Animation
CSUN is ranked one of the top universities for students interested in pursuing a flourishing career in Animation. We offer three essential animation tracks; 2D Design, 3D Animation and Game Development with access to our computer labs featuring state-of-the-art, industry-standard software and equipment.
Our campus, located just minutes from world-renowned animation and game studios, provides students with access to a highly respected, industry-experienced staff of full-time and adjunct professors. Our unique studio relationships help to place students into critical internships and post-graduate employment. We also provide opportunities for student participation through industry and studio events, organized studio tours, and ongoing collaborative educational partnering with DreamWorks studios and Seoul Institute of the Arts.
CSUN animation has two outstanding award winning student-run Animation clubs, the Animation Students League of Northridge, or our Game Development Club. These organizations provide additional opportunities to help our students build their networking, communication and organizational skills, while meeting and interacting with industry guests through our supplemental lectures and workshops series. We also have a very active and robust alumni organization that participates and supports our annual career day and portfolio review as well as our semester and year end CSUN Animation Student Shows.
Cal State Northridge is an excellent place to begin your animation career.
Animation Tracks
2-D Animation
Our program provides students with a foundation in drawing, design and the essential software skills necessary to thrive in post-graduation careers. Upon completing four lower division foundation courses, students take courses in 2D animation (flash/toonboom), pre-production and visual development, with optional classes in compositing and 3D computer animation classes. Students concentrating in the 2D design track spend their senior year focusing on their portfolios and/or collaborative group projects. Students pursuing an artistic career in 2D animation enter the industry as storyboard revisionists, visual development, background design or painting, or as animators with a proficiency in flash and/or toonboom.
3-D Animation
Students pursuing a career path in 3D animation enter the industry with options including Pre-Vis artists, character animators, CG modelers, texture painting and lighting artist, and compositors. We offer four core CG animation courses with options in compositing, game animation, and Visual Development. Students who concentrating in the 3D animation track spend their senior year focusing on their portfolios and/or collaborative group projects.
Game Design
Our Game Design course builds on 3D computer animation courses to two sequence game production classes. Students who complete the Game track take optional animation production, compositing, and character animation courses. Entry-level positions for students who graduate with a focus on game design include quality assurance, level design, modeling, texture painting & lighting, as well as character animation.