3D Modeling and Animation C–Video Game and Interactive Media Art Emphasis Certificate

The certificates offered in the 3D Modeling and Animation program address the fundamental requirements that 3D artists are expected to know for entry-level positions in animation studios, the field of television advertising, video games, and bioscience, product, industrial and architectural design industries. This emphasis of this certificate is to address specific topics pertaining to developing art for video games. (E.g. game art design, art prep for game platforms, game development methodology) Intermediate and advanced levels of core topics will also be included, e.g. modeling, animation, texturing and lighting) Due to the growing technical complexity involved in video game production, today, these level courses have become essential to properly prepare students for today’s job market. The certificate program is designed to develop the core technical skills required for these vast arenas of applications. Employment opportunities exist with small and large companies serving a broad spectrum of clientele in the delivery of still, animated, and interactive.

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The 3D Modeling and Animation C–Video Game and Interactive Media Art Emphasis Certificate aims to provide students with the tools necessary to attain successful careers in the game development industry. Focused training mirrors the professional art production pipeline and prepares students for the array of jobs available in the interactive entertainment and information fields. Our curriculum emphasizes experiential learning that is collaborative, creative, and that utilizes applied learning in both lab and classroom environments Students in the program will gain an understanding of computer animation and game development industry-standard technology, principles, concepts, and how to apply these skills in the production process through projects comprised of multidisciplinary teams. Students will have ample opportunity to confront technical and aesthetic issues related to the field. They will also critique student work, learn to communicate effectively both in writing and orally, work in collaborative teams, and maintain a sense of professionalism. According to the Entertainment Software Association, the top locations for employment in the video game industry are dominated by California. While the San Francisco-Oakland Hayward leads all by total employment with 16,466 estimated employees, the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Santa Ana area follows closely with an estimated 14,484 employees. There are currently listings for 85 full time and 21 part time jobs related to the video game industry advertised on the “Indeed” web site for Orange County alone. Both Blizzard, with 2,622 employees and Amazon Game Studios have headquarters in Irvine, Blizzard. The goal of 3D Modeling and Animation C–Video Game and Interactive Media Art Emphasis Certificate is to prepare the students for new professional opportunities with such employers as well as the large number of smaller and start-up companies in the area.

Learning Outcomes: Students will be able to: 1. Recognize and evaluate technical and aesthetic issues within computer graphics and interactive media. 2. Demonstrate mastery of specific technical, conceptual and critical abilities within video game and interactive media design. 3. Demonstrate proficiency with industrial applications intended for video game and interactive media development. 4. Demonstrate competency in critical analysis and verbal and written responses to visual phenomena. 5. Demonstrate competency in the core technical skills for 3D animation and modeling. 6. Apply critical thinking and aesthetic judgments in critiquing video game and interactive media productions. (Critiquing) 7. Function on multi-disciplinary, collaborative teams. (Teams) 8. Work collaboratively and individually with an understanding of the production process utilized in industry-standard studios. (Process) 9. Demonstrate professionalism through creative and intellectual independence. (Professionalism) Program Requirements Art 166, Creating Realism with Textures and Lights, 3 units Art 167, 3D Commercial Applications, 3 units Art 180, Video Game & Interactive Media Art, 3 units Art 184, Art of Animation I, 3 units —OR — Art 185, Fundamentals of Cartooning and Storyboarding, 3 units —OR — Art 195, Introduction to Digital Media Arts, 3 units Art 196A, 3D Modeling Fundamentals, 5 units Art 197A, 3D Animation Fundamentals, 5 units Art 296, Professional Art Production, 1.5 units Plus 3 units from the elective list below Art 131 Beginning Life Drawing (3) Art 141 Beginning Painting (3) Art 165 3D Character Animation (3) Computer Science 105, Visual BASIC Programming (3) Computer Science 118, JavaScript Programming (3) Total 26

Santa Ana College already has a vibrant 3D Animation - Art Emphasis Certificate as well as several classes in video game design. . The reason for this new certificate is to provide special emphasis in Game Design and Interactive Media. For over 18 years, within the “3D Modeling and Animation Certificate,” Santa Ana College has already been preparing students for careers in the video game industry. The effectiveness of our current program is substantiated by the fact that our students have acquired more state-wide and regional awards in the area of 3D modeling and animation than any other community college in California. Since 2014, students enrolled in this certificate program have been developing original video games and entering them into an intercollegiate game development competition, "IEEE Game Sig Showcase", and earning the “Top 10 Game” award every year. In addition, in 2016, the SAC team also won the "People's Choice" award, and this year, they received two more awards, "Game with Most Charm “and, "Best Engineered Game".

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