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The award-winning Animation & Illustration BFA program, offered by theDepartment 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, BAmajors 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.
- Program Learning Outcomes
Summary of Degree Units
| University Graduation Requirements | 45 |
| Major Preparation | 36 |
| Major Core Requirements | 18 |
| Specialization Area | 21 |
| Total | 120 |
Program Roadmaps
The 4-Year and 5-yearRoadmapsareavailable online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathwaysare also available online.
Major-Specific Requirements
Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in all major preparation and major required courses. Students who drop below a 3.0 for two consecutive semesters will have their degree status changed from the BFA to the Design Studies, BA.
University Requirements
Students must satisfy all of the major andUndergraduate University Graduation Requirements, which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education, American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment, and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirementsare noted with an area designation (seeCourse Note Abbreviations).
Exceptions for University Graduation Requirementsapply to this major.
Core Lower Division General Education (27 units)
Of the 39 units required by the university, 12 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3,B4, or F must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with a major advisor for details.
Upper Division General Education (9 units)
Of the 9 units required by the university, 0units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below.
American Institutions (6 units)
Complete one6-unit sequence of American Institutions (US123)courses, which also satisfiesGE AreaD. Students may also satisfy theAmerican Institutions Requirementwith other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.
TheAmerican Studies sequence (AMS 10/AMS 11; 6units)satisfiesthe American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (seecourse descriptions for details).
Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.
African American Studies (6 units)
- AFAM 2A - African Americans and the Development of America’s History and Government 3 unit(s) (D)
- AFAM 2B - African Americans and the Development of America’s History and Government 3 unit(s) (D+US123)
Asian American Studies (6 units)
- AAS 33A - Asian Americans in U.S. History I 3 unit(s) (D)
- AAS 33B - Asian Americans in U.S. History II 3 unit(s) (D+US123)
Chicana and Chicano Studies (6 units)
- CCS 10A - Mexican Americans and the Development of U.S. History and Government 3 unit(s) (D)
- CCS 10B - Mexican Americans and the Development of U.S. History and Government 3 unit(s) (D+US123)
Physical Education
The Physical Education Requirement is waived for this major.See theExceptions for University Graduation Requirements.
Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (3 units)
At SJSU, students must pass a Writing in the Disciplines (100W) course with a grade of C or better (C- not accepted) to meet graduation requirements. Exceptions to the GWAR may be found in the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR)section.
This requirement is fulfilled in this major with:
- 3 unit(s) (WID)
DSGN 100W - Writing Workshop: Design
Major Preparation (36 units)
- ANI 11 - Illustration Fundamentals I 3 unit(s) (ART 24will also be accepted for transfer students)
- TA 5 - Acting 3 unit(s) (C1) (Will also accept ARTH 72Design in Society)
Complete One Course From:
Highly Recommend Students take ARTH 70B
- ARTH 70A - Art History, Prehistoric to Medieval 3 unit(s) (C1)
- ARTH 70B - Art History, Renaissance to Modern 3 unit(s) (C1)
- ARTH 70C - Arts of Asia 3 unit(s) (C1)
Additional Support Courses (27 units)
- ANI 10 - Light and Optics 3 unit(s) (ART 12will also be accepted for transfer students)
- ANI 13 - Drawing for Animation/Illustration I 3 unit(s)
- ANI 15 - Visual Storytelling 3 unit(s)
- ANI 21 - Color Principles for Screen Arts 3 unit(s) (ART 14will also be accepted for transfer students)
- ANI 31 - 2D Animation I 3 unit(s)
- ANI 41 - Introduction to 3D Modeling 3 unit(s)
- ANI 61 - Introduction to 3D Animation 3 unit(s)
- ANI 71 - Visual Principles 3 unit(s)
- ANI 111 - Drawing for Animation/Illustration II 3 unit(s)
Core Courses (12 units)
- ANI 121 - Illustration Fundamentals II 3 unit(s)
- ANI 122 - Illustration Fundamentals III 3 unit(s)
- ANI 131 - 2D Animation II 3 unit(s)
- ANI 132 - 2D Animation III 3 unit(s)
Specialization Area (21 units)
Choose a Specialization area in Animation and Storyor Visual Development and Modeling.
Specializations are a cluster of courses used by departments for advising purposes. Specializations will not appear on transcripts or diplomas. Please see advisor for more details.
Animation and Story (21 units)
- ANI 133 - Animation Production - Storyboarding 3 unit(s)
- ANI 161 - Digital Animation I 3 unit(s)
- ANI 162 - Digital Animation II 3 unit(s)
- Three Approved Upper Division Electives 9 unit(s)
