Design & Animation

Bachelor of Fine Arts

120 Credits
School of Liberal Arts
Westchester

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Programs & Degrees
Design & Animation

Design & Animation Overview

Digital technology pervades our culture, empowering individuals to transform the way we look at the world.

The Design and Animation program prepares students to shape the digital landscape and pursue careers in animation, gaming and communication design, among other fields.

Career Opportunities

What career paths will graduates be able to pursue?

Graphic Design, Interaction Design, Interface Design, Information Design, Multimedia Design, Web Design, Digital Media Design, Package Design, Design for Film & Television (Motion Graphics), Computer Graphics, Digital Photography, Digital Imaging, Digital and Classical Two- and Three-dimensional Animation, CGI Modeling, Character Animation, Special Effects (SFX), Storyboarding & Scripting, Prototyping & Playtesting for Gaming, Level Design, Digital Painting, Rotoscoping, Filming with Digital Video, Post Production & Editing, Art Direction, Creative Direction.

Visiting Artists

Artists have included:

Disney, Pixar and Blue Sky Studios producers, Museum of the Moving Image

$86K Salary

Average Pay

For multimedia artists & animators in New York

120 Credits

Total Credits to Earn Your Degree

Classes in design principles, digital skills and history of art and animation

The Mercy Advantage

Design Labs and Art Studios
- We have two digital design and animation studios, and a traditional studio for drawing,painting and design. All stations in our digital studios are equipped with Cintiq Interactive Pen Displays.
- Each digital studio has dedicated video projection and audio equipment for classroom demonstrations and critiques. Students routinely borrow digital cameras or audio recording for independent and class projects.
Alumni Network of over 64,000
No portfolio required to apply for the program
We have a strong record of students securing internships at Blue Sky Studios, Atlantic Records, Harper’s Bazaar, NBC News, New York Magazine

See Student Work

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Frequently Asked Questions

What degrees do you offer?

We offer a Bachelor's of Fine Arts degree.

Do you have a visiting artists program?

Yes. Visiting Speakers and Lecturers have included: Roy Disney; JJ Sedelmaier, animator; Don Hahn, Disney animation producer; Richard Gorey, Animator; Jayme Wilkinson, Blue Sky Studios stereoscopic supervisor; Tim Dingersen, Click 3X; Linda Feaster, brand strategist, Sasakaya; Drew Coburn, Strategy & Account Director, Cubism Group; Peter Sohn, Pixar animator/story artist; Sande Chen, writer and game designer; Mike Cushny, Blue Sky Studios camera technical director; Moroni Taylor, Blue Sky Studios animator/story artist; Danny Williams, Blue Sky Studios animator; Chris Siemasko, Blue Sky Studios story artist; Trish Logar, Animator/Illustrator, Whiteboard Animation; Kamil Durzynski, Game Artist; Mike Gondek, Creative Director, Pyramid America; Max Porter, Animator; John R. Dilworth, Animator, creator of Courage the Cowardly Dog; Loren Bouchard, animation producer; Eric Zimmerman, game designer/producer; Rocco Piscatello, graphic designer; Karen White, graphic designer; David Schwartz, Director, Museum of the Moving Image.

What type of facilities do you have?

The program has two digital design/animation studios and a traditional drawing/painting/design studio. Each digital studio consists of 12-17 dedicated computer stations. All stations in our digital studios are equipped with Cintiq Interactive Pen Displays. Digital Studios are either Macintosh or Windows platform, and offer two- and three-dimensional animation, digital video, color printing and scanning capabilities. Digital photography and video cameras are available for student use. Software is updated yearly. Each digital studio has dedicated video projection and audio equipment for classroom demonstrations and critiques.

Are internships available for college credit?

Yes. Students in the Computer Arts + Design program can complete up to 9 credits of internship credit.

Are department faculty available for academic advising?

Yes, the program head and our full-time faculty work closely with all majors. We are always ready to guide students with questions about what courses to take, the sequencing of courses, and career opportunities, including internships and job placements.

How can I get more information?

To schedule a tour, get information on application requirements and initiate the application process, contact the program head, Josh Gaetjen at (914) 674-3051 or jgaetjen@mercy.edu. Visit our How to Apply page for additional information on submitting your portfolio.

What companies employ your alumni?

Design + Animation graduates have worked for: Sony Pictures Imageworks, Marvel Entertainment, Framestore, NBC Sports, Vineyard Vines, NowThis, Afropunk, Viacom, iHeartRadio, Verizon Wireless, Intel Corportation, Definition Media, Via – On-Demand Transit, Gensler, McNamara Salvia, Disney/ABC Television Group, WayForward Technologies, Stanley Black and Decker, JWT, Armstrong Partnership, Ideas on Purpose, EF Education First, Nautica, Rockstar Games, Whiteboard Animation, Powerhead Games, Pyramid America, N-Fusion Interactive, Fox Business Network, Prestige Brands, Inc, Federated Media. Fusion TV, 8 Point Studio, Softtek, WorldNow, Zwilling/J.A. Henckels, World Wrestling Entertainment, Little Airplane Productions, Aquent, VHB, Consumer Eyes, DHS Systems, SCHAWK! OnBrand Group at MasterCard Worldwide, General Electric, New Media Technology team, FAI Design Group, Incentient, Classic Medallics, Chad Lavigne LLC.

Where have students interned?

Design + Animation students have interned for: Blue Sky Studios, Luckeyou, Atlantic Records, Ideas on Purpose, Mechanism Digital, Diesel USA, Blackmaled Productions, Harpers Bazaar, JJ Sedelmaier Productions, Momentum Advertising and Design, Jacob Burns Film Center, Gaia Industries, Black Hammer Games, NBC News, The Cartoon Bank, New Yorker Magazine, Redbook, Tiny Mantis and PM Sports.

Are courses available in the evenings and weekends?

The majority of program classes are offered during the daytime hours.

Can I begin taking major courses immediately?

Yes, first-time freshmen complete 3 or 4 courses in the major in their first semester. All students take at least 3 major classes each semester.

Is a portfolio required to apply?

No, Mercy does not require a portfolio to apply to the Design & Animation program.

Program Outcomes

Critique his or her work and that of his or her peers from a well informed perspective including knowledge of historical, creative, and technical aspects of art and design

Demonstrate an understanding of the theory and skills necessary to be successful in the field by actively engaging in classroom critiques, assigned readings, course projects, or independent research

Identify and use the appropriate production tools and techniques to complete advanced work in design

Create a sophisticated body of work that demonstrates proficiency or expertise in design

Identify and use the appropriate production tools and techniques to complete advanced work in animation

Create a sophisticated body of work that demonstrates proficiency or expertise in animation

Identify opportunities for continued education and training for advancement in the field

Program Details & Curriculum

Curriculum Overview

General Education Requirements: 36 Credits

Design + Animation: 78 Credits
Open Electives: 6 Credits

Total: 120 Credits

Program Sequence Maps

Full-Time Faculty