Summer Springboard
Animation
ON THE CAMPUS OF UCLA
BRING STORIES TO LIFE THROUGH MOTION, CREATIVITY AND INDUSTRY INSIGHT IN THE HEART OF LOS ANGELES.
THIS IS A TWO-WEEK PROGRAM WHERE YOU’LL FOCUS ON ONE COURSE FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION.
Animation @ UCLA
- Build a strong foundation in the core principles of animation through daily hands-on exercises and creative projects.
- Design and animate an original short film from initial concept to final production.
- Gain experience with tools and software used by professional animators.
- Receive personalized feedback and mentorship from experienced instructors and visiting animation professionals.
- Explore Los Angeles’ rich animation scene through excursions to museums, studios, and cultural landmarks.
- Develop a polished portfolio piece that demonstrates technical skill, creativity, and storytelling ability.
Summer Springboard
Animation
About This Course
An animation program for teens on a university campus in Los Angeles
This intensive pre-college course immerses high school students in the art, craft, and creative process of animation through a combination of hands-on studio work, technical instruction, and artistic exploration. Students will gain a strong foundation in the core principles of animation, such as timing, movement, exaggeration, and storytelling, while learning how to transform ideas into dynamic visual narratives.
Set in Los Angeles, the heart of the global animation industry, the program draws inspiration from the city’s vibrant creative community, featuring potential guest speakers, studio insights, or museum visits that connect classroom learning to real-world practice. By the end of the program, students will have produced a short animated film that showcases their technical proficiency, creative voice, and understanding of the animation production pipeline.
TOPICS YOU'LL EXPLORE
Hands-on Learning
Through daily exercises and guided projects, participants will develop skills in storyboarding, character design, and motion, using both traditional and digital techniques. The course emphasizes iterative feedback, encouraging students to refine their work through critique and collaboration in a supportive studio environment.
Career Exploration
Throughout the course, students will explore a variety of career paths within the animation industry, from storyboarding and character design to visual effects and production management. By engaging with industry professionals and real world studio environments, they’ll gain firsthand insight into the diverse roles and skills that bring animated stories to life.
RESOURCES
Course Infosheet
Course Infosheet Coming Soon!
Program Catalog
Click here to request our catalog to learn more about our summer programs and courses.
Campus Page
Click here to view the website page for this campus and learn more.
“It was a great opportunity for me to further explore a potential career path for me while also having a ton of fun. I believe wholeheartedly that this experience transformed me for the better.”
-Skye W. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Animation
Meet Your Instructor
Courses are taught by accomplished and passionate faculty recruited from many area colleges, universities and professional forums. Each faculty member is selected for their subject area expertise and proven ability to both challenge and captivate students.
TBA
“Summer Springboard did not only prepare me for a career but also the real world while leaving time to make life long friends and having fun.”
-Addison W. | Alumni Student
Summer Springboard
Animation
Dates & Tuition
| 2026 Dates |
|---|
| Session 1: June 21 – July 3, 2026 |
| Session 2: July 5 – July 17, 2026 |
Click here to enroll in this course using our online enrollment form.
| Tuition |
|---|
| Residential Tuition: $5,998 |
| Commuter Tuition: $3,298 |
Apply by November 30 to lock in the lowest prices of the year. Tuition increases on December 1.
Tuition Protection Plan: Allows for cancellation for any reason up until the day of the program.
| Location |
|---|
| City: Los Angeles |
| State: California |
| Campus: UCLA |
Summer Springboard programs are not run by our campus partners (with the exception of Cal Poly, NYSID and UW Foster which are run in partnership with SSB). Universities and their affiliated departments and partners do not control and are not responsible or liable in any manner for any part of the Summer Springboard program.