The Animation program represents a broadband approach to animation education within a liberal arts framework. There is course work in both traditional and digital animation, plus studies in experimental, interactive storytelling and alternative forms of the medium in small classroom settings.

Animation is viewed as an art/communication form that has only two limitations: one’s imagination and exhaustion. Each student is asked to consider and make decisions on story, character, ethics, history, society, concepts, aesthetics, structure, style, quality, process, content, viewpoint, philosophy, audience, value, conviction and ideas. Each student sets their own direction. Therefore, films range from conceptual to cartoon, from object animation to computer, from entertainment to experimental and from traditional animation to new animation. Each student will experience all stages of their own animation production in an exciting sequence.

In four years at LMU, animation majors move from a traditionally based foundation in animation production techniques during the freshman year to the theory and practice of digital film making and computer animation during the sophomore year. The third year is devoted to the study of multimedia and alternative forms of animation. During the senior year, students write, animate and direct a thesis film/project for their portfolio. Our intention is to prepare exceptional student artists for their future in the industry with skill, imagination and depth.