Online Degrees in Animation

Animation Degrees

Animation is a form of art that involves displaying a sequence of 2-D or 3-D images or models in rapid sequence to create the illusion that they are in motion. To create traditional or hand-drawn animation, you must first make a series of drawings, and then take pictures one-by-one onto motion picture film. Stop-motion animation involves the manipulation of objects which you then photograph, one frame at a time - claymation is one example of this type of animation, as is puppet or model animation. Computer animation can either involve 2D or 3D images, both of which are created digitally.

At the associate's level, AA or AAS programs in animation are likely to revolve around the most widely-used form, which is computer animation. The theory behind this is that some of the techniques used in digital animation are more science than art, so if you are interested in breaking into the animation field, you can be trained relatively quickly in some of the simpler aspects of the job.

Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) and Master of Fine Art (MFA) animation programs are more likely to delve into all of the various forms of animation, as when you enroll in such a program, the assumption is that you are interested in exploring animation as a medium for creating your own original artwork.