Harness cutting-edge technology to tell captivating stories and create experiences that entertain, empathize, and advocate for a wide range of audiences. With New York City on your doorstep, a world of opportunity is here to explore.
The MFA in 3D Animation and Motion Arts provides the basis for you to fully invest in your talents as a storyteller and animator. Throughout the program, you will acquire and enhance skills across a spectrum of techniques, encompassing modeling, animation, texturing, lighting, and rendering. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to further explore audio, visual effects, and experimental methods like stop-motion, allowing you to personally tailor your study pathway.
Student Work
The MFA in 3D Animation and Motion Arts degree is a two-year, 60-credit program, intended for prospective students with a creative arts/design background. An undergraduate degree in animation is not required.
As a student, you may elect to create narrative and non-narrative films and installations using techniques drawing from 2-D and 3-D digital animation, live action, and motion graphics. Recommended electives include history of animation, film criticism, traditional animation, character design and rigging, lighting and rendering, stop motion, audio and video, compositing and special effects, and advanced digital animation techniques.
What We Offer
Studies feature a thesis process, working closely with a committee and mentor, supplemented by discussions with national and international guest artists. Studio practices find numerous opportunities for collaboration and exhibiting artwork (on campus, throughout New York, and internationally) across the two-years, and in culmination through a graduate exhibition.
The Experience
Jun Huang, MFA Animation 2019
The 3D Animation and Motion Arts MFA journey is grounded on the pursuit of mastering digital technologies, cultivating personal growth, and driving societal impact through fine art. A range of skills-focused courses interrogate the latest software, hardware, and other emerging technological systems, exploring their innovative applications through screen-based storytelling and experimental narrative. Through seminars, workshops, and a visiting artist series, students gain a comprehensive framework for sharing, debating, and evaluating the historical and contemporary advancements within the field.
Steven Balthay, MFA Animation 2017
New York City serves as the ideal catalyst for this experience. Through in-class and extracurricular excursions, students tap into our unique position at the vanguard of contemporary art practice.
Digital Arts Facilities
Students in the 3D Animation and Motion Arts MFA have excellent labs with access to several digital computing facilities that are outfitted with state of the art Apple and Windows computer stations. These computers are loaded with top of the line software including Maya, Houdini, TouchDesigner, MaxMSP, Nuke, ToonBoom, Adobe Suite, Ableton, ProTools, and much more. MFA students also have access to shared Digital Arts facilities that include a green screen room, audio editing suite, a variety of 3D printers, laser cutter, ink-jet printers and a world-class surround-sound VR production/presentation suite. 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 design critical to 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.
Digital Arts graduates become leading contributors to the arts with a commitment to the cultural enrichment of society. After graduation, Pratt Alumni can be found featured in important publications, exhibiting in galleries and new media institutions and working in major creative industries.
Join us at Pratt. Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Take the next step.
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.
Looking for something to do on summer break? Pratt students can get into a variety of local cultural institutions with their student IDs! Visit the link in our bio for the most up to date list.
Video: @kerryrichardsonn
#NYCMusuems #NYC #NewYorkCity #ThingsToDo #ArtAndDesign #Museums
The Hawks have left the nest! In the past three decades, red-tailed hawks have returned to NYC and we love that they make our campus home.
Content warning: Hawks are carnivores and the video captures the hawk having a meal.
Photo and Video Credits: Students @AdemWijewickrema (1, 2 and video) @EYYonts (3) and Staff Photographer Dahlia Dandashi (4).
#BirdsOfNYC #Birders #birdersofinstagram #birdphotography #Hawk #RedTailedHawk
Happy Fourth of July!
Pratt Alumnus Kadir Nelson, BFA Communications Design '96 brings contemporary updates to classic moments of Americana in his illustrations. A regular cover artist for @NewYorkerMag, the painter and illustrator excels at capturing the feeling of summer in NYC. You can almost feel the summer heat in these four covers!
His covers for the magazine capture contemporary events, classic moments, and the pulse of our city.
#PrattInstitute #PrattAlumni
The Black Alumni of Pratt (@PrattBAP) kicked off the season with an incredible Summer Social at the Pratt Foundations Lab! It was the perfect occasion to connect, reconnect, and welcome the newest alumni!
For over 30 years, @PrattBAP has proudly supported our students and alumni of Black and Latinx heritage. BAP’s mission is inspired by Pratt Institute’s founder Charles Pratt, who said in 1887, “I want to found a school that shall give everybody a chance.”
#PrattInstitute #PrattBAP #PrattAlumni
Amira Chowyuk, MS Packaging, Identities, and Systems Design ’26, and Donavon Falls, MLA ’27, have been selected for the third and final year of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Fellowship program, which creates opportunities for climate change scholarship in design and architecture at Pratt.
Made possible by the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Foundation, chaired by Barbaralee Diamonstein-Spielvogel, the annual Fellowship was awarded to two first-year incoming graduate students, one in the School of Architecture and one in the School of Design, based on the strength of their portfolios of work addressing the impacts and challenges of climate change.
With a background in sustainability and ecodesign, Chowyuk aims to apply her interest in biomaterials, CMF, biobased production systems, and product sustainability to create circular, regenerative designs that are inspired by nature, spark curiosity, and contribute to a flourishing bioeconomy. She has earned degrees in industrial engineering and bioresource science from North Carolina State University and University of Washington.
Through systems-based thinking and research-driven design, Falls has explored the environmental social sciences, urban ecology, horticulture, and woodworking. He aims to investigate the application of nature-based solutions in combating climate change, biodiversity loss, and social injustice, and to cultivate and document stories of empowerment through the practice of landscape architecture. Falls has earned degrees in environmental studies and wood-oriented furniture design from the Ramapo College of New Jersey and the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, respectively.
Previous Diamonstein-Spielvogel Fellows include Race Calderin, MFA Interior Design ’24; Tarin Jones, MS Historic Preservation ’24; Madelyn Townsend, MArch ’26; and Leslie Trotter, MFA Communications Design ’25.
“I have three words of advice for up-and-coming creatives: Find a mentor.”
Sarah Sokol, BFA Interior Design ’11, lists Beyonce, Rihanna, and Janelle Monae among many of the famous faces that have been framed by her custom headwear.
For our latest issue of Prattfolio, Sokol shared how mentorship helped her carve out a niche in her industry.
Read more from Prattfolio at the link in our bio.
Images: Sarah Sokol; @InterviewMag Issue 554, featuring Rihanna (@BadGalRiri) wearing a hat made by Sarah Sokol ’11. Courtesy of the artist (@sarahsokolmillinery).
#PrattInstitute #PrattAlumni #Millinery
💡✨Here’s a bright idea: a rechargeable reading lamp that doubles as an hourglass!
This design, the Hourglass Reading Lamp, was developed and executed by Iris Guo, MID ’24, (@1risgu0) as part of an industrial design course sponsored by @Kikkerland, a New York-based industry leader in product design, and @BarnesAndNoble, the largest bookseller in the US.
The class, Prototypes I: Kikkerland Design Challenge, taught by Professor of Industrial Design Constantin Boym, had undergraduate and graduate industrial design students conceive products for book lovers.
Student designers, including Guo, incorporated expert feedback throughout the semester into their product designs. Their efforts culminated in a public showcase of their prototypes at Barnes & Noble Union Square, where Guo presented her Hourglass Reading Lamp. The design was recognized with the People’s Choice award, tallying the most votes from a two-week period where the public picked their favorite design. 🏆
As part of Prattfolio’s coverage of the Prototypes course, Guo shared a few words about the importance of designing with an eye toward atmosphere and self-care.
Carlos Motta, associate professor of interdisciplinary practice in fine arts, is featured on Artsy as an LGBTQ+ artist to celebrate this Pride Month. Léuli Eshrāghi, curator of Indigenous practices at Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal, says that Motta’s practice “situates a profoundly queer intersectional critique of imperialism and binarism in relation to futurities of queer wellness and fulfillment, which we all need more of!”
Image : Carlos Motta (b. 1978)
The Fall of the Damned (Serpents), 2021
P.P.O.W
#LGBTQArtists @PrattFaculty #Pride #PrattInstitute
Students create evocative narrative and non-narrative films and installations using 2-D and 3-D digital animation techniques, live action, and motion graphics. Recommended electives include history of animation, film criticism, traditional animation, character design and rigging, lighting and rendering, audio and video, compositing and special effects, and advanced digital animation techniques.
Digital Arts Graduates become leading professionals in the creative industries with a commitment to innovative and significant artistic practice.
AFTER GRADUATION PRATT ALUMNI CAN BE FOUND WORKING AND FREELANCING IN DIVERSE CREATIVE INDUSTRIES:
Augenblick
Blue Sky
Bunko Studios
BuzzFeed
Cartoon Network
Curious Pictures
Digital Domain
Dilussion Inc
Disney Animation Studios
Dragon Egg Entertainment
Dream Factory
Dreamworks Studios
Framestore
Frost Productions
Gameloft
Giant Fox Studio
Industrial Light & Magic
iNK Stories
ITHAKA
Launch
Lutron
Malka Media
Media Monks
The Mill
Nathan Love
NBCUniversal, Inc
Psyop
Rhythm and Hues Studios
Shadow Machine Films
Sony Imageworks
Steror D
Thorlabs
Threshold
Thrillist
Titmouse
Walt Disney Animation Studios
White
ALUMNI HAVE ALSO GONE TO CAREERS IN ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS INCLUDING:
