Top Computer Animation Schools in Washington: Your Guide to the Best Programs

Want to find the best computer animation schools in Washington? This article covers top-rated programs, their strengths, and what you can expect from each.

  • The University of Washington offers a comprehensive animation program with courses accessible to a wide range of students, ensuring a blend of technical and aesthetic education in animation production.
  • Digipen Institute of Technology focuses on a strong foundation in traditional arts along with advanced computer animation techniques, providing practical experience in both 2D and 3D animation to prepare students for the industry.
  • Graduates from animation schools in Washington have diverse career opportunities in video games, movies, television, and beyond, with companies such as Bungie, Nintendo, and Microsoft actively hiring, underscoring the importance of a strong, tailored portfolio.

University of Washington’s Animation Programs

The University of Washington (UW) stands out with its robust animation program offered within the Computer Science and Engineering department. This program focuses on both the technical and aesthetic aspects of animation production, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education. Courses cover a wide range of topics, including:

  • Story design
  • Computer graphics
  • Pre-production
  • Animation capstone project

Specific courses like:

  • CSE 450 – Animation Production Seminar: delves into the basics of production in industry studio environments
  • CSE 456 – Story Design for Computer Animation: helps students develop storyreels for animated features and shorts
  • CSE 457 – Computer Graphics: introduces image synthesis and modeling
  • CSE 458 – Computer Animation: focuses on character modeling and lighting
  • CSE 460 – Animation Capstone Course: allows students to produce a short animated film, covering everything from scene planning to digital cinematography

These courses provide students with a comprehensive education in digital animation and computer animation.

A distinguishing characteristic of UW’s program is its broad accessibility. Courses like CSE 456 have no prerequisites, making it easier for a wide range of students to explore the world of animation. This inclusiveness, combined with a comprehensive curriculum, makes the University of Washington a top choice for aspiring animators.

Digipen Institute of Technology

Digipen Institute of Technology offers a BFA in Digital Art and Animation that includes:

  • A solid foundation in traditional arts
  • Advanced computer animation techniques and technologies
  • Extensive production experience in both 2D and 3D animation

This program allows students to specialize in specific industry sectors based on their career aspirations.

The program emphasizes mastering the fundamentals of traditional media, including:

  • Drawing skills
  • Perspective
  • Shading
  • Figure drawing
  • Composition
  • Graphic design

These foundational skills are crucial for developing strong storytelling abilities, including character development, which are further honed through the use of modern tools and software. By the junior year, students can tailor their electives to match specific career goals, enhancing their technical and artistic capabilities.

Practical skills are a significant focus at Digipen. Students gain familiarity with modern studio processes, learning different roles in the art production pipeline for games and animation. The program also includes collaborative projects such as original films or games, providing hands-on experience that is invaluable in the industry.

Equipped with a robust grounding in both traditional and digital arts, Digipen students are ready to excel in the highly competitive animation industry.

Eastern Washington University’s 3D Animation/Game Development BA

Eastern Washington University (EWU) offers a BA in 3D Animation/Game Development that combines game programming, digital art, and interactive media to provide a comprehensive education in animation and game design. This program emphasizes both technical skills and creative storytelling techniques, ensuring students are well-prepared for the demands of the industry.

The curriculum includes courses on:

  • Game development
  • Motion capture
  • Algorithms
  • Character animation
  • 3D modeling

This provides a well-rounded education. Character animation and character design are core components, giving students the skills needed to create lifelike characters and immersive environments. The use of algorithms in developing animations and games is also a key focus, adding a technical edge to the creative process.

A standout feature of EWU’s program is the access to state-of-the-art motion capture technology, allowing students to bring their characters to life with realistic movements. This hands-on experience, combined with a strong foundation in both the technical and creative aspects of animation, makes EWU an excellent choice for aspiring animators looking to make their mark in the industry.

Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE)

The Academy of Interactive Entertainment (AIE) is renowned for its practical approach to game development and animation education. The Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development offered by AIE covers designing environments, creating characters, and constructing vehicles and objects for video games. This program offers specializations in animation, level design, modeling, and texturing, allowing students to focus on their areas of interest.

AIE places a strong emphasis on practical skills, ensuring graduates are well-prepared for the industry. Students gain hands-on experience in animation, design, and visual effects, learning to use industry-standard tools and software. The program prioritizes industry-relevant skills, providing a solid foundation for success in the competitive world of game development and animation.

AIE’s commitment to practical skills and industry-focused education distinguishes it as a premier choice for students aiming to specialize in game development and animation. The comprehensive curriculum and hands-on learning approach ensure that graduates are well-equipped to meet the demands of the industry and excel in their chosen careers.

Lake Washington Institute of Technology

Lake Washington Institute of Technology (LWTech) offers unique Associate and Bachelor’s Degree programs in Digital Gaming and Interactive Media, emphasizing hands-on learning and industry-relevant skills. As the only public college in the Northwest to offer both an associate degree and an applied bachelor’s degree in this field, LWTech provides a distinctive educational opportunity.

The Digital Gaming and Interactive Media program offers:

  • Production-oriented education
  • Experienced industry professionals as instructors
  • Practical, real-world education
  • Courses covering a wide range of topics, including traditional art, 3D modeling, programming, level design, technical art, animation, user interface, game mechanics, and project management
  • Opportunity for outstanding students to showcase their games at PAX West, a premier gaming event.

Admission to the applied bachelor’s degree is competitive, requiring an associate degree in Digital Gaming and Interactive Media or an equivalent from an accredited institution. The program’s hands-on approach and focus on industry-relevant skills prepare students for various positions such as:

  • 3D modelers
  • level builders
  • experience designers
  • project managers
  • technical artists

This makes LWTech an excellent choice for those looking to enter the field of digital gaming and interactive media.

Shoreline Community College

Shoreline Community College offers an Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences (AAAS) degree in Game Art and Design, which includes the following:

  • Programming languages
  • Mathematics skills
  • Game asset creation
  • Modern real-time game engines

This program helps students develop skills in 2D and 3D animation and level design, providing a strong foundation for a career in game development.

In the Game Art and Design program, students learn to create textured and lit real-time 3D scenes and complete three games: a 3D arcade game, a first-person adventure, and a custom game of their own. This hands-on experience is invaluable in preparing students for the challenges of the gaming industry.

The Animation/Video for Multimedia Associate Degree Program at Shoreline focuses on storytelling as it relates to video and other multimedia forms. Students learn to create compelling stories for various multimedia formats, making this program ideal for those interested in animation, video production, and multimedia storytelling. Shoreline’s focus on practical skills and storytelling ensures graduates are well-prepared for the demands of the industry.

Seattle Film Institute – Digital Arts, Animation & Game Design

The Seattle Film Institute (SFI) offers a comprehensive Digital Arts, Animation & Game Design program that provides a thorough overview of media arts, animation, and game design principles. This program offers both BA and MFA degrees, allowing students to choose the level of education that best fits their career goals. The coursework includes:

  • Digital imaging
  • Animation
  • Visual effects
  • Motion graphics
  • Storyboarding
  • Modeling
  • Texturing
  • Game design

Students have the option to specialize in either:

  • 2D animation
  • 3D animation
  • Game design
  • Develop a hybrid skill set

This allows them to tailor their education to their specific interests and career goals. They use industry-standard tools such as game engines and visual effects software to complete their projects. The program’s hands-on approach ensures students learn the development pipeline from concept to completion, gaining practical experience in a studio environment that is industry-focused.

SFI’s career-focused learning approach helps students develop a professional portfolio, demo reel, resume, and personal website. Graduates leave the program with a demo reel showcasing their artistic voice and technical skills, ready to pursue careers in filmmaking, game design, visual FX, motion graphics, and more. This comprehensive education and hands-on experience make SFI an excellent choice for aspiring animators and game designers.

Career Opportunities in Animation

Graduates from these top animation schools in Washington have a wealth of career opportunities available to them. Video games, movies, and television are predicted to be the biggest growth industries, with companies like Bungie, Nintendo, Microsoft, Amazon, EA Pop Cap, Oculus, Funko, Schawk!, and Cartoon Network hiring animation graduates.

Career opportunities for graduates include roles in:

  • Game modeling
  • Game animation
  • Motion graphics
  • Visual effects
  • Level design
  • 2D or 3D animation

These roles can be found across various departments, including pre-production, production, and post-production, providing a wide range of opportunities for aspiring animators.

Additional career opportunities exist in the following industries and roles:

  • Industrial and medical simulation
  • Virtual reality
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Educational media
  • Film and television

With the diverse range of industries and roles available, graduates are well-prepared to pursue careers in 3D animation graphics for gaming, education, marketing, or other interactive media.

The knowledge and experience acquired from these leading animation programs in Washington lay a solid foundation for achieving success in the challenging field of animation.

Building a Strong Portfolio

Developing an exceptional animation portfolio plays a pivotal role in securing your ideal job in the animation industry. Aligning your portfolio content with the job role and the studio’s style is a key factor. For example, avoid including violent anime styles if you’re applying to a pre-school production studio. Customizing your portfolio and showreel to ensure compatibility across various devices and browsers is also essential.

Keeping your portfolio regularly updated, particularly tailoring it for each job application with pertinent work, is essential. Including a showreel in your animation portfolio is a great way to showcase your best work within the first 30 seconds to grab attention. Avoid using copyrighted or distracting music in your showreel to prevent removal from platforms like YouTube or Vimeo. Consider creating different showreels for different aspects of your talents and displaying them separately.

Hosting your animation portfolio on platforms like Adobe Portfolio, ArtStation, WordPress, or Cargo can help you reach a wider audience. Using professional social media accounts like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to share your portfolio links is another effective strategy. Providing detailed explanations of your contributions in group projects, using text annotations to clarify your role, and ensuring your contact details are current on your CV and portfolio are also important steps.