Media Arts and Animation Degree: Requirements to Enroll in and Complete a Degree in Media Arts and Animation

Published Oct 08, 2009

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Students interested in film, television, gaming and web animation will find a degree in media arts and animation beneficial. It serves as the educational background necessary for finding employment as a storyboard artist, computer-aided special effects artist, gaming animation designer or video post-production artists. Media arts and animation degree programs study digital animation, technical drawings and special effects concepts.

Media Arts and Animation Degree Program Enrollment Requirements

Media arts and animation degree programs require applicants to have a high school diploma or equivalent General Educational Development (GED) transcript. In addition, many schools require a completed application, a written essay on an assigned topic and a personal interview. Some media arts and animation degree programs may substitute a written essay with a digital media arts presentation. Upon acceptance into the degree program, students follow the media arts and animation curriculum set forth by the school. This curriculum usually takes four years to complete.

Media Arts and Animation Degree Program Completion Requirements

Media and digital arts skills are honed in a media arts and animation bachelor's degree program. Students study color, drawing, character development, character design and story development. Media arts and animation concepts, such as 2-D and 3-D principles, are demonstrated through industry-specific computer software, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects and Autodesk 3D Max. As a result, students learn to convert manual drawings or renderings into technologically animated illustrations.

In addition, students of a media arts and animation bachelor's degree program also learn how to develop a story, design background, lay out scenes and create special effects. Upon completion of this degree program, students graduate with a bachelor's degree in media arts and animation and are prepared to seek entry-level employment with film studios, web design firms, game design studios and broadcasting companies. All graduates produce a personalized digital portfolio that illustrates the culmination of their media arts and animation skills.

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