Digital Effects

The Certificate of Achievement in Digital Effects prepares students to work in motion picture and video industries, software publishers, computer systems design and related services, advertising and related services, radio and television broadcasting, specialized design services, public relations, and related services. Students completing this program will be well-versed in principles and technologies of visual storytelling, digital effects and motion graphics, and apply them to design and production of animated movies or video games, visual effects for movies and television shows, and commercials.

Students will be engaged in contextualized and experiential learning while digitally applying the fundamental principles of design to concrete, real-world projects. To earn a Certificate of Achievement in Digital Effects, students must complete 21 specified units. They will be encouraged to participate in a 60-180 hour internship with a Moorpark College-affiliated industry.

We are aiming towards offering a cohort type program of study as our proposed program is heavily focused on experiential and teamwork teaching and learning pedagogy. Due to this factor and the aforementioned narrative in regards to need and undersupply of qualified workers, we project to be able to recruit a cohort of 24 students every fall semester and have them complete the certificate requirements within 3 semesters. Factors considered:

• Lack of similar programs in Moorpark College’s service area

• CA has the highest employment level in this occupation according to BLS (see attachment 10), with an annual median income of $77,700.

• At least three of the courses are going to be accepted by the CSU system. Also, students completing this certificate program will be well versed in web design basics, and if they choose to pursue higher education they will be very well prepared

• Dual enrollment with high schools is possible with the first 2 courses in the pathway

The Digital Effects program is aimed at creating an effective career pathway for the students in our community. There is a need in Ventura County for such a career pathway as identified by the industries in the area such as Kalo, Williams Lea, Amgen, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Mediazoo, etc. This certificate program could serve as a gateway to high-skill and high-wage jobs for our new students, returning students, or the adult members of our community who might be seeking a career change or those who are already working in the animation and special effects industry but would benefit from obtaining a more formal education. Furthermore, the knowledge and experience gained from this certificate program will definitely benefit those students who decide to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Effects. By completing this program, students will have a firm knowledge of how to apply digital effects to real world-applications, and this proficiency will surely heighten the confidence and motivation of some students to aim for a higher education in the field of media arts.

The Digital Effects program is aimed at creating an effective career pathway for the students in our community. There is a need in Ventura County for such a career pathway as identified by the industries in the area such as Kalo, Williams Lea, Amgen, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Mediazoo, etc. This certificate program could serve as a gateway to high-skill and high-wage jobs for our new students, returning students, or the adult members of our community who might be seeking a career change or those who are already working in the animation and special effects industry but would benefit from obtaining a more formal education. Furthermore, the knowledge and experience gained from this certificate program will definitely benefit those students who decide to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Digital Effects. By completing this program, students will have a firm knowledge of how to apply digital effects to real world-applications, and this proficiency will surely heighten the confidence and motivation of some students to aim for a higher education in the field of media arts.

A Certificate of Achievement in Digital Effects may lead to a broad range of employment opportunities in different industry sectors, as noted by Occupational Employment Statistics Query System (OES). Industries with the highest levels of employment in Animators, industries with the highest concentration of jobs in Animators, and the Top paying industries for Digital Effects designers include:

- Motion Picture and Video Industries

- Software Publishers

- Independent Artists/Writers/Performers

- Other Information Services

- Advertising and Related Services

- Computer Systems Design and Related Services

- Radio and Television Broadcasting

- Specialized Design Services

Description:

Digital effects designers create special effects, or other visually driven narratives images using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products or creations, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials.

Program Student Learning Outcomes:

• Demonstrate the skills and the knowledge necessary to apply deductive and inductive reasoning to analyze problems and synthesize solutions to design problems.
  
• Demonstrate the ability to work as a team member, to communicate effectively with others, and to show individual judgement in determining potential issues and problems.