Illustration, Design and Animation
For students in the Illustration, Design and Animation (IDA) program, passion is their purpose, limited only by what they choose to make of it. The program encompasses a diverse faculty with expertise in graphic design, illustration, letterpress, book arts, visual narratives, animation, motion graphics, information design and interdisciplinary collaborations with the environmental sciences. Students develop a portfolio of work that conveys meaning and supports visual problem solving in the following degree programs:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art (IDA Emphasis)
- Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art (IDA Emphasis)
You’ll be immersed within a creative, no-holds-barred world in which the historical roots of the field are acknowledged while modern possibilities and mediums are pursued through a broad array of curricular offerings, including field trips, team projects with community clients, internships and study abroad programs. With a high quality portfolio and web presence, students are prepared to go directly into the field and/or apply to graduate programs.
- Resources & Facilities
- Faculty
- Degrees
- Annual Portfolio Review
- First Year Experience
- Clubs
- Student Work
- Admissions
Resources and Facilities
The School of Art houses excellent facilities including studio spaces, computer labs with Wacom Cintiq Touch screens and animation stations, a digital imaging lab with large format printing, mounting and other services, letterpress equipment, photopolymer platemaking equipment, metal and wood type collections, binding equipment, darkrooms, wood and metal shops, sculpture foundry and ceramics labs.
External resources include the Center for Creative Photography, the University of Arizona Museum of Art and the Poetry Center as well as an excellent main library that houses an extensive book art collection. The campus also houses the Learning Games Initiative Research Archive and the extensive Children’s Literature Collection.
View Our IDA FacilitiesFaculty
Our faculty gives students an inside look into arts careers, having had direct experience and success in the professional art world. In addition to being leaders in their fields, our faculty works closely with students to provide the kind of guidance and mentorship that turns raw talent into developed professionalism.
Degrees
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
125 units are required to complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art with an emphasis in Illustration, Design and Animation (IDA), 42 units of which must be upper division coursework. Students must complete 24 units of upper division coursework in IDA.
Download the BFA Studio Art/IDA checklist for detailed information.
Your portfolio will be reviewed during the Spring Portfolio Review for acceptance into the program.
Specific Program Requirements also can be viewed through UA Academic Catalogs.
Contact an academic advisor or set up an advising appointment to learn more about School of Art programs and admissions.
UNDERGRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Within the Masters of Fine Arts in Studio Art program in Illustration, Design and Animation (IDA), graduate students participate in interdisciplinary, graphic design, illustration and animation courses; seminars, and independent studies developing a body of self-authored work that contributes to the broad and expanding field of illustration, design and art. Focused studio and course structures explore the theory, philosophy, and making of contemporary illustration, design and animation. The program provides a range of opportunities for focus in visual narratives, community engagement, social practice, environmental projects, and technology, with a firm grounding in contemporary and historical contexts.
The School of Art and IDA regularly host internationally known artists, designers, illustrators and alumni to participate with the graduate students in workshops and studio critiques.
The IDA faculty represent diverse and innovative practices in design, illustration, book arts, motion graphics, info-graphics art, and interdisciplinary collaborations with the social and natural sciences, which are reflected in a broad array of curricular actives and opportunities.
During their course of study students have the opportunity to work with faculty throughout the School of Art and university to develop their ideas and practice for functional or expressive work developing their visual vocabulary and problem solving methods in studio practices that will continue in their professional career.
Teaching opportunities at the foundations level and in the 200-level within the program are available for students wishing to develop pedagogical approaches and gain teaching experience.
The School of Art houses excellent facilities including studio spaces, computer labs with Wacom Cintiq Touch screens and animation stations, a digital imaging lab with large format printing, mounting and other services, letterpress equipment, photopolymer platemaking equipment, metal and wood type collections, binding equipment, darkrooms, wood and metal shops, sculpture foundry, ceramics labs, and external resources such as: the Center for Creative Photography, the University Museum of Art and the Poetry Center as well as an excellent library that houses an extensive book art collection. The campus also houses the Learning Games Initiative Research Archive and the extensive Children’s Literature Collection.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
60 units are required to complete the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Art degree.
Please see the Graduate Advising page, and the Studio Art Graduate Handbook for specific program requirements.
GRADUATE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Annual Portfolio Review
Through a portfolio review each spring, the school will accept 36 to 40 students into a combined Illustration, Design and Animation Program.
Portfolio Review InfoFirst Year Experience
All Studio Art majors at the School of Art will begin their journey with the First Year Experience. The program is an engaging variety of 8-week thematic workshop-structured art courses, designed as an experiential initiation into professional artistic practice, creative methodology and studio work ethic.
Learn MoreClubs, Professional Opportunities & Outreach
American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) student chapter
Visit the AIGA website
Book Art Collective
Visit us on Facebook
UA Illustration + Design News
Visit us on Facebook
Persona Magazine
Visit us on Facebook
College Book Arts Association
Visit the website
Student Work
Click here to view some of our students’ animation work, and see other IDA examples below.
