The Catholic University of America (CUA) is home to the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music, Drama, and Art. Within the school is the Department of Art, which provides a BA in Art and Design; an Art History BA, and Digital Art and Design certificate (minor). The Art and Design BA has five concentrations including 3D Animation and Character Design; Graphic Design and Illustration; Digital Photography; Sacred Art; and Ceramics.
The 3D Animation and Character Design and Graphic Design and Illustration concentrations are ideal for students seeking an animation degree that explores different areas of art and design. The Digital Art and Design certificate (minor) is ideal for students in other majors who are interested in a shorter animation program. The certificate (minor) features courses and electives such as 3D Modeling and Animation; Fundamentals of Design I-II; Digital Production; Character Design; Video Production; Design Tools; and Creative Studio Art and Design.
The 3D Animation and Character Design concentration focuses on experimentation and mastering industry-standard software such as Maya, Mudbox, Substance Painter, and Blender. In the core, students will take Fundamentals of Design I-II, and Drawing and Composition I-II. Other course examples include Contemporary Art; Creative Art and Design Studio; and History of Art: Renaissance to the Modern.
Animation course examples include 3D Modeling and Animation I-II; Advanced Digital Art and Design; Crypto Art and NFTs; Character Design I-II; Video Production; and Creative Studio-Art and Design.
The 3D Animation and Character Design program at CatholicU culminates with the professional portfolio and demo reel.
The Graphic Design and Illustration concentration at The Catholic University of America explores 2D animation, motion graphics, character design, digital illustration, branding, and packaging design. Course examples for the program include Fundamentals of Design I-II; Drawing and Composition I-II; Creative Art and Design Studio; Contemporary Art; and Digital Art and Design: Interactivity and the Web. Students may also take animation courses such as Character Design, and 3D Modeling and Animation as electives.
Both Graphic Design and Illustration students, and 3D Animation and Character Design students, will complete the Senior Studio Art Seminar course. Graphic Design and Illustration students will complete a final project and portfolio as the culminating experience for the program.
Students in all CUA degree programs and concentrations also have access to the state-of-the-art Salve Regina Digital Arts Lab; printmaking facilities; and the CUA Study Abroad program.
Graduates of The Catholic University of America enjoy a 90% employment rate. The Center for Academic and Career Success (CACS) at CUA attracts more than 80 major corporations and others to the CUA Annual Spring Career Fair.
Department of Art graduates are prepared to pursue careers in animation, game design, visual effects (VFX), immersive digital experiences, advertising, illustration, and graphic design.
The Catholic University of America is a national research university that was established in 1887. The school sits on a 176-acre campus, making it the largest college campus by area in Washington, DC. Serving approximately 5,170 students, CUA also has campuses in Tucson, Arizona and Rome, Italy. The school provides more than 250 programs across 12 colleges and schools. The Catholic University of America is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).