Aspiring animators and motion designers have a chance to hear directly from industry veterans this month. Ringling College of Art and Design will host a free virtual session as part of Rookies School Week on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 4:30 pm PDT / 7:30 pm EDT.
The session will feature Paul Downs, head of Ringling’s Computer Animation Department, and Morgan Williams, interim head of the Motion Design Department. Together, they bring more than 55 years of combined experience animating and directing for studios and networks including DreamWorks (Kung Fu Panda 4), Blue Sky (Ice Age, Rio), Sony Pictures, the BBC, and Comedy Central.
The live session will give an overview of three areas of study at Ringling:
2D Character Animation. Students learn character design, story development, storyboarding, layout, writing, directing, 2D animation, and compositing while developing their own original intellectual property. From feature and TV pitches to indie series and short films, the program teaches students to take an idea from pitch to production.
3D Character Animation. Ringling’s 3D program has earned a global reputation for producing artists and filmmakers who are sought after by leading animation studios. Students work through the full production pipeline, from story, design, and modeling to animation, lighting, VFX, compositing, and editing.
Motion Design. Often described as a $2 billion-a-year industry many people may not know about, motion design combines 2D animation, 3D animation, graphic design, illustration, and VFX. You see it in movie titles, sports graphics, app interfaces, advertisements, and more.
The event will also include a live Q&A, giving attendees the chance to ask questions directly of the department heads.
The event is free, fully online, and open to participants worldwide. Registration includes access to all live streams as well as full replays in the Rookies School Week library. Students can register here.
Students interested in animation at Ringling can explore the 2D Character Animation, 3D Animation, and Motion Design programs online. Application information is available on Ringling’s important dates and deadlines page, and admissions counselors can be reached at admissions@ringling.edu.
