Animation / VFX
Bring characters and worlds to life using art and technology
What You'll Study
Animation & VFX puts you in the driver's seat of imagination. Whether 2D (anime style) or 3D (Pixar/Marvel style), you act through your characters and build impossible realities. It is rigorous, technical, and artistic.
- 3D Modeling & Texturing
- Character Rigging
- 2D/3D Animation Principles
- Visual Effects (Compositing/Simulations)
- Storyboarding
- Lighting & Rendering
- Life Drawing
- Physics for VFX
Example Classes
How to Know If You'll Like It
You'll probably enjoy this if...
- ✓You want to work in movies or games
- ✓You have immense patience (animation is slow)
- ✓You are observant of movement and acting
- ✓You are comfortable with complex software
- ✓You draw well (for concept/storyboard)
- ✓You are a team player
You might not enjoy this if...
- ✕You want instant gratification (1 second of film = 1 week of work)
- ✕You dislike computers (most is digital)
- ✕You can't focus on tiny details
- ✕You prefer solo art (studio work is collaborative)
Self-Check Quiz
Answer these questions honestly to see if this major might be a good fit for you.
Do you frame-by-frame watch cartoons?
Career Outcomes
Featured In-Demand Careers
Game Designer
Create engaging gaming experiences by designing gameplay mechanics, levels, and interactive systems.
UX/UI Designer
Design intuitive and beautiful digital experiences that solve user problems and delight customers.
Software Engineer
Design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems. Work with cutting-edge technologies to solve complex problems.
Other Common Career Paths
- •3D Awnimator
- •VFX Artist
- •Technical Artist
- •Modeler
- •Storyboard Artist
Try It First
Test if you like this field before committing to a major:
Make a "flip book" animation on a notepad.
Complete the "Donut Tutorial" generally for Blender (free 3D software).
Create a 10-second animation loop of a character walking or jumping.
Related Majors
Game Design
Create the mechanics, stories, and worlds of video games
Film / Media Production
Tell stories through camera, sound, lighting, and editing
Computer Science
Build software, solve problems with code, and shape the digital world
UI/UX Design
Design digital experiences that are intuitive, beautiful, and functional
Frequently Asked Questions
Most jobs are 3D (Games/Movies), but 2D is alive in TV/Indie. Schools usually teach both.
Project-based like games/film. Crunch time exists.
For 2D and Storyboarding, YES. For 3D, it helps but not mandatory.
Maya, Blender, Houdini, Nuke, Adobe Suite.
Technical Artists use python/C++ to build tools for artists. High demand.
Ready to Explore This Major?
Get personalized guidance on whether Animation / VFX is right for you and how to build a competitive profile.