Animation | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Animation

Sharpen Your
Animation Style

MCAD’s animation program attracts students from all over the world who want to focus on their craft and career. Classes cover everything from classical technique in pre-production design to hands-on work mimicking how a commercial studio functions. Guided by instructors with diverse backgrounds, students establish a foundation working in fine arts, motion design, timing, and 2D and 3D formats. Animation majors become skilled collaborators and storytellers, ready to join ad agencies, video game producers, film studios, and more.

Student working on a wacom cintiq tablet in the animation studio

Hear about the student experience

As an Animation major, you will:

  • Provide students with a broad historical perspective, fostering an appreciation of animation’s adaptability as an applied and as a fine art.
  • Explore illustrated, stop-motion, and computer-generated approaches to modern animation. 
  • Experiment with timing, composition, sound, character development, and compelling imagery to tell your unique story.
  • Acquire up-to-date foundational skills while developing your own personal style for a career in animation.
Tell me more about Animation at MCAD
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Class Highlights

This Bachelor of Fine Arts program emphasizes a collaborative process of working on teams with students from all MCAD majors.

Required classes include: 

  • Experimental Animation
  • Stop-Motion Animation
  • Introduction to Filmmaking
  • Professional Practice

After MCAD

There are many paths to explore with a degree in Animation.

Potential careers include:

  • Background Animator
  • Character Developer
  • 3D Modeler
  • Pixel Artist

“If animation is what you have the drive to do then do it. Don't be afraid to make bad things in school because you will. What you learn from those bad things will be what helps build your skill set. ” –Andrew Chesworth ’07, Character Design Supervisor at Netflix