Dec 26, 2024

2021-2022 Academic Catalog

2021-2022 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Animation & Illustration, BFA

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. This specialization provides instruction in A & I 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	36
Major Preparation	36
Major Core Requirements	27
Specialization Area	21
Total	120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available 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) Pathways are 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 and Undergraduate 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 Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements apply 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 or B4 must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with major advisor for details.

Upper Division General Education

Of the 9 units required by the university, 9 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)

Complete one 6 unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) and Humanities Honors (HUM 1A /HUM 1B /HUM 2A /HUM 2B ; 24 units) sequences satisfy the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see the course description for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Physical Education

The Physical Education Requirement is waived for this major. See the Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (3 units)

At SJSU, students must pass both the SJSU Writing Skills Test (WST) and a 100W course. Exceptions to the GWAR may be found at Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) .

A grade of C or better (C- not accepted) is required to meet graduation requirement.

DSGN 100W - Writing Workshop: Design 3 unit(s) (Z)

Major Preparation (36 units)

ANI 11 - Illustration Fundamentals I 3 unit(s) (ART 24 will also be accepted for transfer students)
TA 5 - Acting 3 unit(s) (C1) (Will also accept ARTH 72 Design 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 12 will also be accepted for transfer students)
ANI 13 - Drawing for Animation/Illustration I 3 unit(s)
ANI 21 - Color Principles for Screen Arts 3 unit(s) (ART 14 will 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 101 - Visual Storytelling 3 unit(s)
ANI 111 - Drawing for Animation/Illustration II 3 unit(s)

Major Requirements (48 units)

Core Courses (21 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)
Area R Course 3 unit(s)
Area S Course 3 unit(s)
Area V Course 3 unit(s)

Specialization Area (21 units)

Choose a Specialization area in Animation or Visual Development.

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 (21 units)

ANI 161 - Digital Animation I 3 unit(s)
ANI 162 - Digital Animation II 3 unit(s)
Four Approved Electives 12 unit(s)

Complete One Course From:

ANI 133 - Animation Production - Storyboarding 3 unit(s)
ANI 134 - Animation Production II 3 unit(s)

Visual Development (21 units)

ANI 123 - Visual Development I 3 unit(s)
ANI 124 - Visual Development II 3 unit(s)
ANI 141 - Digital Modeling I 3 unit(s)
Four Approved Electives 12 unit(s)

Capstone Requirement (6 units)

ANI 198 - Senior Seminar Animation/Illustration 3 unit(s)
ANI 199 - Senior Project Animation/Illustration 3 unit(s)

About

Animation & Illustration, BFA

University Requirements

Core Lower Division General Education (27 units)

Upper Division General Education

American Institutions (6 units)

African American Studies (6 units)

Asian American Studies (6 units)

Chicana and Chicano Studies (6 units)

U.S. History and Government (6 units)

Physical Education

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (3 units)

Major Preparation (36 units)

Complete One Course From:

Additional Support Courses (27 units)

Major Requirements (48 units)

Core Courses (21 units)

Specialization Area (21 units)

Animation (21 units)

Complete One Course From:

Visual Development (21 units)

Capstone Requirement (6 units)

Total Units Required (120 units)