Animation BFA, BA & Minor

About this Program

Develop your creative voice through Animation BFA, BA and minor pathways as you learn 2D, 3D and stop-motion animation, character design, storytelling and visual effects while building a professional portfolio.

Bring your ideas to life in professional studios, digital labs and dedicated animation spaces equipped for every stage of the creative process. From your first projects to your final portfolio, you’ll gain experience with industry-standard tools and techniques while creating original animated work across a variety of mediums.

Learn from practicing artists and animation professionals who provide personalized mentorship in a collaborative studio environment. Through production-focused coursework, workshops, critiques and guest lectures, you’ll strengthen your artistic and technical skills while building a portfolio through individual and team-based projects. Student showcases, film festivals and internship opportunities with animation, film and game studios help you gain professional experience and establish industry connections.

Whether you’re looking for an immersive studio education or a more flexible interdisciplinary path, Animation offers degree options that support a range of creative goals. You’ll have opportunities to collaborate on original films, explore specialized production techniques and develop professional skills in pitching, communication, project management and teamwork. Graduates are prepared for careers in animation, visual effects, game development, film production, education and other creative industries.

Quick Facts

Program Type

Major or Minor

Degree

Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Arts
Minor

School

Cornish College of the Arts

Campus

South Lake Union

Learning Format

In-Person

Duration

4 years

Start Date

August, January

Credits

120 semester credits

Find YOUR Creative Path

Our Animation programs are designed with flexibility in mind. Students can explore different academic and creative paths early in their studies and, if their interests evolve, easily transition between the BFA and the BA without losing progress toward their degree. BA students benefit from the freedom to study across disciplines by pursuing a double major or minors, while students pursuing a BFA receive specialized training. This structure helps you find the program that best supports your artistic and professional goals as they evolve through your course of study.

Animation BFA

The Animation BFA is designed for students who want an immersive, studio-focused education centered on the art and craft of animation. From your first year, you’ll create animated films while building expertise in storytelling, character animation and visual development. As you progress through the program, you’ll explore production pathways such as 2D animation, 3D animation or stop-motion through courses including Character Animation, 3D Sculpting and Puppet Fabrication, developing both technical proficiency and a distinctive creative voice.

Throughout the program, you’ll collaborate with classmates on film productions, participate in a multi-semester thesis film and receive guidance from practicing artists and industry professionals. Alongside intensive studio work, you’ll develop portfolio-ready projects and gain professional skills in areas such as pitching ideas, marketing, budgeting and teamwork to prepare for careers in the animation industry. The curriculum also provides enough flexibility to pursue a minor in another Cornish or Seattle University program, allowing you to broaden your education while maintaining a strong animation focus.

Animation BA

The Animation BA combines a strong foundation in animation with the flexibility to explore other academic and creative interests. You’ll develop skills in animation production, storytelling and visual communication while choosing from studio production and critical studies courses within the Film & Media Department. This interdisciplinary approach allows you to tailor your education to your interests while building the creative and technical abilities needed for a range of careers in animation and related fields.

With additional open electives, the Animation BA makes it easier to pursue a double major or add a minor within Cornish or across Seattle University. You’ll learn from practicing artists, participate in critiques and workshops with industry professionals, and build a portfolio that reflects your individual goals. Along the way, you’ll also develop professional skills in collaboration, communication, pitching ideas and project planning that prepare you for careers in creative industries or further study.

Animation Minor

The Animation minor introduces you to the professional animation pipeline while building foundational skills in storytelling, character movement and visual communication. You’ll create at least one animated film project as you explore animation techniques and production workflows using industry-standard tools. Whether you’re studying film, game art, design, illustration or another creative discipline, the Animation minor provides valuable skills that complement a wide range of artistic and professional interests.

Core Skills & Techniques

Explore various animation techniques, including 2D, 3D, and stop motion.
Develop storytelling, character design and visual effects skills.
Hands-on learning under the guidance of working professional teaching artists
Ability to connect and network with industry professionals and portfolio development

Connect Your Passion to New Possibilities

Explore purposeful academic combinations while pursuing a rigorous arts education to enhance your career preparation. At Seattle University, you can combine an Animation BA with a wide variety of other majors or add any minor while staying on track to graduate in four years. You can also customize an Animation BFA by pursuing any minor offered across Seattle University without extending your time to degree.

While this is not an exhaustive list, explore some of the many ways Animation can be paired with other disciplines to enhance your academic journey and strengthen your professional preparation:

Visit Cornish College of the Arts

For more than a century, Cornish College of the Arts has inspired artists, performers and designers to push creative boundaries and shape the future of their fields. Today, at Cornish College of the Arts at Seattle University, you can experience that legacy firsthand while exploring the studios, performance spaces and collaborative community where creativity comes to life. Schedule a campus visit, take a virtual tour or connect with our admissions team to discover how you can make this historic creative community your own.