The Department of 2D and 3D Computer Animation at Ringling College of Art and Design
We’re so incredibly proud of this year’s senior class and the amazing work they’ve created. Every film reflects a unique voice, with original characters, worlds, and styles that feel fresh, personal, and inspiring. And NO generative A.I. was used in creating them. We’ll be sharing a few livestream opportunities next week so everyone can celebrate these films together. More info coming soon!
Animation Sophomore Wrap at Ringling College ✨
Featuring Pedro Carvalho Enne de Oliveira ’28 !
🎵Pato Fu - Palco
Every year, Computer Animation at Ringling College hosts “Senior Show,”a celebration screening of our students’ thesis animated films. Faculty, students, families, friends, and visitors gather together to experience a full night of storytelling, creativity, and years of hard work on the big screen, along with special intermission videos created by the seniors themselves.
This year marked a record breaking year with 66 student thesis films in total. Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎉
Ringling Computer Animation grads swept the finalists at the 31st Annual Palm Beaches Student Showcase of Films!
Congratulations to:
Eliana Anselmo ‘25 - Loud & Proud (Winner)
Elizaveta Makarenko ‘25 - Beautify
Sofia Tonin ‘25 - Praying for Love
We’re so proud to see our graduates being recognized! 🎉
Traditional Animation at Ringling College: 2) Flour Sack
In this course, students build a strong foundation in 2D animation. As the second freshman project, they animate a flour sack with full creative freedom.
Here are some student work examples!
Happy Earth Day from Ringling College Computer Animation 🌎
Every year, our students create student CGI animated films in teams of just 1 - 3 people!
Films in order:
🌱 Dandelion - Zhengwu Gu & Ling Zhao
🌱 Beetle Summer - Ari Chen & Jane Yuan
🌱 The Very Hungry Ducky - Ariel Song
🌱 Don’t Feed the Unicorn - Kimberly Peh & Kris Hogan
🌱 Harmonia - Alex Rodarte & Tia Sjostedt
🌱 Sticking Seafarer - Jeremy Ross
🌱 Sticks & Stones - Anna Conde, Mark Lim & Andrea Walker
04/14/2026
Our student CGI animated film “Beautify” by Elizaveta Makarenko ’25 was nominated in the Animation Series category at the 45th College Television Awards as one of three nominees, an incredible achievement and honor! The film was created entirely by Elizaveta, who handled all aspects of production.
Faculty advisor Sean McLaughlin, Department Head Paul Downs, and Amber Schmoyer ’25 joined Elizaveta in Los Angeles to celebrate this moment alongside fellow nominees.
The film explores the theme of self-acceptance, following the main character to embrace her true identity while confronting society’s beauty standards.
We’re so proud of everyone involved! Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉
04/12/2026
Take a look inside our first annual Caricature Show!
(All photos are shared with permission from those featured.)
🎨Featured works:
1. Prisha Shah ’27 - by Samantha Arribas ’26
2. Esther Wang ‘27 - by Wonjun Gye ‘27
3. Katherine Adams ‘27 - by Esther Wang ‘27
4. Stephanie Carr ‘27 - by Carrie He ‘27
5. Olivia Lin ‘26 - by Jenny Paik ‘27
6. Gabrielle Ann Thomas ‘26 - by Eva Jacinto ‘28
7. Christina Kim ‘27 - by Olivia Lin ‘26
8. Zoe Lott ‘28 - by Sasha McNaney ‘29
9. Abby McCullough ‘28 - by Cuerie Kim ‘27
10. Kiersten O’Malley ‘26 - by Josh Ballard ‘26
11. Billy Merritt (faculty) - by Sarah Lewis ‘27
12. Paul Downs (faculty) - by Sean McLaughlin (faculty)
🎨Winners (by vote):
🥇 1st: Gabrielle Thomas
🎁 Win or Lose poster / Pickles hat (signed by creators Michael Yates & Carrie Hobson) + stickers
🥈 2nd: Samantha Arribas
🎁 The Bad Guys 2 poster (signed by Co-Director JP Sans)
🥉 3rd: Jenny Paik
🎁 The Bad Guys 2 poster (signed by Co-Director JP Sans)
🏆 Runners-up: Becca Lavner, George Cwirko-Godycki, Wonjun Gye, Carrie He, Cuerie Kim, Sean McLaughlin, Tong “Tata” Wu
🎁 Spider-Verse poster
Introducing Paul Downs, professor and interim department head at Ringling College of Art and Design!
With over 25 years of experience across film, TV, and commercial production, Paul is both a writer and animator. He has written and developed projects for Apple TV+, 20th Century Fox, Annapurna Animation, Paramount, Blue Sky Studios, Cartoon Network, Humanoids Publishing, and more.
His animation credits include Kung Fu Panda 4, Robots, the Ice Age franchise, Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!, Rio, Epic, Free Birds, Spies in Disguise, and the Oscar-nominated Ferdinand, along with the shorts Surviving Sid and No Time for Nuts.