By Taylor Smith 

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is frequently recognized as one of the nation’s top public colleges for animation, as noted in the 2019 Animation School Ranking published by Animation Career Review. 

Central to this distinction is NJIT’s B.A. in digital design with two tracks: entertainment and interactive media/production. Both programs offer undergraduate students experience in character design, color and composition, game modification, acting for animators, character development, and technology. 

Glenn Goldman, director of the School of Art + Design, housed within the College of Architecture and Design at NJIT, says, “We are all gratified to see that not only are the animation and graphic design components of our Digital Design program being recognized, but that we are moving up in those rankings and levels of recognition year to year.” 

NJIT takes pride in educating undergraduate students in the formulation and creation of digital content. Examples of digital design coursework include Human Factors/Ergonomics, Simulated Environments, Introduction to Music, Acting Fundamentals for Animators, and General Psychology.

 Freshman students are provided with 24/7 access to Foundation Year Labs and all design studios are accessible 24/7 throughout the semester. Along with the facilities available throughout the NJIT campus, Digital Design students have access to the Cintiq-equipped Art Teaching Lab, Physical Computing Lab (used for robotic and sensor-based product design), and the Animation Lab. Digital and traditional fabrication facilities (especially laser cutters and 3D printing equipment) are available in the College of Architecture and Design and are integrated in required and elective courses in physical computing, augmented reality, and robotics. 

NJIT’s digital design students have opportunities to showcase their work through competitions and curated exhibits throughout the country. Graduates have enjoyed success with full-time employment and internships in a variety of specialties, including animation, game design, graphic design, web design, storyboard art, and architectural visualization. 

To learn more about the B.A. in digital design, visit http://www6.njit.edu/moreinfo/.