Embark on a creative journey with the UCF School of Visual Arts & Design’s Emerging Media, BFA – Animation & Visualization track (formerly Experimental Animation), where students delve into personalized digital art exploration. Once admitted into the track, Over two years, students cultivate their unique art style and methodology. They explore diverse digital art forms and methods, including Visual Storytelling, 3D Modeling and Visualization, Motion Design, Stop Motion, 3D Animation, 2D Animation, Visual Effects, and more.
Track Highlights:
- Founded in the 1990s as the “Art-Animation program,” the track is the oldest at UCF, having existed for almost 30 years.
- Individualized Artistic Study: The Animation & Visualization track encourages students to carve their artistic path, fostering an environment where creativity knows no bounds.
- Diverse Mediums: From 3D Visualization to 2D Digital Art, students engage with various artistic mediums, honing their animation and visualization technological skills.
- Innovation and Exploration: The track emphasizes independence and innovation, allowing students to experiment and push boundaries in the dynamic fields of the digital arts industry.
- Professional Development: Students gain hands-on experience and industry-relevant professional skills, preparing for a successful career in animation, visual effects, and related digital arts fields.
Graduates of the Animation & Visualization track acquire the broad intermedia-based skills needed to respond rapidly to the ever-changing technical and creative job markets, emerging fields, and contemporary exhibition modalities and venues. Graduates obtain diverse technical and creative depths to move immediately into various graduate-level art majors. Upon graduation, students will be prepared to enter the professional industry or continue developing innovative, cross-disciplinary formal and conceptual M.F.A. thesis research.
Discover the power of storytelling through the Emerging Media: Animation & Visualization track—where creativity meets technology and imagination takes flight.
Animation & Visualization Student Work Examples
Character Animation and Graphic Design are other tracks in the Emerging Media BFA program.
As part of the program, some courses study the form and proportion of the human figure. Nude models are used as reference.
Animation & Visualization Info Sessions
Notes
Animation & Visualization is a portfolio-restrictive track; students must submit an Animation & Visualization Portfolio. The track is competitive, and acceptance is based on the quality of the work submitted. Accepted students are required to follow a two-year cohort program as outlined in the UCF Undergraduate Catalog. Students should submit a portfolio and application when the program-specific prerequisite coursework has been completed or they are enrolled in the semester when submitting the portfolio.
Animation & Visualization Portfolio ReviewFAQ
What are the track-specific prerequisite courses?
The following prerequisite courses must be successfully completed OR currently enrolled in the semester when submitting portfolio.
- ARH 2051 History of Western Art II
- ART 2201C Design Fundamentals 2D
- ART 2203C Design Fundamentals 3D
- ART 2300C Drawing Fundamentals I
- ART 2301C Drawing Fundamentals II
- DIG 2000 Introduction to Digital Media (requires a “B” or better)
- DIG 2030 Digital Video Fundamentals
- DIG 2109 Digital Imaging Fundamentals
- DIG 2500 Fundamentals of Interactive Design
- GRA 2101C Introduction to Computer Art
- MAC 1105C College Algebra
The following prerequisite courses can be completed after submitting portfolio:
- ARH 2050 History of Western Art I
- COP 2500 Concepts in Computer Science OR
- CGS 2100C Computer Fundamentals for Business
A grade of “C” or better is required for each course listed above to be considered for portfolio evaluation and track entry. These courses must be completed or enrolled in by the semester applying for portfolio. A GPA of 3.0 is required for major courses.
NOTE: Students seeking to transfer courses taken at other institutions should check tes.collegesource.com to confirm equivalency.
What is the difference between Animation & Visualization and Character Animation?
Simply put, the biggest difference is an individual focused art production (Animation & Visualization) vs. a group production (Character).
Animation & Visualization students focus on individualized artistic study in which they take two years to explore and develop artworks in their own individual style and methodology (i.e. 3D modeling, Stop Motion, 3D Animation, Concept Art, 2D Animation, etc.). In Character Animation students engage in a group production resulting in a singular animated group project.
To elaborate, the Animation & Visualization program’s focus is on individualized artistic study with the development of a personalized body of artwork and/or industry-based portfolio. Experimental students explore and develop artworks in their own individual style and methodology (i.e. 3D modeling, Stop Motion, 3D Animation, Concept Art, 2D Animation, etc.)
You take two years and make a focused and researched body of work to aid in obtaining post-graduate employment.
In comparison, Character Animation is a two-year, full-time cohort program where students take part in a group production experience resulting in a singular animated production. You take two years and make one animated film production.
What does it take to be a successful Animation & Visualization track student?
Those accepted into the Animation & Visualization program are typically patient, self-starting individuals with a passion for traditional and digital art. These students have a passion for exploring their own artistic points of view. Though there may be group work opportunities, Animation & Visualization is about the student’s individualized development of a professional body of work. This body of work can be presented to a variety of professional industries.
What industries and careers are Animation & Visualization alumni working in?
Industries:
- Movie/TV production
- Video Game production
- Simulation/theme park industry
- Gallery exhibition/independent video festivals
- Graduate school
Companies:
- Walt Disney Animation
- Electronic Arts (E.A)
- Nickelodeon
- FX Networks
- ILM
- Digital Domain
- Framestore
Careers:
- Art Director
- Digital Compositor
- 2-D, 3-D, Stop Motion Animator
- 3-D Modeler
- Video Game Artist
- Themed Design
- Production Designer
- Independent Filmmaker
- Prop, Maquette Sculptor, and Set Fabricator
- Gallery/Museum Artisan
- VFX Artist
- Motion Graphics Artist
What is Animation & Visualization? What is it Not?
The Animation & Visualization (A&V) track at UCF is a studio-based, multidisciplinary specialization within the Emerging Media BFA. It prepares students for a fast-paced, competitive career in the computer graphics and animation industry. Our focus is on fostering creative problem-solving, technical fluency, and original storytelling through diverse visual mediums.
Here’s what to expect:
You will explore a wide range of animation techniques, including:
- 2D digital animation
- 3D modeling and animation
- Stop-motion
- Hybrid workflows combining techniques
The majority of coursework emphasizes individual creative development, with some collaborative projects woven throughout. Students are encouraged to build a professional portfolio and engage in real-world production environments reflective of industry expectations.
We strongly encourage all prospective students to read the UCF Undergraduate Catalog and the official course descriptions for each required class to understand the curriculum, time commitment, and skill progression.
What the A&V Track is not:
- It is not a 2D-only animation program. Students will work across multiple platforms, tools, and artistic formats to develop technical and conceptual flexibility.
- It is not fan art–friendly. All work must be original. The program values unique ideas, visual storytelling, and artistic voice.
- It is not hands-off or passive. This track demands active participation, self-motivation, and a strong personal work ethic.
Where is the A&V Program Located?
- BFA Emerging Media Animation & Visualization labs are housed in the Visual Arts Building (VAB) on UCF’s Main Campus.
- Classes are taught in various formats depending on the course:
- In-person studio-based instruction
- Mixed-modality (a blend of in-person and online)
- Synchronous Zoom sessions for critique and review
- Some classes may meet in other buildings or designated classrooms across campus. Always consult the UCF schedule and your course syllabus for room assignments and modality.
What computer should I get?
Required Technology for the Animation & Visualization Track
The Animation & Visualization (A&V) track is a rigorous, production-based major that requires students to work extensively with industry-standard digital tools—both in and out of the classroom.
To succeed in this track, every student is expected to have their own personal computer and software that meets the demands of modern 3D and hybrid animation pipelines. Access to suitable hardware and software is not optional—it is an essential requirement for enrollment and long-term success in the program.
Why You Need Your Own Equipment
While UCF offers on-campus open labs and provides Wacom Cintiq tablets in many classroom settings, these shared resources do not replace the need for personal access to professional tools. Students who own their own computer and software consistently produce stronger, more consistent creative outcomes because they can work flexibly and independently beyond scheduled class hours.
Animation & Visualization Track Computer Specifications
To handle the software used throughout the two-year A&V track, including Autodesk Maya, Unreal Engine, Substance Painter, and the full Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, upon acceptance students should purchase a high-performance computer that meets the following criteria:
Recommended Setup
- Platform: PC (not Mac) Laptop
- PC platforms are currently more compatible and cost-effective for 3D production workflows.
- Processor: Fast, multi-core CPU (e.g., Intel i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9)
- Graphics Card: Dedicated NVIDIA RTX series GPU
- Check compatibility lists:
- Memory (RAM): Minimum 16GB, 32GB or higher preferred
- Storage: At least 1TB (SSD strongly recommended)
- Type: “Gaming-ready” or “VR-ready” PC (Laptop)
Brands like Alienware, Dell, and MSI are frequently selected by students due to their reliability for high-performance graphics tasks.
⚠️ Macs are not recommended currently, as they currently underperform with certain 3D rendering and animation software essential to the curriculum.
Students will be required to use the following software in their coursework:
- Adobe Creative Cloud (Paid subscription needed for entirety of 2-year track courses)
- Autodesk Maya (Free with student ID)
- Epic Unreal Engine (Free)
- Substance 3D Suite (Free with student ID)
- ToonBoom Harmony (https://shop.toonboom.com/en/students (Monthly or yearly subscription required)
What Do I Do Next?
If you’re excited about the Animation & Visualization (A&V) track and think it’s the right creative path for you, here are the next steps you should take to ensure you’re prepared and positioned for success:
- Speak with an Academic Success Coach
Before applying, it’s essential to:
- Meet with your academic success coach to confirm you are on track with prerequisite courses.
- Determine the best semester to apply based on your current academic standing and course sequence.
- Ensure you meet the minimum GPA requirement (3.0 in all major courses) for eligibility into the A&V track.
Not sure who your Academic Success Coach is? Contact CAHSA@ucf.edu for assistance.
- Review the UCF Catalog & Course Descriptions
Explore the UCF Undergraduate Catalog and read through the full list of courses required in the Animation & Visualization track. This will help you:
- Understand the type of work and commitment expected over the two-year experience.
- Determine if the curriculum aligns with your professional and creative goals.
- Identify any technical or artistic areas you may need to strengthen before applying.
- Explore All Resources on the Portfolio & Track Pages
Before submitting your portfolio:
- Carefully read all FAQs and guidelines on the A&V portfolio submission page.
- Watch the portfolio info session videos provided, these walk through key submission expectations and offer insights into what makes a strong application.
- Review past feedback and student examples (if available) to benchmark your readiness.