Top Animation School Program in Kansas - 2020 College Rankings

The University of Kansas (KU) was named as the official university for the State of Kansas when Gov. Carney signed the act to begin the university on March 1, 1864. Today, KU is a major public and teaching institution that serves 28,510 students from 50 states and 105 countries, across six campuses in Lawrence, Kansas City, Overland Park, Wichita, Leavenworth, and Salina. KU houses 13 schools, including the only schools of pharmacy and medicine in the state, and offers more than 370 degree programs.

Part of the School of Architecture and Design, the Department of Design offers a BFA in Illustration & Animation that the school says, “prepares students to develop and refine methodologies in image making while acquiring an effective use of visual language, and problem-solving skills.” Course highlights for the 120 credit hour program include Advanced Animation, Advanced Concept Art, Design Think & Make, Drawing for Design, Drawing Media Illustration, Ethics in Design, Foundations in Image-Making, Fundamentals of Animation, Sequential & Narrative Illustration, and Trends in Design.

Also part of the program is the Hallmark Symposium, independent study, an internship, and a faculty-led study abroad experience.

Illustration & Animation students have received local, regional and national recognition, including awards from the Society of Illustrators of New York, the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, American Illustration, 3x3 The Magazine of Contemporary Illustration, Creative Quarterly, and CMYK Magazine.