BFA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Arts: Animation Major
The BFA in Digital Arts: Animation Major emphasizes an experimental, auteur-driven approach to 2D and 3D animation and new media art, nurturing creative exploration and critical discourse. Animation is engaged as a dynamic medium for conceptual inquiry within contemporary culture, integrating digital and material processes to encourage a diverse range of artistic expression from experimentation to narrative forms, and highlighting its potential for innovative artistic production.
FIU offers two distinct pathways to study animation – which is right for me?
The BFA in Digital Art Animation Major and the BS in Digital Communication & Media – Animation Media Major both equip students with valuable skills for creative and professional success but emphasize different approaches, methodologies, and career outcomes.
| Degree | BFA in Digital Art – Animation Major | BS in Digital Communication & Media – Animation Media Major |
|---|---|---|
| Campus & Dept/School | Modesto Maidique Campus, Department of Art + Art History | Biscayne Bay Campus, Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media |
| Admission | Portfolio review required for all applicants. Transfer applicants must have completed ART foundation courses with min. 2.75 GPA. Link to Admission Guidelines | Transfer students: Completion of A.S. in Animation & Game Art from Miami-Dade College MAGIC with 2.75 GPA Freshmen and Sophomores: 2.75 GPA Other Students: Permission from the Director. |
| Foundation Courses | 2D/3D Design, Drawing, Figure Drawing, Art History Surveys, Java or Data Analysis, Algebra. | 3D Modeling Game Assets, Character Modeling, Compositing for Games, Character Animation, Character Rigging, Digital Sculpting, Lighting and Shading in Maya. |
| Program Focus | This fine arts program emphasizes an experimental, auteur-driven approach to 2D and 3D animation and new media art, nurturing creative exploration and critical discourse. Animation is engaged as a dynamic medium for conceptual inquiry within contemporary culture, integrating digital and material processes to encourage a diverse range of artistic expression, from experimentation to narrative forms, and highlighting its potential for innovative artistic production. | Includes comprehensive technical training in 3D modeling, covering the entire game art pipeline for props, environments, and characters. Students will gain hands-on experience in modeling, texturing, rigging, and animating assets for game engines. The course emphasizes collaborative projects, multimedia production, and media law while integrating industry-standard software. Additional focus areas include pitching, branding, and storytelling through animation and animation production pipelines. |
| Curriculum & Credit Hours | Link to Curriculum | Please see description of Animation Media courses available on website. |
| Capstone Project | Students present their artwork in professional exhibitions and film screenings through a two-semester thesis course, supported by analytical writing to contextualize their art within historical and contemporary contexts. Faculty mentorship and reviews by curators and art professionals often lead to inclusion in international festivals and exhibitions. | Students will engage in a two-semester capstone project during their senior year, collaborating with peers from the Game Media and Animation Media programs. The process begins with a Pitch Day in the spring of their junior year, where students present their project ideas, including top-down level designs, concept art, UI design, and user experience development for games. Throughout the year, students refine their pitch decks, establish a comprehensive project scope spanning both semesters, and work collaboratively to bring their vision to life. Industry professionals provide ongoing feedback and project evaluations, ensuring alignment with industry standards and best practices. |
| Academic Partners | Locust Projects, Laundromat Artspace | Miami Dade MAGIC |
| Career Paths |
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Fall 25 Deadlines
Degree Program Hours: 120
FIU Undergraduate Admissions: – Apply Online
SlideRoom Portfolio Submissions: fiuart.slideroom.com
Prerequisite info FIU Transfer and Transition Services :Transfer Guides
Degree requirements and courses:DIART:BFA
Portfolio Requirements:
SlideRoom Portfolio Submissions: fiuart.slideroom.com
Portfolio submission fee $30 charged by SlideRoom
20 Artworks uploaded to SlideRoom
- Images must be .jpg at the highest available quality (must be under 8MB each)
- Videos: excerpts or preferably complete works (max. 3 minutes total runtime). Videos hosted on YouTube or Vimeo can be shared through url link.
- Audio: excerpts or preferably complete works submitted as .mp3 (max. 3 minutes total runtime). Each individual file should be less than 30 MB. Audio files hosted on SoundCloud can be shared via url link.
- The following label information must be entered in SlideRoom for each artwork uploaded.
- Title
- Dimensions / Duration (video/audio files)
- Medium
- Date Produced
- Additional notes in the “Description” textbox.
Artist’s Statement
Your statement should be approximately 500 words maximum. Write with attention to grammar, spelling, and clarity.
Your statement should tell us about the work you have submitted. Why did you make it and what inspired you? How and with what? Describe your artistic process. Share why you’ve chosen to work using certain materials and processes. Have you participated in exhibitions or other art-related events? How have specific experiences contributed to the way you make art?
Transfer Applicants & Current FIU Students: Upload Unofficial Transcripts
Transfer applicants and current FIU Students are required to upload a copy of their unofficial transcripts. The Department will review the unofficial transcripts to confirm if the degree prerequisites have been completed. Eligibility for consideration to the BFA program is contingent on having the degree prerequisite courses – emphasis on the four foundation courses: ART 1201C, ART 1203C, ART 2300C, and ART 2330C.
New incoming Transfer applicants without these foundation courses, including those who completed the four courses but failed to meet the Academic Standard of 2.75 GPA may be considered ineligible for the BFA.
Portfolios are reviewed by a committee of faculty members. Decision notifications are generally sent out within a month of each deadline closing.
Important Information: Eligibility and Submitting BFA Portfolio
Transfer applicants and current FIU students applying to change majors must have completed the four foundation courses with a minimum GPA of 2.75 as per the BFA Academic Standards.
- ART 1201C 2D Design
- ART 1203C 3D Design
- ART 2300C Beginning Drawing
- ART 2330C Beginning Figure Drawing
Academic Standards
To progress into upper-division BFA courses, students must complete the four lower division foundation courses (12 credits) with a minimum GPA of 2.75 or greater in two attempts or fewer.
These courses include:
- ART 1201C 2D Design
- ART 1203C 3D Design
- ART 2300C Beginning Drawing
- ART 2330C Beginning Figure Drawing
Drops after the add/drop period, which result in a DR grade are considered an attempt in the course and count as an unsuccessful enrollment. Students who do not satisfy this requirement will be advised to change major to other degrees such as BA in Art History or BA in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Common Prerequisite Courses and Equivalencies
| FIU Course(s) | Equivalent Course(s) |
|---|---|
| MAC 1105 | MACX140 or MACX105 |
| ARH 2050 | ARHX0504 |
| ARH 2051 | ARHX0514 |
| ART 1201C | ARTX201 or ARTXXXX1 |
| ART 1203C | ARTX202 or ARTX203 or ARTXXXX2 |
| ART 2300C | ARTX300 |
| ART 2330C | ARTX301 or ARTX3303 |
| CGS 2518 or COP 2250 | COPXXXX or CAPXXXX or CGSXXXX |
- 2D
- Design II, 3D
- Figure drawing
- All courses except ARHX050 and ARHX051 require a “C” or higher.
Courses which form part of the statewide articulation between the State University System and the Florida College System will fulfill the Lower Division Common Prerequisites. Please visit https://cpm.flvc.org for a current list of state-approved common prerequisites.
| Lower-Division Preparation | 24 Credits |
|---|---|
| MAC 1105 College Algebra | 3 |
| ARH 2050 Art History Survey I | 3 |
| ARH 2051 Art History Survey II | 3 |
| ART 1201C 2-D Design | 3 |
| ART 1203C 3-D Design | 3 |
| ART 2300C Beginning Drawing | 3 |
| ART 2330C Beginning Figure Drawing | 3 |
| CGS 2518 Computer Data Analysis or COP 2250 Java Programming | 3 |
| Program Requirements | 60 Credits |
|---|---|
| ARH 4450 Modern Art* | 3 |
| ARH 4470 Contemporary Art – GL* | 3 |
| ARH 4771 History of Digital Art | 3 |
| ART 2021C Introduction 3D Animation | 3 |
| ART 2025C Introduction 2D Animation | 3 |
| ART 2602C Digital Imaging* | 3 |
| ART 2608C Digital Media Foundation* | 3 |
| ART 2622C Introduction to Experimental Video Art | 3 |
| ART 3023C Intermediate Animation | 3 |
| ART 3617C Intermediate Experimental Video | 3 |
| ART 3666C Story Telling and Character Development | 3 |
| ART 3820 Research & Development* | 3 |
| ART 3822 Creative Practice* | 3 |
| ART 4615C Advanced Animation | 3 |
| ART 4636C Advanced Experimental Video Art | 3 |
| ART 4952C Thesis I | 3 |
| ART 4953C Thesis II | 3 |
| Advisor Approved Electives | 9 |
* Indicates courses common across tracks within BFA Digital Arts degree.
FIU is committed to excellence in student success, research and teaching, regardless of the challenges.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Department of Art + Art History
Department of Art + Art History
Florida International University
VH 216, Modesto A. Maidique Campus – Miami, Florida 33199
Tel: (305)-348-2897
Christopher Rodriguez Barake
Sr. Coordinator of Academic Support Services
Department of Art + Art History
Office: 305-348-6648 Email: crodri@fiu.edu
Maida Purdy
Academic Advisor III
Department of Art + Art History
Office: 305-348-7500 Email: mapurd@fiu.edu
Lauren Gentile
Academic Advisor II
Department of Art + Art History
Office: 305-348-7500 Email: lgentile@fiu.edu
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