Master of Animation
School of Social and Human Studies
Academic Freedom to Discover Your Purpose
Academic Freedom to Discover Your Purpose
Through an approach rooted in andragogy (the adult learning philosophy), Atlantic International University’s (AIU) Master of Animation program aims to empower independent and creative individuals who seek to transform their learning experience through a self-directed curriculum. The program leverages the principles of adult learning to enable msc in animation students to determine their area of concentration (e.g., as well, game animation or digital film making, etc.) and relate theory to practical applications. Rather than follow a strict animation masters degree program of study, ma in animation students are guided by an academic advisor to develop an individual program of study that meets their artistic vision and career aspirations.
Through a combination of masters in animation research projects, portfolio development, and interdisciplinary studies, students build their skill set in the areas of technical mastery, critical thinking, and innovative storytelling. With AIU’s distance learning model, working professionals have the flexibility to grow their expertise as artists, and each student will graduate from AIU with a degree program along with an enhanced professional identity and a portfolio of work that is ready for the industry.
What are the Core Courses & Topics for Master of Animation?
Important: Below is an example of the topics or areas you may develop and work on during your studies. By no means is it a complete or required list, as AIU programs do not follow a standardized curriculum. It is meant solely as a reference point and example. Want to learn more about the curriculum design at AIU? Check here: Course and Curriculum
The core courses and topics of the Master of Animation program are meant to establish a solid foundation for students’ creativity and technical ability. Students learn advanced principles of animation, visual storytelling, narrative structure, character design and development, 2D and 3D animation, motion graphics, digital compositing, storyboarding, sound design, and postproduction processes while taking full advantage of the curriculum’s additional studies in Animation History and Theory; Cinematography; Animation for Video Games and Virtual Reality Environments (VRE); Visual Effects; Scriptwriting; and Production Management.
Students of graduate degree in animation will create their own visual portfolios and learn how to conduct masters in animation research using an interdisciplinary approach that combines creative and technological disciplines in support of both developing professionally and achieving personal success.
- Advanced Principles of Animation
- Visual Storytelling & Narrative Development
- Character Design and Development
- 2D Animation Techniques
- 3D Modeling and Animation
- Motion Graphics and Digital Media
- Cinematography for Animation
- Sound Design for Animation
Orientation Courses : Master of Animation
At AIU, orientation courses for the Andragogy-Driven Master of Animation program have been created to give students a solid foundation from which to begin graduate-level self-directed, research-based studies, and continue building their creative and professional foundations.
Orientation courses will introduce students to academic research methodologies, andragogical principles of self-directed learning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills, digital literacy for creative professionals, ethics related to media and animation production, and the integration of interdisciplinary study methods within their fields. Students may also complete professional communication, innovation/entrepreneurship within the creative industries, and portfolio planning modules within their orientation classes. This variety of academic training within the masters in animation orientation classes prepares students to participate in advanced-level graduate studies through master’s level study areas that relate personally to their animation goals and objectives upon completion.
- Communication & Investigation (Comprehensive Resume)
- Seminar Administrative Development (Book Summary)
- Organization Theory (Portfolio)
- Seminar Cultural Development (Practical Experience)
- Experiential Learning (Autobiography)
- Seminar International Development (Publications)
What are the Research Projects for Master of Animation ?
The AIU Andragogy-Driven Masters in Animation research projects are aimed at combining creativity and scholarly research. Some of the types of projects that a student may choose as a research project include; advanced animated productions, experimental animated short films, narrative Master of Animation studies based on animated characters, immersive media and virtual reality prototypes, animated game design research, and visual effects development projects.
Other masters in animation research areas may involve, animation psychology and the audience’s response; representation of culture in animated media; research in AI-assisted animation workflows; research associated with cross-media storytelling; educational animation design; and/or sustainable production practices in digital media. Each masters in digital animation research project will result in a thesis level creative/analytical product including both professional quality animation portfolio pieces and a written research component demonstrating critical thinking, technical skill, and an original contribution to the field of animation.
- MBM300 Thesis Proposal
- MBM302 Masters Thesis (5,000 words)
Publication – The student publications produced by the Andragogy-Driven Master of Animation at AIU demonstrate both creativity and scholarly insight. Students are encouraged to publish their research on the theory of animation, digital storytelling, new technologies, audience psychology, media ethics and also the case studies of their own animation projects. In addition, students will have opportunities to submit articles to creative arts journals, industry blogs, conference proceedings, and AIU’s academic platforms, highlighting innovative projects created in 2D & 3D animation, visual effects, game design, and immersive media. In addition to published written works, students may publicly display their animated work through virtual exhibitions, digital film festivals and professional showcases, all of which will help them create a robust portfolio that conveys their ideas as well as demonstrates artistic creativity and research-driven creativity to a worldwide audience of animators.
Thesis Defense
At the end of the Andragogy-Driven Master’s degree of Animation at AIU, students present their thesis defence as the culmination of their creative research project. At the end of this last phase, master of animation students create a comprehensive animation piece (i.e., such as an original short film, immersive media experience, game animation prototype, and/or experimental visual narrative) in addition to writing a thesis based on a “scholarly” written thesis that outlines the conceptual framework, the research methodology utilized in the masters in animation project, as well as the technical processes used to bring the animation to life, and the artistic rationale behind the work.
The thesis defence allows a student to show their mastery of the principles of animation, as well as a critical analysis, innovative thought processes, and professional application, in relation to their online masters in animation final thesis defence project and academic review, allowing students to articulate the industry relevance of their choice of creative expression and their contribution to the field of animation
Masters in Animation Student Experience
AIU provides students with a dynamic way of experiencing their education by implementing a personalized AI-based approach. The AI tools that aid student learning will help them with developing their curriculum, conducting research, brainstorming ideas for creative projects, polishing their scripts, and enhancing their portfolios. By utilizing the AI-based platforms INFINTY Course Builder as well as other state of the art academic resources, AIU’s students are able to create their own degree path, to learn about new technologies in animation, and to receive immediate feedback on their progress through the completion of their projects and written assignments. By creating this new type of educational environment that embraces independent study and promotes productive work habits, AIU’s students are able to develop advanced technical skills and develop a forward thinking mentality that aligns with the continuously growing digital media industry.
Community & Social
Community and social engagement within the Andragogy-Driven Master of Animation at Atlantic International University (AIU) provides a global framework for building valuable collaboration among community and creative professionals worldwide. The affordable masters in animation program facilitates participation in group-assigned international work, provides access to a global community of artists, designers, educators, and innovators through their Virtual Campus, discussion forums, live sessions, and collaborative projects, and connects the animation community with social impact, education, sustainability, and culture through participation in online exhibitions, digital film festivals, webinars, and interdisciplinary initiatives. In addition to cultivating a supportive local community, AIU fosters an accredited animation masters program’s environment that minimizes distance learning’s isolation and enhances opportunities for creative exchange and network development between master of animation professionals in the animation industry and other art forms.
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Academic Resources
A number of academic resources are available through the Andragogy-Driven Master’s Degree program at Atlantic International University (AIU) to support students in both the creative production and research components of their learning experience. As a result, masters in animation students will have access to a large digital library containing hundreds of thousands of books, academic journals, multimedia materials, and specialized databases that support a broad range of animation topics, as well as digital media, design theory and new technologies. Students may also take advantage of virtual laboratories, research guidance, access to academic advisors, writing assistance and artificial intelligence (AI) powered tools that can help with the development of projects, scripts, and technical refinements. Through its master of animation Virtual Campus, interdisciplinary learning; AIU is committed to providing students with the capability to produce high-quality animation that is based on research as well as innovative ideas.
Virtual Campus
Complete assignments online or offline at your convenience with 24/7 access to distance learning through AIU’s Virtual Campus. Step by Step guides including videos, tutorials, live webinars and examples for each course. All materials can be access on all web browsers as well as via AIU's Mobile App which brings all the features of the Virtual Camus to your Mobile Device.
My AIU Elements
MyAIU’s primary goal is to go beyond Academics, it looks to guide students through 11 elements that are key to living life optimally in all aspects. By identifying and reflecting on these key areas, an opportunity arises to holistically address them, through positive change, habits, reinforcement and tools to keep students on their chosen path.
AIU TV & Radio
The students have the opportunity to produce, edit and host their own show reaching a worldwide audience, the AIU community and giving notice of their expertise/passion in the subject. AIUTV & AIU Radio allow students to explore new ways to communicate, develop a platform and form potential collaboration with likeminded individuals.
AIU Campus Mundi
AIU Campus Mundi is a monthly magazine that gathers the most notable news and information about the university and its members in one convenient place. The magazine allows our community to be well informed, involved and keep in tough regardless of their geographic location. AIU Campus Mundi publishes, news, research, events, awards, academic achievements.
Graduation Ceremony
Each year AIU organizes graduation ceremonies where the students can assist and share their experiences with fellow students and academic members Participation in the ceremony is optional, the day’s events include conferences, research presentations, group meetings, networking, lunch and formal dinner.
Symposiums & Webinars
The Andragogy Driven Master of Animation at Atlantic International University is a programme that provides students with an ever-developing avenue for presenting their research, developing their creative projects, and engaging in intellectual dialogues with other scholars worldwide through virtual symposiums. They are an opportunity for students to present progress on their thesis.
Live Classes
Students enrolled in the Andragogy-Driven Master of Animation program at Atlantic International University (AIU) can attend two live classes each day through Virtual Campus, which is an interactive curriculum that covers a range of subjects, including advanced animation skills; digital storytelling; emerging technologies; research development; creative entrepreneurship; and interdisciplinary innovation.
The masters in computer animation live lectures create opportunities for students to participate in discussion, collaboration, and skills enhancement in real time. They also build distance learning animation degree community among a global population of learners through daily interaction, strengthen academic consistency, and inspire students while maintaining the distance education model of AIU.
Special Projects, Research Publications, & Co-Authoring
The Andragogy-Driven Master’s in Animation at Atlantic International University (AIU) offers opportunities for students to engage in Special Projects and Co-Authoring across projects. This means that the student can expand their creative as well as scholarly output beyond the parameters of the traditional program. Some examples of potential areas of collaboration include interdisciplinary animation projects across various types of production (traditional/experimental), social responsibility based storytelling, and technology involved research activities focusing on: artificial intelligence, virtual reality and immersive experience design.
Students will also be provided with opportunities to publish their own research articles, case studies or reflective analysis in academic journals, digital media, and conference proceedings building on their professional credibility as an academic. Co-authoring with faculty mentors and through collaboration with other students will allow students to acquire hands-on experience in academic collaboration, being at the forefront of innovation in the field of animation and digital media and disseminating their knowledge through creative means.
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Career Center for Master of Animation
At Atlantic International University (AIU), the Career Center provides assistance to Master of Animation students in their journey from creativity to employment by guiding them to create successful career plans and connecting them to employment in the film (live action and animation), television, gaming, advertising, digital marketing, and immersive media industries. Career Centre services offered to each student include personalized career coaching, portfolio review, resume/cover letter writing assistance, and interview preparation. In addition, the Career Centre assists students with networking opportunities, freelance animator and studio owner entrepreneurship development, and building a professional online presence. Together, combining their creative talent and working under an effective career plan aligns students to the best possible careers upon graduation while being confident, prepared, and ready for the ever-evolving global marketplace for animation.
Job Description
The Andragogy-Based Animation Degree at Atlantic International University prepares its graduates for a variety of jobs across the creative and digital media industries, including but not limited to: 2D animator, 3D animator, Character animator, Motion Graphics designer, Storyboard artist, Visual Effects (VFX) artist, Video Game animator, Multimedia designer, Digital film producer, Animation director, Creative director, UI/UX animation specialist, Virtual Reality Content developer, Education Media designer, Independent studio founder, and Freelance Animator. Due to their large base of research, technical, and storytelling experience, graduates will be able to provide value to film studios, gaming companies, advertising agencies, e-learning platforms, and other rapidly emerging immersive media sectors all over the world.
Tools for Master of Animation
The cohort of the Andragogy-Driven Animation Master’s Program use a variety of professional software applications to create 2D and 3D animation software, character modeling, motion graphics, visual effects, compositing, video editing, sound design and developing interactive medium for their final projects as well as for developing new works throughout the course of the program. This allows the creative storytelling students to create high-quality animated films, immersive experiences and game-ready assets while also developing an understanding of industry workflows. In addition, the students use cloud-based systems for collaboration, rendering technologies and artificial intelligence-enhanced creative applications to improve production efficiency, achieve more realistic visual results and improve project management.
Associations for Master of Animation Professionals
It is essential for students enrolled in the Andragogy-Driven Master of Animation to connect with and grow professionally through involvement in relevant professional associations that contribute to building career paths and success in the animation and digital media industry as well as the growth and development of all facets of the animation/digital media industry. Professional associations relevant to the story development and animation and digital media include various international animation-related organizations (i.e., all animation societies), visual effects guilds, Motion Design groups, game development bodies, film/television academies, and digital art networks.
Students who join or become members of these organizations will be provided opportunities to participate in industry-related events, conferences, workshops, certification processes, cooperative projects, etc. through their connection with a recognized creative industry association. By connecting with these recognized organizations, students will help build their credibility as industry professionals, stay current on industry trends, and gain additional career-related opportunities within the ever-changing animation industry.
- ASIFA – International Animated Film Association
- Women in Animation (WIA)
- Visual Effects Society (VES)
- SIGGRAPH (ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Graphics and Interactive Techniques)
- International Game Developers Association (IGDA)
- Animation Guild (The Animation Guild, IATSE Local 839)
- British Animation Awards (BAA)
- Society for Animation Studies (SAS)
- Producers Guild of America (PGA)
- Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS)
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Master of Animation Admission Requirements
The admission process for the Andragogy Based Master of Animation at Atlantic International University (AIU) seeks to identify potential students based on their educational experience, employment experiences and creative potential. The majority of entering students are required to have received a bachelor degree from an accredited educational institution or its equivalent. Students will be required to present an updated resume or CV, transcript(s) from all academic institutions attended and a statement explaining their desired career path in relation to animation and why they are interested in pursuing an education at AIU. An applicant’s portfolio of past work related to animation, graphic design, web design or similar fields will provide evidence of their artistic talents and professional abilities; (3) All applicants will demonstrate a high degree of self-motivation, independence in the pursuit of knowledge and demonstrate a desire to develop their own creative projects through Research-based Education in Animation through engagement in self-directed learning.
How Can You Apply?
In order to receive Andragogy-Derived Masters of Animation – Atlantic International University (AIU), interested candidates must submit an application via the university’s official website. The candidate must enter their basic academic and professional information in the application and then upload or send a copy of their Bachelor’s degree, transcript(s), Curriculum Vitae/resume, statement of purpose (with some discussion about their goals), and a creative portfolio (some degree of collection is recommended).
Once completed and submitted to AIU, the Admissions Advisor will review each applicant’s submitted documents; evaluating the documents to see if they meet the requirements for the applicant (eligibility) and agreeing to allow them access to AIU’s self-directed learning model. If approved, each applicant will then proceed to receive direction from their academic advisor in creating their academic coursework and research direction.
Applicants who complete the application will be required to enroll in AIU and have the option of flexible tuition/ payment arrangements. Finally, once enrolled, the applicant will have access to the Virtual Campus’ learning resources, as well as the ability to gain access to the AIU created/maintained study tools needed, in order to excel in the completion of a master’s degree program at AIU.
Financial Support & Scholarships
The Financial Aid & Scholarships program at Atlantic International University (AIU) has been developed to help students from around the world attend an Andragogy-Driven Master of Animation program (Andragogy is teaching and learning based on experience) as well as other programs offered by AIU. Flexible Tuition Option Plans will enable students to pay for their tuition in small, manageable installments depending on their financial situation. Scholarships based on a student’s merit, experience and personal circumstances can also be offered to help provide financial assistance to those pursuing advanced education. With our commitment to the notion of education as a basic human right, AIU will help develop unique financial solutions customized for each student tailored to meet the student’s academic objectives while maintaining an acceptable level of quality and flexibility.
What’s the Cost Per Year for Pursuing a Master of Animation at AIU?
Each student’s tuition will also be dependent on how many courses they take; at AIU, masters in animation students pay based on their chosen course loads, any applicable scholarships/financial aid they receive, the number of credits earned through research and/or other factors (like a student’s age), etc. Therefore, AIU has designed master of animation customizable payment plans to ensure that a student’s master’s degree can be completed through an affordable, flexible approach and allow a student to have full control over their educational return on investment in the future.
FAQs
What can i do with a master of animation?
A Master of Animation can qualify you for many animation and multimedia jobs including; animator (2D or 3D), motion graphics designer, visual effects/artists, game animator, storyboard artist, animation director and multimedia producer as well as for other types of career opportunities in film, television, gaming, advertising, e-learning, virtual reality and digital marketing or even for starting your own animation studio or freelance practice.
Is masters in animation worth it?
If you want to develop your advanced creative abilities, pursue leadership positions in the industry, gain highly specialized knowledge, and have increased professional opportunities within the film, gaming, VFX, motion graphics, and immersive media industries, then you may benefit from obtaining a master’s degree in animation. Your animation portfolio will be improved significantly and you will develop much deeper artistic and technical skills as a result of obtaining a master’s degree in animation, which may allow you to fill higher-level positions and create connections with a wide range of international creative professionals.
What is the salary after masters in animation?
When you get a Master’s degree for animation, entry-level to mid-level salaries generally fall within a range from about 40k-70k dollars a year for jobs in Animation, VFX or Motion Graphics, Game Design etc. Then once they have had the time to acquire experience and specialize in their field, you will see salaries for those types of positions (Senior Animator, VFX Artist, Animation Director etc..) start at 80k-120k+ per year especially when looking into major Global Markets i.e. United States, Canada & Europe. As for payments made to Studio Owners or Freelancers, those individuals usually charge much higher payments depending on the project type, how well they have developed their reputation, and who their clientele are.
Can I work in film or gaming after animation masters?
If you graduate from a Master Program in Animation you may find employment in either the Film or Games Industry. The jobs you qualify for will depend on your specialization and the portfolio of your work, but some examples of potential jobs include Animators, VFX Artists, Storyboard Artists, Game Animators, Cinematic Designers and Character Artists.
