Unleash your imagination by producing narratives that inspire and amaze audiences. Immerse yourself in the dynamic realm of animation, where you will learn the newest cutting edge technologies propelling this exciting field.
The BFA in 3D Animation and Motion Arts prepares you with the knowledge and skills to flourish in the animation and visual effects sector. The fundamentals of modeling, texturing, lighting, animation, compositing, and simulation are the basis of the curriculum, guided by projects and assignments that ensure these skills are motivated by carefully constructed concepts and stories.
Student Work
The Experience
The 3D Animation pathway introduces an amazing range of tools and techniques taught by internationally renowned faculty. Studio courses factor in every semester, lending ample opportunity to create an impressive graduation showreel. Most courses are located in our award-winning Myrtle Hall facility, less than 30 minutes away from hundreds of New York’s world famous cultural institutions, many of which sponsor our students through internships. When not in class, our students are soaking up the limitless screenings, openings, festivals, shows and exhibitions that are occurring throughout the year in New York City.
Digital Arts Facilities
Students in the 3D Animation BFA have excellent studios with access to several digital computing facilities that are outfitted with state of the art Apple and Windows/PC computer stations. These computers are loaded with top of the line animation software including Nuke, Maya, Houdini, Adobe Suite, Unreal, Adobe Substance Painter/Designer, ZBrush, Marvelous Designer, ProTools, and much more. All 3D Animation students also have access to shared Digital Arts facilities that include a green screen room, an audio editing suite, and a world-class spatial computing lab. Further access to Pratt Institute facilities is also possible, including fine art workshops and a large photogrammetry volume.
Internships
The Department of Digital Arts and Animation offers an internship program tailored to digital artists. Throughout the academic year, students partake in internship opportunities at a variety of studios and companies in the metropolitan New York area, gaining skills and experience in areas covering animation, visual effects, motion graphics, game design, interaction design, fine arts, and publishing.
The internship program places students on their career paths, providing experiences that aid in determining their educational and professional goals. Internships may be taken for college credit by both undergraduate and graduate students. While the Department has our own Internship Coordinator, students may also want to visit Pratt’s extensive network and dedicated staff that supports and facilitates Internships and Industry Connections.
Study Abroad
Immersing yourself in another culture is an incredible experience that can extend the boundaries of creativity. Study abroad programs are an integral part of the college experience, and Pratt has deep connections with university partners around the world. See where you can go.
Learning Resources
We develop disciplinary fluency in our program of study and we celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of art to critically address the plurality and complexity of the environments in which we operate. Learning resources.
Our Faculty
Pratt’s distinguished faculty of outstanding creative professionals and scholars share a common desire to develop each student’s potential and creativity to the fullest. Bringing different views, methods, and perspectives they provide a rigorous educational model in which students make and learn. See all Digital Arts faculty and administrators.
3D Animation alumni have risen to the top of their fields exhibiting at prestigious venues as the Whitney Biennial and Sundance, and receiving top recognition such as with the Emmy and Oscar awards.
Where they work
Our 3D Animation alumni have gone on to work at top studios such as Pixar, ILM, Dreamworks, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Framestore, Psyop, Crafty Apes, and The Mill.
Join us at Pratt. Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Take the next step.
Building your portfolio can be daunting. We’ll answer your questions and help you feel confident about the portfolio you submit with your application. Start building your portfolio, now.
You’ll find yourself at home at Pratt. Learn more about our residence halls, student organizations, athletics, gallery exhibitions, events, the amazing City of New York and our Brooklyn neighborhood communities. Check us out.
NYC winter holiday magic!
We hope everyone has a wonderful winter break.
Video: Galen Marquess, BFA Fine Arts (Printmaking) ‘25
#PrattInstitute #Pratt #NYC #Brooklyn #WinterWonderland
What’s your go-to Brooklyn spot? Come with us to check out four Pratt alumni businesses in Brooklyn.
Featuring:
Four & Twenty Blackbirds @birdsblack
Saffron @saffronbk
Dear Friend Books @dearfriendbooks
The Shirley Project Space @theshirleyprojectspace
Comment with your favorite place to creatively refuel in Brooklyn.
We're stopping by the launch party for the new issue of The Prattler, the Institute's longest-running student publication. The Prattler has been an essential place for students to share their experiences, express their views, and process the events of their world for over 80 years. Check out The Prattler’s “Log Off” issue in print and online, and read more about the publication's history in the new issue of Prattfolio in our profile.
Video : Kerry Richardson, March ‘26
#PrattInstitute #StudentLife #Campus #brooklyn #ArtSchool #DesignSchool #ArchitectureSchool
Prattfolio caught up with students on both sides of the Pratt experience at last year’s Orientation and Grad Fairs, to bottle the moment and capture the excitement of new starts and taking flight. Read more in Prattfolio (link in bio).
Photos: Justin Hogan
#PrattInstitute #PrattStudents #StudentStyle #NYCStudents #BrooklynStudents #ArtSchool #DesignSchool #ArchitectureSchool #GraduateSchool
The New York Times reveiwed “strangers are friends I haven’t met yet,” the first solo show from Rachel Handlin, MFA Photography '24 (@HandlinRachel @PrattPhotography @SoArtPratt @PrattAlumni). The show of photographs and sculptures, at White Columns Gallery through December 21, was first on view as Handlin's MFA thesis show this past Pratt Shows.
Repost from @NYTimes: Rachel Handlin is possibly the first person with Down syndrome to receive an MFA, and one of few to hold a bachelor’s degree.
Her first solo show, “strangers are friends I haven’t met yet,” features portraits of people with Down syndrome across the globe who have graduated from two- or four-year colleges. For five years, she and her mother, Laura Handlin, who is her aide and studio assistant, traveled to places like Peru, Australia and Spain to take her peers’ portraits. “I just met them all on Facebook,” Rachel Handlin said.
At the link in our bio, read more about Handlin’s story and see more of her work, now on display at White Columns in New York. Photos by @apisukh
Our campus is full of surprises. What is your favorite Pratt secret?
Featuring: @PrattDyeGarden @PrattDining @NewYorkBudoAssociation @PrattFarmToCampus @WPIRPrattRadio
Video: Ebelle Shum, BFA Fine Arts (Painting) '25
#Pratt #PrattInstitute #Brooklyn #ClintonHill #CampusLife #StudentLife #PrattCampus #CollegeLife #NYCColleges #Surprise #Secret #ArtSchool
#DesignSchool #ArchitectureSchool
It is all in the name. @PuppetClubFunTime is just that—fun! From sock to shadow, finger to string, Pratt's Puppet Club explores all manner of puppetry and object animation.
Kylie McLaughlin, BFA Fine Arts (Painting) ‘25, and Avery Vang, BFA 2D Animation ‘25, shook on starting the club as newly bonded first-year students. Now, as seniors, they spearhead the club's activities, making sure to keep it relaxed, laid back, open to all and well, just a fun time!
Bi-weekly meet-ups are full of yarn, googly eyes, collaboration and camaraderie. marquee event, the "Puppet Off", draws their biggest crowds. The playful competition, which they describe as “Chopped with puppets,” tasks participating teams of Pratt students with creating a puppet performance in a limited timeframe. Every couple of minutes, Vang and McLaughlin throw out a curveball, such as turning off the lights, or requiring a new creative element. This past semester, they had everyone work in silence for five minutes; if they broke the rule, one of their thumbs would be taped down. A chain-smoking fish puppet named Mary-Lynn was named the victor.
Tap the link in our bio to read more!
Who is going to say no to free pancakes during finals week? Not us.
Video: Emilia Carbajal, Film/Video '27
#Pratt #PrattInstitute #CampusLife #BreakfastForDinner #Pancakes #BaconAndEggs
Students focus on individual expression through form and motion. These stories are set in amazing worlds populated with unique characters. Students bring these worlds to life through a series of animation studio courses that grow in complexity and depth. Courses include 3-D modeling, 3-D animation, character design, character animation, storyboarding and storytelling, animation history, motion dynamics, lighting and rendering and post-production courses. Recommended electives include contemporary issues in film and video, 2-D animation, scripting, special effects, 3-D printing, and other advanced digital animation techniques.