Bring creative ideas to life by combining traditional artistic skills and techniques to develop projects in 2D and 3D animation. You’ll develop skills in environmental and character modeling, texturing, lighting, rigging, animation, and more using industry standard software such as Maya, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects and others.

The first semester provides training in computer software for both 2D and 3D animation and students create animation for a variety of content. The second semester focuses on 3D animation and preparing a portfolio. Also during the second semester, students will be grouped on teams to create a comprehensive project suitable for a demo reel. Students leave the program as well-rounded entry level artists/animators with solid fundamentals of 2D and 3D animation skills and broadened range of computer art and animation experience.

Computer Animation students learn:

> Skills:

• 2D and 3D Animation
• Storyboarding
• Creative writing
• Lighting
• 3D modeling
• Basic character rigging
• Basic texturing
• Basic compositing
• Basic special effects
• Team project development skills

> Software:

• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Premiere
• Adobe After Effects
• Maya 3D

Pre-Requisites

Computer Animation Students should have a basic working knowledge of computers and average or better skills in reading, writing and math.  They should have experience in Adobe Photoshop or similar computer graphics applications.

High School credit available

Students earn 15 units of elective credits each semester toward their high school graduation.

College Prep course. Meets area "F" approval for UC admissions.

Career Pathways and Related Occupations

This is a career awareness class which instructs students on the basics necessary for entry-level employment. Successful Computer Animation students often pursue careers in the following:

• Video Game Development
• Film and TV Studios
• Web Development
• Traditional Animation Companies
• Stop Motion Teams
• Computer Artist
• Computer Animator
• Special Effects Teams
• Mobile App Development