COURSE CURRICULUM

The Animation and Illustration BFA program at San José State University is a 120-unit degree that combines general education, foundational art training, and advanced specialization in animation and illustration. The program includes 25 units of lower division general education, with some overlap through major coursework, and 9 units of upper division GE. Physical education is waived, while a 3-unit writing requirement is typically fulfilled through a course such as DSGN 100W. Students must also complete a 3-unit lower division Humanities and Arts course that focuses on personal and academic development.The major begins with 36 units of preparation courses, where students build essential artistic and technical skills. These include illustration fundamentals, acting or design-related studies, and art history, along with core support courses such as drawing, visual storytelling, color theory, 2D animation, 3D modeling, and visual principles. This stage establishes a strong creative foundation and introduces both traditional and digital techniques used in the animation industry.The major requirements consist of 38 units, including core courses that advance illustration and animation skills through multiple levels. Students then choose a specialization in either Animation and Story or Visual Development and Modeling. The Animation and Story track focuses on storyboarding and digital animation production, while the Visual Development and Modeling track emphasizes character design, environment creation, and 3D modeling. Each specialization includes upper-division electives, allowing students to further refine their expertise.The program concludes with a 6-unit capstone experience, where students complete a senior seminar and a final project that showcases their skills and portfolio. Overall, the degree is carefully structured to develop creative, technical, and professional abilities, preparing graduates for careers in animation, entertainment, and related visual media industries.