What is Digital Animation

Digital Animation has stirred up the way we experience media and entertainment in the modern world. From the silver screen to video games, advertisements to virtual reality, the influence of digital animation is pervasive and continues to grow. Digital Animation definition is the process of creating moving images and visual effects using digital technology. It involves the manipulation of digital assets.

This article explores the educational opportunities in the field and the best universities for digital animation across the globe.

Popular Digital Animation Courses

As the demand for digital animation continues to rise, educational institutions offer a range of courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels to train aspiring animators and artists. Here are some popular digital animation courses:

Bachelor's Digital Animation Courses:

1. Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Animation: The digital animation degree program focuses on developing 2D and 3D animation techniques, character design, and storytelling.
2. Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Animation: These programs emphasise the technical aspects of animation, teaching students how to use software and technology to create animations.
3. BA (Hons) Animation: A program emphasising animation as a creative and storytelling medium. Students learn character animation, storyboard development, and animation software skills.
4. BFA in Animation & Digital Arts: This bachelor's program combines animation with digital arts, encompassing various aspects of digital media, from animation to interactive art and design.

Master's Digital Animation Courses:

1. MA in Animation: A Master of Arts program in animation that allows students to delve deeper into advanced animation techniques and storytelling and often culminates in a major animation project.
2. MFA in Animation: A Master of Fine Arts program in animation that typically emphasises artistic and creative aspects of animation, preparing students to create animation that is not only technically proficient but also emotionally impactful.
3. MFA in Studio: This program often includes various studio-based courses, allowing students to explore animation in the context of a larger artistic practice.
4. Master of Science in Comparative Media Studies: This program delves into the academic study of media, including animation, and often involves research and analysis of media in society and culture.
5. MSc in Communication Design: Focusing on communication through visual media, this program can include animation as a means of conveying messages and stories.

Best Universities for Digital Animation

 Here, we present a list of some of the best universities for digital animation worldwide. These institutions have exceptional programs, cutting-edge facilities, and the success of their graduates in the animation and entertainment industry.  

University	Description	QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023: Art & Design	Courses offered
Royal College of Art	The Royal College of Art in London is known for its excellence in the arts and offers an MA in Animation and MPhil/PhD Animation.	1	Animation MA MPhil/PhD Animation
University of the Arts London	This renowned university in London provides a variety of digital animation courses, such as a BA (Hons) in Animation and an MA in Animation.	2	BA (Hons) Animation MA Animation
Rhode Island School of Design	RISD offers a BFA in Film/Animation/Video and an MFA in Digital Media, making it a leader in animation and digital media education.	3	BFA in Film/Animation/Video  MFA in Digital Media
Parsons School of Design at The New School	Located in the heart of New York City, Parsons offers a BFA in Design and Technology and an MFA in Design and Technology.	4	BFA in Design and Technology MFA in Design and technology.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	MIT offers a Master of Science in Comparative Media Studies, emphasising the study of media and technology.	5	Master of Science in Comparative Media Studies