Animation Track in Illustration
Bring Your Illustrations to Life
MIAD’s Animation Track within the Illustration major empowers you to fulfill your dream of adding movement to Illustration. We focus on visual storytelling, transforming static illustrations into captivating animations using digital tools.
This is not a standalone Animation program. Instead, you’ll gain a strong foundation in Illustration while building expertise in 2D, 3D and interactive animation, virtual reality and video games.
Our Curriculum
You’ll refine your unique voice as a storyteller with Animation-focused professional practice courses and electives that help you hone your skills and interests. This powerful and award-winning combination of Illustration and Animation prepares you for a versatile career in such varied industries as game design, TV/film production and special effects, web and UI/UX design, multimedia advertising and marketing, data visualization and more.
Animation by the numbers. In 2024, Animation Career Review ranked MIAD’s program #1 in Wisconsin and among the top 10 in the Midwest. Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to grow 16% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Most of the segments in the animation industry are growing at the rate of 2-3% year over year. Due to the explosion of digital media, streaming channels, and demand for content, Lightcast reports that Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations accrued an average of 5% real wage gains through 2022, including roles such as special effects artists and animators.
Student Work
What Can I do with my Major?
ANIMATION TRACK
3D Modeler
A
Advertising art director
Animator
C
Concept Artist
E
E-Learning Designer
Exhibition Designer
F
Film Director
Film/Video Editor
G
Game Artist
Game Developer
Graphic Designer
I
Illustrator
K
Keyframe Animator
M
Multimedia Specialist
O
Online News Media Animator
P
Production Designer, theater/television/film
S
Special Effects Technician
T
Television/Film/Video Producer
Television Production Coordinator
U
UI/UX Designer
V
VFX Artist
W
Web Designer