West Valley College
CAREER PROGRAMS: Computer Arts: Animation Program Options * Associate of Arts Degree * Certificate of Proficiency Program Information The Computer Arts & Animation Program at West Valley College exposes students to a full production environment, including conception design, production planning, computer generated as well as physical production, refinement and output of the student's final demo reel. As part of this process, our students collaborate with other programs in our unique Fine Arts Division. This collaboration includes Philosophy in the conceptual design process, TV in production planning and output, Drama in scripting, Theater in voice-over and/or live action, and Music in the scoring of the work. This comprehensive exposure to an actual production environment provides West Valley animation students with an exceptional opportunity to fully develop their technical as well as creative problem solving skills. Due to our close working relationships with local universities, such as San Jose State and Cal State Monterey, our curriculum has also been designed to prepare students for the transition to a Baccalaureate or Masters program in Computer Arts, Animation, Multimedia, Graphic Design or New Media Art. At least one of these majors is currently offered at all five Bay Area California State Universities. Career Paths * 2D Animators: Animation for entertainment, education, business, or scientific visualization * Art Direction for television, film, and multimedia * Graphic Designers * Interface Designers * Sound and Video Producers * Production Storyboard Design * Video Game Production * Commercial Artist West Valley College has joined a traditional media arts program with a critical issues oriented digital media curriculum to form the California State accredited 60 unit Associate of Arts Degree in Computer Arts: Animation. Students are provided comprehensive instruction in drawing, color and design, handbuilding, computer imaging and camera work as they relate to time-based visual media. These formal skills are developed in conjunction with the exploration of 19th and 20th century art influences; particularly the impact of technology on our world-view. The course work caters to those students with goals in (1) the fields of computer animation, motion graphics & digital effects, (2) transfer to academic arts programs and/or (3) individual portfolio development. Students have convenient access to industry-standard media specific computer labs, production facilities in the Art, Music & Theater departments, as well as the KSAR6 Television production studios. It is within this collaborative environment, according to personal achievement goals that students work to produce portfolio quality demo work.
