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Program Overview

Program Overview

Contribute your vision to the world. Learn the foundations and practice of animation, from character design to top-end computer graphics and 3D graphics. At Lipscomb, you'll grow your creative skills under some of the most prominent animators in the U.S., including Tom Bancroft, Tony Bancroft, Diana "Coco" Russell and John Pomeroy. You’ll connect with and learn from experts in Maya software, the industry-standard in computer graphics and CGI effects. Every semester we bring in top Animation industry talent to speak to students. We also plan trips to L.A  for animation conventions and internship experiences.

Gain valuable experience in a faith-based community that will set you up for a meaningful career in animation — one filled with creativity, integrity, and innovation, and driven by the desire to make a difference.

See our Animation student's work on the Student Work tab to see a range of different ways you'll be able to build upon your unique skillset as an artist.

“It is a personal mandate that our instructors are busy working within the animation industry so that we are teaching from industry learned truths and using the same up-to-date programs and tech we use at home while working with the biggest studios and characters in the world. To prove this, Lipscomb can claim it is the only school in the world to have two former Disney supervising animators as instructors.”
—Tom Bancroft, Artist in Residence

Courses

Courses

View the list of courses for the Animation BFA and BA required below.

Download BFA Degree Plan

Download BA Degree Plan

#2

Christian Art Program in the U.S.

Job placement

With a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. Most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

Nashville, TN

A big city. An even bigger opportunity. We consider Nashville, Tennessee, an extension of our classroom, and as a leading city in many industries, that means you’ll gain experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else.

15:1

Student to Faculty Ratio

Our Faculty

  • Mike Meredith headshot

    Mike Meredith

    Chair, Animation and Interactive Media Department

    Mike Meredith is a seasoned illustrator and educator with over two decades of experience in the creative industry. Currently serving as the Associate Professor and Program Chair for Animation &...

    Meet Mike Meredith
  • Tom Bancroft headshot

    Tom Bancroft

    Artist in Residence

    Tom Bancroft has over thirty years of experience in the animation industry, most of which was for Walt Disney Feature animation where he was an animator for twelve years on...

    Meet Tom Bancroft
  • Tony Bancroft headshot

    Tony Bancroft

    Program Director

    Tony Bancroft is a seasoned Director, Animator, and Podcaster with over 30 years of experience in the animation industry. He's known for his work at Disney, co-directing Disney's Mulan and...

    Meet Tony Bancroft
  • Eric Stars

    Eric Stars

    Visiting Professor

    With over a decade of experience working as a professional animator and visual effects artist, Eric Stars comes to Lipscomb University from Fivestone Studios. Stars' primary focus is 3D character...

    Meet Eric Stars
  • Diana Coco-Russell headshot

    Diana Coco-Russell

    Artist in Residence

    Diana Coco-Russell has spent most of her artistic career in animation, with her longest run at Walt Disney Feature Animation as a clean-up animator. Beginning with Beauty and the Beast...

    Meet Diana Coco-Russell
  • Lipscomb Featured Faculty

    Jim Elston

    Adjunct Faculty

    Meet Jim Elston
  • Victoria Thornberry headshot

    Victoria Thornberry

    Adjunct Faculty

    Victoria Thornberry has over 14 years of animation experience. She started as an intern and then worked her way up through production and then eventually the design department. Her understanding...

    Meet Victoria Thornberry
  • Carson Montgomery headshot

    Carson Montgomery

    Adjunct Faculty

    Originally from the small town of Moulton, Alabama, Carson attended Auburn University where he majored in Radio, TV, and Film. While at Auburn, Carson applied for and received an internship...

    Meet Carson Montgomery

Career Paths

Storyboard Artists

A storyboard artist provides visual illustrations to map out an effective production blueprint for TV shows, film and commercials. The storyboard artist's job is to provide a visual representation prior to the filming of a feature film or television production.

2D Animators

2D animators focus on creating characters, backgrounds and scene transitions, bringing creative ideas and concepts to life. Job duties of 2D animators revolve around designing and producing images.

3D Animators

Creating animation and graphics with the aid of computer illustrations and software programs. Spending time researching the project to get ideas for animation. Creating a working model of scenes to be animated in movies, television or video games.