a speedy render farm, and a brand new 688 ft Motion Capture studio. In addition, graduates enjoy a high employment rate. Most graduates are offered positions within six months of graduation.
The Art BFA-Illustration/Animation requires 66 art/design credits, 12 art history credits, and 42 credits general education credits. Students will create projects in both digital and analog environments including 2-D and stop-motion animation; character and environment design; comics, cartoons, and graphic novels; book, editorial, institutional, and children’s illustration; design for products; and self-promotion. Graduates are prepared for careers in these areas and many others.
Program alumni are employed at major studios and companies such as Pixar, Google Creative, Stoopid Buddy Studios, YouTube Gaming, and Lego.
The 3D Animation BFA Program explores all areas of animation production including compositing for visual effects, simulations and visualizations, modeling, animation, lighting, rendering, and rigging. Courses focus on the core principles of 3D animation. Examples include 3D Animation I, 3D Modeling, Lighting & Rendering II, and Motion Graphics I.
Graduates of the 3D Animation BFA Program are Animators, 3D Specialists, Video Game Artists, Visual Effects (VFX) Artists, Medical and Scientific Animators, and Advertising Designers and Animators. Program alumni have gone on to work at Epic Games, NBC Sports Group, Blur Studio, Twitter, Greenhouse Studios, and Matter Communications.
MDA BFA students will learn to animate and design for entertainment, marketing, communications, and emerging media, such as augmented reality, digital media & performance, scientific visualization, UI/UX, projection mapping, and social media content creation.
MDA graduates and students have landed positions and paid internships at animation and design studios such as AW Design, DW Advertising, Fusion 360, and XVIVO | 3D Animation & Illustration as well as major companies and studios such as NBC Universal, Adobe, Viacom, CBS 2 News, World Wide Wrestling Entertainment (WWE,) ESPN, and NBC Sports Group.
Founded in 1881, University of Connecticut began as Storrs Agricultural School with just three faculty members and 13 male students. Today, UConn’s more than 18,000 faculty and staff members serve approximately 32,150 students across the main campus at Storrs, and four regional campuses. Programs at UConn are provided across 14 colleges and schools. Offerings include eight undergraduate degrees with 120 majors, 17 graduate degrees in 92 fields of study, and six professional degree programs.
University of Connecticut is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). UConn School of Fine Arts is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD).