Kennesaw State School of Art and Design

KSU Digital Animation Program Spotlight

This week we will look closer at the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Animation degree program at KSU’s School of Art and Design. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Animation prepares you for various animation and animation-related careers or graduate school by providing a thorough grounding in fundamental principles and techniques. This degree focuses on intensive work in digital animation supported by a program of general studies. Digital animation includes all animation techniques that are designed exclusively with the use of computers. With digital animation, you can create both 2D (two-dimensional) and 3D (three-dimensional) animation. Digital Animation foundational coursework includes the basics of two and three-dimensional design, color theory, computer applications in art, and concept, creativity, and studio practice. Upper-level coursework includes electronic illustration, foundation animation, character development as well as other digital animation courses. Follow the link below to learn more about the BFA in Digital Animation, watch the full student short films at the 2024 Owl Film Festival, and explore our other programs. https://www.kennesaw.edu/arts/academics/visual-arts/bfa-digital-animation/index.php Credits for artwork and films: “Open Act!” Directed by Skully Gilder, 2024. Toon Boom Harmony, Storyboard Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud. @skulgamerfour “Coleslaw Crisis” Directed by Cam Whipple, 2024. Toon Boom Harmony and Adobe Creative Cloud. Alyssa Thompson, “Untitled”, 2024. Digital. @alylistrates “They Got Lost” Directed by Quincy Saunders and Ava Sins, 2024. Toon Boom Harmony, Storyboard Pro, Blender and Adobe Creative Cloud. Sara Miloro, “Heron Deer” 2024. Digital. @skmdraws “Fugitive Fox and Bard Bear” Directed by Ally Brenowitz, 2024. Toon Boom Harmony, Procreate and Adobe Creative Cloud. @a11y_kat Sarahi Montero, “Untitled” 2024. Digital. @art.dimos Kaitlin Mortin, “Maya Tests”. 2023, dig

Animation Program Spotlight

This week we will look closer at the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digitial Animation degree program at KSU’s School of Art and Design. The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Animation prepares you for various animation and animation-related careers or graduate school by providing a thorough grounding in fundamental principles and techniques. This degree focuses on intensive work in digital animation supported by a program of general studies. Digital animation includes all animation techniques that are designed exclusively with the use of computers. With digital animation, you can create both 2D (two-dimensional) and 3D (three-dimensional) animation. Digital Animation foundational coursework includes the basics of two and three-dimensional design, color theory, computer applications in art, and concept, creativity, and studio practice. Upper-level coursework includes electronic illustration, foundation animation, character development as well as other digital animation courses. Follow the link below to learn more about the BFA in Digitial Animation, watch the full student short films at the 2024 Owl Film Festival, and explore our other programs. https://www.kennesaw.edu/arts/academics/visual-arts/bfa-digital-animation/index.php Credits for artwork and films: “Open Act!” Directed by Skully Gilder, 2024. Toon Boom Harmony, Storyboard Pro and Adobe Creative Cloud. @skulgamerfour “Coleslaw Crisis” Directed by Cam Whipple, 2024. Toon Boom Harmony and Adobe Creative Cloud. Alyssa Thompson, “Untitled”, 2024. Digital. @alylistrates “They Got Lost” Directed by Quincy Saunders and Ava Sins, 2024. Toon Boom Harmony, Storyboard Pro, Blender and Adobe Creative Cloud. Sara Miloro, “Heron Deer” 2024. Digital. @skmdraws “Fugitive Fox and Bard Bear” Directed by Ally Brenowitz, 2024. Toon Boom Harmony, Procreate and Adobe Creative Cloud. @a11y_kat Sarahi Montero, “Untitled” 2024. Digital. @art.dimos Kaitlin Mortin, “Maya Tests”. 2023,

Today I want to spotlight recent Digital Animation graduate Aaron Bell! “I'm a visual storyteller. I'm always storyboarding and screenwriting -- and I've recently found success in 3D as well! I can also tell the difference between Coke and Diet Coke, but they don't pay me enough for that. I would love to land a story artist position at a studio and start pitching in the animated TV sphere. I chose KSU because it is the place to be for aspiring animators in the southeast, and I'm fortunate enough to live less than an hour away! I took Figure Drawing (drawing boot camp) in the late afternoon MTWR over the Summer semester. That should've been horrific, but every one of us was in it together and I met some fantastic people as a result. Plus, when you're drawing every day it's very rewarding to watch yourself improve! My inspiration is cats. No, really! My parents have two kittens and their liquid bodies, expressive faces, and single shared brain cell inspire so many of my animations and stories. And Chuck Jones -- who, incidentally, was also inspired by his childhood cat. My advice to a new student entering SOAAD is, in the most positive way -- you will never feel ready! I spent a lot of time wondering when that moment was going to be where I thought "yes, finally, this is studio quality." You will always be your worst critic, and don't let whether or not you think you're "good enough" belittle the progress you make. You're a lot further along than you think!” To see out more of Aaron’s work, check out his Instagram @aaronardo.art . . . . . #ksuschoolofartanddesign #artistoninstagram #artstudent #art #animation #illustration #drawing #animationart #conceptart #conceptartist #3dmodeling #2D #3d #toonboomharmony

Today I want to spotlight Digital Animation senior Emma Vines! “My name is Emma Vines and I'm an animator and illustrator here at KSU to try to realize my passion for making art! I've been drawing and animating for most of my life and decided to pursue a career in the arts as soon as I learned that it was a real job people have! When I'm not hunched over at my computer, I'm usually either hanging out with friends or taking care of my four birds at home. Or else I'm laying in bed listening to music. I also love collecting pins! I was originally on track to start my college career at SCAD, but I had learned about the Digital Animation program here at KSU and I was instantly drawn to it. As a Georgia native living about an hour away from the school, I wanted to make sure I was fairly close to home while also learning about what I love to do, so KSU seemed like a perfect fit! I think one of my favorite things about KSU SOAAD is the sense of tight-knit community that we have, everyone seems to know each other and uplift one another in a positive way, and I think that's something special that we have compared to other art schools out there. The biggest thing SOAAD has done for me is probably helped me make connections with my peers that I otherwise would never have made on my own. Being involved especially with the Animation Studio Society @ksuanimationstudiosociety is how I found most of my friends here, all of whom are people I hope to continue to make art with in the future! My advice for a new student entering SOAAD is try to find your individual voice as an artist through the things that interest you, inspiration for your art can come from anywhere: cartoons and comics, music, a cool bug you saw one time, whatever speaks most to you!” To see more of Emma’s work, check out her Instagram @pibgeon . . . . . #ksuschoolofartanddesign #studentart #artstudent #animation #animationart #digitalart #toonboomharmony

Last Friday we welcomed visiting artist Nathan Morrison into Sculpture and he assisted Senior Lecturer of Sculpture Page Burch with pouring bronze bells for a new veteran's memorial in Kennesaw. The bell pattern was 3D printed, then molds were made from them for the casting. Some segments in the video are from Professor Burch's point of view providing a special vantage point into the process of bronze casting. . . . . . #ksuschoolofartanddesign #art #3dprinting #sculpture #sculptor #sculptureart #casting #bronze #bronzesculpture #metal #metalart #bell #veteran #veterans

Empty Bowls 2023

Tickets are now on sale for our 7th Annual Empty Bowls event on November 9th! The purpose of Empty Bowls is to raise awareness about homelessness and food insecurity while raising funds to help our students who are experiencing these issues. We invite you to choose from a large collection of bowls handmade by KSU students, alumni, and local community members. Click the link below to purchase your tickets before they are gone! https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=25715226-2eb8-49cc-8861-f29577e1d021&envId=p-WiJ-1o9t3ESgrfUGvdgNzA . . . . . #ksuschoolofartanddesign #kennesawstateuniversity #homeless #homelessness #homelessnessawareness #foodinsecure #foodinsecurity #foodinsecurityawareness #artstudent #studentart #cermaics #pottery #potteryart

Today's faculty and staff spotlight is of myself, Mary-Kathryn Lopez. I am a full-time staff member, SOAAD’s Marketing and Communications Specialist, and I am the voice behind SOAAD’s online and social media presence. I love showing off what our amazing faculty and students are doing and creating here, so it is weird to spotlight myself. I got my BFA in Digital Animation from SOAAD in 2019 and was one of the very first graduates in our program. I have a certificate in Film Production from the Georgia Film Academy (GFA) and spent some time on various film sets doing set creation and decorating. After college and while at the GFA I did commercial graphic design and printing for several years before coming back to SOAAD as a staff member. I have been here almost 18 months and have enjoyed every moment of it. A day in my life at SOAAD often includes not just managing our online presence with our social media, but I also maintain the website, create various graphics, flyers and videos for the school, and assist with promotions and projects for the Zuckerman Musuem of Art. Being an animator, video editing is hands down my favorite part of my job, and I always get excited when those projects come my way. While I do not have as much time for my hobbies as I used to, I enjoy painting, sketching and cosplay. Prior to Covid I made a new costume every year for Dragon Con, but I have yet to pick it back up. I have two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Frodo and Link, who are my fur children and often the source of inspiration for my artwork. As a SOAAD alum, my advice is not just for new SOAAD students, but also to those who are currently students: The path you take on your way to a career is often not a linier one, enjoy the journey and explore every opportunity presented to you, you never know where you might end up!

School of Art and Design Textiles Summer Art Intensive

Join us for the Basic Pattern-making & Construction in Textile Design Summer Intensive, June 5-9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The students will learn visual curation through textile patternmaking and construction in this one-week workshop. They will work through multiple units that include fashion illustration, basic patternmaking and sewing construction. Students will learn how to create and curate successful colorways, materials, and garment studies. These units introduce students to the fundamentals of textile design and assist with development of personal intention as an artist and/or designer. Follow the link below to sign up for this fun and exciting opportunity to learn all about fashion design! https://www.kennesaw.edu/arts/academics/visual-arts/exhibitions-events/summer-arts-intensive.php

School of Art and Design Textiles Summer Art Intensive

Join us for the Basic Pattern-making & Construction in Textile Design Summer Intensive, June 5-9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The students will learn visual curation through textile patternmaking and construction in this one-week workshop. They will work through multiple units that include fashion illustration, basic patternmaking and sewing construction. Students will learn how to create and curate successful colorways, materials, and garment studies. These units introduce students to the fundamentals of textile design and assist with development of personal intention as an artist and/or designer. Follow the link below to sign up for this fun and exciting opportunity to learn all about fashion design! https://www.kennesaw.edu/arts/academics/visual-arts/exhibitions-events/summer-arts-intensive.php

School of Art and Design Textiles Summer Art Intensive

Join us for the Basic Pattern-making & Construction in Textile Design Summer Intensive, June 5-9, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The students will learn visual curation through textile patternmaking and construction in this one-week workshop. They will work through multiple units that include fashion illustration, basic patternmaking and sewing construction. Students will learn how to create and curate successful colorways, materials, and garment studies. These units introduce students to the fundamentals of textile design and assist with development of personal intention as an artist and/or designer. Follow the link below to sign up for this fun and exciting opportunity to learn all about fashion design! https://www.kennesaw.edu/arts/academics/visual-arts/exhibitions-events/summer-arts-intensive.php