Introduction

Please click here  to see general Visual Arts information.

The 3D graphics and animation emphasis is a competitive and rigorous four-year curriculum focused on preparing students to work in a wide variety of fields that use animated digital computer graphics (CG), including entertainment, film and television, gaming, medicine, and science. 

Program Delivery

• This is an on-campus program.
• The 3D graphics and animation emphasis courses (DACD 2810-4820 below) are billed at a different rate than the standard course tuition due to the state-of-the-art technology used in the classroom. For more information regarding this rate, contact the College of Arts & Media at CAM@ucdenver.edu.

Declaring This Major

• Click here  to go to information about declaring a major.
• Students who are applying for entrance into the 3D graphics and animation emphasis must submit a portfolio, as described below. The 3D graphics and animation emphasis accepts applications only once per year. Students who meet the requirements and are accepted will be able to register for advanced 3D animation courses.

ELIGIBILITY

Students are eligible to apply to the 3D graphics and animation emphasis after completing the following courses with a grade of C (2.0) or better each and a minimum overall animation course GPA of 2.8:

• FINE 1810 - PREDAC: 3D Foundations   (offered fall)
• FINE 1820 - PREDAC: Animation Foundations   (offered spring)

Please note that FINE 1810 and FINE 1820 are billed at regular tuition rates.

PORTFOLIO APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The student’s application must be submitted electronically no later than the last Friday of May. Detailed Instructions are provided in FINE 1820 Animation Foundations. Selection for entrance into the 3D graphics and animation emphasis is a competitive process (by faculty review) that requires:

• Submission by the candidate of a “Portfolio Demo Reel”. The reel must include original works from FINE 1810 3D Foundations and FINE 1820 Animation Foundations as well as representative works created in other visual arts courses completed during the first year of the program. The Portfolio Demo Reel must be turned in as a .mov (Quicktime, H.264, 1280x720 minimum frame size, 16:9 aspect ratio).  Still work should be a component of the reel and should be on screen for at least 3 seconds but no more than 10 seconds. Name and contact information should appear at the beginning and end of the reel. The reel should not be greater in length than 3.5 minutes.
• A “breakdown sheet”: the run time at which the work occurs and which describes what work is included on the submission reel, and, if collaborative in nature, what aspect of the work shown was created by the applicant. Turn in .pdf only please.
• A one page double-spaced written statement regarding the applicant’s aspirations as a productive and contributing member of the 3D graphics and animation cohort and the CG community as a whole. Turn in .pdf only please.

Students should show only their best work and show the very best work first. Students should be selective since reels may only be 3.5 minutes long. Music is not recommended for professional reels, but if music is used, students should choose wisely.

For more portfolio information, please see the College of Arts & Media 3D graphics and animation website and the Digital Animation Center website, or contact the College of Arts & Media at CAM@ucdenver.edu

General Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

• CU Denver General Graduation Requirements  
• CU Denver Core Curriculum      
• College of Arts & Media Graduation Requirements  
• Click here  for information about Academic Policies