BFA Animation

Animation is magical—it can speak across different cultures, ages, genders and languages to move people to laughter and tears—sometimes at the same time. Using the art form of 2D animation and your imagination, you will tell your own stories with a unique vision, style and intent. BFA Animation’s creative environment challenges you to be curious and open to collaboration and experimentation while following the high standards of academic performance and professionalism.

The curriculum starts by training you in basic 2D animation skills as well as educating you on important aspects of the production pipeline, such as film theory, story development and structure, drawing, and animation history. You then move forward by specializing and learning more in-depth techniques to master the process of filmmaking from ideation to completion through both individual and collaborative projects. You create, direct and produce your own independent and collaborative animated films, which prepares you for a career ahead in the animation industry. 

While all courses are taught by professionals who bring industry standards and practices directly to the classrooms, our extensive extracurricular activities enrich your experience as a student, artist and citizen of the world. Artist talks, festivals, studio visits, portfolio reviews, screenings, and many more events take place throughout the academic year. Our departmental animation festival screens your films for an audience of peers and family as well as industry professionals.

You will be immersed in hands-on experience, whether you’re studying traditional, stop-motion or computer animation. Your four years culminates in a showcase of your work to industry professionals and luminaries at our Thesis Celebration.
Our award winning students and alumni have been selected in Annecy International Animation Film Festival, The Annie Awards, ASIFA-East Animated Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, The Emmy Awards, METROCAF, New York International Children's Film Festival, Ottawa International Animation Festival, The Student Academy Awards, Sundance Film Festival, The Rookie Awards, and Tribeca Film Festival.

Several noteworthy SVA BFA Animation alumni have created their own shows and acted as executive producers on their own shows, such as Breadwinners by Gary Doodles (2005), Hazbin Hotel and Helluva Boss by Viv Medrano (2014), OK K.O! Let’s Be Heroes by Ian Jones-Quartey (2006), Steven Universe by Rebecca Sugar (2009) and The Owl House by Dana Terrace (2013). Meredith Gran (2006) has also created and successfully crowdfunded her game Perfect Tides and its upcoming sequel, Perfect Tides: Station to Station.

If it’s animated, an SVA alum was probably part of the team.