Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art - Animation/Illustration

The award-winning Animation & Illustration BFA program, offered by the Department of Design, is committed to providing a world-class education at an affordable price, preparing students for careers in feature film animation, games, television and any other media that uses animation and storytelling as a core communication tool. Industry professionals and peer educators rank SJSU Animation & Illustration among the best in the nation. The core curriculum combines both traditional and innovative educational strategies. Rigorous drawing classes and intensive study of color theory, design, perspective, and conventional and digital painting are required, as well as the study of the principles of both traditional and 3-D animation, physics of motion, modeling, storyboarding, character design, and visual development. Upper-division classes further define these disciplines offering students an opportunity to specialize in their area of choice.

All students must pass a milestone portfolio review to remain in the BFA program. Students who were admitted as Animation & Illustration BFA and do not pass portfolio review will be changed to Design Studies, BA majors with a specialization in Animation & Illustration (ANI). This specialization provides instruction in ANI foundation skills, supplemented by studies in design, film, photography, and theater arts. Students receive basic preparation for entry-level jobs in the entertainment industry, optionally, they can later apply to a graduate program in Animation, Illustration or similar fields of study.

The Animation & Illustration BFA is a highly impacted major. This means that the number of applications from fully eligible students far exceeds the number of spaces available in the program. Students interested in an impacted major must apply for admission during the initial filing period for admission in the fall. Applications for admission to impacted majors are not accepted after the initial filing period.

Students must Earn a high school diploma, or equivalent and earn the equivalent of a U.S. 3.0 grade point average (GPA) or an average of “B” grades. Successfully complete three years of college preparatory mathematics with a minimum grade of “C-” or better.

Admission to the BFA in Animation and Illustration is determined at the time students apply for admission to the university. There is no internal transfer into this program.

English Language Requirements: IELTS - 6.0, TOEFL – 61 (IBT), Paper based – 500; Pearson Test of English (PTE) – 44.