The Animation and Motion Graphics program will provide you with the fundamentals of:
- two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) animation,
- motion graphics, and
- special effects.
Animation and Motion Graphics are Widely Used
Once necessarily hand-made, expensive and rare, animation has undergone a technical transformation and is now a ubiquitous part of
- special effects,
- advertising campaigns,
- video games,
- movies, and
- television.
Upon completion of the program requirements, the Associate of Science degree in Animation and Motion Graphics is awarded. Graduates of this program can enter a growing profession or transfer to bachelor-level programs in Animation at Lehman College or other media related programs at senior colleges.
Transfer Options
BMCC has articulation agreements with CUNY Lehman College to allow you to seamlessly continue your education there without any loss of credits.
Explore Careers
BMCC is committed to students’ long-term success and will help you explore professional opportunities. Undecided? No problem. The college offers Career Coach for salary and employment information, job postings and a self-discovery assessment to help students find their academic and career paths. Visit Career Express to make an appointment with a career advisor, search for jobs or sign-up for professional development activities with the Center for Career Development. Students can also visit the Office of Internships and Experiential Learning to gain real world experience in preparation for a four-year degree and beyond. These opportunities are available to help BMCC students build a foundation for future success.
Contact
Professor Jamal Sullivan
Program Coordinator
jsullivan@bmcc.cuny.edu
Related Communities
This program is offered in-person, online and in a hybrid format.
Requirements
Animation and Motion Graphics Academic Program Maps
Required Common Core
| English Composition | 6 |
| Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Life and Physical Sciences1 | 3 |
| TOTAL REQUIRED COMMON CORE | 12 |
Flexible Core
| Creative Expression | 6 |
| Individual and Society | 3 |
| Scientific World2 | 3 |
| U.S. Experience in Its Diversity | 3 |
| World Cultures and Global Issues | 3 |
| TOTAL FLEXIBLE COMMON CORE | 18 |
| TOTAL COMMON CORE | 30 |
Curriculum Requirements
- Students will learn to construct 3D motion graphics for video, film, game, multimedia and internet applications. Students will use an advanced CGI program to make original animations in a three-coordinate spae. Students will learn to model three-dimensional objects and to choreograph scenes, controlling character movement, lighting, sound, and camera directions.
Prerequisite: MMP 100 or MMA 100
- This course follows ANI 401. Students will use an advanced CGI program, to make original animations in a three-coordinate space. Students will learn to model three-dimensional objects and to choreograph scenes, controlling character movement, lighting, sound, and camera direction. Small groups will produce short animations.
Prerequisite: ANI 401
Corequisite: ENG 101 and MAT 100-level or higher
OR
- This is a 2D animation production course following MMP 260. Students will use an industry standard 2D animation software, to make original animations in traditional hand-drawn animation as well as cutout and stop-motion animation. Students will learn production pipeline techniques for creating animation for broadcast, film and effects animation. Students will learn to design characters and objects and to choreograph scenes; controlling character movement, lighting, sound, and camera direction. Small groups will produce short animations. Upon completion of the course, each student should have a “demo reel ready” completed animation.
Prerequisite: MMP 260 or ANI 260
- Students will learn to design and create motion graphics for multimedia, building projects appropriate both for internet applications and for film and video. Students will learn how to use a vector-based animation program such as Flash MX and animation and visual effects compositing programs to create original work. An emphasis will be placed on planning projects and developing narratives through the use of storyboards. Prerequisite: MMP 100 or MMA 100
- This course offers an introduction to the fundamentals of creating motion graphics and visual effects for a variety of media projects. Students will develop foundation design skills, apply animation principles in time-based visualizations, and illustrate a working knowledge of visual storytelling and industry-standard motion graphics, compositing, and visual effects applications.
Prerequisite: VAT 161 or VAT 171 or MMA 100 or MMP 100 - This introductory course covers a range of basic approaches to drawing and addresses the development of manual skills in freehand drawing, drawing of objects from nature and idea-oriented approaches to drawing. This course will satisfy drawing requirements for transfer within the CUNY system, as well as professional art schools.
- This course focuses on writing treatments and scripts for the screen and video. Students learn the basics of visualizing narratives in 3-act structure; how to identify fiction and non-fiction genres; how to create character and story; how to research and write treatments and outlines; how to write single-column screenplays for narratives and two-column scripts for documentary scripts; and how to give and receive critiques on script work. Throughout, students will develop the basic skills necessary to write and revise scripts for upper-level VAT production classes and beyond.
- This image-based course will introduce graphic design as the foundation upon which effective visual communication is built. Investigation of the elements and principles of graphic design will lead to specific design problems and their solution. The development of ideas and the ability to communicate them effectively will be covered. Discussion of both vector and bitmap-based digital graphic platforms will begin progress toward industry-standard computer proficiency.
Note
Please note, these requirements are effective the 2023-2024 catalog year. Please check your DegreeWorks account for your specific degree requirements as when you began at BMCC will determine your program requirements.
Footnotes
- Students must take PHY 110 or PHY 400.
- Students must take MMP 100.
- Choose from any ANI course, MMA 215, MMA 225, MMA 235, MMP 210, MMP 250, MMP 270, COM 240, COM 245, MEA 211, MEA 371, MEA 300, HED 250, and BUS 200. These credits can also be satisfied by a STEM variant.
