ANFX BS Program

From Imagination to Screen

Transform stories into visual reality through masterful animation, cutting-edge visual effects, and boundary-breaking technical innovation.

Master the Art of Visual Storytelling

Drexel's Animation & Visual Effects program trains the next generation of creative storytellers in the art of 3D computer graphics. Our studio-based curriculum combines technical expertise with artistic vision, preparing students for the dynamic world of digital entertainment and beyond.

Through our unique hybrid approach, you'll develop advanced skills in digital design while engaging in real-world projects that matter. Whether you're creating immersive 3D environments, developing interactive experiences, or pushing the boundaries of animation, our program provides the technical expertise and creative foundation needed for success in the digital media landscape.

What You'll Learn

Master your craft. On every level.

From the fundamentals of storytelling to cutting-edge motion capture, master the complete pipeline that brings unforgettable characters and stories to the screen.

Character Design

Character design will show you how to create memorable characters that transcend the screen, combining artistic vision with technical excellence.

Student animation storyboard example showing a character who finds a dead waitress in a room with a fireplace

Storyboarding

Transform raw ideas into compelling visual sequences through storyboarding, mapping the journey from concept to final frame.

Pitch deck showing a visual story

Scripting & Storytelling

Craft narratives through scripting and storytelling that captivate audiences while mastering the structural foundations of powerful visual storytelling.

3D model of a desk with books and glass jars glowing in sunlight

3D Modeling

Build intricate digital worlds and characters through 3D modeling, crafting everything from organic forms to complex environments.

Rig model of an ant

Rigging

Through expert rigging, engineer the underlying architecture that brings digital characters to life, from subtle expressions to dynamic movement.

A student's face and a 3D model linked in a motion capture project

Motion Capture

Harness motion capture technology to translate human performance into digital artistry with unprecedented precision.

A student working to position an arm on a character in a motion capture project

Compositing

Master the art of compositing to blend reality and imagination seamlessly, crafting visual layers that transform raw footage into cinematic masterpieces.

DMVP Focus

Master your craft. On every level.

From virtual reality to real-time visualization, gain expertise in the complete toolkit of immersive storytelling and virtual production. Create compelling experiences that blend physical and digital worlds.

Immersive Design

Create Transformative Digital Experiences

Before any great immersive experience is built, we need to master the fundamentals of spatial design and user interaction. Immersive Design is where creativity meets dimensional thinking - it's the art and science of crafting digital worlds that captivate and engage users beyond traditional interfaces.

Virtual Reality design is where imagination becomes explorable reality. You'll learn to craft immersive VR experiences that transport users into interactive digital worlds, mastering both technical implementation and user experience design. We're not just creating visuals; we're designing complete sensory environments that define the future of digital interaction. From 3D modeling to spatial UI, you'll master the tools that industry leaders use to build groundbreaking experiences.

Think about the immersive experiences that left you in awe. That feeling of presence and wonder? That's not accidental - it's carefully crafted immersive design. You'll learn to create these moments, building virtual environments that users can explore and interact with intuitively. You'll discover how to transform complex spatial challenges into natural, engaging interactions that users can navigate without friction.

You'll go beyond basic 3D modeling to build sophisticated interactive design systems that power modern immersive products. Master the principles of spatial UI that guide users through virtual worlds, create accessible immersive designs that work for everyone, and develop the three-dimensional problem-solving skills that leading technology companies desperately need. Learn to blend environmental design, user movement, and interactive elements to create cohesive experiences that respond naturally to user behavior.

As virtual and augmented reality become central to entertainment, education, and enterprise solutions, companies compete for designers who can create intuitive, engaging spatial interfaces. Whether you dream of crafting groundbreaking VR applications, reimagining how we learn through immersive technology, or defining entirely new ways for humans to interact with digital content, immersive design opens doors to countless innovative opportunities.

Real-Time Production

Where Creativity Meets Instant Reality

Real-time production is revolutionizing how digital content is created, enabling immediate visualization of creative decisions that once took hours or days to render. This is where traditional production pipelines transform into dynamic, responsive workflows that empower unprecedented creative freedom.

Real-time production is where vision meets immediate realization - it's about bringing creative concepts to life instantly through advanced game engines and virtual production tools. You'll learn to harness these technologies to create dynamic content that responds in real-time to creative decisions, dramatically accelerating the production process. From virtual environments to interactive storytelling, you'll master the modern tools and workflows that are reshaping entertainment and media production.

Production set designed as a fantasy planet

The best real-time producers are technical artists and storytellers. You'll learn to create photorealistic 3D worlds optimized for real-time rendering, build dynamic backdrops that respond to creative direction instantly, and craft narratives that adapt to viewer interaction. Starting with fundamental 3D skills, you'll progress to advanced real-time rendering techniques used by leading production studios. Build sophisticated virtual sets that combine beautiful environments with functional production elements, all while following industry best practices.

Gone are the days of waiting hours for renders and making blind creative decisions. Modern production demands immediate visualization, flexibility, and collaborative workflows. You'll learn to optimize assets for performance, ensure compatibility across platforms, and implement cutting-edge features that creative teams love. Master technical integration that bridges physical and digital production, from camera tracking to real-time rendering and compositing.

The entertainment industry needs professionals who understand both technical implementation and creative vision. Our graduates don't just create content - they develop innovative production pipelines that transform how stories are told. Whether you're interested in virtual production, real-time filmmaking, or emerging technologies like WebXR, you'll gain the skills to turn complex creative visions into reality. Join a community of innovators shaping the future of digital content creation.

Performance Capture

Transform Human Expression Into Digital Art

Performance capture sits at the intersection of human expression and digital recreation, enabling the translation of nuanced human movement and emotion into compelling digital characters and experiences that connect with audiences on a deeper level.

Performance capture is where human artistry meets digital transformation - it's about translating authentic human performance into digital characters with unprecedented realism. You'll master advanced motion capture technology that can record everything from subtle facial expressions to complex full-body movements. From actor direction to technical implementation, you'll learn the complete workflow that brings digital characters to life with emotional depth and believability.

Think about the digital characters that made you forget they weren't real. That connection you felt? That's the magic of expertly implemented performance capture. You'll learn to create these moments, transforming human movement into digital art that retains the nuance and emotion of the original performance. You'll discover how to direct performers in a technical environment while preserving the authenticity of their expression.

You'll go beyond basic motion tracking to develop sophisticated performance capture pipelines that power modern entertainment. Master the integration of facial, body, and finger capture data into cohesive character performances, create efficient workflows that streamline post-processing, and develop the technical problem-solving skills that leading studios need. Learn to blend technical precision with artistic sensitivity to capture performances that resonate with audiences.

Emerging technologies are creating unprecedented demand for performance capture specialists. As virtual production, games, and immersive media continue to grow, studios compete for technicians and artists who can bridge the gap between human performance and digital characters. Whether you dream of working on blockbuster films, next-generation video games, or groundbreaking VR experiences, performance capture opens doors to some of the most exciting opportunities in entertainment technology.

The Animation and Visual Effects program focuses on 3D animation and a wide range of topics that fall under the larger umbrella of visual effects. We prepare students not only for careers in entertainment but also in fields such as science, engineering, communications, and education, where animated content plays a crucial role in communicating ideas effectively.

Starting freshman year, students train to be CG generalists, meaning you'll learn all the core skills involved in a 3D animated production like 3D modeling, texturing and surfacing, rigging, animation, lighting, rendering, tool writing, and compositing. After the foundational courses, students can choose to specialize in one of four areas: animation, modeling, virtual production, or continue with the generalist route. These concentrations help define a path forward while still giving you the flexibility to customize your studies to suit their goals.

Milady Bridges
Program Director
Animation & Visual Effects

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All eyes on you

Explore student work in the DIGM Innovation Gallery