Digital Animation BFA Emphasis

The Digital Animation Center is committed to providing quality instruction in 3D theory and techniques intended to prepare its students to succeed. Students will be prepared to excel in a multitude of industries including feature film, broadcast, scientific visualization, medical imaging and engineering.

The DAC's precisely focused curriculum prepares students for careers within a urban, 4-year university experience that is a well-rounded liberal arts education with the traditional components of a fine arts education, in state-of-the-art facilities and acquiring high-tech skills needed for this demanding curriculum.

University of Colorado Denver College of Arts and Media 3D Graphics and Digital Animation program will strive to provide the highest level of university-level undergraduate instruction in the theory, practice and application of digital 3D media. The goal of the CU-Digital Animation Center is to bring together diverse scholars and practitioners who seek creative imaging and visualization solutions for evolving research and to set them in partnerships with artists of digital media. Such collaborations will provide the visual solutions for explaining and defining complex technical data.

The UC Denver DAC, is dedicated to producing productive competent animators that are problem solvers, critical thinkers and are prepared to enter the workforce as leaders and managers. As a Fine Art major at one of the nation's top Universities, you will receive a well rounded, quality University education and upon successful completion of all requirements will be awarded a Bachelor of Fine Art with an emphasis in 3D Graphics and Animation.

Why be a button pusher when you can be an artist, a problem solver and a leader!

Digital Arts Industry Guest LectureS for Spring 2009

Damon Riesberg of Dreamworks Animation
Friday, February 13 • 11:30am-1pm
Starz FilmCenter, Auraria Campus

Jeff Schu, Senior Character Animator, Sony Pictures Imageworks
Friday, May 1 • 11:30am-1pm
Starz FilmCenter on the Auraria Campus

To Prospective Students (freshmen & transfer):

While the Visual Arts Department currently accepts applications for the Spring and Summer semesters, students are strongly encouraged to apply for a Fall semester start. This is due to the fact that the majority of the first-semester courses are offered in Fall semesters only. The Visual Arts majors are highly sequenced and pre-requisites are strictly enforced. Students who begin in the Spring and Summer semesters may find that their required courses are not offered until the Fall semester.

PRIORITY APPLICATION DEADLINES for Summer 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, and Summer 2010

Fall applicants are encouraged to apply by March 1 (Fall registration opens in early April).
Spring applicants are encouraged to apply by October 1 (Spring registration opens in mid-November).
Summer applicants are encouraged to apply by February 1 (Summer registration opens mid-March).

Beginning Fall 2010, the Visual Arts Department will accept Fall applications only. The deadline to apply for the Fall 2010 semester will be April 1, 2010; however, students are encouraged to submit applications by February 15, 2010.

Education for Future Professionals…

Classes cover all areas of 3D graphics and animation. The program use Alias MAYA as the primary software application for training. In addition to the 13 required classes for a BFA, Visual Arts with an emphasis in Digital Animation (this degree) students will take a standard range of core academic and foundational art classes such as drawing foundations, 2 and 3-dimensional design, color theory, art seminar, art history survey—and are taught by veterans in the fine arts. Whether you’re looking to set up your painting or drawing studio, work as a graphic artist or illustrator, or are interested in product design or advertising, the College of Arts & Media combines a thorough academic curriculum with internship and extracurricular opportunities.

To learn more about the opportunities awaiting you in the 3D Graphics and animation program, please contact a College of Arts & Media advisor.

Taught by Professionals...

Our faculty is committed to helping each student at the Digital Animation Center strive to attain their full potential. This goal is achieved through the enthusiasm of our staff, industry standard software state of the art computer workstations, and sophisticated motion capture systems and HD, greenscreen technologies.

The UC Denver DAC faculty are experienced professionals with many years of real, practical work experience in a wide variety of animation expertise from broadcast, film, museum, scientific visualization, simulation and the gaming industries. Members of our staff have worked as both fine artist and commercial artist giving them a unique perspective on the application of animation techniques. Working as Technical Directors, Creative Directors, Art Directors, Producers and Directors as independent artist and in prestigious studios like Paramount, LucasFilms LTD., Universal, and with unique experience with high-end, fully immersive presentation technology, our staff will deliver to you a sound foundation of knowledge that will lead to a rich and rewarding experience as a top-notch animator.

Both in and out of the classroom, faculty members provide you with the solid support and motivation you will need to succeed in the enthralling business of animation. To learn more about your future mentors, select their name to visit their web pages, or visit the faculty home page.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fine Arts Degree...

Students pursuing careers in 3D Graphics and Animation receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, Emphasis in Digital Animation from the Department of Visual Arts in the College of Arts & Media, a degree awarded by the University of Colorado Denver.

For more information on admission procedures for this degree program please visit www.cu3d.org/admissions.html or contact a CAM advisor at CAMAdvising@ucdenver.edu.

Going Places...

As a 3D Graphics and Animation graduate from the Visual Arts program, the career opportunities available to you are as limitless as your motivation and imagination. Here are just a few of the options available to this program’s graduates. The goal of the DAC is to prepare graduates ready to enter the workforce as professional artist ready to meet the challenges of the collaborative work environment of the entertainment and feature film industries. Amongst the many career choices for the digital animation student are:

Computer Animation
Graphic Design
Biometrics/Forensics
Computer Art
Digital Arts/Multimedia Design
Advertising
Communications
Package Technology
Product Design
Film/Video Animator

Admissions...

Thirteen courses of the degree emphasis area are offered through Extended Studies and have a higher tuition rate. The DAC has a two tiered tuition system. The first two introductory classes to the DAC are at the “tier one” rate of $1533. The remaining 11 “Tier Two” courses are at the rate of $4050.

The DAC is completely self supporting and all tuition monies go to support, amongst other things, the cost of the well equipped labs, the state-of-the-art technology, small class sizes, industry lecture series, scholarships (2^nd year and higher) and the general operations of the program.

Please consult CAMadvising@ucdenver.edu for the current course cost.

The first two courses of the DAC emphasis, FA1810 and FA1820, are open to all students (subject to class size caps). Selection for confirmation to the DAC Core Cadre – between 28 and 32 students are selected for the core cadre each year for continuation of the degree emphasis is at the end of the first year and is by portfolio review based on year one work in both animation and foundational art courses. Should the student candidate not be confirmed into the DAC Core Cadre, a number of fulfilling and equally viable degree options within the College of Arts & Media are available to the student in Digital Design, Film, Recording Arts, or Studio Arts.

Students who wish to transfer to the College of Arts & Media from another college or school at the University of Colorado Denver must formally apply to the College of Arts & Media. Students will be considered for admission on either their overall GPA in applicable coursework from CU and all previous institutions, or on their last 15 credit hours. Applicants with less than a 2.0 GPA in related courses (from CU or other institutions) and an overall CU GPA of less than 2.0 will be denied admission even though they may meet other requirements for consideration.

Explore this emphasis or contact a CAM advisor for further information.