Areas of Study
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation & Game Art
Animation & Game Art Program Description
Recognized as one of the top 25 Game Design BFA programs in the country, and the #1 school in Maine, our program will help you develop a robust studio practice through the production of works across a range of traditional and emerging media.
Students may create content for animation, games, or both while studying in our Animation & Game Art BFA program. Lower-level classes cover the breadth of the respective production pipelines, which allow our juniors and seniors to focus deeply on their area of interest, or to create their own collaborative or individually produced animated films or games.
Our program is designed to teach animation and game artists to communicate effectively with their audience through all facets of production. This means that from development and pre-production through design, asset creation, animation, and post-production, choices are made that affect how viewers/gamers connect with and understand both characters and narrative. Our award-winning faculty, including Program Chair Adam Fisher and Assistant Professor Adam deGrandis ’05, bring deep experience in the industry to help you do just that.
Majors in Animation & Game Art have 24/7 access to industry-standard hardware and software to create 2D digital, 3D, and stop-motion animation and games. Classes cover full pipelines for both games and animation, as well as specific areas of focus such as character and background design, storyboarding, 3D modeling, character animation, stop-motion, game development, game art production, and much more.
The program’s dual emphasis on developing individual exploration and collaborative practices prepares graduates for lifelong personal and professional creative practice. Potential internships, portfolio reviews from industry artists, and studio courses prepare students to competitively enter the professional marketplace.
Life After Graduation
Our alumni have gone on to join major studios around the country or start their own successful animation studios, building careers as filmmakers, Emmy winners, game creators, video editors, 3D modelers and 3D artists, puppet fabricators, mold makers, effects animators, and more.
Program & Outcomes
Faculty
Sample Courses
AG 100 Intro to Game Development
AG 120 Storyboarding for Animation
AG 201 Character Animation
AG 304 Stop-Motion and FX
AG 370 Game Art Production
Workspace & Tools
- PCs (Surface studios, Lenovo Yogas, Dell desktops) and Macs paired with large Cintiq drawing tablets
- Blender
- Substance Painter
- Toonboom Harmony
- Toonboom Storyboard Pro
- Dragonframe
- Unity
- Unreal Engine
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Large and small stop-motion units to accommodate both short-term exercises and dedicated space for long-term projects
- DSLR cameras
- Geared head tripods
- LED cinema lights
- Stop-motion animation rigs
Animation & Game Art majors each have their own studio space during their third and fourth years with 24/7 access.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Choose appropriate techniques, media, materials and formal language to develop a visual vocabulary in service to content.
- Employ research and information gathering to develop design strategies and explore alternative solutions.
- Understand design prototyping and implementation.
- Demonstrate awareness of contemporary issues and cultural studies.
- Understand conceptual thinking and demonstrate awareness of cultural context, authorship, and audience perception.
- Demonstrate competency and confidence in technical skills in specific areas of animation and game art creation.
- Demonstrate professional practices within the field of animation and game art.
- Speak critically about the digital media work of others from both historical and contemporary perspectives.
Course of Study
Foundation Year
Fall
- FN 101 Digital Imaging
- FN 109 3D: Materiality
- FN 113 Two-Dimensional Design
- Studio Elective
- EN 100 English Composition
- SEM 100 First Year Seminar
Spring
- DR 100 Introduction to Drawing
- FN 110 4D: Space & Temporality
- FN 108 Research & Inquiry – Studio
- SEM 108 Research & Inquiry – Academic
- AH 101 Art History Survey I
Sophomore
Fall
- AG 101 Animation I or AG 100 Intro to Game Development
- Approved Studio Elective
- Studio Elective (Student Choice)
- AH 102 Art History Survey II
- Academic Elective
Spring
- AG 221 Sophomore Production Lab
- AG 351 Animation & Game Art Concepts and History
- Studio Elective (Student Choice)
- AH 250 Critical Approaches to Contemporary Art
- Academic Elective
Junior
Fall
- AG 321 Major Production Studio I
- Approved Studio Elective
- Studio Elective (Student Choice)
- Art History Elective
- Academic Elective
Spring
- AG 322 Major Production Studio II
- AG 352 Collaborative Productions
- Approved Studio Elective
- Art History Elective
- Academic Elective
Senior
Fall
- AG 421 Major Capstone Project
- Pre-Production
- SEM 451 Professional Studio – Animation & Game Art
- Approved Studio Elective
- 2 Academic Electives
Spring
- AG 422 Major Capstone Production
- AG 452 Major Capstone Project Post-Production
- Approved Studio Elective
- 2 Academic Electives
Course Catalog Listing
Animation & Game Art Program FAQ
How do I know if a degree in Animation & Game Art is right for me?
If you're passionate about bringing characters, stories, and worlds to life through visual storytelling, animation, or interactive media, this program could be a great fit. You don’t need to be an expert artist or programmer to start — what’s most important is a strong interest in creativity and learning new tools and techniques. Whether you enjoy drawing, designing characters, animating motion, or creating immersive game environments, this degree will help you refine your skills and turn your passion into a career.
How does the BFA program prepare me for the future of animation and game art?
The industry is always evolving, with new technologies and storytelling methods emerging all the time. This program doesn’t just teach the tools of today — it instills a mindset of adaptability and problem-solving. No matter if you want to work in traditional animation, game development, or cutting-edge interactive media, you’ll graduate with the skills to evolve alongside the industry.
Do I need prior experience in animation or game art to apply?
No prior experience is required. The Animation & Game Art Program starts with foundational courses that cover essential digital media skills, allowing you to build your expertise throughout your studies.
Can I take courses outside of Animation & Game Art to complement my studies?
Alongside your classes in Animation & Game Art, you can take electives in areas such as film production, graphic design, music composition, or creative writing. These courses can help broaden storytelling skills and enhance cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Can I work while earning my BFA in Animation & Game Art?
Yes, many students take on part-time jobs, internships, or freelance projects while studying. However, due to the time-intensive nature of the Animation & Game Art Program, managing workload and deadlines effectively is crucial. Our faculty members can help you find a balance between coursework and professional opportunities.
Apply for Our BFA and Major in Animation & Game Art
Behind every great game and animated story is an artist with the vision and technical expertise to bring it to life. At Maine College of Art & Design, our BFA in Animation & Game Art gives you access to professional-grade software, studio space, and real-world projects that prepare you for a career in film, gaming, and beyond.
Whether you’re interested in concept art, character animation, or visual effects, this program helps you develop the skills to succeed. Take the next step in your career today.