BFA Animation Curriculum

First-Year Requirements

Students must take one semester of:

AHD-1170 Animation: From Paper to Pixels

AND-1020 Introduction to Animation I

AND-1025 Introduction to Animation II

AND-1060 Drawing for Animation I

AND-1065 Drawing for Animation II

AND-1140 Story I: Theory and Structure

AND-1145 Story II: Storyboarding

AND-1230 Animation Workflow

HCD-1020 Writing and Thinking NYC

HCD-1025 Writing and Literature

Second-Year Requirements

Students must take one semester of:

AND-2010 Animation Workshop I

AND-2015 Animation Workshop II

AND-2090 Perspective Drawing

AND-2112 Gesture Drawing

AND-2114 Sonic Storytelling

Third-Year Requirements

Students must take one semester of:

AND-3010 Advanced Animation Workshop I

AND-3015 Advanced Animation Workshop II

AND-3040 Life Drawing: Figure, Form and Function

AND-3120 Visual Development

AND-3125 Career Strategies

Fourth-Year Requirements

Students must take one semester of:

AND-4940 Thesis I

AND-4945 Thesis II

AND-4950 Thesis Presentations I

AND-4951 Thesis Presentations II

General Course Listing

The following course listing reflects the 2025-2026 curriculum. For further details on individual courses, such as meeting days and times, please refer to the Undergraduate Course Listing.

AHD-1170

Animation: From Paper to Pixels

3 art history credits

Animation milestones will be screened and examined in this course. We will begin by studying the work of pioneer animators, such as Winsor McCay, Disney and Fleischer, then focus on special topics from later periods, eventually concluding with CG’s impact on the art form and industry. Students will view both rare and significant animated films that have influenced the direction of animation for well over a century.

AND-1020

Introduction to Animation I

3 studio credits

The core principles of animation will be introduced in this course with hands-on and in-class exercises that explore the processes of animation creation. Basic concepts will be examined, including the animation principles, keys, break downs, in-betweening, character design and walk cycles—the building blocks of animation. Drawing skills are emphasized throughout the first year. 

AND-1025

Introduction to Animation II

3 studio credits

This course is a continuation of AND-1020, Introduction to Animation I. Students will further explore the principles of animation and refine their skills through weekly assignments and exercises. As the course progresses, these principles will be applied to the filmmaking process, and students will script, design, direct and produce short, animated films through working individually as well as collaboratively. Emphasis is placed on craft, conceptual and aesthetic ingenuity, and cohesiveness of story.

AND-1060 / AND-1065

Drawing for Animation I and II

3 studio credits per semester

Focusing on the fundamental elements of line, space, scale and texture, as well as topics that include anatomy, color theory, perspective and observation, these courses will provide a framework for students to translate what they see to how they convey it through the act of drawing. Pencil, charcoal, pen-and-ink and watercolor will be among the materials explored. Projects will range from the figure to nature and still life, and field trips will include drawing on location.

AND-1140

Story I: Theory and Structure

3 studio credits

This course will examine the basic structure and principles of what makes a good story. Assignments will explore elements of art direction, cinematography, staging, character design, lighting, timing, and many more facets of narrative. We will address film theory and the production process in order to understand storytelling from a variety of perspectives, and students will discover how to make their animated worlds believable.

AND-1145

Story II: Storyboarding

3 studio credits

This course is a continuation of AND-1140, Story I: Theory and Structure. Through lectures, discussions and presentations, students will dive into the development of their own stories—learning by creating. They will pitch ideas to the class, create storyboards, and complete an original pitch book that includes synopsis, script, character design, storyboard, background designs and concept art. Students will also develop critical thinking and clear articulation of their concepts, as well as how to give and receive constructive criticism.

AND-1230

Animation Workflow 

3 studio credits

Digital animation production is the focus of this course, and students will investigate the tools, techniques and concepts that are essential to creating animation. Topics include camera movement, puppet animation, effects, compositing and layout. Demonstrations and assignments are geared to introduce students to a range of software applications as well as gain production experience. The primary applications will include Adobe Animate and After Effects.

HCD-1020

Writing and Thinking

3 humanities and sciences credits

This first-semester course helps students become critical and independent writers. To help establish a solid foundation in writing, the course introduces different types of writing using persuasive rhetoric in three writing genres, including narration, description, and cause and effect. Course readings are drawn from a variety of texts, including historical documents, short stories, drama, poetry and essays, which will be used as discussion and writing prompts. By the end of the course, students will have an enhanced understanding of writing as a means to think and better communicate their ideas.

HCD-1025

Writing and Literature

3 humanities and sciences credits

This course emphasizes reading, critical thinking and essay writing. Students will build on their skills acquired in HCD-1020, Writing and Thinking, in order to work on more complex essays. Students will learn how to research, use proper citations, and continue to work on their grammar and essay development. Readings are drawn from a selection of literary works, including drama, poetry and the narrative, as well as the critical essay.

AND-2010

Animation Workshop I

3 studio credits

This course will introduce the animation production pipeline from preproduction through postproduction. Students will research and develop stories with well-rounded characters and environments and then build upon their drawing skills by animating characters and creating believable worlds. Screenings, discussions and in-class exercises are planned throughout the semester and students will prepare to make their own animated shorts.

AND-2015

Animation Workshop II

3 studio credits

Building upon the materials covered in AND-2010, Animation Workshop I, this course will focus on the development of advanced animation techniques and apply them to increasingly challenging assignments. Animating within digital formats, as well as proficiency in visual storytelling, timing and craftsmanship will be emphasized. Students will produce, develop and complete a short, animated film.

AND-2090

Perspective Drawing

3 studio credits

Perspective drawing skills are essential for creating depth in images. Through lectures, demonstrations and assignments, this course will give students a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles of perspective and their creative applications. Topics will include: methods of measurement, inclines, ellipses, plastic forms, shadows and reflections. Works-in-progress will be critiqued throughout the semester.

AND-2112

Gesture Drawing

3 studio credits

This course will strengthen each student’s drawing skills by combining observation with action sketches of people and animals in motion and repose. Such quick sketching of figure and action helps to master drawing skills that include flexibility, anatomy, silhouetting and foreshortening. The goal of gesture drawing is to create active poses that emphasize variety and personality, and pave the way to lively representations, all of which are important elements to enhancing the overall storytelling.

AND-2114

Sonic Storytelling

3 studio credits

This course explores the foundations of sound in animation through practical and theoretical applications, examining how audio and visuals complement one another to reinforce the magic of storytelling. Through a combination of lectures, discussions, guest speakers, in-class critiques and exercises, students will examine the foundations of audio techniques and how to apply them to animation projects. Students will complete this course with an appreciation of the critical function of sound and a familiarity with the tools necessary to execute an animated story.

AND-2152

Compositing Techniques

3 studio credits

This course is designed for aspiring 2D animators looking to refine or develop their compositing skills using Adobe After Effects. Advanced compositing techniques covered will include creating immersive environments using 3D space, color correction and various postproduction effects. Previous knowledge of digital animation and compositing tools is recommended.

AND-2167

Storyboarding for Animation

3 studio credits

Storyboards are a crucial part of preproduction, and provide a foundation for a film or concept while unifying characters and narrative into a cohesive storyline. In this course students will learn the fundamentals of continuity, composition, camera placement, framing and basic story structure to create effective storyboards for animated films. Students will also explore character development through storyboarding and refine their skills from rough sketches to polished animatics, all while utilizing Toon Boom Storyboard Pro.

AND-2168

Pitching Commercial Storyboards

3 studio credits

Storyboarding your idea is one thing; professionally and competitively selling your concept through a pitch presentation is entirely different—and inevitably necessary to your future careers. In this course storyboard development is created through personally selling the story, rather than just storyboarding it. Workshop exercises will include presenting pitch boards for a range of industries, such as animation and TV advertising. In addition, students will get a thorough education in storyboarding methods, terms and patterns using Toon Boom Storyboard Pro.

AND-2169

Writing the Animated Series

3 studio credits

Writing scripts for TV animation is the focus of this course. Attention will be given to both craft (story structure, characters, dialogue) and process (revisions, feedback, formatting). In a collaborative workshop environment, each student will develop and write a show bible, a beat sheet, an outline and multiple drafts of a script for an original animated series. Along the way we will explore various storytelling and world-building strategies, and students will discover how to turn their ideas into compelling, production-ready scripts that will resonate in today’s dynamic TV animation landscape. 

AND-2173

Experimental Animation

3 studio credits

In this course students will explore concepts of experimental animation. Visual techniques, image-capturing, compositing, editing and sound design will be addressed through screenings of experimental films, demos, studio work, critiques and guest lectures. Students are encouraged to engage in their own artistic practices through independent research, process-focused exploration, personal mythologies and topics of interest. Coursework will include short-term experiments in preparation for a self-directed final project. The history of experimental animation will also be discussed.

AND-2177

Stop Motion

3 studio credits

The entire stop-motion process will be covered in this course, from designing puppets to creating final animations. Beginning with mastering essential techniques like armature building, sculpting, clothing and preparing mouth replacements for lip sync, we will then explore key animation principles through hands-on exercises, leading to each student’s final film. This course provides an opportunity to develop the skills needed for creative expression through this distinctive medium.

AND-2179

Set Building and Lighting

3 studio credits

This hands-on course is perfect for animators and filmmakers eager to bring imaginative worlds to life. Students will learn essential techniques for building detailed sets using various materials and tools, from miniature interiors to intricate backdrops. The course also covers lighting techniques to create mood and atmosphere, exploring three-point lighting, natural lighting simulation and practical effects. Through lectures, demos and projects, students will master set design and lighting principles, culminating in the creation of their own stop-motion set, ready for animation.

AND-2184

Animation with Comics

3 studio credits

Every animator’s craft can benefit from learning the principles of the comic arts. In this course students will produce a series of short-form comics that they will then adapt to animation. Our goal will be to develop a personal voice in storytelling, create original work tailored for social media and enhance static comic work with Adobe Animate, Photoshop and After Effects.

AND-2186

Background Design and Paint

3 studio credits

Layout and design skills are essential for creating compelling images that will engage an audience. Through lectures, demonstrations and individual projects, students will examine the principles of composition, camera dynamics and staging guidelines, roughs and finished layouts, value arrangement and color fundamentals, and perspective. Most importantly, students will understand the role of a designer within the animation industry. Projects are designed to replicate actual job assignments and will include developing exterior and interior locations with character placement.

AND-2208

Art Toys with Design and Animation

3 studio credits

In this course students will learn the process of creating a campaign to promote their works. Starting with original character design, we will explore various avenues of promotional methods that include designing an art toy with three-dimensional thinking, creating key visuals with motion design and working on media strategies by producing a series of short-form social media promos. Storytelling and real-world production workflows will be emphasized throughout the course as students integrate various outputs into a professional presentation deck. The primary applications used will include Adobe After Effects, Photoshop and Illustrator, and other basic 3D software applications as a secondary tool to support the design and animation process.

AND-2213

Color Theory

3 studio credits

Master the fundamentals of color theory to create visually engaging and narrative-driven animated projects. This course will deepen each student’s understanding of how color and light can shape storytelling through a combination of lectures, demonstrations and hands-on projects. Key topics include how light describes form; the color wheel; hue, saturation and value. We will also explore local color, color relationships and dynamic lighting. Students will develop color schemes for both characters and environments.

AND-2219

Toon Boom 

3 studio credits

This course takes a deep dive into Toon Boom to equip students with essential tools to create their work, solve technical problems, collaborate effectively and navigate a professional animation environment. From mastering traditional drawing techniques to engaging in complex rigging and compositing, students will gain advanced proficiency in Harmony. Students will focus on designing, rigging and animating characters as well as compositing and manipulating them in scenes. Weekly assignments and hands-on exercises reinforce key concepts and help students develop a workflow that aligns with industry standards and best practices.

AND-2316

After Effects

3 studio credits

In this course students will build a solid foundation in compositing, animation and motion design using Adobe After Effects. Core skills covered include designing and animating with the properties panel, file organization, text animation tools, shape layers, rendering and compression options, importing and compositing image sequences, and using the puppet pin tool. Students will also learn color correction, basic image manipulation, working with masks and alpha channels, and an introduction to 3D cameras and lighting—techniques widely used in advertising and commercial production.

AND-2321

Drawing Animals in Motion

3 studio credits

Many animated films center around characters drawn from the animal kingdom. This course will explore how to capture the intricacies of anatomy and the fluidity of movement. Using pencils, charcoal and watercolors, students will practice the art of drawing animals in motion and on location. Various strategies will be employed to assist the artist to stay within the immediacy of the field situation. Weather permitting, sessions will be held at various New York City zoos, museums and parks.

AND-2333

Dimensional Storytelling in Blender

3 studio credits

The potential for storytelling across multiple dimensions is limitless. In this course we’ll explore this potential through Blender, an all-in-one, open-source 3D computer graphics tool kit. Coursework will cover the various features of Blender: building and animating three-dimensional models and environments; two-dimensional drawing, storyboarding, and animating in 3D; compositing and video editing. Fundamental concepts such as mise-en-scène, cinematography and editing will be emphasized throughout the course as students develop their skill sets and explore the possibilities where 2D and 3D imaging meet.

AND-3010

Advanced Animation Workshop I

3 studio credits

Students in this course will create their own animated short film, working within a set of parameters to simulate a fast-paced production environment. Weekly assignments guide them through the entire filmmaking process, from concept to completion, while helping students adapt to tight production schedules and develop essential animation and storytelling skills.

AND-3015

Advanced Animation Workshop II

3 studio credits

This course is a continuation of AND-3010, Advanced Animation Workshop I. Students will expand their horizons through collaboration to produce an animated short film as a class, following defined parameters. This group project gives students hands-on experience in various roles within the production pipeline, helping them explore specializations for future career paths in animation.

AND-3040

Life Drawing: Figure, Form and Function

3 studio credits

The ability to draw the figure and analogous ways to depict the body is essential to any artist. This course is rooted in an organically systematic way to draw, and is based on the anatomical forms and functions of the human body. Students will explore multidisciplinary concepts of structure, design and action through line drawing. A series of anatomically based lectures and demonstrations will be followed by succinct exercises and practices designed to improve observational, analytical and intuitive drawing skills in order to achieve clear 3D ideas in the 2D realm of pencil and paper. By gaining a comprehensive knowledge of the human form and its functions, students will strengthen their ability to invent forms in movement from memory.

AND-3120

Visual Development

3 studio credits

Visual development skills are essential for creating compelling images that will engage an audience. Through lectures, demonstrations and individual projects, this course will expand students’ visual vocabulary and sharpen their analytical skills. Topics will include principles of compositions; camera dynamics and staging guidelines for thumbnail sketching, storyboarding and finished concept art; understanding value arrangement and color fundamentals; perspective as an expressive tool; and character design analysis. Projects are designed to replicate professional assignments, such as developing exterior and interior environments with character placement. Works-in-progress will be shown throughout the semester for critique.

AND-3125

Career Strategies

3 studio credits

This course is designed to help students identify career goals through discussions on contemporary studios, the production pipeline and reviewing the types of work currently being produced. An overview of the animation industry will be given to offer students practical methods of building an application package, including logo, business cards, portfolio, demo reels, résumé and cover letter. Guest lecturers from the industry will discuss the exciting opportunities in the field of animation.

AND-3139 

Character Design for Animation Production

3 studio credits

Designing characters for the animation pipeline is the focus of this course, and students will explore the techniques and tools that are essential to being a character designer in the animation industry. Topics include analyzing visual style, designing for different visual styles, developing style guides and character models, and building rigs ready to animate. Demonstrations and assignments support applying these techniques to student projects. General industry practices and studio tests will be introduced. Primary applications include Adobe Animate CC, Adobe Photoshop CC and Toon Boom Harmony.

AND-3147

Astrological Storytelling: Myth, Archetypes and Narrative Craft

3 studio credits

Unlock the power of astrology and mythology to create compelling stories and multidimensional characters. This course combines astrological principles with narrative techniques, guiding students through the hero's journey using birth charts, planetary archetypes and cosmic symbolism. Students will pitch original stories with character designs for films, comics, or series. The course also explores how to connect astrology with tarot and the hero's journey, enriching storytelling with astrological depth. Ideal for writers, animators and creatives seeking to infuse their work with cosmic meaning.

AND-3172

Developing the Animated Series

3 studio credits

The fundamentals of developing, pitching and producing an animated series will be the focus of this course, which will culminate in the creation of a complete, ready-to-pitch series bible. Students will develop their own original concept, building upon the lessons presented through weekly lectures. In addition to the creative development process, we will also address the media landscape, audiences and demographics, the art of pitching, digital and merchandising extensions, deal-making and the basics of series production management. The course will be a combination of lectures, discussions, guest speakers, and in-class critiques and exercises.

AND-3254

Basic Effects Animation

3 studio credits

Effects animators supply motion to things that are not characters. This course explores applying principles of force and motion to natural phenomena, such as fire, water and atmospheric conditions. The movement of props, vehicles, and other mechanical devices will also be discussed. Students will execute concepts using both traditional and digital techniques in cartoon and realistic designs.

AND-3255

Advanced Effects Animation

3 studio credits

This course aims to build on each student’s familiarity with stand-alone elemental effects (like fire or water) by exploring the ways that these effects interact with each other and character animation in a simulated professional effects practice.

AND-4013

Advanced Life Drawing

3 studio credits

This course is designed to strengthen and reinforce both basic and advanced life-drawing techniques. The art form of animation is based on strong drawing skills and this course strengthens our eye-hand coordination by keeping us sharp. Students will discover how to speed up the production of their projects and provide techniques that reinforce drawing from one’s imagination. An emphasis will be placed on short-duration gesture drawing.

AND-4940 / AND-4095

Thesis I and II

3 studio credits per semester

The thesis project is a demonstration of original creativity through each student’s own vision and artistic style. By examining their existing body of creative work and knowledge, students will be encouraged to further explore their personal interests in concepts, context, aesthetics and practices. Students will discuss, present and critique each other’s work. 

AND-4950 / AND-4951

Thesis Production and Presentations I and II

3 studio credits per semester

All thesis students are required to present works-in-progress to the department chair and select department staff. This course includes review of each student’s production progress, and will also provide thesis assistance and guidance, Thesis Finishing grants review and career advice. 

Independent Study

3 studio credits

Junior and senior students who wish to pursue a special project not covered by the parameters of their department’s curriculum are eligible to apply for an independent study course. Students must have earned a grade point average above 3.00 at SVA and must submit their study goals as a detailed proposal for approval by the department chair. Proposals for an independent study must be made prior to the course adjustment period for that semester. Please contact the department advisor for specifics.

Internship

3 studio credits

Students can gain valuable experience and broaden their professional network through an internship with an employer. Internships-for-credit are available to juniors and seniors who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or better. To receive credit, students must apply online during the designated application period, be approved by the Career Development Office, and registered for the internship by their academic advisor. Students need to work 150 hours during the semester (usually 10 to 15 hours per week), participate in a weekly online course with other SVA interns, and complete midterm and final self-evaluations. Elective studio credit is awarded for the successful completion of an internship.