Digital Media CMS

Category: ANFX

  • The Main Event

    Our film is a stylized, music-driven animated short set in an illegal underground robot boxing ring. It follows PAX, a discarded medical robot built to heal, who is forced into a fight he was never meant to survive.

    Our film is a stylized, music-driven animated short set in an illegal underground robot boxing ring. It follows PAX, a discarded medical robot built to heal, who is forced into a fight he was never meant to survive. Opposite him is ATROX, a brutal combat machine designed for destruction. But as the fight unfolds, PAX begins to move in ways that don’t quite match what he was built for. The story is told entirely through action, rhythm, and visuals, with no dialogue, and is backed by ‘Hurt’ by 1-800-PAIN. At its core, it explores what happens when something designed to protect is pushed to its breaking point.

  • Starfall

    A young witch with a fear of heights is unable to fly like the rest of her classmates, but when she is caught up in a disaster on her commute home from school, she is forced to overcome her fears.

  • Alien Vacation

    Skipper the alien is tasked with finding the perfect vacation spot for Emperor Blorp, his boss. If Skipper fails, he might meet the same fate as his unfortunate predecessors. His search brings them to a strange place on planet Earth: Philadelphia. Will Emperor Blorp be satisfied with his Alien Vacation?

  • Catch of the Day

    After a fruitless day of fishing at the tail end of the season, Oswin Opossum begins to pack his things. But a large splash and rippling waves fill him with the determination to cast his rod one final time. Little does he know, what lies beneath the surface is prepared to make this catch one of the biggest fights of his life!

  • The Clock That Forgot to Chime

    The Clock That Forgot to Chime is a 3D-animated short film about a mechanical ballerina inside a Grandfather clock. When local bugs steal the gear that opens the door to her stage, she must leave her home for the first time to get it back.

  • 2025 Unreal Engine Student Showcase

    The 2025 Senior Project Reverie has been selected for Epic Games’ official
    Unreal Engine Student Showcase Reel. Out of thousands of submissions
    worldwide, only about 25 projects earned a spot in this prestigious annual
    reel — and Reverie is one of them.

    We‘re thrilled to share some incredible news!

    The 2025 Senior Project Reverie, created by our Animation & Visual Effects
    (ANFX + DMVP) seniors, has been selected for Epic Games‘ official
    Unreal Engine Student Showcase Reel    . Out of thousands of submissions
    worldwide, only about 25 projects earned a spot in this prestigious annual
    reel — and Reverie is one of them.

    This marks the first time a Drexel University student project has been
    highlighted in Epic‘s showcase, a huge milestone for our Digital
    Media program and a testament to the talent, creativity, and technical
    excellence of our students and faculty.

    Congratulations to the entire Reverie team — your hard work is now
    inspiring the next generation of creators around the globe!

  • Silent Emotion: Capturing Conflict in Character Animation

    Silent Emotion: Capturing Conflict in Character Animation

    In the ANFX Character Animation II course at Drexel University, students explore the art of human facial deformation and movement as it relates to thought-driven performance. It’s a class that challenges animators to go beyond technical execution, asking them to consider how emotion lives in the details—especially when there’s no dialogue to rely on.

    One final project from this term stands out as a stunning example of that challenge in action. The animation focuses on a heated argument between two women, and while it plays out in total silence, the emotional intensity is undeniable.

    Facial Animation as Performance

    What makes this animation truly memorable is the care the student put into the facial expressions. The performance doesn’t rely on exaggerated cartoonish motions—instead, it leans into realism. Small, subtle shifts in the eyebrows, eyelids, and jawline do the heavy lifting, capturing the nuance of frustration and anger with remarkable precision.

    Reading Emotion Without Sound

    Even in the absence of audio, the scene feels loud. You can almost hear the characters yelling, feel their tension rise, and sense the moment just before one interrupts the other. It’s a clear demonstration of how facial animation can drive narrative and emotion just as powerfully as voice acting—if not more so.

    Animating the Whole Character

    Beyond the facial detail, the student took full advantage of body language to support the storytelling. Weight shifts, posture changes, hand gestures—each element adds to the performance and deepens the emotional impact. Together, these physical cues bring the characters to life, giving them presence, intention, and urgency.

    The animation feels polished, smooth, and emotionally rich. It’s more than just a technical achievement—it’s a thoughtful character study that invites viewers into the story without needing a single line of dialogue. It’s this kind of work that showcases what’s possible when animation is used not just to move characters, but to make them feel alive.

  • Senior Year as an ANFX Student

    Senior Year as an ANFX Student

    Senior year in Drexel’s Animation & Visual Effects (ANFX) program is the ultimate test of everything learned over the past four years. This is when students specialize in their chosen area, complete their capstone projects, and prepare to enter the industry full-time. With the Drexel Digital Media Showcase on the horizon, senior year is all about polishing skills, refining portfolios, and making industry connections.

    Core Classes

    Senior-year courses focus on finalizing personal projects, collaborating on high-quality work, and developing industry-ready materials. Key classes include:

    • Advanced Portfolio (ANIM246): This course focuses on building skills for the career-long practice of producing and maintaining a professional creative portfolio while allowing the students the opportunity to create or refine additional student-driven portfolio work that synthesizes their skills and experience from direct class assignments in their other coursework.
    • Concentration Focus: Students continue to refine their skills in their respective chosen concentration (organic modeling, character animation, or generalist)
    • Digital Media Senior Project (DIGM490): The three-term senior project where students research, design, and develop a UX solution to present at the Drexel Digital Media Showcase. Create professional media assets for a team-based senior project in a simulated real-world production environment. This course integrates academic and practical knowledge, emphasizing digital media production, best practices, and effective presentation skills through collaboration and teamwork.

    Skills You’ll Master

    By senior year, students refine both technical and professional skills to prepare for full-time work in the animation and VFX industry:

    Capstone Project Development
    Managing a long-term production from concept to final render.
    Industry-Standard Lighting, Rendering & FX
    Creating high-quality visuals using Arnold, Redshift, Unreal Engine, and Houdini.
    Presentation & Client Communication
    Learning how to pitch projects to studios, recruiters, and industry professionals.
    Time Management & Collaboration
    Balancing independent projects while preparing for the Digital Media Showcase.

    The Drexel Digital Media Showcase: Preparing for the Industry

    One of the biggest moments of senior year is the Drexel Digital Media Showcase where students present their senior capstone projectsto faculty, industry professionals, and potential employers

    How Students Prepare for the Showcase

    Finalizing the Capstone Project
    Completing all aspects of the animation, VFX, or game project for a polished final presentation.
    Building a Standout Portfolio
    Refining demo reels, case studies, and websites to impress recruiters.
    Perfecting the Pitch
    Practicing how to present work professionally, explain design choices, and engage with audiences.
    Networking & Job Hunting
    Connecting with animation studios, VFX houses, and game developers for potential job opportunities.

    Challenges & Growth

    The biggest challenge of senior year is time management—balancing the capstone project, job applications, and final coursework can be overwhelming. However, this year also marks tremendous growth as students shift from being learners to industry-ready professionals.

    Tips for Success

    Start job applications early.
    Many studios hire months in advance—be proactive!
    Keep refining your demo reel.
    Only showcase your best, most polished work.
    Network with industry professionals.
    Attend animation festivals, conferences, and studio events to make connections.
    Stay adaptable.
    The industry evolves quickly—learning new tools like AI animation, real-time rendering, and virtual production can give you an edge.

    Looking Ahead

    With senior year wrapping up, the next step is launching a career in animation, VFX, game design, or motion graphics. Whether joining a studio, freelancing, or continuing personal projects, Drexel’s ANFX program prepares students to step confidently into the creative industry.

  • Senior Year as an ANFX Student

    Junior Year as an ANFX Student

    Junior year in Drexel’s Animation & Visual Effects (ANFX) program is a turning point, as students step into the professional industry through co-op experiences and advanced coursework. With a strong foundation in animation, modeling, and VFX, this year is about refining specialization, gaining real-world experience, and preparing for senior-level projects.

    Core Classes

    With many students balancing co-op placements and coursework, junior-year classes focus on advanced industry techniques and real-world application. Some key classes include:

    • Advanced Portfolio (ANIM246): Develops lifelong portfolio-building skills and allows students to refine work across disciplines.
    • Animation Workshop I (ANIM377): Covers concept through pre-production in collaborative team settings.
    • Animation Workshop II (ANIM378): Takes projects from pre-production to completion through full team development.
    • Concentration Focus: Continues development in chosen tracks like organic modeling, character animation, or generalist roles.

    Skills You’ll Develop

    By junior year, students are expected to operate at an industry level, refining both artistic and technical skills:

    Studio-Level Animation & VFX Workflows
    Working in teams, meeting deadlines, and following industry pipelines.
    Procedural FX & Advanced Rigging
    Using Houdini, Blender, and Maya to build dynamic systems and rig complex characters.
    Rendering & Compositing for Film & Games
    Optimizing visuals using Arnold, Unreal Engine, and Nuke for real-time and cinematic results.
    Professional Communication & Collaboration
    Presenting work to teams, directors, and industry professionals with clarity and purpose.

    Co-op Experience: Learning from the Industry

    Many ANFX students spend part of their junior year in a six-month co-op, gaining hands-on experience in animation studios, game development companies, and VFX houses. These roles expose students to real production environments, giving them insights into studio expectations, teamwork, and industry demands.

    Common co-op roles include:

    3D Animator
    Creating motion sequences for games, films, or commercials.
    VFX Artist
    Working on compositing, CGI effects, and simulations.
    Technical Artist
    Bridging animation and engineering within real-time engines.
    3D Modeler
    Designing, sculpting, and texturing production-ready assets.

    Projects & Challenges

    With industry exposure comes more complex, high-stakes projects:

    Full Character Animations
    Polished acting performances with expressive facial and body animation.
    Technical FX & Simulations
    Fire, smoke, and fluid simulations using tools like Houdini.
    Game Cinematics & Interactive Storytelling
    Real-time storytelling pipelines for use in games and virtual production.
    Portfolio & Demo Reel Finalization
    Compiling and presenting professional-quality work for job applications.

    A major challenge during junior year is time management—balancing co-op, coursework, and personal projects can be overwhelming. Staying organized and efficient is key.

    Tips for Success

    Take your co-op seriously.
    Treat it as a job interview—many students receive offers based on co-op performance.
    Refine your demo reel.
    Tailor it to your intended specialty with your best, most relevant work.
    Learn from professionals.
    Network during your co-op, seek mentorship, and attend local or virtual industry events.
    Push technical skills further.
    Experiment with virtual production, real-time pipelines, or AI in animation to stay competitive.

    Looking Ahead

    Junior year is all about bridging the gap between student and professional. The next step? Senior-year capstone projects, the Drexel Digital Media Showcase, and preparing for full-time roles in animation and VFX.

  • Senior Year as an ANFX Student

    Pre-Junior Year as an ANFX Student

    Pre-junior year in Drexel’s Animation & Visual Effects (ANFX) program is a crucial time for refining skills and preparing for co-op experiences and industry work. By this point, students have developed strong foundations in animation, 3D modeling, rigging, and compositing. Now, the focus shifts to specialization, advanced techniques, and building a professional portfolio.

    Pre-junior year sets the stage for junior-year co-ops and industry experience. The next step? Working in a real studio environment, applying skills in professional projects, and making connections for the future.

    Core Classes

    As students prepare for the professional world, coursework becomes more advanced and industry-focused. Some of the key classes include Digital Compositing (ANIM221) which examines 2D and 3D digital compositing possibilities through the manipulation and recombination of acquired and produced digital imagery, including 2D/3D Integration, 3D Matchmoving, and High Dynamic Range Imagery. Scripting for Animation and Visual Effects (ANIM231) explores modern scripting languages utilized in Animation and Visual Effects operating systems and software tools that are integral to artist productivity and production pipeline scalability. Professional Practices for Animation & VFX (ANIM250) introduces the animation and visual effects industry through projects, discussions, and hands-on activities. Students engage in role-plays and presentations to develop teamwork, management skills, and personal branding, covering all production phases from proposals to final delivery. This is also the year students take courses on their chosen animation concentration. The concentrations include organic modeling, character animation, and generalist.

    Skills You’ll Learn

    At this stage, students begin mastering industry-level skills and refining their artistic identity, including Advanced Animation & Motion Studies – Creating dynamic, expressive, and polished animations, Lighting & Rendering Optimization – Using software like Arnold, Redshift, or Unreal Engine for high-quality visuals, FX Simulations & Compositing – Working with particles, physics, and real-world VFX techniques, and Portfolio & Demo Reel Development – Curating the best projects to showcase to future employers.

    Projects & Challenges

    Pre-junior year projects push students to create portfolio-ready work and prepare for co-op applications. These include High-Quality Character Animations – Producing industry-standard motion studies and acting scenes, Rendered 3D Environments – Developing realistic, visually stunning assets, FX Simulations & VFX Shots – Implementing particle effects, explosions, and CGI compositing, and Demo Reel Creation – Compiling the strongest projects into a polished, professional portfolio. A key challenge this year is finding a focus—whether it’s character animation, modeling, VFX, motion graphics, or technical direction. Many students start tailoring their work toward their area of interest.

    Tips for Success: Start applying for co-ops early. Have a portfolio and resume ready by fall term. Refine your demo reel. Show only your best work—quality over quantity. Optimize rendering workflows. Learning GPU rendering techniques can save valuable time. Network & get feedback. Engage with professors, professionals, and peers to improve your work.