<p>My son is interested in Motion Graphics. I am trying to figure out if this is under another general major and what types of colleges we need to be looking at - Fine Arts type of colleges or traditional colleges? I am very unfamiliar with this type of major and I am trying to do my research as he is currently a Junior. Also, I am looking at Summer Programs for this upcoming summer since he may need to submit some type of portfolio.</p>
<p>It sounds like animation.</p>
<p>Check out the art schools first - uarts, mica, Pratt, RISD, sva, etc. You can learn a lot from the people their also.</p>
<p>Regular 4 year colleges vary in the quality of their art programs. Look out for at colleges in my humble opinion: schools that offer BA vs BFA, art departments vs School of Art and schools with zero notable reputation in training artists. </p>
<p>Art is a skill. Most of us look at it as a talent. As a skill, where you study and with whom makes a huge difference in the development of that skill.</p>
<p>Quality of Art programs differ at Art Only schools too, lol. My daughter is interested in Interior Design, and she seems very certain that she wants to pursue that. I began, where I assume you are now, not knowing much about the teaching of art, where the good programs for a particular type of category within the Art world might be, the difference between a BFA vs a BA/BS, traditional colleges vs Art schools, etc.</p>
<p>For us, her top choice by far was University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning (DAAP), which has many highly ranked art and design programs. It’s got a great reputation in the design community, it incorporates co-ops into its curriculum (This was the clincher for us. Employers nowdays want experience on your resume, not just a piece of paper. At DAAP you’ve got 1.5 years of experience when you graduate, putting you way ahead of most other grads in your field), it has other highly ranked programs outside of DAAP in case your son has 2nd thoughts (at an art-only school, you don’t have that option, and what, if anything will transfer may also be an issue), it is a state school so while out-of-state tuition is higher, it is still 15-20K less than some of the Art-only schools before merit and need-based aid is considered, and finally, it has a traditional campus atmosphere providing much greater diversity in the student body and student life than most Art-Only Colleges.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong, we are considering Art-Only schools also, and Madaboutx gives a nice sample of those. Just be aware that there are some highly ranked traditional universities also. I’d consider Yale, Carnegie Mellon, Virginia Commonwealth, Virginia Tech, Auburn as some other traditional universities too.</p>
<p>At Ringling, the program you seem to be seeking is called “Motion Design”. Great choice! Good luck as you go through the college process. It’s a great experience!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I am going to have to do a lot of homework. We had a meeting last night with our guidance department and she suggested I look locally first. We live in South Florida. I am not sure if this is the best area for his career choices as he should also have internship opportunities.</p>
<p>You could look at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts which has a 100% job placement rate for grads in motion, animation, gaming etc. They just opened a new interactive media building and the facilities are off the charts. The companies are approaching them for interns so he wouldn’t “want” for attention here.</p>
<p>Another highly regarded school with sought after grads in motion graphics and animation (also in Southern Cal) is Cal Arts. </p>
<p>If your son is interested in this as a career, you can’t beat either school for their connections and alumni network. Both look heavily at potential and portfolio. CalArts isn’t interested in test scores.</p>
<p>Also, at least at USC, there is flexibility to change major or double major. That helps students who aren’t 100% sure feel out alternatives along the way. </p>
<p>My D enrolled in USC’s Cinematic Arts program (film major). The resources available to the students in the new complex are mind boggling, for sure. And students across majors are encourage to collaborate with each other as they will be peers and resources for each other after graduation.</p>
<p>We live in a different part of the country too and knew she wanted to study in the heart of the industry.</p>