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Center For Animation

FAQ

If you have a question that is not covered on this page, please contact us at cfanim@cs.byu.edu or call (801) 422-7323 to reach the BYU Design Department or (801) 422-3027 for the BYU Computer Science Department.

Frequently Asked Questions

    • Admission information and applications are available here.
    • Click here to learn about BYU’s tuition fees and deadlines.
    • Click here to learn about Financial Aid.

  • You do not need to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to be accepted into BYU or the BYU Animation Program. However, if you are not a member of the Church, 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.

  • At the end of your sophomore year, faculty advisors will help you select a primary and secondary area of study. Sophomore classes provide a well-rounded foundation in design and 3D generalist skills. Elective study areas include Design, Story, Technical Direction/Programming, Modeling, Shading, Lighting, Rigging, Animation, Previs, CFX, and FX. The Capstone selection offers specialized training in either Film or Game Production.

  • BYU students work in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, with CS Animation Emphasis and Design Animation students sharing classes. Our artists learn to code, and our coders learn to draw. Film and Video Game Capstone projects are student-led and student-produced, giving students team experience that closely mirrors industry production.

  • Students have access to a wide variety of resources. Maya, Unreal Engine, Adobe products, Houdini, and Storyboard Pro are all available. BYU also offers an extensive variety of learning resources and databases that students can access. Additionally, we have state-of-the-art Cintique tablets and computers that operate on both Linux and Windows software.

  • There are two ways to apply to the Animation Program:

    1. You may apply as a Pre-Animation major, graduating with a BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) in Animation.
      OR
    2. You may apply as a Computer Science (CS) major with an Emphasis in Animation and Games.

    The Animation BFA and CS Animation and Games Emphasis have different requirements for program acceptance and completion. Both expect strong skills in drawing and computer graphics. Each applicant’s personal strengths and circumstances will be taken into consideration.

    Information and instructions for applying to the Animation BFA can be found here. For the Computer Science (CS) Animation and Games Emphasis, click here.

  • The acceptance rate to the Animation Program is about 25%. This can change from year to year. Prospective students begin the pre-major acceptance process by taking DESAN 101. On average, there are 160 students attempting to get into the program every year. Approximately 70 of those 160 students pass the DESAN 101 pre-major review. About 30 of those 60 students are then accepted in the Animation Major.

  • Students can apply twice for both the Animation BFA and CS Animation and Games Emphasis unless you receive a specific request from the faculty to re-apply. We strongly recommend that you have a backup plan in mind in the event you are not accepted.

    If you have questions, call the Advisement Center for the College of Fine Arts and Communications at 801-422-3777, or email them at cfacadvise@byu.edu. You may also visit them in person at 1190 WCCB or visit their website at http://cfacadvise.byu.edu.

  • We fully support you serving a mission! You may apply for the Animation Program before serving a mission. If you choose to serve a mission after being accepted in the BYU Animation Program, you will not lose your place. More information on deferring school for missionary service can be found here.

  • Please contact the CFAC Advisement Center for General Education course transfer (1190 WCCB, 801-422-3777, cfacadvise@byu.edu). It is also recommended that you complete drawing courses, specifically figure drawing courses, and any video/film classes available to you.

  • Pre-Animation BFA advisement is handled by Becca Weidner at becca_weidner@byu.edu. If you have already been accepted to the Animation BFA, you may contact Julee Braithwaite at julee_braithwaite@byu.edu. For questions about the Computer Science (CS) Animation and Games Emphasis, you may contact Lynnette Nelson at lnelson@cs.byu.edu.

  • To learn more about the Talent Award and other scholarships at the Design Department, click here. For information about other scholarships at BYU, click here.

  • Any student is welcome to pitch a film or game idea for the senior capstone, regardless of their major status. Faculty select finalists from the student submissions, which are then presented [by the student] to all animation center students and faculty. Center students include Animation, Computer Science, Illustration and Media Arts students who have committed to participating. After the student presentations, junior students vote for their favorite idea for the group to create. The selected pitch idea belongs to BYU and cannot be used again outside of the senior capstone project.

  • Maya is the main 3D software used in the Animation Program. Experience with any 3D software package will be beneficial when learning and using Maya. Students may also find it helpful to be familiar with a digital art package like Photoshop.

    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 Auto Creative Cloud.

  • Pay can vary depending on your area of focus such as, story, design, modeling, shading, etc. Rates are based on talent, demand, and cost of living in the hiring location. We recommend searching job listings in your area of focus and preferred location to get an idea of the starting salary.

  • Due to the high demand, we do not offer tours of our facilities. We are a small group with limited resources and our time is dedicated to teaching and advising our current students. For general campus tours, visit the BYU Campus Tours page here.

  • We believe all types of animation have their foundation in solid drawing and traditional animation. A computer is a tool just as a pencil is a tool. If you draw junk with a pencil, the computer will only help you to make really shiny chrome junk. Our most technical graduates find that they need to be able to draw in order to communicate their visual ideas. A computer animated film takes as much time as a traditionally animated film to make. The computer does not make the film easier to make, it merely changes the dynamics and the overall final aesthetics.

    • Start carrying a sketchbook and draw all the time if you do not already do so.
    • Begin to study animation and illustration independently. 
    • Work hard in all of your classes. The more you know about everything, the better you will do in the industry. Learn art, history, math, physics, English, etc. There are so many directions one can go in the animation industry. Don't close doors before you have a chance to go through them. Learn to use both sides of your brain. 
    • Be ready to receive criticism on your work. Taking criticism and learning and improving from it will be your key to success both in your studies and in your career. We can guarantee you that we will be much nicer in our critiques than you will receive once you are in the industry.