MDIA’s games and animation program ranked fifth in Ohio, rises to 23rd nationally
ATHENS, Ohio—Animation Career Review released their 2018 Animation School Rankings and Ohio University’s School of Media Arts & Studies’ games and animation program rose nationally from 32 to 23 among public schools and colleges, which placed the University in the top 25 percent.
The OHIO program went up from being ranked 16 in 2017 to 15 in the Top 20 in the Midwest this year and went down from 4 to 5 in the Top 5 Ohio Animation Schools rankings.
The School of Media Arts & Studies bachelor’s degree with a games and animation (G&A) emphasis encourages students to explore the production of computer animation and digital games while also providing an understanding of the management and leadership roles in these industries. Highlighted courses include digital game design, 3D modeling and animation, visual storytelling, game development, narrative animation, sound for moving images, compositing, and motion graphics.
According to the Animation Career Review website, for the 2018 rankings hundreds of schools in the U.S. that offered programs geared towards animation or game design were considered. Ranking criteria included academic reputation; admission selectivity; depth and breadth of the program; value as it relates to tuition and indebtedness; and geographic location. Individual school surveys and program information were also taken into consideration.
In addition to course offerings, media arts students have access to the Game Research and Immersive Design (GRID) Lab. The GRID Lab, an initiative of Ohio University's Scripps College of Communication, was developed by the School of Media Arts & Studies faculty and staff to provide the Appalachian Ohio region with training, education, and an opportunity to develop technical and creative skills with digital game technology. The GRID Lab serves as an innovative and creative center for undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff research and project development.
The School of Media Arts & Studies also offers a new three-year MFA degree in communication media arts where students hone new creative production skills, contextualized through hands-on, collaborative projects in order to graduate prepared for the leading edge of industry. In the program, students select at least two focus areas to study in animation, audio production/sound design, digital games, documentary video/audio, information graphics, interactive media/web design, music production, photojournalism, studio photography, and virtual and augmented reality.
For more information on the School of Media Arts & Studies, visit http://mediaschool.ohio.edu/.