I am currently torn between animation and straight Computer Science. I love animation but I am worried that the market isn’t as strong for animation over Computer science. Granted, animation depends somewhat on programming but if I go that route and can’t find a job, I wouldn’t have the classes that a straight computer science major would have. My school also offers a minor in Digital media that interests me but would that appeal to an employer at all for an animation position? The school also offers a networking emphasis that I am not to excited for but could help me land a decent IT job while I attend school.
WHAT DO I DO!!!
Anyone?
Which schools are you interested in/applying to? That might help. My D is hoping to major in animation and we have reviewed a lot of those programs. Some are more heavily focused on the computer side, some are more on the art side. You might want to look at schools where you get a B.S. in animation, such as Drexel or DePaul, as opposed to a BFA. Most BFA programs allow few electives and many don’t even give you enough hours to have a minor. A doubnle major is alos a possibility, but might not be doable in 4 years. An ideal program for you might be the BSCA at Carnegie Mellon, which is a cross-program major in computer science and digital art/animation. Michigan also has a BA program that allows you to take more non-art classes but still get the art degree. Or you might look at a school like RIT where you could major in computer science and minor in animation or 3D Digital Design. UPenn has a great Digital Media program that is heavy on computer science and math.
If your sole focus is post-college employment, you might want to stick with computer science and minor in animation. But if you really want to be an animator, go for it, try to get good internships and make connections while you are in college. Most of the top animation programs have pretty good track records placing graduates in the industry.
Look at Ithaca’s Park school for new media. USC has animation and digital mix. Believe it or not Utah has a great program too. As honestmom said, You’d do well to think about what angle you prefer–the art side, the computational side, etc. That will help you target the right program. Hampshire has digital program, Sarah Lawrence. Austin. My understanding is that your portfolio of work and what you can DO is what’s really important in terms of future employment. Also think: grad school. Georgia tech has a great grad school for this, MIT, too. In other words, if it were my child, I’d advise to really build skills in the area that most appeals to him or her, rounding out the technical side. Then find a program that forwards that push. Also, think about your location: Sarah Lawrence is almost in nyc (20 mins by train) and so internships galore! CUNY has inexpensive and very good technical programs ($6K total tuition per year about). Housing is not cheap but again you’re in NYC where there is opportunity and with the break in tuition that comes with residency, that can help defray costs. Similarly USC is near LA and animation there. UC Santa Cruz also has a program–one of the first in fact. For many of these schools, access to the program may be an issue. USC, Santa Cruz, are not easy to just walk into, as demand is high. UCSC is near Silicon Valley. This is a new field and so schools are creating programs. Savannah school of the arts is often plugged on this board. It’s not accredited however and so i’d approach with caution in terms of funding your studies, same with full sail. RPI has a program as does WPI. Cornell CALs has an interesting program in human interaction with media–and you can take classes in the art dept too. In terms of a market–the market seems to be growing, and growing fast. Animation will be used not just in programs, but in human-computer interactions of the future. Best of luck!
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