Mar 29, 2024  
2020-2021 Academic Catalog 
    
2020-2021 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Art, Animation/Illustration Concentration, BFA


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The award-winning Animation/Illustration 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 BFA Animation/Illustration and do not pass portfolio review will be changed to BA - Design Studies 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 BFA in Animation/Illustration 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.

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 36
Major Preparation 36
Major Core Requirements 27
Specialization Area 21
Total 120

University Requirements for Graduation

Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Undergraduate Graduation Requirements  section of the Policies and Procedures .

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 Exceptions

This degree program meets certain University Requirements through approved major modifications. Please see the Major Exceptions  area in the General Education (GE)  section to identify the specific adjustments for this degree program or contact your major advisor for more detail

General Education/American Institution Requirements

Courses that meet General Education/American Institution requirements are noted with area designation for required area. For legend please see General Education Attributes .

University Requirements (36 units)


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)


The 6 units of American Institutions (US123) coursework shown below also fulfills GE Areas D2 and D3. Other courses meet the American Institutions requirement, but may not include additional GE areas. The American Studies (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ) and Humanities Honors (HUM 1A /HUM 1B , HUM 2A /HUM 2B ) programs both offer larger integrated packages that meet this requirement. Consult with major advisor for details.

Complete One Sequence From:

Physical Education


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.

Major Preparation (36 units)


Major Requirements (48 units)


Core Courses (21 units)


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)


Visual Development (21 units)


Total Units Required (120 units)


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