MIAD Animation Track

Illustration Major with Animation Track

MIAD LAUNCHES ILLUSTRATION MAJOR ANIMATION TRACK. Illustration is no longer a static pursuit -- moving illustration creates feeling and captures an audience through emotion, the very essence of what makes animation so powerful.

With great excitement, MIAD announces the launch of its Animation track within the Illustration major. MIAD’s Illustration major has seen exponential growth over the past 5 years and ranks among the best regionally and nationally. In 2021, Animation Career Review ranked MIAD’s program #1 in Wisconsin and in the top 10 in the Midwest. The strength of the curriculum, faculty and facilities provides a solid foundation for the Animation track.

MIAD’s Animation track was created from growing student interest in bringing illustrated images to life with focus on visual storytelling in digital forms. Combining illustration and animation with the professional focus at the core of our program prepares students for versatility in the industry.

From Top: Sammi Micklewright, Dali, 2021 YongXue Hayden, Satorulwata, 2021

As chair of MIAD's Illustration major, I am thrilled that our new Animation track within the Illustration major brings together the interests of our students with the needs of the creative digital industry. Our commitment to fulfilling our students' passions while educating them in 21st century design is at the forefront of the launch of the Animation track. We'll continue preparing our graduates to lead in illustration, design and animation professions.

-ANDREW BERNIER Associate professor, Chair of Illustration

Left: Seth Vervaet, Event Horizon, 2019

CURRICULUM

We designed MIAD’s new Animation Track

MIAD’s Illustration program is one of the most attractive in the nation because of the expansive nature of the curriculum, with professional work in editorial and pattern design as well as corporate sector and advertising design. The Animation track follows suit, allowing for exploration in a wide array of media including 2D, 3D and interactive animation, virtual reality and video games. Electives and animationfocused professional practice coursework will cultivate students’ individual interests and career preparation.

SAMPLE COURSES 2D Motion Fundamentals 3D Modeling & Animation Animation: Interactive & New Media Animation Professional Practice Animation Production Typography

to give our students a structured, handson experience with a variety of different animation approaches, as well as the freedom to choose electives that deeply align with their personal passions.

-ADAM OSGOOD Associate professor in Illustration with an emphasis on animation & motion-based illustration.

Right: Camryn Schake, Kindred, 2021

IN-DEMAND CAREERS Employment of special effects artists and animators is projected to grow 16% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.1 The market size of the global animation, VFX and video games industry was $261 billion USD in 2020.2 Most of the segments in the animation industry are growing at the rate of 2-3% year over year.2 The market size of the global video gaming industry was $105 billion USD in 2020.2

Combining illustration and animation with the professional focus at the core of MIAD’s program prepares students for versatile careers in industries such as TV/film production, motion graphics, computer systems design, video game design, software publishing, advertising, marketing, data visualization, and medical, architectural or crime scene animation.

SOURCES: 1United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2 Global Animation, VFX & Video Games: Strategies, Trends & Opportunities report (2021-25) Left: Miranda Larsson, Lemon, 2021

J O B S D I R E C T LY R E L AT E D T O A N I M AT I O N T R A C K DEGREES: • Animator • Concept artist • Games developer • Graphic designer • Illustrator • VFX artist • Web designer

JOBS WHERE THE A N I M AT I O N T R A C K D E G R E E WOULD BE USEFUL: • 3D Modeler • Advertising art director • E-Learning designer • Exhibition designer • Film director • Film/video editor • Game artist • Keyframe Animator • Multimedia specialist • Online news media animator • Production designer, theatre/television/film • Special effects technician • Television production coordinator • Television/film/video producer • UI/UX Designer

Right: Adia Sharpe, Toby, 2019

Cover: Camryn Schake, Kindred, 2021 Kayla VanProofen, Sheriff, 2021 273 East Erie Street Milwaukee, WI 53202 miad.edu