MDes in Animation

An undergraduate bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution

An unofficial transcript (PDF) from each institution from which they have obtained a degree.

Bank letter or statement

Two letters of recommendation (PDF) from individuals who can attest to you, the applicant's creativity and aptitude as well as to the quality of past work and potential of future achievements. Letters can be from professors or supervisors/directors who have worked with you. The department does not provide official recommendation forms.

All international applicants MUST submit a completed, signed, and dated SJSU Declaration of Finance form

Copy of your passport and visa

A short personal statement (max 3600 words) Please write a statement of intent that articulates your goals and how you expect the master of design program to prepare you to achieve your intentions. Tell us about your aesthetic influences, creative interests, professional aspirations as an artist and explain why you are pursuing a graduate degree in Animation. If possible please include comments on the specific areas on which you would like to concentrate (animation, games, TV productions, film, etc,) and your goals upon completion of the MDes degree. In your statement, try to address the following questions: 1) Why are you interested in doing a master of design? Why now? Why at SJSU? 2) How has your background (professional experience and/or previous studies) sparked an interest in a masters degree? What exactly has sparked your interest in pursuing a Master Degree? 3) What are your career goals after graduation? We recommend you use a text editor to work on your statement (keeping track of your word count) and then copy and paste it in SlideRoom when it is ready.

A portfolio of previous work submitted on “SlideRoom”. Your portfolio will give us an idea of where you are as an artist, giving us a window into your tastes and abilities in the arts. In order for your portfolio to be seriously considered by the faculty committee and in order to produce the most advantageous presentation, it is important to follow the guidelines. Please read through the requirements carefully: 15 pieces maximum. Please include a selection of your best and most recent artwork. If the artwork was part of a collaborative project let us know exactly what was your specific contribution. Your work can be in any medium (for example: storyboards, graphic novels, animated scenes, concept designs, character designs, paintings, drawings, 3D models, rigs and illustrations, digital paintings, samples of digital work such as modeling, rigging or lighting.) If a sample of work submitted is longer than three minutes, it may not be viewed in its entirety.

A resume (1-2 pages, PDF) summarizing the applicant's education, awards or recognition, work experience, travel, languages, and special skills.

TOEFL/IELTS/PTE