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Center For Animation

Prospective Students

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BYU's Center for Animation is multi-disciplinary, consisting of students and faculty from multiple colleges on BYU campus. The Animation BFA (located in BYU's Design Department) and the Computer Science (CS): Animation & Games Emphasis (located in BYU's Computer Science Department) are nationally recognized. These programs focus on in-depth, production-based training for entry into the animation, gaming, and visual effects industries.

Both programs are closed-enrollment, where applications are carefully and thoughtfully reviewed by board members. Smaller class sizes allow for greater interaction between faculty and students. Student collaboration is an integral part of the curriculum.

To be admitted into either program, prospective students are to complete the following steps:

Step 1. Once accepted to Brigham Young University, declare pre-major intent in either the Animation BFA or Computer Science (CS): Animation & Games Emphasis.
Step 2. Take DESAN 101. For the BFA, after taking DESAN 101, pass a review of completed work in order to move into the pre-major status.
Step 3. Finish BFA or CS Emphasis prerequisite classes and submit a portfolio for review by the board.
Step 4. Pass the Portfolio Review to be accepted into the major.

Use 'How to Apply' links below for more detailed information.

Animation (BFA)

Course Map
How to Apply

Animation Major

Course Map
FAQ
Student Examples

Computer Science: Animation and Games Emphasis (BS)

Course Map
How to Apply

CS Major with emphasis on Animation

Course Plan
FAQ
Student Examples
  • PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance to the animation program must first be preceded by acceptance to Brigham Young University (Provo, UT). A link to the BYU Admissions Services page may be found here.

    You do not need to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) to be accepted into BYU or into the BYU Animation Program; However, if you are non-LDS, you will still be required to live the BYU Honor Code and complete the University General Education requirements. Such requirements include various math, English, history, and religion courses.

    If you have any questions about how to go about this process, you may either contact Becca Weidner (Pre-Animation BFA Advisor) at becca_weidner@byu.edu or Lynnette Nelson (CS Undergrad Advisor) at lnelson@cs.byu.edu.
  • Upon acceptance to the program, students can prepare by gaining an understanding of 3D software such as Maya or Blender (Maya is the main 3D software used in the Animation Program). Students may also find it helpful to be familiar with a digital art package like Photoshop.

    In order to become better artists and designers overall, we strongly recommend you practice drawing as much as you can. Gesture drawing, as well as the ability to draw in multiple styles, will be a useful skill no matter what field of animation you choose to pursue.

    Note: All Autodesk programs may be downloaded for free as a student license on the Autodesk website. Photoshop, along with all other Adobe Products, may be purchased at a monthly discounted student rate via Adobe Creative Cloud.

  • The BYU Animation Program is one of the best programs you can be part of in terms of student hire rates, recognition from major studios, student problem-solving skills, and preparation for the industry. While it is a smaller program in comparison to major art schools and does not have the same resources in faculty and number of classes, it is structured in a way to give you maximum freedom to mold it into what you specifically need or are interested in. Please know that this program is not designed to teach you step-by-step processes and that teacher instruction is minimal—it is just enough to get you started, and you will be expected to put in the time and work to learn the programs and create your work. While many students find this hard at first, after a couple semesters they tend to become very grateful for this structure and eventually become very valuable assets to the studios that hire them. Learning how to problem-solve for yourself, whether with design or computer problems, is one of the core fundamental aspects of this program that make our students successful. In short, you get out of the program what you put into the program. Success comes to those who work the hardest!

    We would also like to stress the fact that the best students are the ones that are motivated by faith and not by fear. Our goal as an Animation Program is to put more good and wholesome media into the world, and those who are motivated out of faith and love for what they do are the ones that make the greatest impact and generally do the best. Animation students can often become fear-driven and overly stressed when they lose sight of this perspective, and we hope that you keep this in mind as you become more involved in the program.
  • If you are planning on deferring enrollment for missionary service, this will not affect your acceptance into the BYU Animation Program. Whether you apply before or after your mission is a very personal decision, and it can also depend on your mission departure/arrival dates. Because you can apply winter semester of your freshman year, you are welcome to apply before you leave. This means that you would not have to worry about putting together your application/portfolio while on your mission.

    Please DO NOT choose to forgo serving a full-time mission because of the Animation Program. The Animation Program will still be here upon your return, and your artistic abilities will not decrease as a result of serving a mission. Because faith and striving to do good are such important values in the Animation Program, we advise you serve a mission so that you can do better in the industry. Students who have served full-time missions tend to do better in the program and in the industry, and we as faculty have frequently observed an individual’s faith as being a strong indicator for their future success.

    Serving a mission is still, of course, a very personal decision. Please consult with your bishop, your parents, and your Heavenly Father as you make this important decision.