Unleash your imagination by producing narratives that inspire and amaze audiences. Immerse yourself in the dynamic realm of animation, where you will learn a range of studio practices that incorporate traditional, digital, and experimental methods.
The 2D Animation program emphasizes experimental storytelling that communicates a spectrum of ideas and emotions, encompassing both personal narratives and broader societal observations. Starting with traditional paper-based techniques, students progress to mastering industry-standard software for 2D animation, editing and compositing. Further explorations may include stop-motion, puppet fabrication, experimental animation, 3D animation and performance. Throughout the program, there is a focus on fostering expression and directorial voice. Group projects play a pivotal role in nurturing collaborative and professional soft skills, ensuring that students excel in the professional world.
Student Work
The Experience
Star Ren, BFA 2D Animation ’22
The 2D 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, which is 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 2D Animation BFA have excellent studios with access to several digital computing facilities that are outfitted with state of the art Apple computer stations. These computers are loaded with top of the line animation software including Nuke, ToonBoom, TVPaint, Adobe Suite, Ableton, ProTools, and much more.
All 2D Animation students also have access to shared Digital Arts facilities that include a green screen room, an audio editing suite, a variety of 3D printers, laser cutter, ink-jet printers 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 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.
2D Animation alumni have risen to the tops of their fields in animation, from self-directing award winning projects to collaborating on award winning blockbuster animations.
Where they Work
Some examples of where our alumni have gone on to work include Disney, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Titmouse.
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.
We are thrilled to honor Francesco Risso, Creative Director of Marni, with the 2024 Pratt Fashion Visionary Award, Risso’s perspective on fashion has made a remarkable impact on the field and the minds of the next generation of fashion designers.
Last week Risso came to campus to share his expertise with our graduating fashion students and critique their in-process thesis collections. The accomplishments of Pratt Fashion’s graduating seniors will take center stage at “The Show,” the 123rd annual runway event, scheduled for Friday, May 3rd. Read more from WWD at the link in our profile.
@asliceofbambi @Marni @PrattFashion @Pratt_SoD
#PrattInstitute #PrattFashion #FrancescoRisso #Marni
Pratt Admitted Students Day in 40 seconds!#
We had a blast bringing admitted students to explore campus this past weekend. Tell us your favorite thing about campus in the comments!
#PrattInstitute #pratt #brooklyn #ClintonHill
The Student Design Marketplace provides our talented student community an opportunity to display and sell their work! Organized by the Pratt Student Government Association (@Pratt_SGA), students in all disciplines are invited to set up stalls and sell their exceptional work including posters, stickers, prints, jewelry, sculptures and so much more.
See your work or an artist you recognize? Drop a tag in the comments!
Internationally renowned chef Marcus Samuelson (@MarcusCooks) and activist and educator Tony Hillery (@TonyHillery/@HarlemGrown) joined us recently for a powerful discussion on food equity. Moderated by Industrial Design faculty member Amanda Huynh (@AmandaHuynh), the conversation explored the many ways food is foundational to culture, health, and flourishing communities, as well as how race, class, and justice issues come to bear on food access and equity.
Part of Pratt's Design Equity initiative, the event showcased how design innovates solutions to food equity challenges and how food is a catalyst for change.
#PrattInstitute #DesignEquity #FoodEquity #NewYorkCity
Pratt has gone to the dogs!
Each year the Pratt Community Engagement Board (@PrattCBoard) organizes activities and service projects during spring break. This year we kicked things off with a night of pet therapy and dog toy making benefiting Pillows for Paws (@PillowsForPaws), a trip to Tompkins Square Park to work with @LESEcologyCenter on re-mulching the garden beds, and a morning with Edible Schoolyard (@ESYNYC) prepping the garden beds at PS 216 in Gravesend, Brooklyn (@PS216Grows).
The chicken had no comment on the Pratt Cats' feelings about dogs on campus.
Images 1-4: Pet therapy animals
Images 5-7: Students work at PS 216
Images 8-10: Thompkins Square Park
Excitement is in the air as our 3rd annual Pratt Giving Day kicks off today! We are thrilled to announce that a generous donor has pledged to unlock $5,000 if 100 donors make their gift by 1PM. Hit the link in our bio.
Will you accept the challenge and be one of the first 100 donors to contribute to Pratt Giving Day? Every donation, no matter the size, helps us reach our goal of supporting creative expression and education at Pratt Institute.
Congratulations to all our newly admitted students! Visit the link in our profile for next steps, Admitted Students' Day information, and more ways to get to know our community! You’re one of us now. Welcome to Pratt!
#PrattInstitute #Pratt #Brooklyn
A Women's History Month Throwback! Rosabel Robbins was the only woman in this School of Architecture course in 1937.
📸 Photo of a newspaper clipping from the September 10, 1937 issue of
@BklynEagle
#WomensHistoryMonth
In Pratt’s Department of Digital Arts, undergraduates will develop aesthetic finesse, technological skill, conceptual sophistication related to digital media, and thorough comprehension of the potential of art and technology. Graduates demonstrate an expertise in their discipline, a unique voice in their medium and a knowledge of historical works in art and technology. Students then learn to create professional documentation and presentation skills to launch their careers in the Digital Arts.
After graduation, Pratt Alumni can be found exhibiting in galleries and working in major creative industries:
Cartoon Network
Augenblick
Titmouse
The Mill
Curious Pictures
CHRLX Studios
Digital Domain
Psyop
Dreamworks Studios
Sony Imageworks
Disney Animation Studios
Dusty Studio
Rhythm and Hues Studios
Students create whimsical, sometimes gritty, worlds in which distinctive characters tell fanciful stories. While focusing on storytelling, 2-D Animation courses are constructed to afford a wide range of techniques from traditional and digital drawing to stop-motion, special effects, and experimental techniques. Courses include animation, character development, storyboarding, and storytelling, animation history and post-production courses. Recommended electives include contemporary issues in film and video, 3-D modeling, special effects, 3-D printing, and film making.
