Brigham Young University Center for Animation

Operating across the College of Fine Arts and Communications and the College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, the Brigham Young University Center for Animation structures its curriculum around the collaborative relationship between creative artistry and computational engineering.

Students enter through one of two closed-enrollment undergraduate pathways:

• Animation (BFA): Emphasizes visual storytelling, character design, storyboarding, previsualization, 2D and 3D animation, concept art, and lighting.
• Computer Science (BS) with Animation and Games Emphasis: Centers on algorithmic programming, technical animation, rigging, simulation, tools development, and rendering systems.

Collaborative Capstones

The central pillar of the BYU animation curriculum is an interdisciplinary capstone production sequence. Students from both the BFA and Computer Science tracks unite in simulated studio environments to produce full-length short animated films and playable video games. These long-term projects require cohorts to manage every stage of a commercial pipeline, from early visual development and storyboarding to procedural effects, rigging, technical problem-solving, lighting, and compositing.

Production Infrastructure and Mentorship

Technical operations are anchored in the computer graphics laboratories within the James E. Talmage Building in Provo. Facilities include dual-boot Linux and Windows workstations equipped with Cintiq Pro displays, connected to dedicated multi-core render nodes managed via Pixar's Tractor system. The production workflow incorporates industry-standard tools including Autodesk Maya, SideFX Houdini, Pixar RenderMan, Unreal Engine, Foundry Nuke, and Mari.

The center maintains regular direct critique sessions and mentorship loops with creative leads and technical directors from major entertainment studios, including Pixar, DreamWorks, Walt Disney Animation Studios, and Blizzard Entertainment. Programs are delivered exclusively in person on the Provo campus to support intensive, real-time cohort collaboration.